No. 16 Durango (5-5) at No. 1 Broomfield (9-1)
Friday, 7 p.m.
Player of the year candidate Dan Geubelle averaged more than a first down per carry in the regular season for the Eagles — 10.8 yards en route to 1,545 yards. The Eagles haven’t scored fewer than 40 points in their current seven-game winning streak. Three of Durango’s wins came against New Mexico schools, but the Demons sneaked into the playoffs by upending Montrose 30-27 in the regular-season finale. Demons junior QB Joe Keresey has had a peaks-and-valleys season with 10 touchdown passes and 10 picks.
No. 9 Loveland (6-4) at No. 8 Falcon (9-1)
Friday, 7 p.m.
Loveland won five of its final six to finish second in the Northern League. The Indians, guided by fullback and linebacker Connor Medbery, has absorbed losses to three 5A teams and top-seeded Broomfield. Falcon has retooled after a getting throttled 47-14 by Pine Creek in Week 7. Jade Gale (1,030 yards) has subbed nicely at tailback for the injured Keenan Britton. Neither quarterback — Loveland’s Scott Weissman nor Falcon’s Joey Caron — is shy about stretching the field.
No. 13 Castle View (6-4) at No. 4 Pine Creek (9-1)
Friday, 7 p.m.
Pine Creek has rolled to four lopsided wins since a surprising 22-21 loss to Pueblo West. The Eagles are guided by 6-foot-4 dual-threat quarterback Kris Kentera and the hard-nosed running of Josh Beacham (1,105 yards rushing). Castle View is 0-4 against teams with a winning record. Junior tailback Bryce Lich needs only 5 yards to crack the 1,000-yard barrier. His eight rushing touchdowns trail teammate Tommy Moen (11).
No. 12 Widefield (8-2) at No. 5 Valor Christian (7-3)
Friday, 7 p.m.
Valor Christian remains in the mix of title contenders and is hoping to get healthy for the postseason. The Eagles’ losses all came against top- notch 5A competition. QB Brock Berglund has been grooving it in the latter half of the season, and freshman running back Christian McCaffrey has been a key contributor. Widefield tailback Chris Ashe has been one of the most dynamic players in 4A with 1,865 yards rushing and 26 TDs. The Gladiators have cooled after a 7-0 start.
No. 14 Mesa Ridge (7-3) at No. 3 Wheat Ridge (9-1)
Jeffco Stadium, Friday, 7 p.m.
Nick Ossello has rushed for 1,272 yards and Nick Swanson 897 for Wheat Ridge, which was unbeaten before a 26-14 setback against Monarch in the Mountain Plains League finale. The tandem has combined for 27 TDs rushing. Ossello has thrown for eight TDs. The run-happy Rangers have thrived behind senior Phillip Rhodes (1,587 yards, 10 TDs), while Tyson Dunckel and Alex Kazee have provided solid auxiliary yardage on the ground. Mesa Ridge has struggled against the top-tier contenders, going 1-3 vs. playoff teams.
No. 11 Pueblo West (7-3) at No. 6 Ponderosa (7-3)
Sports Authority Stadium, Friday, 7 p.m.
In perhaps the most compelling matchup of the opening round, strength will be pitted against strength. Pueblo West QB Connor Roumph has 13 TD passes and two interceptions. Derek Jackson has rushed for 1,033 yards and 11 TDs. Ponderosa relies on Tyler Sandt (1,260 yards, 22 TDs) on the ground and has a swarming defense led by linebacker Austin Gabel. The Mustangs have a top-notch kicker in Nate Ekhoff, who could prove to be a key commodity in a tight game.
No. 10 Pueblo South (5-5) at No. 7 Dakota Ridge (7-3)
Jeffco Stadium, Saturday, noon
Dakota Ridge QB Bolton Howes guides one of the most pass-primary offenses in 4A. He has thrown 20 TD passes, including nine to Derek Vander Velde. The Eagles’ defense is led by Brenden Lopez, who specializes in reaching the offensive backfield. Pueblo South finished strong after a 1-4 start that included two gut-wrenching 29-28 losses (Falcon, Mesa Ridge). The Colts punched their ticket to the postseason by outlasting Pueblo West 34-31 in OT in the regular-season finale.
No. 15 Longmont (6-4) at No. 2 Monarch (9-1)
Warrior Stadium, Friday, 7 p.m.
After being obliterated by Broomfield in the opener, Monarch roared back to run the table in its final nine. The Coyotes’ season-culminating win against Wheat Ridge proved they were back. Ryan Muller is the key back among several who receive regular carries for MoHi. Sophomore QB Forrest Wetterstrom has been a key find for a Longmont squad that has shown flashes this season but lacks consistency. The Trojans use many backs, including Darian Finley-Garcia and Cameron Herbert, behind their beefy offensive line.
Paul Willis, Special to The Denver Post
