CLASS 5A Quarterfinals
(1) Columbine (11-0) at (9) Bear Creek (9-2)
When: Saturday, 1 p.m., Jefferson County Stadium
What’s up? Top-seeded Rebels ripped the Bears 56-20 in Week 9 to clinch the South Metro League title. Orenzo Davis, Jeff Cicchinelli and Chad Korodaj are very much a three-headed monster of a running back and complete with speed, power, experience and 38 touchdowns rushing and receiving. Winning streak at 24 games, or a higher number than most of their national rankings. For the Bears, Touchdown Tommy Flanagan (22 rushing and receiving) is back from an ankle injury, but big junior tackle Jeremiah Sirles (ACL surgery pending), who was hurt in the first meeting, has to keep watching. Dajuan Mack has reeled in 13 touchdown receptions as a junior. Ten sophomores will start Saturday. When clicking, Bears’ balance, athleticism and know-how are as good as any offense.
What’s next? Admit it. Rebels’ run is glorious — they have won 24 games in a row and are 88-13 in the 2000s. Bear Creek is capable, even if it’s thinner up front, but the bigger Bears thing is to avoid mistakes. Columbine doesn’t make many and eats others for snacks.
(5) Grandview (9-2) at (4) Heritage (10-1)
When: Today, 7 p.m., Littleton Public Schools Stadium, FSN
What’s up? A rousing Wolves victory last week, its second of 2007 against Cherry Creek. Another, which would be their ninth in succession, means a second 5A semifinals showing. They also made it in 2005. Bo Bolen may appear banged up, but who isn’t? He gives out as many hits as he takes and teams with Davis Burl for a legitimate 1-2 punch. Ask their coaches if last week’s line play on both sides should be a film-keeper. Heritage has won 10 straight games after dropping its opener to Highlands Ranch. Consider it a tribute to developed balance — junior receiver Brandon Kaufman had one ball thrown his way in last week’s win over Rocky Mountain. No problem. Underrated senior back Ryan Skogg rolled to 261 yards and four touchdowns. Eagles hope to party like it’s 1999, or the last season they made a final four.
What’s next? Grandview’s talent is real and must show up. It has been doing just that since a 1-2 season start. Heritage’s big plays, solid defense and heart have been worth watching, and its biggest test awaits.
(10) Legacy (9-2) at (2) Mullen (11-0)
When: Today, 7 p.m., Brother Bernard Kinneavy De La Salle Stadium
What’s up? Lightning has struck for 70 points in two playoff victories, notably last week’s 26-10 decision of Highlands Ranch. Luke Bublitz (four postseason touchdown passes) is drawing attention; 6-foot-3 junior quarterbacks will do that. Fort Collins represented the Front Range in last year’s semifinals; Legacy would love to follow. Go to Mullen, you’ll touch the ball. Four Mustangs have thrown it, 15 have ran with it and 19 have caught it. Getting experience is what it is. A victory means Mullen will have made at least the semifinals in each of Dave Logan’s five years as head coach. Senior kicker Caleb Pavy, Colorado’s all-time points leader at the position, is in contention for his fourth consecutive championship game.
What’s next? Legacy’s deepest run into the playoffs in coach Wayne Vorhees’ five years is there if its positional defense and skill players execute. However, Mullen, winner of 14 of its past 17 playoff games, has put together the best running game since this side of you-know- who.
(6) Douglas County (9-2) at (3) Thomas Jefferson (11-0)
When: Today, 7 p.m., All-City Stadium
What’s up? Huskies are going off on scoring binges. They have totaled 52 points in two second quarters in the postseason. Good news: Huskies average 5 yards per rushing attempt, team-high 7.3 by Jose Astorga. The better their line play, the better they are — power remains big in Castle Rock. Thomas Jefferson hoping for its first semifinals showing since 2002, the days of Derrick Martin. It’s obvious: diminutive back Devon Fitzgerald (22 touchdowns) is difficult to stop. TJ’s defense had to be athletic last week in downing East and it was.
What’s next? Suburban superiority is on the Huskies’ side, but so are lineman Nick Hernon and two-way skill star Tyler Jackson. TJ coming through would be enormous for the city.
CLASS 4A Quarterfinals
(1) Ralston Valley (11-0) at (9) Monarch (10-1)
When: Today, 7 p.m., Warrior Stadium
What’s up? Mustangs, who have held the classification’s top spot since opening day, have been convincing — they have won every game but two by 10 or more points. Seven players scored touchdowns last week in an up-and-down 56-42 victory over Loveland, two by Matt Spirek. Ralston Valley’s league, the Mountain Plains, has produced five state champions since 1999. Monarch, the 2002 Colorado 4A winner, has no secrets. It features Cale Soole in every sense — he carries three times to every other Coyotes’ one. Their defense has been consistent. Other than in a 19-7 loss to Cherokee Trail in Week 2, no other team has scored more than seven points and there have been six shutouts.
What’s next? Ralston Valley can slug it out or turn it into a track meet. Monarch would prefer the former.
(5) Air Academy (10-1) at (4) Cherokee Trail (11-0)
When: Today, 7 p.m., Legacy Stadium
What’s up? Matt Newland’s late field goal last week capped a 10-point quarter in a 17-14 decision of ThunderRidge, a rare victory for those on the south side of the line at Douglas County over the north in the playoffs. Quarterback Brennan Price is the tour guide of Kadets’ hopes. Mustangs’ first playoff game at home last week since they began in 2004 was thrilling (sophomore backup QB Diamond Gillis led a late charge in downing Pine Creek 15-14), but came with a price (starter Gabe Walsh went down with a knee injury).
What’s next? Kadets sensing their first semifinals since 1998. Cougars have grown up quickly and insist they’re ready for another step.
(6) Pueblo West (9-2) at (3) Pueblo South (11-0)
When: Saturday, 7 p.m., Dutch Clark Stadium
What’s up? Gee, think Dutch Clark will rock? Visiting Cyclones have won five in a row, notably last week’s 12-10 squeaker against Dakota Ridge, one of the quality victories in younger school history. P-West fans should hear these names called a lot — workhorse runner Joe Torres and quarterback Chaz Vaughn. Colts were spotty last week in fighting off Longmont 14-9, now have a crosstown foe between them and the semifinals. Pueblo South has won 10 or more games seven straight seasons. Quarterback Tony Medina and top runner Kameron Rucker have 27 touchdowns and nearly 2,200 yards rushing between them.
What’s next? Can it be any better in a playoff-hungry Steel City?
(2) Broomfield (11-0) at (10) Fountain-Fort Carson (10-1)
When: Today, 7 p.m., Guy Barickman Stadium
What’s up? Running back Ryland Snow (31 touchdowns, more than 300 rushing attempts) is as synonymous to the current Eagles as the blue on their jerseys. He rolled to 228 yards (on 39 carries) and two touchdowns last week in a 33-14 whipping of Sierra. Eagles haven’t lost in more than a year — they fell in last season’s preliminaries. Trojans traded scores before downing host Montrose last week, with quarterback Will Paddock heading three scoring drives, two capped by Ethan Wilson runs. It’s one of the top facilties in in-state schoolboy sports and a tough place to play for visitors. It’s just the Trojans’ second home game in six weeks.
What’s next? The Eagles are going to bring Snow, and the Trojans know it.
CLASS 3A Quarterfinals
(1) Falcon (11-0) at (9) Conifer (9-2)
When: Today, 7 p.m., Trailblazer Stadium
What’s up? They really went at it in the opener, with the visiting Falcons taking a 17-14 victory, their only triumph by fewer than 16 points. Falcon’s lines continue to play big and Keenen Ballage (2,211 yards) has established himself as 3A’s premier rusher. Lobos on a seven-game roll, beat Rock Canyon in last week’s preliminaries, for the second time in 2007 (they also met in Week 3 in nonleague).
What’s next? Defeating a team for the second time in a season is difficult, although Colorado’s setup certainly seems to provide ample opportunities to test it.
(5) Palisade (9-2) at (4) Fort Morgan (10-1)
When: Saturday, 1 p.m. Legion Field
What’s up? Bulldogs outslugged D’Evelyn 42-31 in last week’s first round behind Travis Fehlman’s 245 yards rushing. Palisade working on its seventh title since 1994. Revived Mustangs were thorough in last week’s 27-8 victory over Florence, their eighth in a row this season. It also was their first playoff victory since the 2001 semifinals.
What’s next? Experienced Bulldogs used to long postseason road trips, including to areas riding the high of resurgence.
(6) Fossil Ridge (9-2) at (3) Pueblo County (10-1)
When: Saturday, 1:30 p.m., Hornets Nest
What’s up? SaberCats coach Clint Fick, devoutly faithful, resurrects programs. He directed Faith Christian to a title, revived Thompson Valley, now has Fossil Ridge, which began 0-20, in the final eight. SaberCats getting it done on defense — they haven’t given up more than two touchdowns the past seven weeks. Last season’s state runner-up, the Hornets have won five in a row behind bruising runner Joe Pullara and lines eager to play for another title. Pueblo County has won four of its past five postseason games.
What’s next? SaberCats won’t shy from physical play, although slowing things down would be ideal. Hornets like to slug it out at either pace.
(15) Sterling (7-4) at (10) Berthoud (9-2)
When: Saturday, 1 p.m., Max Marr Stadium
What’s up? It’s another rematch, Berthoud won 14-6 in Week 5. Tigers coming off the biggest upset of the bracket and one of the best in 3A all season — they won 28-27 at second-seeded and previously undefeated Glenwood Springs. Berthoud won its first playoff game since 1985 in last week’s preliminaries, 27-21 at Elizabeth. Alex Sommers and Jordan Major combined for 200 yards rushing and the Spartans erased a 21-0 deficit in the third.
What’s next? This isn’t a movie, so the sequel should be worth viewing. It will be about scrapping against a familiar foe.
