Haxtun suffered major disappointment a year ago when it went undefeated in the regular season only to lose in the 8-man semifinals.

This year, the Fightin Bulldogs got that first loss of the year a couple weeks sooner. Merino capped off the regular season with a 22-16 win over Haxtun, becoming the only team this season to beat a team that many perceive to be the favorite for the 8-man title.

Down a couple of points, the Rams drove into Haxtun territory but couldn’t convert. They eventually pulled ahead and hung on to get perhaps the biggest win of the season in that classification.

“The boys competed well and played well,” coach Nathan Schmidt said on the Scoreboard Show. “The coaches put together a good game plan. And we had some motivation from this show, I think last week you said Haxtun was the league champ.”

The win over Haxtun actually gives the Rams the Plains League title.

With things tightening up in the 8-man Selection and Seeding Index, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Bulldogs drop to No. 3 with Simla perhaps overtaking them for the No. 2 spot.

Where that can be problematic for Haxtun is that would mean a road trip in the semifinals if they advance that far. And if Simla holds on to the No. 2 spot, it could present a rematch of last year’s semifinal with the Cubs. It was Simla getting a 27-20 win there, but that game was in Haxtun.

The playoff picture will get cleared up on Sunday when CHSAA releases the 8-man playoff bracket.

2A: Florence 14, (5) La Junta 13

The Southwest League picture got muddied up as Florence scored an upset win over La Junta, ending the Tigers hopes for an undefeated season in the playoffs.

“It was a hard-fought battle,” coach Jeremy Nix told the Scoreboard Show. “That’s a really good team. They’re physical and they do a lot of things well. They’re well-coached.”

Trailing 13-0 at halftime, the Huskies returned the opening kick of the second half back for a touchdown. Florence then scored on its next offensive possession and with both made extra points, took the one-point lead.

“The game was pretty much a defensive battle from then on,” Nix said. “They run the ball well and we had to match them at the point of attack and physically.”

The win puts three teams at the top of the league standings as Alamosa, La Junta and Florence all finished the season with one league loss. All three teams were inside the top 16 of the Selection and Seeding Index so as of Friday, they’d all be on the postseason bracket.

The win for Florence likely moves them up a spot or two. Alamosa’s win over Woodland Park likely keeps them in, but that fate will be confirmed on Sunday.

3A: Discovery Canyon 31, Pueblo East 27

The Thunder scored two touchdowns in the final minute to pick up a thrilling win over the Eagles. Discovery Canyon still has to win next week to secure the league title and an automatic playoff spot, but as of now they’re safely in the playoff field at No. 13 in the Selection and Seeding Index.

After scoring late, the Thunder recovered an onside kick, then quarterback Hayden Jones found Ty Peters on a deep strike to setup the Jones touchdown run to get the win.

“All credit to East,” coach Shawn Mitchell said on the Scoreboard Show. “They gave us everything we could handle

2A: (10) Basalt 62, Aspen 20

It was a monumental night for Basalt coach Carl Frerichs as he secured win No. 100 for his career. With that out of the way, he can take his team into the postseason with nothing hanging over his head.

The win over Aspen combined with Elizabeth’s win over TCA might just put the Longhorns in a position to host a playoff game next week. That will be determined when the postseason bracket is released on Sunday.

1A: (7) Wray 35, (6) Wiggins 21

While Limon has claimed the North Central League title, this was an important game for both teams. Both teams were in the top 10 of the Selection and Seeding Index, but a win over the Tigers might push the Eagles into the top eight to get a home game.

4A: (3) Montrose 33, Pueblo West 7

The Red Hawk completed their quest of a league title with a decisive win over the Cyclones. Montrose outscored their league opponents 189-49. When the playoff brackets are released Sunday, the only teams likely seeded above the Hawks are Palmer Ridge and Erie, the only two teams to beat Montrose in 2023.

“We’re where you want to be going into the playoffs, that’s for sure,” coach Brett Mertens said.

5A: (9) Valor Christian 39, (6) Mountain Vista 34

Up 22-7, Israel Waitman snagged a pick-six to build a sizable lead against Mountain Vista. Golden Eagles quarterback Austyn Modrzewski tried to lead a furious rally and got his team within a score, but just ran out of time.

Valor claims the South Metro title and likely gets a first-round bye after starting the season 1-4.