FREDERICK — Maybe after one game, you could call Frederick a fluke. But not after a second upset.
The last qualifier in Class 3A’s 16-team state-playoff bracket proved it belonged — again.
Frederick (9-3), which defeated No. 1-seed Cañon City 7-6 to begin the playoffs, notched a 20-17 win Saturday against No. 8 D’Evelyn (9-3) at Alex Tesone Field and earned a semifinal trip to face fifth-seeded Windsor.
The Warriors intercepted D’Evelyn quarterback Caleb Flack four times and converted three crucial fourth downs, the final one at their own 29-yard line with about 2 1/2 minutes left moments after blocking a game-tying field-goal attempt.
Frederick, which lost to eventual champion Elizabeth in last year’s quarterfinals, is relishing its underdog status.
“We’re used to it,” said linebacker-running back K.C. Rivera, who scored the game-winning touchdown on a 3-yard run early in the fourth quarter and set it up with the final interception of Flack. “It’s Frederick — we never really get our accomplishments recognized. But we knew that if we played with a chip on our shoulder, we’d come out with a win.”
Flack, who passed for 1,697 yards and 19 touchdowns in the previous five games after being sidelined because of a concussion, threw for 302 yards and two scores Saturday.
But he never really got untracked.
Flack threw back-to-back interceptions in the first quarter — the second one returned for a touchdown by Jordan King. Flack recovered somewhat, hitting Matt Menard and Connor Skelton on scoring passes for a 14-7 lead late in the first half.
The lead became 17-7 early in the third quarter before Frederick rallied.
Frederick intercepted Flack on consecutive possessions and had to drive only 36 and 30 yards for touchdowns. Ryan Miller scored from the 5 to make it 17-13. Then, after Michael Broz’s second pick, Rivera went in from 3 yards for a 20-17 lead with 10:49 left to play.
The Warriors converted a fourth- and-2 before the first of the two scores. Then quarterback Jaron Balman completed a 13-yard pass to running back Dalton Hall on fourth-and-10, setting up Rivera’s go-ahead score.
“Jaron made a huge completion,” Frederick coach Thad Lear said. “We felt we could take advantage (of a slight trailing wind) on that side of the field.”
After Joe Wise blocked a potential game-tying, 36-yard field goal with 4:18 left, Balman sneaked for a first down on fourth-and-inches from Frederick’s 29 with about 2 1/2 minutes remaining.
“We knew we could get it,” Lear said.
D’Evelyn 0 14 3 0 — 17
Frederick 7 0 6 7 — 20
F — King 45 interception return (Retchless kick). DE — Menard 3 pass from Flack (Comito kick). DE — Skelton 19 pass from Flack (Comito kick). DE — FG Comito 30. F — Miller 5 run (kick failed). F — Rivera 3 run (Retchless kick).
