Colorado high schol football semifinals abound with intrigue

While the football postseason is generally compelling regardless of which teams are playing at this point, there is a bit of everything in Colorado's three largest classifications as the semifinals near.

Favorites clashing in 5A. Bracket-busters and traditional rivalries in 4A. A combination of some of those in 3A, as well as an ultra-lengthy road trip for Fort Morgan.

Grandview (Aurora) vs. Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch)
Saturday, 1 p.m. - Legacy Stadium

In 5A, most eyes are on the Grandview-Valor Christian rematch. In the regular-season finale, Grandview topped the Eagles 24-21 to capture the Centennial League, at which time Valor Christian coach Rod Sherman proclaimed to reporters: "No doubt in my mind that Grandview should be the number one team in the state."

Well, each has rolled in the postseason. Grandview has ravaged two opponents by a combined 68-7 tally and Valor has produced 100 points in the two games. Many of those came last week when the Eagles, the lone No. 2 seed remaining, ousted No. 1 Pomona 56-34.

Grandview (12-0) played most of the quarterfinals against Fountain-Fort Carson without running back Chukwuma Obinnah after he endured an early hip strain. The Wolves are hoping to have the services of their senior, who has rushed for 1,494 yards and 20 touchdowns. He racked up 111 yards and three touchdowns in the first meeting with Valor.

Valor Christian (9-3) counters with quarterback Dylan McCaffrey, who has thrown for 2,043 yards, 19 touchdowns and only five interceptions.

Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village) vs. Ralston Valley (Arvada)
Friday, 7 p.m. - North Area Athletic Complex

The rematch between Valor Christian and Grandview shouldn't cloud what could be another epic semifinal, when Cherry Creek meets Ralston Valley in a clash of No. 1 seeds.

Each had a surprisingly smooth time in the quarterfinals, with Cherry Creek knocking off Regis Jesuit 49-21 and Ralston Valley flying past Fairview 71-29. The Mustangs (12-0) led that one 35-29 at the half and erupted in the second.

Ralston Valley's Andrew Wingard rushed for six touchdowns in that one and enters the Creek game with 1,603 rushing yards and 37 total touchdowns. The Bruins (9-3) counter with talented back Milo Hall, who has produced 1,808 yards and 24 scores.

Pine Creek (Colorado Springs) vs. Falcon
Saturday, 1 p.m. - Falcon Stadium

In 4A, the semifinals will consist of two rematches between longtime foes.

Top-seeded Pine Creek (12-0) edged Falcon 34-28 on Aug. 29, and that turned out to be the Eagles' closest game of the season. Now Falcon, the No. 13 seed of 16 playoff teams, is rolling.

The Falcons (8-4) handled No. 4 Denver South and No. 5 Pueblo South rather comfortably and now get another crack at the defending 4A champs.

"Our players are excited at another chance to play Pine Creek," Falcon co-coach Brian Green said. "There is no sense of pressure for our kids, just the elation of living the football dream."

Each of the Colorado Springs-area foes brings a top running back into the matchup. Falcon is led by junior Matt Bastian (1,267 yards, 16 TDs) and Pine Creek by senior Josh Odom (1,854 yards, 33 TDs).

Longmont vs. Broomfield
Saturday, 1 p.m. - Everly-Montgomery Stadium

In the other semifinal, No. 7 Longmont will welcome No. 10 Broomfield to its turf after each pulled off upsets in the quarterfinals. Longmont edged No. 2 Fort Collins 42-35 behind 6-foot-4, 230-pound quarterback Clint Sigg, as the Trojans went on the road to hand the Lambkins their first loss.

Broomfield got a late touchdown pass from backup quarterback Jack Burgesser to Dante Panicucci in the final minute to escape visiting No. 3 Montrose 24-20. The 6-foot-5 Burgesser, a junior, could get the call if starter Logan McCormick isn't sufficiently recovered from an ankle injury.

Broomfield (9-3) won the regular-season matchup between the longtime rivals 29-11, but that was before Longmont (9-3) found its groove. The Trojans have won eight straight.

Discovery Canyon (Colorado Springs) vs. Pueblo East
Saturday, 1 p.m. - District 20 Stadium

In 3A, the bracket stood up in the top half with top-seeded Discovery Canyon set to meet No. 4 Pueblo East. After losing in the first round as a No. 1 seed last season, businesslike Discovery Canyon has routed its first two foes by a combined 88-7 score.

Pueblo East (9-3) carries a six-game winning streak into the contest. The Eagles' last loss was 27-21 to the Thunder on Sept. 19.

Pueblo East has a pair of 1,000-yard backs in Daniel Martin and Bryson Torres while Discovery Canyon counters with a multi-back attack led by Spencer Chambers.

Fort Morgan at Rifle
Saturday, 1 p.m.

The other semifinal features giant-slaying Fort Morgan, a No. 10 seed that has ousted No. 7 Holy Family and No. 2 Evergreen. The Mustangs' reward is a road game against No. 3 Rifle.

The home-field advantage might be more pronounced for Rifle (11-1) in this one, considering Fort Morgan will have to make a 262-mile trip that Google Maps estimates at over four hours. But the Mustangs (10-2) and junior defensive lineman Toby McBride have overcome the odds so far.

Rifle's horse has been senior running back Brock Clark, who has accumulated 1,228 yards and 19 touchdowns.