In Class 5A and 4A football, the second season has started as the playoffs have arrived. And with another week to go in the 3A regular season, there is plenty of unfinished business at hand.

There are plenty of intriguing games on the slate and here is a sample of some to keep an eye on in each classification.

Class 5A

No. 24 Overland (6-4) at No. 9 Erie (8-2), 7 p.m., Friday

This game is definitely worth taking a closer look at for sure. The Trailblazers finished with a 5-0 conference in the 5A Metro North.

Since losing to a talented Mountain Vista squad 55-6 on Sept. 26, Overland ran off five consecutive wins, the latest being a 42-9 victory over Northglenn on Nov. 1.

Overland QB Angel Chavez has thrown for 1,237 yards and 12 scores. OHS’ workhorse on the ground is Jarrius Ward, who has 1,032 yards on 145 carries and has scored 11 TDs. Freshman Dejay Davenport is the team’s top receiver with 37 catches and 678 yards and scored six TDs.

Erie, which won the 4A state championship a year ago, has moved up to 5A and been a tough out.

The Tigers enter the playoffs with plenty of momentum riding a seven-game winning streak. Their last win was a 50-18 victory over Horizon on Nov. 1. Erie is paced by QB Ronin Ward. The senior has thrown for 1,242 yards and eight touchdowns and he has added 564 yards rushing and five more scores.

Braylon Toliver has a team-best 891 yards rushing and nine TDs. Ward spreads the ball around to plenty of receivers and Gabe Sema has a team-best 330 yards and five TDs.

This game will likely be decided by the two teams’ defense. Which unit – Erie or Overland – can rise up and make a stop when the game is in crunch time.

The other story line for the Erie vs. Overland battle is the winner moves on to face perennial power Pine Creek (7-3), the No. 8 seed in the next round.

Class 4A

No. 17 Loveland (4-6) at No. 16 Doherty (5-5), 1 p.m., Saturday at Garry Berry

The Red Wolves have not had the best season record-wise, but they have a chance to right wrongs in the postseason, starting with this first-round matchup.

Loveland QB Ryder Eastin has thrown for 1,232 yards and 10 TDs and added 455 yards on the ground and eight more scores. The Red Wolves’ running game also gets a jolt from Deon Christopher (308 yards and 4 TDs) and Noah Kuberry (294 yards rushing).

The Spartans gridiron team has been revived recently and they are in the playoffs for the second time in three years. This is the first time Doherty is hosting a playoff since 2013.

The fuel for the Spartans’ offense is provided by quarterback Leland Frescaz. The junior has thrown for 1,827 yards and 17 TDs. Sophomore receiver Brody Noll has been his favorite target with 675 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.

Doherty’s rushing game is powered by Deron Tiggett. The junior has run for 677 yards and eight scores. Senior Jalen Hale has a team-best has 395 yards and four TDs.

Nothing gets easier for whoever wins this game as that team will face top-seeded Dakota Ridge in the second round. But a postseason run has to start somewhere.

Class 3A

No. 4 Pomona (7-2) at No. 1 Thompson Valley (9-0), 7 p.m., Friday

Pomona is paced by QB Emmitt Munson, who has thrown for 504 yards and four scores and added 917 yards and 9 TDs.
Luis Santana has seven catches for 286 yards and four scores to lead Pomona and the squad has won five games in a row, including a 49-6 over Fort Morgan on Nov. 1.

Thompson Valley is led by seniors Joseph Urrutia (564 yards and 4 TDs) and Garet Hendrickson who has 409 yards and one score. The nine game win streak by TV has it in prime position to be the top seed in the 3A playoffs next weekend.

This could be a teaser of what could be a state championship game and may just be a classic contest to remember.