5 to watch in 3A state championship game

We looked at five players to watch in the 5A state title game between Cherry Creek and Valor Christian earlier in the day, then the 4A game between Palmer Ridge and Loveland. Now, let’s shift our focus to the Class 3A game in Pueblo. It’s been an odd 2020 season in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic with the real constant this fall being change. But in this series, we will look at players who have consistently sizzled heading into championship weekend. In 3A, it’s Roosevelt and Durango. Roosevelt has played in two state title games, losing to Eaton in 2000 and Pueblo East five years ago. Durango is headed to championship for the first time since 1988. The Demons’ lone title came in 1954. [player_tooltip player_id="22605" first="Andrew" last="Cole"], Roosevelt, OL: The lineman is ranked as the 99^th-best athlete in Colorado’s 2021 class. Cole has helped fuel a rushing attack that averages 7.4 yards per carry and has kept senior quarterback Brig Hartson upright in the pocket. The offensive line had its way in the semifinals against Pueblo South, creating giant holes for the run game that produced 306-yards and seven touchdowns in a 49-19 victory. [player_tooltip player_id="50575" first="Ben" last="Finneseth"], Durango, DB: Among the talented two-way athletes for Durango is Finneseth. He’s a versatile safety, ranked as the 89^th athlete in Colorado’s 2021 class and the 15^th defensive back. Offensively, he has 478 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground, and 227 receiving yards and three more scores. He had 154 yards on the ground, a pick and two hurries in the semifinals win over Holy Family last weekend. [player_tooltip player_id="58958" first="Nate" last="Messier"], Durango, RB: The Demons have three runners with more than 400 yards on the ground in Finneseth, [player_tooltip player_id="22656" first="Jordan" last="Woolverton"] and Messier. The junior leads the bunch with 517 yards and seven touchdowns. He hasn’t yet busted out in this postseason with 16 carries and 98 yards in two games on the ground. But he may take his turn Saturday against a stout Roosevelt defensive line. [player_tooltip player_id="22698" first="Cooper" last="Walton"], Roosevelt, LB: Walton leads the team with 70 tackles, a ridiculous 15 of them for loss. He also has 35 carries for 308 yards and eight TDs. Mainly, though, the junior is the anchor behind a defense that has yet to crack much, allowing under 10 points per game. Walton is ranked the 33^rd-best athlete in Colorado’ 2022 class and the seventh linebacker. [player_tooltip player_id="22656" first="Jordan" last="Woolverton"], Durango, QB: The dual-threat quarterback has thrown for 865 yards and 10 touchdowns to just one interception. On the ground, he’s rushed for 409 yards and eight more scores on just 45 carries. And as a safety, he leads the team with five interceptions. Coming into the semifinals game against Holy Family, Tigers longtime coach Mike Gabriel said they were hoping to contain Woolverton, especially on the ground, but the senior amassed 155 yards and two scores on 15 carries while throwing for another 82 and a score. Woolverton, with a preferred walk-on offer from CU, is the 42^nd-ranked athlete in Colorado 2021 class and the seventh quarterback.