Montrose will advance to the Class 4A quarterfinals for the second season in a row under the guidance of coach Todd Casebier. And for the second season in a row, it was a close contest.
A running team, Montrose loosened up Cherokee Trail with its passing game. The lead changed three times in the second half before the Indians drove to set up Patrick Stevens’ game-winning field goal from 36 yards for a 23-21 victory on Saturday in Montrose.
Last year, the Indians edged Littleton 21-20 in the first round.
Elsewhere, Monarch needed overtime against Broomfield to win 21-14. Also, Greeley West manhandled Mesa Ridge 35-7.
Class 3A
Florence remained in defense of its state title with a 21-19 road victory against previously undefeated Berthoud in the first round.
Pueblo County, 1-9 last season, continued its string of stunning performances by toppling Sterling 28-14.
The other games were one-sided, with top-seeded Alamosa (11-0) beating Harrison 52-14, Rifle taking out Elizabeth 35-10, Steamboat Springs shutting out Fort Lupton 28-0 and surging Summit (11-0) knocking off Moffat County 26-0.
Class 2A
Jacob Paden returned an interception 76 yards for a touchdown as Platte Valley stomped Salida 35-0 in the 2A quarterfinals.
Brush shut out Trinidad 22-0 and will face top-seeded Faith Christian in the semifinals.
Class 1A
Limon won its 50th consecutive game with a 21-0 shutout of Hayden, and Burlington, Akron and Lyons also advanced to the semifinals.
Class A 8-man
In a battle of undefeateds, Granada crushed Dove Creek 35-0. Stratton edged Sedgwick County 34-28, Haxtun shut out Merino and Nucla scored 52 points to rough up Sangre de Cristo 52-38.
