Class 1A
Quarterfinals
No. 1 Wray (10-0) at No. 9 Hayden (6-4)
Saturday, 1 p.m.
Hayden opened the season with back-to- back North Central League opponents (both in Idaho Springs), so it has an idea of what it will see Saturday. Rest assured, it will be a steady dose of QB Brett Vlasin and WR Jarrett Cure for the Eagles.
No. 4 Limon (9-1) at No. 12 Paonia (5-5)
Saturday, 1 p.m.
Momentum is clearly on Limon’s side, having scored 41 points in the final quarter last week against Yuma. The host Eagles will throw it again and again. QB Casey Gillenwater spearheaded a 48-24 upset of Rye last week and has thrown for more than 1,700 yards this season.
No. 3 Burlington (9-1) at No. 6 at Byers (9-1)
Saturday, 1 p.m.
It’s your classic matchup of a high-powered offense against a stone-walling defense. Byers’ offense, led by QB Jordan Dodge (2,700 yards and 28 touchdowns passing), has posted big numbers all season, but against lesser teams in the newly formed Metro South League. Burlington has given up just 14 points in its past four games.
No. 2 Hotchkiss (9-1) at No. 7 Lyons (8-2)
Saturday, 1 p.m.
The Bulldogs’ bulldozing style, with Jacobe Galley and Jaime Rodriguez, will keep the Lyons front seven busy. Lyons’ emotional victory over longtime nemesis Akron last week stands to only make the Roland Valadez-led Lions tougher.
Jon E. Yunt, The Denver Post
8-man
Quarterfinals
No. 1 Caliche (9-1) at No. 9 Elbert (9-1)
Saturday, 1 p.m.
Living up to the preseason hype, Caliche has been nothing short of spectacular, including a 57-6 drubbing of Kiowa in the first round. Up next is another Black Forest League team in Elbert, which wants to get back to the semifinals, as it did last year.
No. 5 Walsh (9-1) at No. 4 Norwood (10-0)
Saturday, 1 p.m.
The toughest part about scouting this matchup is neither coach gives up too much. Tom LaFramboise’s Mavericks, who made a run to the semifinals last year on the strength of their defense, have surrendered just 56 points this season. Walsh counters with the speedy Laken Allen.
No. 6 Merino (8-2) at No. 3 Dayspring Christian (9-1)
Saturday, 1 p.m.
These powers have combined for the last three state championships. The regular- season matchup went Dayspring’s way, with Ben Sanderford scoring on the last play for a 41-35 victory. He injured his knee two weeks later and has not played since.
No. 7 Stratton (8-1) at No. 2 Hoehne (10-0)
Saturday, 1 p.m.
Stratton started the season unranked, but coach David Gottmann knew his team would be good. Trey Thompson and Jesse McConnell lead the Eagles’ strong offensive attack. Hoehne’s two-headed monster at running back — Martin Waln and Cody Roberts — will get the biggest test of the season.
Jon E. Yunt, The Denver Post
6-man
Semifinals
No. 1 Idalia (10-0) at No. 4 Otis (9-1)
Today, 6 p.m.
It will be the second trip to Otis for Idalia this season. The Week 6 matchup was all Wolves, who trailed 6-0 after the first quarter but scored 36 points in the second quarter and cruised to a 56-18 win. Tylur Wade rushed for 235 yards and scored three times.
No. 2 Fleming (9-1) at No. 3 Eads (9-1)
Today, 7:30 p.m.
It has been awhile (1999 actually) for Fleming to get to this point and win a playoff game. Eads sophomore Alberto Gutierrez has been a workhorse all season, including 266 yards in the Eagles’ only loss of the season — 60-54 to Bethune.
Jon E. Yunt, The Denver Post
