Unlike the boat races of recent seasons – in which one team held sway over all others – the most recent edition of the Class 1A football playoffs has become a complete free-for-all.
Limon, which set a Colorado record last week with its 49th consecutive win, has cruised to three straight state titles. But this season, at least five teams have a legitimate shot at the championship.
The Badgers (10-0) are joined by major contenders in Akron (10-0), Burlington (9-1), Del Norte (9-1), Lyons (9-1) and Hayden (9-1), all with honest claims to superiority.
But no other team, perhaps at any level, is playing as well as Akron.
The Rams’ 55-0 first-round victory last week over Rocky Ford was their fifth shutout this season. Akron has allowed just 43 points for a defensive average of less than a touchdown per game.
The mark is better even than Limon’s run to the title in 2004, when the Badgers allowed 77 points over 13 games and just two points in its final seven games.
“We try to be strong everywhere,” Akron coach Brian Christensen said.
“Even in the back-to-back title years (when Akron won in 2001-02), I don’t think we held teams this tight.”
Akron has thrived this season in smash-mouth football. Its linemen might be the best group in the state, keeping opponents’ touchdowns to a minimum while outscoring them 363-43.
In its first-round thumping of Rocky Ford, Akron scored often and on few plays. Steven Hall rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns on just four carries. And Jared Reid threw for 105 yards on 5-of-9 completions and two touchdowns.
But on Saturday, when Akron travels to Byers (7-3) for a 1 p.m. game, the Rams will see a team unlike those they have faced all season.
“We haven’t seen a club that throws like they do,” Christensen said. “They have some very good personnel, and they’re very well-coached.”
While Akron thrived in the run-dominant North Central Conference, with the likes of Lyons, Wray and Lutheran, its matchup with pass-happy Byers will be much different.
Byers lines up with the best throwing quarterback in 1A in Bobby Adamson, who threw for nearly 2,200 yards through the Bulldogs’ 27-6 victory over Custer County last week.
1A football
LIMON (10-0) AT HAYDEN (9-1)
Limon handled Burlington’s rushing attack with a 27-13 win in Week 5. But in Hayden, the Badgers will face Class 1A’s top rusher. Coy Letlow, the Tigers’ sophomore tailback, has gained 1,664 yards this season, including a 174-yard performance last week against Sargent. The Badgers, though, are balanced on offense, with quarterback Justin Sandersfeld, running back Andy Love and wideout Joe Stone. Hayden is the Western Slope’s best.
DEL NORTE (9-1) AT LYONS (9-1)
Noteworthy after Limon’s record 49th consecutive victory last week: Class A 8-man Stratton, the previous record-holder with 48 wins from 1992-96, was coached by current Del Norte coach Greg King. In his six seasons at Del Norte, King is 49-11 since 2001. Against John Nichols’ Lyons Lions, the game should be decided on defense, with speed and size comparisons a wash.
BURLINGTON (9-1) AT WRAY (7-3)
A rematch from Week 1 and the continuation of a long-standing Eastern Plains rivalry, Wray’s hosting of Burlington will pit neighbors against each other. Burlington topped Wray 37-10 on Sept. 1. And the Cougars last week won much as they have all season: behind 1A’s best running back. Brian Hendricks’ 27 carries for 322 yards netted four touchdowns, including a 93-yarder. Wray’s call will be to stop him and force the rest of Burlington’s roster to respond.
AKRON (10-0) AT BYERS (7-3)
Byers poses a particular problem for undefeated Akron. While Akron rolled through the North Central with a group of linemen that may be the best in the class, the Rams have yet to see a team that will spread the field like Byers. The Bulldogs throw, so their game plan may negate Akron’s advantage in the trenches. Byers must stop the Rams’ single-wing attack that has averaged 36.3 points per game. If they can, it will be the Bulldogs’ first trip to the semifinals in school history.
Playoffs: In bracket order
QUARTERFINALS
SATURDAY
Limon (10-0) at Hayden (9-1), 1 p.m.
Del Norte (9-1) at Lyons (9-1), 1 p.m.
Burlington (9-1) at Wray (7-3), 1 p.m.
Akron (10-0) at Byers (7-3), 1 p.m.
Semifinals: Nov. 18
Championship: Nov. 25
Nick Groke can be reached at 303-954-1015 or ngroke@denverpost.com.
