Week five was make or break for quite a few teams as they needed wins to keep post-season hopes alive going into the final week of the regular season. We found 15 clubs who did just that and, in some cases, a team may have reserved their spot in the playoff pairings. PHOTO BY VAN HOLLIS.
RAMPART: The Rams opened the week five schedule in a big way upsetting previously unbeaten Fountain Fort Carson 17-14 on Thursday. The win moved the Rams to #8 in RPI but it still may not be enough to get them into the 4A playoff bracket. They are one of 13 teams either unbeaten or with one loss in the division entering week six. Cale Cormaney ran for 138 yards and a TD and registered a very important interception in the second half.
BROOMFIELD: Taking a cue from Rampart, the Eagles also earned an important win on Thursday as they outlasted Windsor 17-14 in overtime. Both teams were 4-0 going in so the victory should put the Eagles into the playoff bracket. They close with Erie. Matthew Eich kicked the game winner and the Eagles defense held Windsor to less than 150 yards rushing.
CHEROKEE TRAIL: The Cougars took a 28-23 win over Grandview in a likely playoff eliminator in Class 5A. Each club was 2-2 going into week five so Cherokee Trail remains on the post-season bubble while the Wolves are probably eliminated. The Cougars, who improved to #8 in the most recent RPI standnigs, meet Overland in week six.
PONDEROSA: Jack Hanenburg connected with Kolton Miller on a scoring pass in the final two minutes pushing the Mustangs past Montrose 21-14 and likely into the 4A playoff bracket. Pondo is now 5-0 and was scheduled to face Palmer Ridge in week six but that game has already been cancelled due to COVID issues in the Bears camp. The Mustangs are #4 in RPI and in contention to host a first round game.
EVERGREEN: Coming off a tough loss to Durango in week four, the Cougars responded in a big way by handling Green Mountain 48-7. The win was the third on the season against two losses and kept the Cougars 3A playoff hopes alive. They’re 9th in RPI standings. The win also sets up a huge game with Conifer in the regular season finale. Noah Martens ran for 228 yards and QB Griffin Lauritano combined for 304 yards and six touchdowns to lead the Cougars.
CONIFER: The Lobos registered a very important 28-14 decision over visiting Palisade on Saturday. With both teams at 3-1 and knowing the loser was likely out of the post-season discussion, the Lobos responded with 14 fourth-quarter points to score the win. Next up is the annual Mountain Bowl affair with Evergreen and it could be another playoff elimination game for both clubs. The Lobos head into the contest ranked #4 in Class 3A RPI.
PUEBLO SOUTH: Leading Canon City 20-0 in the second quarter, the Colts felt very good about their chances for a 3-0 start but then had to hold off a furious Tigers rally to earn a 26-21 decision. The victory may have clinched a playoff berth for the defending state runners-up. The Colts defense limited Canon City to just eight yards rushing on 18 attempts. South is heavily favored against Pueblo Central in their final regular season contest and go in as the 5th ranked team in 3A RPI.
HOLY FAMILY: With the winner staying in the discussion for the top overall playoff seed in Class 3A, the Tigers used a quick 14-0 start to earn a high level 38-14 win over Lutheran. Both teams were 4-0 and ranked in the top six at kickoff. Trevin Johnson scored twice and rushed for 106 yards. Michael White threw for 205 yards and 2 scores; connecting with both Liam Gray and Oscar Sena. The win also gives Holy Family a great chance for a perfect 6-0 regular season as they host Pueblo Centennial next Friday. Despite the win, they still trail Lutheran in RPI standings as the Lions are #1 and Tigers #2.
MOFFAT COUNTY: The Bulldogs continued their late season surge up the Class 2A RPI standings and into the playoff bracket by downing Delta 26-20. Logan Hafey picked up a sack on the game’s final play to secure the Bulldogs third win of the season. Evan Atkin ran for 142 yards and Caleb Frink 67 and each scored twice on the ground. Moffat County is now #3 in RPI.
SEDGWICK COUNTY: Two TD’s in the final five minutes of the first half gave the five-time defending eight-man state champs control of their game with Merino. Those two scores handed the Cougars a 24-0 halftime edge and they finished on top 32-0. The teams were a combined 8-0 when the game opened. The win moved the Cougars to the top spot of the RPI and likely secured the number one playoff seed. SedgCo meets Dayspring Christian in their final regular season date.
SWINK: The Lions are quietly 4-1 and right in the middle of the eight-man playoff chase after beating Pikes Peak Christian 44-22. It was their third straight win and pushed them up to #6 in RPI standings. Another win may be needed next week to get in and they should get a tough test with Calhan.
SIMLA: The Cubs like league rival Swink, remain in playoff contention after beating Lyons 38-8 on Friday night. Simla is now ranked #5 in eight-man RPI and enters the final week with a 4-1 record. They close with an improving Dolores Huerta program. The Cubs ran for 358 yards in the win; Coletin Mazerall led the way with 176 yards and three scores while Brayden Glover added 141 and another TD.
FOWLER: Already a likely playoff club, the defending state runners-up likely secured their eight-man bid by beating Crowley County 32-22 on Friday. We say likely as the Grizzlies are only #11 in RPI but will make up quite a bit of ground in the other three seeding metrics. The Grizzlies led 26-22 at intermission and then scored the only touchdown in the second half; moving to 5-0 on the season. Braxton Bates finished with 149 yards and two scores as Fowler totaled 324 yards with five touchdowns rushing.
DOVE CREEK: Coming off a lopsided loss to Sanford in week four, the Bulldogs may have needed a win over Mancos to stay in playoff contention. And they responded with an 18-14 decision; handing the Bluejays their first loss of the season. Kade Hankins scored the game winner from six yards out early in the fourth quarter. The win pushed the Bulldogs to #4 in RPI.
CHEYENNE WELLS: The Tigers clinched a playoff berth in six-man and stayed in position for a top two seed by downing Eads 42-18. Rogelio Randel ran for a score and caught a TD pass during the Tigers 21-point second quarter. That burst gave them a 21-2 halftime advantage. The Tigers are 5-0 and will battle fellow unbeaten Stratton/Liberty in week six. The winner is probably the number two seed in the bracket behind defending state champion Fleming. A win also gives the Tigers a case for the top seed as they enter the final week atop the six man RPI standings.
NOTES: The most difficult playoff bracket to be placed in this year is Class 4A and Brighton kept their hopes alive by holding off Silver Creek 35-28. The Bulldogs have a huge finale with Windsor as only the winner will stay in contention. Both are currently 4-1. Loveland moved past Longmont and Skyline overcame an early deficit to knock off Monarch. Both improved to 5-0 with the win and they collide next week. Since the 4A playoff chase is so tight, it’s likely only the winner will get post-season consideration. Durango is 4-0 after beating Pueblo East 45-20. The Demons close with Canon City and a win there gets them in the discussion for the top overall seed in Class 3A. Genoa Hugo remains on the playoff bubble in six-man. The Pirates easily dumped Deer Trail 56-6. North Park joins the Pirates on the bubble as they outscored Peetz 46-27 Friday afternoon. Rangely is 5-0 after moving past Vail Christian 24-8. The Panthers probably secured a berth in the eight-man bracket with that victory. Strasburg topped Jefferson 56-0 and Resurrection Christian downed Berthoud 42-0. Both the Indians and Cougars are 5-0 on the season and neither has allowed a point the entire year. Peyton and Monte Vista both improved to 4-1 as the Panthers dropped Rocky Ford and the Pirates rolled Ignacio. Each team stays in the 1A playoff chase and could sneak in with upsets of Colorado Springs Christian and Centauri next week. Based on a win over Regis back in week three, Legend was already in great shape to be included in the Class 5A playoffs but their 21-20 victory over Pine Creek should lock up a berth. The Titans led 14-0 at one point and then had to hold on. Pine Creek scored late in the fourth but a missed extra point left them one point short.
