Championship newcomers square off for the Class 2A state championship this Friday as Eaton meets Lamar. The Reds are in the title game for the first time since 2003 while the Savages are appearing for the first time since 1963. Lamar has two state championships in school history (1955 & 1961) and shared a third (1954). Eaton has one (2000). The game also serves as a rematch of a first-round game from last year with Lamar scoring a 21-7 victory. They also paired up in 2014 with Eaton earning a 41-20 first-round decision.
Both teams have been impressive in the playoffs this year with Eaton downing 4th seeded Pagosa Springs (41-7) and top seeded Resurrection Christian (27-13). Both opponents were unbeaten going into the playoffs. Over the same stretch, Lamar has taken out defending state champion Sterling (14-6) and defending runners-up Delta (7-6) with both wins coming on the road.
Lamar’s defense has forced 8 turnovers and allowed just 12 points in two playoff wins this season. PHOTO BY DANIELLE BYNUM
Big plays from a stingy defense and a solid running game has carried Lamar to the state championship. The Savages have forced eight turnovers and given up just 12 points in beating Sterling and Delta. The offense also generated 480 yards rushing in those two wins with Jesus Reyes leading that charge. The senior totaled 123 yards versus Sterling and followed up with 112 against Delta. He enters the championship round with three straight 100-yard efforts.
QB Zane Rankin has also been a big threat in the run game; rushing for 117 yards and a score against Sterling with another 72 yards gained at Delta. Rankin threw for over 1,100 yards in the regular season but has attempted just nine passes in two playoff games as the Savages have relied on the run. His biggest completion though came last week as he connected with Blake Buxton on a TD pass for the Savages only score of the game.
Buxton has 28 catches on the season for 708 yards and 10 TD’s. He averages over 25 yards per catch. The senior also impacted the defensive effort as he recorded both an interception and fumble recovery.
Damian Ramos has been involved in two post-season turnovers and freshman Deyago Vasquez also scooped up two fumbles in the quarterfinal win over Sterling.
On the season, Devyn Kincaide is the leading tackler with 72. Luis DeLaTorre is next with 58 followed by Greyden Martinez (45) and Rankin (44).
The eight playoff turnovers forced bring Lamar’s season total to a whopping 27. They have 14 interceptions including six from Ramos and he’s returned one for a touchdown. Kincaide has added three fumble recoveries with Vasquez, Buxton and Javier Gonzalez each adding two.
Ethan Florez leads Eaton with 598 yards and 11 TD’s rushing this season. Included in the totals is a 121 yard three score effort in a quarterfinal win at Pagosa Springs. PHOTO BY MOLLIE FRITZLER
Eaton had a very similar effort in the semifinals as they rushed for 388 yards and forced three turnovers in beating Resurrection Christian. Juan Maravilla led the offense with 165 yards on 16 attempts and his 91-yard touchdown dash in the third quarter put the Reds up by two scores (21-7). Ethan Florez added 59 yards while Tanner True moved back from the line often enough to run the ball ten times for 45 yards and two touchdowns.
Even though the Reds threw for only 55 yards in the win, the offense has been very balanced throughout the season. QB Scott Grable has 713 yards and six scores through the air and is a very important piece of the run game as well (522 yards). Florez has 598 yards rushing on the season and Maravilla 236. Salvador Rojas (434 yards rushing) did not play against Resurrection Christian.
Gage Butler is the top receiver. He caught three passes in the semifinal win; giving him 18 for the season. He also helped spearhead the defense with an interception last week pushing his season total to five. The Reds overall have created 18 turnovers with Walker Martin also contributing two fumble recoveries including one last week.
Florez tops the Reds with 55 tackles. Morgan Tribbett (45) is next including 14.5 for loss. Maravilla is third with 43 followed by True (41) and Ryan Dirksen (37). The defense as a group has 46.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks and hope to use that pressure to force more turnovers in the championship game.
Kickoff for Eaton and Lamar is set for 2:00pm on Friday. Each team will have local radio coverage and the game can also be seen through a live video stream on NFHSNetwork.com.
LAST YEAR
Lamar picked up a 21-7 win scoring a touchdown in each of the first three quarters and shutout the Reds over the same stretch. Rankin threw for 152 yards and a score but also tossed three interceptions. Reyes gained 117 yards rushing as the team collected 300 in the win. Buxton caught three passes for 62 yards and was third on the team with nine tackles. Gonzalez added eight tackles with Kincaide and Alex Castanada each chipping in six. Eaton did not post stats from last year’s contest.
COMMON OPPONENTS IN 2020
STERLING: Eaton lost 14-10 / Lamar won 14-6
PAGOSA SPRINGS: Eaton won 41-7 / Lamar lost 22-8
EATON REDS (6-2)
Coach: Zac Lemon
Outscored Opponents: 296-87
Regular season
W: Weld Central 49-6
L: Sterling 14-10
W: Fort Lupton 55-0
W: Brush 28-0
W: Severance 51-6
L: Platte Valley 41-35
Playoffs
W: Pagosa Springs 41-7
W: Resurrection Christian 27-13
State Championship History (1-6)
2003: Lost to Denver Christian 26-0
2002: Lost to Holy Family 14-7
2001: Lost to Burlington 22-21
2000: Beat Roosevelt 21-7
1946: Lost to Burlington 19-13
1940: Lost to Burlington 12-7
1925: Lost to La Junta 12-0
LAMAR SAVAGES (7-1)
Coach: Jason Tice
Outscored opponents: 232-93
Regular Season
W: Elizabeth 41-21
W: Bayfield 41-7
W: La Junta 34-14
L: Pagosa Springs 22-8
W: Trinidad 53-0
W: Alamosa 34-17
Playoffs
W: Sterling 14-6
W: Delta 7-6
State Championship History (2-1-1)
1963: Lost to Cheyenne Mountain 27-13
1961: Beat Delta 40-14
1955: Beat Louisville 25-0
1954: Tied Durango 7-7
