Any and all bye weeks are in the rearview mirror. The Class 5A, 4A and 3A playoffs roll into the Round of 16 starting Friday.

Last week saw mainly favorites advance through the first round, with the exception of No. 17 Fountain-Fort Carson beating No. 16 Cherokee Trail. The Trojans now head to Stutler Bowl to face off with No. 1 Cherry Creek. To score a monumental upset, the Trojans will need a big game from Da’Kari Releford Jr. The junior running back is rushing for over 140 yards per game and if he can find that kind of production and keep the Bruins off the field, FFC may have a fighting chance.

In 4A, No. 7 Monarch hosts a Riverdale Ridge team that made it through the regular season undefeated and then rolled through Thomas Jefferson 40-7 in the first round last week.

The Coyotes have been solid this year as Malakhi Payne has rushed for over 1,300 yards and 19 touchdowns.

The 3A playoffs official begin Friday as the classification closed out the regular season last weekend. Windsor takes the top overall seed and will face Severance in the first round.

Across all classifications, there are key games to keep an eye on.

Class 5A

No. 9 Arapahoe at No. 8 Fairview (9-1), 7 p.m., Friday

On paper this should be a very good match-up.

Arapahoe began the state playoffs last week by roaring past No. 24 Westminster 58-42. Running back Jayden Tackitt scored three times. The senior RB has rushed for a team-high 963 yards and six TDs. Sophomore QB Theo Lee has thrown for 1,834 yards and 18 TDs. His favorite target has been Landon Drumm who has 737 yards receiving and nine scores.

Fairview, which suffered its lone loss to Arvada West 34-33 on Sept. 5, will counter with junior QB Ki Ellison who has thrown for 2,289 yards and 27 TDs.

Senior Toray Davis also has been an offensive force rushing for 525 yards and 25 TDs and he has caught 53 passes for 1,214 yards and 13 TDs.

Fairview is trying to extend its eight-game winning streak. The winner of this game plays the winner between No. 1 Cherry Creek and No. 17 Fountain-Fort Carson.

Class 4A

No. 13 Ponderosa (7-4) at No. 4 Durango (8-2), noon, Saturday

Ponderosa continued its season by muscling past No. 20 Silver Creek 27-14 last week. QB Noah Anacleto tossed two TD passes in the win. The junior has thrown for 1,529 yards and 17 TDs and just two interceptions.

Running back Troy WcWhorter has rushed for 913 yards and nine TDs. Senior Blake Katsoff has caught 36 passes for 639 yards and four TDs.

Durango will answer back with QB Grady Feeney. The junior has thrown for 1,357 yards and 18 TDs.

The Demons’ have a two-prong rushing attack in senior Gus Halls (853 yards rushing and six TDs) and Feeney (817 yards rushing and 11 TDs).

Durango’s top receiver yardage-wise is Dawson McInnes (25 catches for 453 yards).

Durango’s two losses this season are to state championship contenders Montrose (35-14 on Aug. 22) and Palmer Ridge (21-7, Oct. 10).

The winner of this game advances to meet the victor between No. 5 Heritage and No. 12 Grand Junction.

Class 3A

No. 9 Pueblo South (8-2) at No. 8 Conifer (9-1), 7 p.m., Friday

This game has plenty of intrigue. Pueblo South rolls into the playoffs after winning five games in a row, including capping the season with a convincing 56-21 decision over Discovery Canyon.

The Colts’ offense is powered by senior QB Caeden Herrera (2,175 yards passing and 24 TDs and 341 yards rushing and three scores). Senior Chace Hurley (839 yards rushing and 12 TDs) also has been a potent runner.

The team has numerous standout receivers led by Jake Pisciotta. The senior has a team-best 46 receptions for 762 yards and 11 TDs. Junior receiver Landen Cordova has chipped in 21 catches for 476 yards and 10 TDs.

Conifer enters this battle on a six-game winning streak and is paced by senior RB Dillon Tracy (791 yards and seven TDs) and senior receiver Solomon Washer (54 catches for 851 yards and 14 TDs).

The winner of this game meets the winner between top-seeded Windsor and No. 16 Severance.