Do or die time for the net four weeks for the #5Football teams that made the post season.
From here on out, it’s a race to December 1st and the state title games. No style points from here on out, it’s survive and advance and score one more point than the other guys.
3A #12 HOLY FAMILY (7-3) vs. #5 HARRISON (10-0): Last season was one to watch for the Panthers but it ended…. roughly? Harrison raced out to an 8-0 start to their season, only to end the regular season with back to back losses and a first round exit in the 3A playoffs. With Orlando Westbrook and Aumiere Shedrick having excellent senior seasons, the Panthers seem hungrier than before and more focused. And not to mention playing very good football at the end of the year. Westbrook and Shedrick have accounted for 30 touchdowns on the ground and Westbrook has thrown for 2,086 yards and 16 scores (Not to mention they’ve allowed just 14 points during league play – with four shutouts). Holy Family is a tough nut to crack looking at this match up. Historically a strong team, they went just 3-2 in league play and their wins were vs. two-win teams. Harrison getting them at home is a big deal and will play well into the Panthers’ hands.
4A #15 RAMPART (7-3) vs. #2 LOVELAND (10-0): The Rams needed to beat Pueblo West last week and for the first half they did… then they played the second half and Rampart fell in the league final. You’d have to wonder how amped the fellas will be for kick off; Jacked to prove the doubters wrong? Or did the loss fester in their minds? Rampart deserves to be in the 4A Bracket but playing Loveland will be a challenge. Rampart had only allowed 14 points in league play before allowing 28 to Pueblo West. Loveland has outscored opponents at almost 10-1 ratio so Rampart better be ready for a track meet in Larimer County tonight.
3A #15 LEWIS-PALMER (6-4) vs. #2 PUEBLO EAST (8-2): Thank goodness the Rangers played Littleton to wrap the regular season, otherwise Dustin Tupper’s squad would be entering the 3A playoffs with a different attitude (losing 42-0 to rival Palmer Ridge the week prior). Even still, it will be an uphill battle for LP vs. the East Eagles. Simply put, they can score in bunches and have no problem getting into a track meet with any team they play with the weapons they have: Kain Medrano, Marvin London, Luc Andrada. Can the Rangers keep up? Will this be the team boatraced by Palmer Ridge or the one that shocked Discovery Canyon? We’ll find out Friday night.
3A #13 PUEBLO SOUTH (5-5) vs. #4 PALMER RIDGE (8-2): Can the defending 4A champs rally and win their first 3A title in school history? Palmer Ridge stands in their way in the first round. The Colts are a case of two seasons in one: couldn’t win in the first half (1-4) and on fire in the second half (4-1). Pueblo South is playing their best ball right now and look to be a team building for 2019. Palmer Ridge is a team for now and with senior Ty Evans under center, the Bears are eyeing defending their title from last year. The offense takes the headlines but the Bears defense is leading the way, allowing just 21 points in league play with two shutouts. Palmer Ridge has won seven in a row entering Saturday’s first round game, can the Colts stop them from winning eight?
1A #5 FLORENCE (8-2) vs. #4 COLORADO SPRINGS CHRISTIAN (9-1): What a rematch we have for Saturday at 3pm. The last time these two got on the same field, CSCS took the Tri-Peaks League title in emphatic 31-0 fashion. Not the way that Florence wanted their regular season to end but maybe it was good for them? The Huskies took care of gritty Wray last week to advance to the quarterfinals. Will they repeat their mistakes from the last time these two played? Florence couldn’t get into any offensive rhythm and let Joe Dunn and company run all over them. My guess is Jeremy Nix has a different game plan for Saturday. CSCS looks strong entering the rematch, topping Monte Vista 51-30 in round one. Jay Kersey’s guys look to be in the zone at the right time. Giddy up.
OTHER GAMES:
4A: #16 Heritage vs. #1 Pine Creek
4A: #9 Skyline vs. #8 Pueblo West
3A: #10 Frederick vs. #7 Discovery Canyon
2A: #5 Salida vs. #4 La Junta
1A: #7 Centauri vs. #2 Peyton
8-man: #1 West Grand vs. #8 Pikes Peak Christian
8-man: #5 Rangely vs. #4 Hoehne
8-man: #15 Merino vs. #10 Holly
6-man: #7 Fleming vs. #2 Kit Carson
6-man: #8 Granada vs. #1 Stratton/Liberty
