First set of high school football champions to be crowned in Colorado

This week marks the first weekend of state football championship games across the slate. The Class 2A, 1A, 8-Man and 6-Man champions will all be crowned at the CSU-Pueblo Thunderbowl on Friday and Saturday as the semifinal matchups are played out in the larger classifications.


Class 5A // Bracket
Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch) vs. Grandview (Aurora)
In recent history, Grandview and Valor Christian have met three times in the 5A postseason. The Eagles have a 2-1 edge in those matchups with the last win coming in the 2018 semifinals. Valor held off a resilient Columbine (Littleton) team in the semifinals, outscoring the Rebels 10-0 in the second half to get a 17-7 win. Gavin Sawchuk put in a long shift, running the ball 39 times for 174 to try and wear down the Columbine defense. Colton Allen threw for a touchdown, and Jordan Norwood rushed for one to give the Eagles the overall edge.

Liam Szarka put together a heck of a performance to get the Wolves a win over Ralston Valley (Arvada) and a trip to the semifinals. He threw for 229 yards and three touchdowns to complete one of the biggest performances of his young career. He got some help on the ground as Moosah Alsaffar rushed for a team-high 93 yards. Alsaffar will probably have to play a larger role this week in order to eat clock and keep Sawchuk cozy on the Eagles sideline. Grandview hasn't played in the 5A championship game since 2007 when it beat Douglas County 20-14 in overtime.

Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village) vs. Legend (Parker)
Christian Hammond led a slow and steady Cherry Creek offense in its quarterfinal win over Regis Jesuit (Aurora) last week. Hammond threw for 92 yards and rushed for 32 and a score, all while the Bruins were efficient on offense and, for the most part, kept the Raiders away from the end zone. The defense forced decisive turnovers that made a difference against Regis Jesuit. This is the sixth semifinals appearance for the Bruins in the past seven seasons, and a win will give them a shot at their third straight state title.

This is the second straight semifinal appearance for the Titans, and they are looking for an historical win. If they can get by Creek, it would mark the first state title appearance in program history. To get there, they will have to get a great performances out of Bryce Vaz and Colton Warner. Vaz rushed for 93 yards against the Arapahoe (Centennial) offense that shut down Cherry Creek earlier in the season. Warner threw for 160 yards and three scores, affirming Legend's status as a top-tier team this season. This will be the first-ever playoff meeting between Legend and Cherry Creek, and the two teams did not meet during the regular season.

Class 4A // Bracket
Montrose vs. Erie
This should be a fun game to watch when it comes style and physicality. Montrose gained a lot attention early in the season when it knocked off Palmer Ridge (Monument) and used a steady, physical running attack to do it. This is the first semifinal appearance for Montrose since 2018 when it lost to Loveland 42-0. The program has not reached a state championship game since 2013, losing to Pine Creek 49-14 in that effort. Montrose is averaging 52 points per game in the playoffs and giving up just just over 16.

Erie is coming off a satisfying playoff win over Palmer Ridge, a win four years in the making. It was the Bears who beat the Tigers in the 3A championship game in 2017. Rushing touchdowns from Blake Barnett and Caleb Theisen gave the Tigers a jolt that sustained itself through the course of the game. Theisen eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark this season and should be an answer to the rushing attack that Montrose plans to throw at the Tigers.

Pine Creek (Colorado Springs) vs. Chatfield (Littleton)
Losing quarterback Josiah Roy didn't much matter to the Eagles. They tossed in freshman Cameron Cooper, and he did just enough offensively to help Pine Creek beat Loveland 10-7. Of course, a goal-line stand at the end with Brett Alvey making the game-winning tackle was also a pivotal moment of the contest. Pine Creek is looking to get to its sixth state championship game in nine seasons. In that span, they have claimed four state crowns.

Chatfield scored a bit of an upset by taking out Dakota Ridge (Littleton) in the quarterfinals. The Eagles had beaten the Chargers by just a point in the regular season, so a tight battle was expected in the rematch. Chatfield came away with a 42-31 win thanks in big part to Jake Marschall's banner day. He rushed for 182 yards and three scores and was helped out by freshman Brock Narva, who added 122 rushing yards and a touchdown to the effort. If Roy can play on Saturday for Pine Creek, he might be limited in mobility, which could help Caden Logan and Campbell Packebush get after him a bit. The duo combined for three sacks in the win against Dakota Ridge. The Chargers last made it to the state title game in 2001 where they beat Fairview (Boulder) 9-3 to win their only title in program history.

Class 3A // Bracket
Roosevelt (Johnstown) vs. Mead (Longmont)
The Roughriders have been on a bit of a mission since losing to Durango in last year's 3A state championship game. They jumped out to a fast lead over Holy Family (Broomfield) and never looked back in a 51-33 win. Brock Saya was 18-for-28 with 244 yards and two touchdowns through the air. Sophomore running back Xavier Ramirez helped out on the ground with 130 rushing yards and one score. They will jump on the bus and make the short trip to Mead where the Mavericks are trying to get to their first state championship game since 1949 (6-Man).

In two playoff games this year, Mead has a total winning margin of just two points. They have played in some tight contests, and coming away with wins in each has to give them confidence. In the 14-13 win over Durango last week, Evan Morris did the heavy lifting by rushing for 130 yards. Sean Medlock and Corby Tecu each scored a rushing touchdown. Morris recorded a sack defensively, and Christian Ayers accounted for the Mavericks only turnover with a fumble recovery.

This will be the first postseason meeting between the Roughriders and Mavericks.

Lutheran (Parker) vs. Fort Morgan
A win on Saturday would give Lutheran its first appearance in a state football championship game. The Lions have reached the semifinals four times and have lost each game, the last one coming in 1999. Big wins over Discovery Canyon (Colorado Springs) and Palisade certainly suggest this team is capable of making school history. Clayton Jacobs just needed seven passing attempts in the 49-7 win over Palisade. He completed each of them for 171 yards and four touchdowns. David Bond was a ball hawk on defense as he accounted for three fumble recoveries, which is all of the turnovers that the Lions forced on defense.

The Mustangs are searching for their fourth state championship in school history and their first since 1999. This is their third semifinal appearance since 2014, but they lost the previous two, one to Rifle and the other to eventual champion Pueblo East. Briggs Wheatley has been a steady presence at quarterback, averaging about 170 passing yards per game. He also rushes for about six yards per carry when he needs to run the ball.

Class 2A // Bracket
Eaton vs. Brush
Eaton's status as one of the top two teams in the state (at worst) hadn't been questioned a single time this season. They confirmed they are still the top dog in 2A with a convincing 39-24 win over University (Greeley) in the semifinals. This is the ninth state title game in program history, and Eaton is 2-6 in the previous eight. Their two wins came in 2020 and 2000. After beating Severance last weekend, Brush will play in its 13th state title game. The Beetdiggers have a 5-7 record with state titles on the line, last winning in 2014 with a 14-6 win over Kent Denver (Cherry Hills Village).

Last week, the Reds offense was simply taking what the Bulldogs were giving them. They rushed for 179 yards as a team, but no one player rushed for more than 52 yards. Walker Martin (video above) threw for 261 yards and connected with his receivers for five touchdown passes. Zac Grable was the prime recipient as he caught three balls for 144 yards and three touchdowns. If Eaton's passing game can find rhythm and find a complementary running attack, Eaton could come away with a second straight championship.

If there is one glaring stat that jumps out about Brush, it's the 17 points allowed to Resurrection Christian (Loveland) in the quarterfinals. The Beetdiggers have been strong defensively throughout the entire postseason and that was the case again in the semifinals when they beat Severance 25-18. Through the first 10 games of the season, Tanner Ludgate led the team in interceptions with two and Cesar Hinojos has made his way into the backfield often enough to get six sacks. Hinjos is also a key piece of the offense as he averages more than eight yards per carry on the ground.

Class 1A // Bracket
Limon vs. Centauri (La Jara)
Another year, another state championship appearance for Limon. The Badgers are looking for their fourth straight 1A title, and for the first time in this stretch, they have to get through someone other than Strasburg. Limon has a state-record 20 state football titles. A win on Saturday would also mark the 100th postseason win in school history. Centauri has reached the 1A title game in two previous attempt, losing both of them. Strasburg beat the Falcons 10-7 in 2017 and Paonia came away with a 32-24 in the 2013 title game.

Limon is still riding several players who have contributed to the last several state championships. Jeremiah Leeper has been a dominant runner with 1,678 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. Trey Hines has been steady under center, throwing for 866 yards in 12 touchdowns. He has picked off just one fewer pass defensively (2) than he has thrown as the Badgers quarterback (3).

After getting his first full load since returning to the field, Mason Claunch is officially back in form. The senior running back ran for 161 yards and two touchdowns in the semifinal win over Buena Vista. He established the offensive tone that helped the Falcons get a dominant 42-6 win over the Demons. He also recovered a fumble on defense while Deven Brady and Baron Holman had interceptions.

Class A 8-Man // Bracket
Haxtun vs. Mancos
Something has to give in the 8-Man championship game as both teams enter undefeated. Each won their semifinal games by at least two scores and are on a collision course for a quality championship showdown. The Bulldogs last played in the 8-Man championship game in 2005, losing to Merino 26-12. They last won the 8-Man title in 2000 when they beat Granada 32-20. Dating back to 1953, Mancos had just four playoff wins in program history heading into the postseason. After nearly doubling the amount to get their first state title game, the Bluejays are looking to cash in for their first football state crown.

The Bulldogs jumped to a 20-6 lead over Holly in the semis and never looked back. Isaac Andersen rushed for 109 yards and three scores and will be vital in helping Haxtun keep the ball away from the Mancos offense. Like Mancos, Haxtun showed off a strong pass defense as the team totaled four interceptions in the semifinals. That game brought the team total to 12 on the year.

Ayden Mathews led a well-balanced Mancos offense in a semifinal win over Sanford, last year's state runner-up. He passed for 214 yards and four touchdowns, while Chase Moore added ground support with 107 rushing yards. Mancos showed it has the defense needed to win a championship as the Bluejays picked off five passes last week.

Class A 6-Man // Bracket
Cheyenne Wells vs. Stratton
Cheyenne Wells and Stratton have played like the two best teams all season, and it's no surprise they each cruised into the title game. As Stratton/Liberty, the Eagles have now reached the state title game five years in a row. Their only win in that span came in 2018 when they beat Kit Carson 57-18. The Tigers are no strangers to the state championship picture themselves. They got to the title game in 2017, their only appearance, and lost to Hi-Plains 66-44. A win on Saturday would give Cheyenne Wells its first football state championship in program history.

To get that win they will continue to get Cade Mitchek in space and let him thrive in the running game the way he has all season. In last week's win over Idalia, he rushed for 230 yards and scored half of the team's eight rushing touchdowns. He also picked off a pass, one of two interceptions on the day with Rogelio Rangel getting the other. Blake Gilmore recovered a fumble to account for the last of the Tigers' three forced turnovers.

The Eagles were explosive on offense themselves in last week's semifinal. Charlie Clapper scored four rushing touchdowns while running for 175 yards. They also put up points on the defensive side of the ball as Charlie Tagtmeyer and Cyler Notter each scored on fumble recoveries. The Eagles took the ball away from Granada four times, and if they could do the same against Cheyenne Wells, they could win their second title in four seasons.