No. 16 Palmer Ridge (6-4) at No. 1 Elizabeth (10-0)
Elizabeth High School Stadium, Friday, 7 p.m.
Elizabeth has won every game this season by 15 points or more, including its past seven games by an average of 48.7 points. Senior running back Matt Biery leads Elizabeth’s ground attack. Palmer Ridge, with its first senior class, is making its postseason debut.
No. 9 Roosevelt (9-1) at No. 8 Frederick (6-4)
Alex Tesone Field, Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
Frederick overcame a four-game losing streak early in the season to run the table and win the Tri-Valley League championship. One of those losses was to Roosevelt (28-14) on Oct. 1 at home. Roosevelt has won four straight since a conference-opening loss to Mountain View.
No. 13 Silver Creek (7-3) at No. 4 Palisade (9-1)
Stocker Stadium, Grand Junction, Friday, 7 p.m.
Palisade’s loss was a 21-20 setback to Western Slope League champion Glenwood Springs. Quarterback Luke McLean, Palisade’s top rusher, can beat teams with his legs as much as his arm. Silver Creek, from Longmont, is in the playoffs for the first time since 2005 and wants its first win.
No. 12 Evergreen (8-2) at No. 5 Vista Ridge (8-2)
Sand Creek High School, Saturday, 1 p.m.
Evergreen ends a five-year playoff drought behind a potent running game with interchangeable parts, quarterback Noah Ansley and tailbacks Jared Thaut and Nate Travis. Vista Ridge, with its first senior class in program history, is in the playoffs for the first time.
No. 14 Windsor (7-3) at No. 3 Mountain View (9-1)
Ray Patterson Stadium, Saturday, 1 p.m.
Both are making their third straight playoff appearance. Mountain View got three TDs from Joey Hlushak in a 28-7 win at Windsor in Week 4. Brandon Baeckel leads a stingy Mountain Lions defense with 112 tackles and 3 1/2 sacks.
No. 11 Erie (7-3) at No. 6 Cañon City (7-3)
Citizens Stadium, Saturday, 1 p.m.
Erie is making its first trip to the 3A playoffs and fifth overall. The Tigers, who are led by 900-yard rushers Levi Hammett and Zach Chambers, have lost two straight. Cañon City hasn’t won a playoff game since 2003, when it was in 4A.
No. 10 Lewis-Palmer (8-2) at No. 7 Centaurus (8-2)
Warriors Stadium, Saturday, 1 p.m.
This is only the Rangers’ second postseason appearance since 1995. The Warriors have won six in a row since a league-opening loss to Holy Family en route to the Metro North title. QB Evan Erickson and receiver Cyrus Norwood provide a solid 1-2 punch for Centaurus’ passing game.
No. 15 Englewood (8-2) at No. 2 Glenwood Springs (9-1)
Stubler Memorial Field, Saturday, 1 p.m.
Luke Jacob and Drew Halsch combined to rush for more than 2,100 yards to lead the Demons, who won the 2008 state title. Englewood’s two losses —to Evergreen and Elizabeth — were by a combined score of 97-20, including a 52-7 defeat last week to the top-ranked Cardinals.
Michael Hicks, Special to The Denver Post
