The month of November has come in like a lamb, so much so that it almost doesn’t feel like high school football playoffs could possibly be upon us.
It appears, however, that it’s going to be a pleasant weekend in Colorado to kick off the postseason for small-school programs.
For groups of 16 schools across 2A, 1A, 8-man and 6-man, the hope is that health, skill, determination and maybe a bit of luck all play a role in a state championship run. Because, let’s face it, all of that is needed to complete a 4-0 stretch of games against the best competition.
For top seeds Strasburg (2A), Buena Vista (1A), Akron (8-man) and Idalia (6-man), there is a familiarity with climbing all the way to the top. But, there are also plenty of reasons why other teams still alive can do what needs to be done to emerge as the champ.
Colorado Preps looks at the top four teams and makes the case for one other team in each class who has the build of a title contender.
Class 2A
Why Strasburg can win it all: The Indians have appeared in a championship game six times since 2016, last winning in 2017. They’d very much like to finish what they’ve started this year, and they might have gotten the proper wake-up call back on Oct. 3 with a 33-31 victory against 4 seed Elizabeth. In three games since, they’ve only allowed 19 points (that includes allowing just seven to 6 seed Kent Denver two weeks ago). Brody Hopwood has helped SHS become very balanced on offense (197 passing, 188 rushing yards per game as a team).
Playing the field: Defending champion The Classical Academy is 9-0, on a 22-game win streak, and yet the 3 seed in the playoffs (yes, there are four 9-0 squads in the bracket). Two forfeit wins did the Titans no help but, they went 5-0 against other playoff teams with none closer than a 34-17 win against Eaton to open the season. It’s a huge senior class hoping to complete a very special run.
Class 1A
Why Buena Vista can win it all: The last time the Demons were in a title game was 2015, but there should be an abundance of confidence in the locker room for 9-0 BVHS. It allowed just 79 points all season, including just seven points apiece to playoff teams Rye and Colorado Springs Christian over the past three weeks. The 13-10 win against Limon on Sept. 26 was a huge accomplishment, and the team seemed to get better from there. Four senior players on defense have combined for 50 tackles for loss, and the defense has produced 22 turnovers.
Playing the field: Fifth-seeded Forge Christian allowed 109 points this season, and 40 of those came in its lone loss (40-33 to 2A Kent Denver on Sept. 20). The Fury have a senior in Quentin Torres that is having a special season, averaging 251 all-purpose yards per game and scoring 31 TDs. The team has a pretty deep roster, too, which helps carry a lot of programs down the stretch.
8-man
Why Akron can win it all: The Rams are hungry after finishing runner-up last year. They didn’t blow teams away, but AHS has played steady football from Day 1 this season and perhaps got the proverbial monkey off the back Oct. 10 with a win against Haxtun. The offense averages 168 passing yards and 189 rushing yards per game, and that balance is always tougher to defend. Balance also is shown in individual stats, where three Rams have at least 450 rush yards and four have at least 339 receiving yards.
Playing the field: No. 3 seed McClave has put together a dominant season offensively and defensively, outscoring foes 395-93, and it has been especially consistent the past seven weeks after winning its first two games by a combined 12 points. Sophomore Drew Howe has learned on the fly in his first year starting at quarterback, but he’s been awesome (1,176 passing yards with 19 TDs; 807 rush yards with 11 TDs). Meanwhile there is strong senior leadership on defense, fronted by JR Mungaray (102 tackles, 16 TFLs).
6-man
Why Idalia can win it all: It’s been a little bit longer than what people would probably think — the Wolves last appeared in a title game in 2010 — but IHS is also an impressive 8-0 in title games all-time. This year’s team beat No. 2 seed Stratton by 48 points, and no one has been able to contain junior Gabe Kechter (207 total yards per game, 35 total TDs). Holden Soehner and Carson Helling have been a wrecking crew on defense, too (21 combined tackles for loss).
Playing the field: While Stratton has an active streak of appearing in the title game eight straight seasons, we’re going to highlight No. 3 seed and defending champ Cheyenne Wells. The Tigers lost to Stratton to begin the season, but in the past five weeks — all against playoff teams — CWHS has outscored opponents 295-30. Senior Mason Marriott has settled in under center, throwing for 16 TDs against just three interceptions. Senior Trey Scheler has scored 28 times.
