(16) Holy Family (6-4) at (1) Platte Canyon (10-0), Saturday, 1 p.m. Holy Family’s Tigers haven’t beaten a team that finished its season with a winning record. . . . This is odd as well as dominant — the Tigers had four consecutive homes in the middle of the regular season. They won by a combined 203-8 with three shutouts. . . . PC’s speedy A.J. Melillo (1,596 yards, 27 TDs) is among a strong, physical group that includes Dillon Whisman and Michael Pollick.
(9) Manitou Springs (8-2) at (8) Pagosa Springs (5-5), Saturday, 1 p.m. The only hits Manitou Springs has taken were in the opener to Kent Denver and 18-13 to Florence. . . . Quarterback Alex Reiter has thrown for 15 TDs and run for eight. . . . Pagosa’s Pirates began 0-3 but snuck in late by edging Bayfield 23-21.
(13) Platte Valley (6-4) at (4) Erie (9-1), Saturday, 1 p.m. Defending champion Platte Valley dropped four of its first five games, including three in a row. . . . Top rushers are David Devitt and Jordan Smith. . . . Erie’s Tigers were riding high before the last week’s loss to Faith Christian for the Flatirons crown. . . . Alex Ortega and Mike Chambers about as good of a 1-2 rushing punch as there in the class.
(12) Aspen (8-2) at (5) Florence (9-1), Saturday, 1 p.m. Skiers finished third in the Western Slope. . . . Beau Seguin leading the way with 15 touchdowns. . . . After dropping down from 3A, Huskies lost their opener to 3A Falcon, then reeled off nine victories in a row. All but Manitou Springs (18-13) were won by at least two touchdowns. . . . Bret Leader and Heath Benker have combined for nearly 2,000 yards rushing, a Huskies trademark.
(14) Buena Vista (6-4) at (3) Olathe (10-0), Saturday, 1 p.m. Buena Vista tied Pagosa Springs for the Mountain title, but got the second seed after losing head-to-head. . . . Larson Greenfield has rushed and passed for 23 touchdowns and nearly 2,400 yards. Demons also boast man-child Mason Finley. . . . Pirates have been brilliant, running both nonleague and Western Slope tables.
(11) Eaton (7-3) at (6) Kent Denver (9-1), Justin DeSorrento Memorial Field, Saturday, 1 p.m. Eaton probably had 2A’s toughest nonleague slate, including Platte Canyon and Erie. . . . QB Seth Lobato one of 2A’s most intriguing and interesting players. . . . Terrific balance for Kent Denver. Tyler Jackson and Patrick Murray a potent 1-2 rushing punch, sophomore QB Richard Yates has been steady.
(10) Grand Valley (8-2) at (7) Brush (8-2), Saturday, 1 p.m. Solid defensive effort for Grand Valley, which has given up three-or-more TDs only three times. . . . Lost the Western Slope title to Olathe in Week 10. . . . Beetdiggers’ only setbacks to 3A Fort Morgan (8-0 in the season opener) and to league foe Weld Central (28-25).
(15) The Classical Academy (8-2) at (2) Faith Christian (10-0), Friday, 7:30 p.m. TCA’s first playoff appearance. . . . Finished third in the Colorado, behind Platte Canyon and Kent Denver. . . . Brice Queener has thrown for 12 TDs. . . . Faith is running smoothly, particularly after a convincing defeat of Erie in Week 10 for the Flatirons crown. . . . Faith quarterback Micah Twedell has multiple options with a deep backfield and emerging receivers.
Neil H. Devlin, The Denver Post
