Neil Devlin takes a look at this week’s 3A, 2A, 1A, 8-man and 6-man high school football playoffs.
CLASS 3A Quarterfinals
(8) D’Evelyn (9-2) at (16) Frederick (8-3)
Saturday, 1 p.m., Alex Tesone Field
• The visiting Jaguars have a ridiculous 45 TD passes, 25 by Cody Marvel, who had seen duty as a backup, and 20 by original starter Caleb Flack, who has battled back after concussions.
• Connor Skelton leads with 17 scoring catches. Matt Menard has 16.
• Frederick turned in the upset of the playoffs last week with a 7-6 squeaker at top-seeded and previously undefeated Cañon City.
• K.C. Rivera’s third-quarter TD and Kevin Retchless’ PAT were the difference.
(5) Windsor (10-1) at (4) Rifle (11-0)
Saturday, 1 p.m., Bears Stadium
• The Wizards had three 100-yard-plus rushers last week in the prelims against Holy Family — Vince Hooley (147), Jordan Porterfield (130) and Joe Sanger (105), who combined for six TDs.
• Since losing 41-21 to Silver Creek in Week 6, Windsor has allowed more than 10 points in a game only once — last weekend against Holy Family (14 points).
• The Bears had their lowest point total of the season last week in a 14-7 victory over visiting Roosevelt, paced by 3A top rusher Ryan Moeller’s 180 yards. Brandon Kittle added 126.
(3) Silver Creek (10-1) at (11) Lewis-Palmer (9-2)
Friday, 7 p.m., Don Breese Stadium
• Raptors QB Austin Apodaca’s 36 scoring tosses pace the state, none bigger than his 8-yarder to Greg Reynolds that was the difference in a 28-24 victory over visiting Palmer Ridge in the prelims.
• Ian McNabb added two TD runs.
• Silver Creek meets the original Monument school, which won a thrilling 39-33 first-rounder over nearby Vista Ridge.
• Logan Woish rushed for 141 yards and three TDs.
• The Rangers have made consecutive quarterfinals showings after not making the postseason since 2002.
(2) J.F. Kennedy (11-0) vs. (10) Palisade (9-2)
Saturday, 11 a.m., Stocker Stadium
• It’s rare — city teams don’t make many treks through the mountains.
• Denver’s JFK is having its best season since the 1990s behind QB Braden Miltenberger’s 30 TD passes, RB Kyle Trinidad’s 1,980 yards and 27 TDs, and Tim Vega’s 13 TDs on 24 receptions.
• Commanders will need to strap it on — the Bulldogs play smashmouth and are good at it as evidenced by the rushing of Ronald Kuntz (140 yards), Quinn Zamora (139) and J.T. Townsend (103) last week in a 35-27 road victory against Evergreen in the prelims.
CLASS 2A Quarterfinals
(8) Olathe (8-3) at (1) Brush (11-0)
Saturday, 1 p.m., Beetdigger Stadium
• It’s one 2A followers have yearned to see — the visiting Pirates have won two of the past three titles and downed the Beetdiggers by a point in last year’s finale.
• Brush’s Mitch Tomohlen was 4-for-8 passing last week for three TDs.
(5) Eaton (9-2) at (4) Bayfield (10-0)
Saturday, 1 p.m., Wolverine Stadium
• The Reds’ Austin Ekeler is coming off a 218-yard, two-TD performance.
• Bayfield boasts two four-digit rushers — Aaron Velasquez (1,349 yards) and Colt Walker (1,063).
• Bayfield led Strasburg 21-0 at the half before holding on by 27-21.
(6) Faith Christian (9-2) at (3) Kent Denver (10-1)
Saturday, 1 p.m., Justin DeSorrento Memorial Field
• No matter the year or league, 2A usually isn’t decided without these two meeting, is it?
• Kent Denver won the first gathering, 23-13 in Week 4.
• Faith Christian’s Alex Buchmann (2,012 yards passing) and Matt Florence (six interceptions) are some of its stats leaders.
(2) Florence (10-1) at (10) Bennett (9-2)
Saturday, 1 p.m., Paul Read Field
• The Huskies’ running game is roaring — Cody Nichols, Johnnie Krien and Tyler Faoro have combined for 40 TDs.
• Behind Caleb Copeland’s 107 yards rushing and three TDs, Bennett won one of the wildest prelims, 42-38 over Trinidad, all six of its TDs over the final three quarters.
CLASS 1A Semifinals
(4) Lyons (10-1) at (1) Burlington (11-0)
Saturday, 1 p.m., Consbruck Field
• Defending champion Burlington has won 22 games in a row, six in the postseason.
• Lyons is seeking its first title shot since 2006.
(2) Hotchkiss (11-0) at (11) Wiggins (8-3)
Saturday, 1 p.m., Tiger Field
• The similarity is striking — Hotchkiss’ Jacobe Galley and Jaime Rodriguez each average 10.4 yards per carry and have scored 21 TDs.
• Wiggins QB Taylor Risner heads 1A with 2,574 passing yards.
CLASS A 8-man semifinals
(4) Norwood (10-1) at (1) Hoehne (11-0)
Saturday, 1 p.m., Butero Field
• Powerful Hoehne has a state-best 24-game winning streak and outlasted the Mavericks 38-29 on Oct. 1.
(3) Simla (11-0) at (2) Dayspring Christian (11-0)
Saturday, 1 p.m.
• The only matchup of undefeateds this weekend — the Cubs, who won five titles from 1980-85, against the Eagles, in search if their fourth title showing in five years.
CLASS A 6-man championship
(3) Otis (9-1) at (1) Fleming (11-0)
Saturday, 1 p.m.
• The host Wildcats haven’t forgotten about last year’s pasting in the final to Idalia.
