3A Semifinals Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The final four teams remain in the race for a state title, meaning the 2022 season is nearing its end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both games will be played at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, with the winner of each earning their spot in the championship match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This article will preview both semifinal games and which players to watch during the contests.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"25px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:25px"><strong>#5 Green Mountain (12-0) at #1 Roosevelt (12-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The matchup between the Green Mountain Rams and the Roosevelt Roughriders is one of the more anticipated games in the postseason for the 3A classification. Each team is entering this game with perfect records, meaning this will be the most challenging contest of the season for both programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Roughriders have dominated almost every opponent they have faced this season. The one close win they had was against Highlands Ranch, a team in the 5A classification. There is no doubt that Roosevelt's roster possesses an elite talent that is difficult for many teams to match up against.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Green Mountain has walked through almost every opponent they faced this season, except a close win over Evergreen in a game that ended in double overtime. Even though the Rams have crushed most of their competition, this game will be their most formidable challenge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Roughriders are favored to win this game, but nothing is guaranteed, especially when facing a team as tough and resilient as Green Mountain.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Key Players to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><em>Roosevelt:</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='381209' first='Bronco' last='Hartson']</strong> | 2024 QB/DE<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='251270' first='Xavier' last='Ramirez']</strong> | 2024 RB<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='246923' first='Ryan' last='Doucette']</strong> | 2023 RB/CB<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='22771' first='Tucker' last='Peterson']</strong> | 2023 WR/SS/ATH<br><strong>Bowie Schmitz</strong> | 2023 WR/DB<br><strong>Ryne Knutson</strong> | 2023 LB/TE<br><strong>Dillon Doyon</strong> | 2026 LB<br><strong>Elizar Valencia</strong> | 2023 DE<br><strong>Andrew Lara</strong> | 2023 LB<br><strong>Miguel Hernandez</strong> | 2023 OLB<br><strong>Evan Cline</strong> | 2023 LB/TE</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><em>Green Mountain:</em>&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zach Wallace</strong> | 2023 QB/LB<br><strong>Anthony Digrazia</strong> | 2023 RB/ATH<br><strong>Dominic Sanchez</strong> | 2023 RB<br><strong>Austin Beeson</strong> | 2024 WR<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='489855' first='Donnie' last='Carney']</strong> | 2023 TE/LB<br><strong>Dalton Poulignot</strong> | 2024 RB/DB<br><strong>Blake Weslin</strong> | 2024 LB<br><strong>Austin Contreras</strong> | 2024 OLB/TE<br><strong>Colton Brown</strong> | 2023 <br><strong>Kole Stratman</strong> | 2023</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"25px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:25px"><strong>#3 Lutheran (10-2) at #2 Durango (11-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Durango Demons will host the Lutheran Lions in an evenly-matched contest between two powerful teams. The Lions are a pass-heavy team offensively, whereas the Demons have a solid running attack. Both teams have top-tier junior quarterbacks with powerful arsenals at their disposal, meaning the defenses will have their work cut out for them on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With these teams being so similar in talent and total yards, the goal for both will be to control time of possession and execute on offense with minimal mistakes. The odds for time-of-possession are slightly in favor of Durango because of the ground-and-pound identity of the offense. Lutheran, however, can score quickly and keep drives alive through the air and on the ground.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Durango is slightly favored to win this game, especially with Lutheran's turnovers being a weakness for the Lions. The Demons have their fair share of issues with ball security but have turned the ball over less. The defense that can take advantage of their opponent's mistakes will have the upper hand. That said, the team with the offense that capitalizes on turnovers while avoiding mistakes will likely emerge victorious.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Key Players to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><em>Durango:</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='147555' first='Tyler' last='Harms']</strong> | 2024 QB<br><strong>Jeric Baruch</strong> | 2023 RB<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149331' first='Zachary' last='Haber']</strong> | 2023 RB/LS<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='147176' first='Joshua' last='Bates']</strong> | 2023 OL<br><strong>Jaxon Fancher</strong> | 2024&nbsp;<br><strong>AJ Folk</strong> | 2023 TE/OLB<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='376599' first='Tagert' last='Bardin']</strong> | 2023 WR/DB<br><strong>Julian Rodriguez</strong> | 2024 LB/RB<br><strong>Miguel Garcia-Rodriguez</strong> | 2023 LB<br><strong>Jaylen Jeffries</strong> | 2025 DL<br><strong>Kaleb Roberts</strong> | 2024 WR/DB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><em>Lutheran:</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='143625' first='Ryken' last='Daugaard']</strong> | 2024 QB<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='150202' first='Ryan' last='Kenny']</strong> | 2023 RB/LB<br><strong>Chace Sorenson</strong> | 2023 WR/OLB<br><strong>Joe Ciccio</strong> | 2024 WR/FS<br><strong>Sam Wisler</strong> | 2023 WR/CB<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='312594' first='Colin' last='Sturm']</strong> | 2024 OL/DL<br><strong>Josh Ayers</strong> | 2023 LB/WR<br><strong>Reichen Posey</strong> | 2024 DL/OL<br><strong>Samuel Smolen</strong> | 2024 WR/CB<br><strong>Michael Lopez</strong> | 2023 WR/CB<br><strong>Peyton Garrett</strong> | 2023 LB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->