The Western Slope League can take a bow after sending four teams to the quarterfinal round of the Class 3A state football playoffs, and the Tri-Valley League simply bowed out after all five of its teams lost in the first round.
One of those Western Slope teams, defending state champion Rifle, seemed to defy all odds after losing a large senior group and all but one starter from its championship offense to graduation. But the Bears have tradition, and that in part helped them knock off then-undefeated Northridge in the first round.
“In the beginning, I think a lot of people misconstrued youth with inexperience. (Rifle) has been to the playoffs 11 years in a row, and every kid who plays in this program knows the expectations here,” said first-year Rifle coach Damon Wells, who was an assistant for the program for years before taking the top job.
The Bears started the season 3-4 and looked to be in danger of ending their run of postseason appearances. But three straight wins secured for Rifle the fourth and final Western Slope playoff berth, and this edition of the Rifle Bears established themselves as contenders after last week’s upset.
Next up for Rifle is Elizabeth, a team led by quarterback Tony Weber and running back Mitch Johnson on offense, and Doug Hanes and Clinton Noe on defense.
For Rifle, linebacker Mitch Kost started on the title team last season and is the defensive leader.
“Mitch makes sure everyone is in the right place and really makes the defense run. And Cody Boe, when he decides he wants to play, can really be a dominant force,” Wells said.
3A QUARTERFINAL MATCHUPS
Palisade (9-2) at Florence (10-1)
One of the best games of the weekend at any level is this meeting of programs that faced each other in state title games in 2002 and 2003 and traded wins.
The ultimate task for the Florence Huskies will be to stop Palisade’s crushing ground game, led by Jason Popick (1,948 yards) and Levon Davis (913).
As a team, the Bulldogs have rushed for 3,600 yards. And their defense has allowed fewer points than any other 3A team.
Florence’s offense, on the other hand, has scored more points than any other 3A team, and quarterback Jeremy Young is a major reason.
Young has thrown 15 touchdown passes this season and just two interceptions, and he has 1,400 yards passing to go with 1,080 on the ground.
Brandon Ridgeway has rushed for 1,128 yards and Cody Bennett has 41 catches for 1,041 yards.
Conifer (9-2) at Alamosa (8-3)
The Lobos travel to Alamosa in a game that pits a running offense against a passing one.
Conifer running backs Dan DeLay and Sam Loeblein have 2,200 of the team’s 3,600 yards rushing.
The Mean Moose stumbled midway through the season, but quarterback Clay Garcia has plenty of weapons at his disposal. Sonny Yohn has 742 yards rushing, and deep threats Dustin Bolt, Lane Wasinger and Jason Espinoza all have at least 46 receptions.
Eagle Valley (10-1) at Steamboat Spgs. (9-2)
This game means at least one Western Slope team will not advance to the 3A semifinals.
Eagle Valley, with its potent double-wing offense, beat the Sailors 16-13 in the regular season with the help of a pair of two-point conversions.
“We’ve been looking at that offense for several years now and what’s most impressive is how well they run it,” Steamboat Springs coach Aaron Finch said. “But we have a team defense and someone different steps up every week to get it done.
“We call ourselves wild dogs, a bunch of little guys chasing around and bringing down big game.”
The Sailors’ defense features leading tackler Westin Cofer, sacks leader Lane Shipley and interceptions leader Scott Stanko.
Eagle Valley, which lost only to Rifle, stunned just about everybody by winning the Western Slope title after enduring a 3-7 season a year ago.
Elizabeth (8-3) at Rifle (7-4)
Elizabeth has had teams good enough to make the playoffs in recent years. But after a quarterfinal appearance in 2001, it had been three years of one-and- done for the Cardinals until now.
That is similar to the route Rifle took to its state title last season. The Bears were knocked out in the first round three years in a row before finally breaking through.
Elizabeth is capable of putting up big points with quarterback Tony Weber.
“Defensively, we need to contain their quarterback. He is a heck of an athlete. And our defense needs to know where (receiver Clinton Noe) is on every down,” Rifle coach Damon Wells said.
