A look at what to watch for in every Class 5A and Class 4A football quarterfinal game this weekend.
CLASS 5A
No. 1 Pomona (10-1) vs. No. 9 Columbine (9-2), Friday 7 p.m., Jeffco Stadium: These two former Jeffco League foes meet for the third consecutive year in the playoffs. The previous two meetings were decided by a combined eight points. Expect another dogfight.
No. 5 Eaglecrest (11-0) vs. No. 4 (10-1), Friday 7 p.m., Lou Kellogg Stadium: If Raptors standout Victor Garnes continues to dominate in all three phases of the game, it’ll be trouble for the Raiders, who have their own X-factor in senior running back Alfred Jones.
No. 3 (8-3) vs. No. 6 Grandview (10-1), Friday 7 p.m., Valor Stadium: Eagles senior quarterback Dylan McCaffrey has younger brother Luke at wideout and sophomore sensation Joshia Davis in the backfield. The Wolves boast one of the best backs in years in senior Hayden Blubaugh.
No. 7 (8-3) vs. No. 2 Mullen (9-2), Friday 7 p.m., De La Salle Stadium: The Bruins must overcome the adversity of last week’s season-ending injury to leading tackler Jon Van Diest, while the Mustangs are in the midst of the program’s best season since Dave Logan left for Cherry Creek after the 2011 season.
CLASS 4A
No. 1 (11-0) vs. No. 8 Windsor (8-3), Saturday 1 p.m., All-City Stadium: Senior running back Marcus Lindsay and the Rebels’ offensive line battle against one of the best linebackers in the state in Windsor senior Corte Tapia, who’s headed to play at Colorado State next fall.
No. 4 Ponderosa (10-1) vs. No. 5 Broomfield (9-2), Saturday 1 p.m., Echo Park Stadium: The Mustangs haven’t played a close game since the season opener and look to a pair of twins in quarterback Sterling Ostdahl and linebacker Quinton Ostdahl to lead them. The Eagles need another big performance from senior running back Jalon Torres.
No. 3 (9-2) vs. No. 11 (8-3) , Friday 7 p.m., District 6 Stadium: Senior quarterback Brock Domann threw for one score and ran for two more in the Eagles’ 42-10 domination of last week, while the Spartans upset No. 6 Rampart and are playing with house money.
No. 10 (7-4) vs. No. 2 Chatfield (10-1), Saturday 1 p.m., Stocker Stadium: Wildcats junior running back Braeden Graham ran for 126 yards and two scores last week, while Chargers senior running back Dalton Keene (Virginia Tech commit) has yet to be kept in check by a 4A opponent.
