The final day of the 2020 regular season brings with it several games that will either determine which teams make the playoffs or how the qualifiers are placed in the bracket. Eight such games are on our list and we break down why they matter.
#1 Cherry Creek at #4 Eaglecrest: The winner of this unbeaten battle should land a top two seed in the Class 5A bracket. The Bruins are the defending state champions and likely get the top seed with a win while Eaglecrest should move past Pomona and into the top two if they score the upset:
#7 Pine Creek at #8 Regis: Both teams could use a win to solidify their spot in the playoff bracket. Pine Creek is the defending state champion in Class 4A but probably needs a victory to reserve their space among a very crowded playoff chase. Regis may need a win to hold off Columbine and Cherokee Trail for the last post-season spot in Class 5A.
#7 Conifer at Evergreen: This might be the most important game in Class 3A this week as it will help finalize the playoff bracket. The Mountain Bowl winner should get in while the loser is probably out.
#8 Fort Morgan vs Summit: The Mustangs were in the eighth spot in the Class 3A playoff standings released by CHSAA earlier this week so they sit squarely on the bubble. Palisade is one spot behind them and the Bulldogs already have a win this week so Fort Morgan needs a win to remain in contention. They will also watch with great interest the outcome of the Mountain Valley.
#4 Eaton vs #5 Platte Valley: Both teams appear to be in the Class 2A playoffs but the result of this one will impact the middle of the bracket. The winner should play at home in round one and may climb past Pagosa Springs and into the third spot behind Resurrection Christian and Sterling. The loser could drop to fifth and face a long road trip to Pagosa in round one.
#8 Holyoke vs Rye (Wiggins HS): This game wasn’t scheduled until early Friday but will likely affect the last playoff qualifier in Class 1A. The Dragons were 8th in the playoff standings earlier this week and are trying to hold off Colorado Springs Christian and Highland for the final spot. CSCS has the week off but Highland has already beaten Wiggins to put pressure on the Dragons.
#8 Briggsdale at #9 North Park: With Cheraw’s upset loss to Kim/Branson on Friday night, there may be two playoff spots open in the six man division. One of them could go to the winner of this game. The Falcons might have an easier route to get there as they were 8th in the playoff standings and North Park only 12th. Even with a win, the Wildcats may not be able to climb past Mountain Valley, Kit Carson and Genoa Hugo.
#10 Mountain Valley at Sierra Grande: This is the second important game in six-man as Mountain Valley is also in the chase for one of the final few post-season bids. The Indians are 3-0 overall but probably still need a victory in this one to stay in contention. They opened the week #9 in the CHSAA playoff standings.
