The high school baseball season in Class 2A and 3A have come down this – two weekends May 23-24 and 30-31 – to decide state champions.

The 2A field includes reigning back-to-back state champion Denver Christian (16-8), and the Thunder will try and make it a hat trick in the eight-team double elimination tournament.

DC, the No. 6 seed, begins its title defense against No. 3 Fowler (20-2) at noon Friday at the ‘Nuch Field at the Runyon Sports Complex in Pueblo. The Grizzlies have won 17 games in a row.

In 3A, powerhouse Eaton returns to the 8-team field in search of its fifth state baseball championship in a row and its 16th in school history. The Reds (19-6), the No. 3 seed, begin play against No. 6-seeded The Classical Academy (19-6) at noon, Friday at University High School in Greeley.

Will Denver Christian add to its trophy class another state championship? Or is Eaton going to capture a Sweet 16 state baseball title?

These are certainly compelling questions.

And here are some other intriguing games to digest in the opening round this weekend.

Class 2A

No. 5 Highland (19-6) at No. 4 Peyton (20-1), noon, Hobbs Field, Runyon Field Sports Complex, Pueblo

Highland, thanks to wins over Buena Vista (11-3) and Las Animas (10-0) advanced to the Great 8. The Huskies are searching for their second baseball state crown in school history and first since 1976. Highland edged Nucla 4-1 in the Class AA title game in ’76.

This year’s Highland squad is paced offensively by Stetson Hendren (.570), Sawyer Morgan (.494) and DJ Rogers (.382). John Bingley is the Huskies top pitcher posting a 7-1 record with a 2.46 ERA in 15 appearances.

Peyton, which is riding a 13-game winning streak, moved to the Round 8 with wins over Estes Park (7-3) and North Fork (11-6) last weekend. The Panthers lone loss was 11-1 to Manitou Springs on April 2.

The Panthers offense firepower comes from Zayden Ebbert (.552), Bryce Love (.548), and Noah Martin (.484). Pitchers Bryce Compton (5-0, 1.99 ERA) and Love (4-0, 1.14 ERA) fuel the Panthers pitching arsenal.

Peyton is trying to capture its second state baseball title to go along with the one it won in 2019.

No. 7 Platte Valley (16-9) at No. 2 Dayspring Christian (21-3) at, 9:30 a.m., Friday, ‘Nuch Field, Runyon Sports Complex, Pueblo

Platte Valley comes to Pueblo on a three-game winning streak and will try and keep its momentum rolling this weekend.

The last time Platte Valley won a state baseball title – its only baseball championship – Dwight D. Eisenhower was the President of the United States.

The year was 1954.

Now, 71 years later the quest is underway for No. 2. Platte Valley is led at the plate by Hudson Flummerfelt (.381), Nick Silvas (.350) and Mason Hunt (.348).

Dayspring Christian Academy is trying to win its first state baseball crown. Josiah Rodriguez (.494), Logan Vaniddekinge (.411) and Gavin Bohl (.409). Pitching-wise, Gage Davis is his team’s leader with an 8-0 record and a 1.12 ERA,

Class 3A

No. 5 Montezuma-Cortez (21-4) at Resurrection Christian (17-8), Noon, Friday, Butch Butler Field, Greeley

Montezuma-Cortez might seem like an unknown quantity for some prep baseball fans but make no mistake this team is the real deal.

The Panthers arrive at the eight-team tourney riding the wave of a 13-game winning streak and have not lost in five weeks.

Montezuma-Cortez is paced by Cory Carver (.527), Samson Lein (.463) and Jaiden Istenes (.421). The Panthers’ defense is led by senior Seth Oakes, who has a team-high six wins.

Montezuma-Cortez has never won a state baseball title.

Resurrection Christian answers with a solid offense led by Charley Wilson (.400), Brayden MacAlmon (.387) and Braedyn Budd (.375). The Cougars’ top pitcher is Vaughn Green. The senior is sporting a 5-0 record.

RC has two state baseball championships on its resume in 2012 and 2014.

No. 7 Delta (18-7) at No. 2 Coal Ridge (22-2-1), 9:30 a.m., Friday, at University High School, Greeley

On May 16, Delta won consecutive games over Kent Denver (11-6) and Sterling (10-7 in eight innings) to move to the Great 8.

The Panthers are ignited offensively by Landon Kennell (.554), Deacon Shean (.443) and Jhett Ryan (.419). Senior pitcher has a team-best six wins this season.

Delta doesn’t have storied baseball history it does have some historical accomplishments as it won its only two state titles in the sport in 1963 and ’64 in AA both years.

Coal Ridge has been a force this season and its currently the owners of an 18-game winning streak. The Titans are no strangers to Delta on the Western Slope. Coal Ridge has beaten Delta twice this season 8-3 and 9-4 on May 10.

The Titans are getting power from Ben Simmons (.620), John Luke Houston (.507) and Logan Harlow (.400). Houston has a perfect 7-0 record on the mound for the Titans with a 1.58 ERA.

Coal Ridge is trying to win its first boys state championship in school history.