(16) Broomfield (6-4) at (1) Pine Creek (10-0), District 20 Stadium, Friday, 7 p.m. It’s the battle of the Eagles. . . . Broomfield makes its eighth playoff appearance of the 21st century, Pine Creek its sixth. . . . Pine Creek’s preseason questions have been answered: Josh Chance and Vance Garman have combined for nearly 1,400 yards rushing and 21 touchdowns. . . . Broomfield’s Chris Little has 14 TDs total by air and land.
(9) Sierra (8-2) at (8) Heritage (9-1), Littleton Public Schools Stadium, Friday, 7 p.m. Speed and skill will abound. . . . The senior-laden Stallions, many of them four-year starters, have been looking forward to this playoff run for ages. . . . The Eagles, preseason No. 1 after dropping from 5A, will get to test their big-play trio of running back Jordan Delbaugh, quarterback Mitch Griebel and receiver Shane Opitz against a fast defense.
(13) Niwot (7-3) at (4) Montrose (9-1), Saturday, 1 p.m. By air or by land? . . . The Cougars will lead on the pass with Cody Lahman; the Indians ship via the ground with Nathan Robertson. . . . Niwot backs into the playoffs after consecutive losses in the tough Northern League. . . . The Indians have romped since Zero Week loss to Glenwood Springs, the top seed in 3A.
(12) Littleton (8-2) at (5) Greeley West (9-1), District 6 Stadium, Saturday, 1 p.m. Congrats, Spartans. Win the toughest 4A league, lose to a tough 5A team and get the No. 5 seed. . . . Steffen Bunting has nearly 1,500 yards rushing and Sean Blackmer nearly 1,300 passing for West. . . . Jessen Kirchner leads the Lions, who are 1-2 vs. teams with a winning record.
(14) Dakota Ridge (7-3) at (3) Pueblo South (10-0), Dutch Clark Stadium, Friday, 7 p.m. Familiar ground, contrasting styles. . . . Eagles, 0-3 against playoff teams, wing it with Bolton Howes and run with Andrew Melton (1,585 yards, 24 touchdowns). . . . The Colts, playoff stalwarts with no title game appearances, rock the Steel City behind talented QB Kameron Wilhite.
(11) Monarch (8-2) at (6) Longmont (9-1), Everly-Montgomery Field, Saturday, 1 p.m. Mouth guards ready. . . . Tiebreakers drop Coyotes, the 2007 runners-up, to No. 11. . . . Monarch’s vaunted rushing offense is using the pass effectively. . . . Trojans are dangerous with QB Jake Johnson running the show. Their one loss (Greeley West)? He was injured and did not play.
(10) Ralston Valley (7-3) at (7) Fountain-Fort Carson (9-1), Guy R. Barickman Stadium, Friday, 7 p.m. Rematch of Zero Week slugfest that Trojans won 14-7 on the road. . . . Devyn Harris (6-foot-3, 200 pounds) and Quinton Lawson (5-10, 198) have more than 1,600 yards rushing for Trojans. . . . With two losses to 5A playoff teams, the Mustangs ride a seven-game winning streak.
(15) Rock Canyon (7-3) at (2) Wheat Ridge (10-0), Jefferson County Stadium, Friday 7 p.m. New vs. Old. . . . Jaguars 4A debut is playoff-worthy. They’ll pass (Drew Sandlin to Keith Link) and try to leverage their speed and lack of size. . . . Farmers, champions in 2006 and forever chippy since missing the playoffs in 2007, thrive off the do-everything talent of Parker Orms (1,778 yards rushing, 21 TDs).
Brian Forbes, Special to The Denver Post
