CHSAA State Football Playoffs: Round of 16 Preview
The CHSAA state football playoffs have been whittled down to 16 teams in the top three classifications. Here’s a breakdown of this weekend’s matchups, with coveted quarterfinal spots on the line.
Class 5A
The Chalk
No. 17 Fountain-Fort Carson (8-3) at No. 1 Cherry Creek (10-0), 7 p.m. Friday: The Trojans were the only road team to win in the first round, but now face a tough trip to Stutler Bowl. Cherry Creek hasn’t lost at home in three years and has allowed just 27 total points over their last six games.
No. 14 Eaglecrest (7-4) at No. 3 Mountain Vista (10-0), 7 p.m. Friday: Mountain Vista’s junior QB Marquise Reese is on fire, averaging 310.4 yards and 4.4 touchdowns on 67.7% passing over the last five games. Eaglecrest’s defense showed promise limiting Legacy to 10 points, but this game will be a major test.
No. 12 Erie (7-4) at No. 5 Valor Christian (8-2), 7 p.m. Friday: Valor’s sophomore quarterback Titus Huard has been almost flawless since taking over as starter. Their defense has allowed just 20 points in the last four games. Erie has proven it can compete with top 5A teams but faces another stern challenge.
The Toss-Ups
No. 10 Mullen (7-4) at No. 7 Pine Creek (7-3), 7 p.m. Friday: Mullen is riding a six-game winning streak — their longest since 2016, the last time they reached the quarterfinals. Pine Creek leans heavily on 195-pound junior running back Xavier Lukes (231 carries, 1,429 yards). Expect a hard-fought, physical game.
No. 9 Arapahoe (7-4) at No. 8 Fairview (9-1), 7 p.m. Friday: Fairview’s only loss was by a single point to No. 6 Arvada West. The Knights average 51.5 points per game and stunned No. 2 Mountain Vista last year. Arapahoe has won six of seven games recently and features senior Jayden Tackitt, who gained 330 yards last week. This should be a high-scoring affair.
Upset Watch
Since 2021, only three double-digit seeds have reached the 5A quarterfinals, making these lower-seed matchups potential long shots.
No. 15 Columbine (6-5) at No. 2 Ralston Valley (10-0), 7:30 p.m. Friday: Ralston Valley has dominated all season and welcomes back senior QB Zeke Andrews after injury. But Columbine coach Andy Lowry is known for making every game a battle.
No. 13 Fort Collins (9-2) at No. 4 Legend (9-1), 7 p.m. Friday: Fort Collins faces Legend’s powerful senior running back Jack McKeon, who rushed for 370 yards and four touchdowns against ThunderRidge recently.
No. 11 Grandview (6-5) at No. 6 Arvada West (9-1), 4 p.m. Friday: Grandview is battle-tested, having faced three of the top four teams. They crushed Chatfield 32-13 in Round 1 — a team Arvada West barely edged on Oct. 24. This promises to be a gritty matchup.
Class 4A
The Chalk
The top three seeds appear dominant in 4A, and they face comparatively weaker opponents this weekend.
No. 16 Golden (8-3) at No. 1 Dakota Ridge (10-0), 7 p.m. Friday: The teams met on Oct. 24, with Dakota Ridge dominating 49-10. Golden faces a steep challenge trying to turn things around in just two weeks.
No. 15 Frederick (8-3) at No. 2 Montrose (10-0), 1 p.m. Saturday: Montrose has a history of playoff success, reaching quarterfinals seven straight years and posting multiple double-digit-win seasons recently. A Western Slope trip will not be easy for Frederick.
No. 14 Mesa Ridge (6-5) at No. 3 Palmer Ridge (10-0), 7 p.m. Friday: Palmer Ridge, a contender since moving to 4A in 2020, already defeated Mesa Ridge 35-7 earlier this season. But Mesa Ridge has improved since and aims to make this competitive.
The Toss-Ups
No. 9 Northfield (9-2) at No. 8 Pueblo West (7-3), 6 p.m. Friday: Northfield is on an eight-game winning streak but faces a Pueblo West defense allowing just 11.6 points per game. This clash of hot offenses and stingy defenses should be exciting.
No. 10 Riverdale Ridge (11-0) at No. 7 Monarch (8-2), 6 p.m. Friday: Despite an undefeated record, Riverdale Ridge’s low seed is likely due to strength of schedule. Their defense allows just 7.1 points per game but faces a Monarch offense averaging 40.9 points, setting up an intriguing battle.
Upset Watch
No. 13 Ponderosa (7-4) at No. 4 Durango (8-2), Noon Saturday: Durango’s only losses came against top seeds, and they’ve dominated other opponents. Ponderosa has won four of five recently and could challenge Durango in this regional showdown.
No. 12 Grand Junction (9-2) at No. 5 Heritage (7-3), 6 p.m. Friday: Grand Junction boasts a high-powered offense on a six-game winning streak, topping 40 points five times recently. Heritage is strong against lower classifications, so expect a fast-paced, high-scoring game.
No. 11 Vista Ridge (8-3) at No. 6 Broomfield (8-2), 7 p.m. Friday: Broomfield freshman Kashus Clarvoe is one of the state’s best running backs with 1,566 yards and 16 touchdowns. After a strong start, Vista Ridge faces a tough test against a solid Broomfield squad.
Class 3A
The Chalk
The top seeds in 3A are clear favorites though no guarantees exist in this competitive bracket.
No. 16 Severance (4-6) at No. 1 Windsor (10-0), 1 p.m. Saturday: Windsor faces a surprisingly tough first-round opponent. Severance led Windsor 3-0 at halftime when they met earlier this season and could be a dangerous underdog.
No. 15 Coronado (7-3) at No. 2 Pomona (9-1), Noon Saturday: Pomona has lost just two games to 3A competition since moving down classifications. However, Coronado and QB Thomas Buckmiller, fresh off a 70-point, 317-yard performance, are formidable.
No. 13 Lewis-Palmer (6-4) at No. 4 Mead (8-2), 1 p.m. Saturday: Mead aims for a repeat title appearance after thrashing Lewis-Palmer 50-9 earlier this season. Although Lewis-Palmer has improved, this will be a tough road test.
No. 12 Thompson Valley (7-3) at No. 5 Holy Family (9-1), 7 p.m. Friday: Defending champion Thompson Valley ended the regular season with two losses. They now face a hot Holy Family team that has won six straight and scored 299 points over that stretch.
No. 11 Pueblo County (7-3) at No. 6 Roosevelt (7-3), 7 p.m. Friday: Roosevelt has shown toughness against top teams and opponents from higher classifications, making them a potential dark horse this postseason.
The Toss-Ups
No. 9 Pueblo South (8-2) at No. 8 Conifer (9-1), 7 p.m. Friday: Conifer’s defense has recorded five shutouts, and their offense averages 43.9 points per game. Senior WR Solomon Washer has been a standout. This game is a strong early test for Conifer.
No. 10 Lutheran (7-3) at No. 7 Eagle Valley (9-1), 7 p.m. Friday: After a recent loss and a bye week, Eagle Valley is well-rested but faces the perennial power of Lutheran. If Eagle Valley is to earn its first playoff win in 13 years, the Lions will make them work.
Upset Watch
No. 14 Timnath (6-4) at No. 3 Palisade (8-2), Noon Saturday: Timnath may seem like an underdog but has played at a high level, shutting out the defending champion Thompson Valley and competing against Mead and Windsor. This could be a tough night for Palisade if they aren’t prepared.
Stay tuned this weekend as these thrilling CHSAA playoff games unfold, with quarterfinal berths on the line across Colorado’s top high school football divisions.
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