AULT — The latest in a long line of great Limon quarterbacks is just a sophomore. That’s bad news for the rest of Class 1A.
Matt Brown was as poised as any player on the field during the second half against Highland in a Class 1A quarterfinal Saturday. It doesn’t hurt that the Badgers signal-caller has all sorts of talent and protection around him, either.
Second-seeded Limon (10-1) advanced to the semifinals with a 39-20 victory over the Huskies and will host Wray (8-3) on Saturday.
“I was just proud of our kids and the effort we got out of them,” said Limon coach Mike O’Dwyer, who suited just 28 players. “We’re not very big, but, by golly, we’ll come play with anybody.”
Highland (7-4), hosting its first playoff game since 1977, trailed only 20-14 at halftime after Tyler Clawson scored on an 80-yard kickoff return.
But the Badgers stopped Highland’s potential go-ahead drive to start the second half when Isaac Ashcraft sacked quarterback Damion Fedler on a fourth-and-10 play.
Brown then led the Badgers on an 11-play, 67-yard march that culminated with his third touchdown pass of the game, a 6-yard strike to Kirk Pottorff.
“Our receivers just went up and caught the ball and had a great day,” said Brown, who was 16-of-29 passing for 215 yards and four touchdowns. “It was just get back to basics and run the offense.”
Highland answered on the first play of the fourth quarter with Austin Kinnison’s 1-yard touchdown run to make it 26-20, but Kinnison’s fumble on the next possession was turned into a Limon touchdown.
“(Limon) made a lot of plays when they needed to and that’s the telling point of a good, solid program,” Highland coach Todd Matkin said. “We’re a good program, and it’s a great accomplishment for us to get this far, but my hat’s off to them.”
Limon running back Zach Scherrer, in addition to his one touchdown reception, finished with 112 yards and one touchdown rushing on 22 carries.
Limon 7 13 6 13 – 39
Highland 7 7 0 6 – 20
L – Brown 5 run (Cordova kick). H – Kinnison 15 run (Stone kick). L – Scherrer 6 pass from Brown (Cordova kick). L – Stone 16 pass from Brown (kick blocked). H – Clawson 80 kickoff return (Stone kick). L – Pottorff 6 pass from Brown (run failed). H – Kinnison 1 run (kick blocked). L – Scherrer 1 run (pass failed). L – Pottorff 23 pass from Brown (Cordova kick).
Jon E. Yunt: 303-954-1354 or jyunt@denverpost.com
