The top two seeds in Class 5A went down in Wednesday’s semifinals round as all classifications now turn the page to championship weekend.
The Colorado High School Activities Association changed the finals schedule this week. Now, the 4A and 2A finals are at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs on Friday. The 5A and 3A games are Saturday at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Class 5A
When: Saturday at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park at 2 p.m.
Who: No. 3 Broomfield (16-2-1) v. No. 4 Cherry Creek (17-1-1)
Semifinals: No 3. Broomfield over No. 2 Boulder, 2-1. No. 4 Cherry Creek over No. 1 Northfield, 1-0.
The semifinals winners came from Broomfield’s Joziah Garron Guillen and Cherry Creek’s Nathan Palmer.
Guillen scored his with 2:33 remaining, moving the defending champion Eagles back to the final to defend their title. They’ll look to add to their state-most nine titles in the sport against a Bruins team that has not allowed a goal in these playoffs, outscoring teams 16-0.
Class 4A
When: Friday at Weidner Field at 6:30 p.m.
Who: No. 1 Mullen (15-2-2) v. No. 3 Air Academy (15-1-2)
Semifinals: Mullen over No. 5 Silver Creek, 1-0. Air Academy over No. 2 Battle Mountain, 3-2 in OT
Air Academy’s Turner Grow scored his first goal of the season in overtime, lifting the Kadets past 4A defending champion Battle Mountain. Air Academy lost the last time it was in the finals in 2019 but won four over a nine-year span from 2010-2018.
Mullen is searching for its second title after winning it all in 2011. Two years ago, the Mustangs lost to now-5A Northfield in the finals.
Class 3A
When: Saturday at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park at 11 a.m.
Who: No. 1 Holy Family (15-2-2) v. No. 2 Jefferson Academy (15-3-1)
Semifinals: Holy Family over No. 5 Roaring Fork, 3-0. Jefferson Academy over No. 3 Peak to Peak, 2-1.
Troy Brown scored both of Jefferson Academy’s goals in a semifinals win over Peak to Peak. His winner came in the 70th minute.
The Jaguars went winless a year ago. But after longtime coach Matt Cassell returned after a year hiatus, they are now a win away from winning their first championship in program history.
Holy Family hasn’t allowed a goal in the playoffs, outscoring teams 15-0. Oliver Hansen scored his team-leading 14th goal in the semifinals.
Class 2A
When: Friday at Weidner Field at 4 p.m.
Who: No. 2 Forge Christian (13-2-3) v. No. 4 Salida (14-1-3)
Semifinals: Forge Christian over No. 3 Crested Butte, 3-0. Salida over No. 1 Denver Christian, 1-0.
Three different players, including its goals-leader Thomas Clemens (20), scored for Forge Christian, which ousted defending champion Crested Butte in the semifinals. Crested Butte had won four of 2A’s six previous titles since its inclusion in 2018.
Salida is in pursuit of its second state title after it beat Faith Christian — now named Forge Christian — in the 2004 3A finals.