The Class 5A and 4A football seasons are in playoff mode this week. The classes have 24-team fields loaded with talented squads all in search of state supremacy.
Meanwhile in the 3A ranks, it is bubble watch time. The regular concludes this weekend and teams are trying to position themselves to get into the 16-team field.
There’s a new level of pressure: Some players and teams will thrive, and others will have their seasons end abruptly.
Here are some games to digest in this weekend’s slate.
Class 5A
No. 21 Regis Jesuit (4-6) at No. 12 Erie (6-4), 6:30 p.m., Friday
It has been a true roller-coaster season for Regis. The Raiders began the season with three consecutive losses and then bounced back with three straight wins. The momentum didn’t stick as Regis finished the season with a 1-3 mark, including losses to Pine Creek (31-24) and Legend (42-28).
Now, Regis will try to regroup again. The Raiders are led by sophomore QB Luke Rubley (1,988 yards and 20 TDs). Joe Pron leads the rushing attack with 674 yards and seven TDs.
Erie also had its late season struggles, losing to Mullen (18-6) and Legacy (42-28) before closing the season out with a 42-6 win over Horizon.
The Tigers are fueled by junior QB Jack Arnold (1,487 yards and 15 TDs). Senior RB Brayton Toliver has added 783 yards on the ground and eight TDs.
The winner of this game advances to play No. 5 Valor Christian (8-2).
Class 4A
No. 19 Loveland (5-5) at No. 14 Mesa Ridge (5-5), 7 p.m., Friday
Loveland enters the playoffs with the same number of wins as losses. That record is somewhat deceiving since the Red Wolves have won three consecutive games over Silver Creek (44-15), Greeley West (59-14) and Poudre (17-14).
Loveland’s offense has come alive of late and the QB at the helm of the controls is junior Jackson Gebhardt (1,268 yards and 9 TDs). Gebhardt also has added a team-best 839 yards and 8 TDs. Senior Geovanni Peoni (249 yards rushing and 5 TDs).
Mesa Ridge also has an even record, but the Grizzlies have also been sneaky good at times with a 4-1 record in its last five games. Included in those wins was a 22-15 upset of Pueblo West on Oct. 9.
Mesa Ridge has QB Leland Frescaz (1,155 yards and 8 TDs). RB Amari McBroom (381 yards rushing and 6 TDs).
The winner of this contest moves on to play No. 3-seeded Palmer Ridge (10-0).
Class 3A
Pueblo County (6-3) at Pueblo East (5-4), 7 p.m., Thursday
This game will certainly help shape what teams make the 16-team 3A tournament.
Pueblo County is No. 13 in the latest CHSAA Selection & Seeding Index and likely needs a win to remain in the state tournament field ahead of Saturday’s bracket release.
The Hornets are coming off an impressive 22-15 win over Canon City last Friday it was PC’s third consecutive win.
County is led by QB Brody Harrison (1,116 yards and 12 TDs). RB Brady Ware has a team-high 1,209 yards on the ground and has 12 TDs. Fellow RB Orlando Rodriguez has 400 yards and five TDs.
East is ranked No. 14 in the seeding index after losing to Coronado 24-21 last week.
The Eagles are paced by dynamic QB Dolpha Lewis (873 yards passing and 7 TDs and 1,470 yards passing and 23 TDs).
A win by East should put them in the 16-team field. The Hornets are going to need some magic to defeat the Eagles and get a little help from others to slide into the state tourney. It should be a smash-mouth game and fun to watch.
