3A Semifinals Preview
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The final four teams remain in the race for a state title, meaning the 2022 season is nearing its end. Both games will be played at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, with the winner of each earning their spot in the…
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Continue ReadingThe final four teams remain in the race for a state title, meaning the 2022 season is nearing its end.
Both games will be played at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, with the winner of each earning their spot in the championship match.
This article will preview both semifinal games and which players to watch during the contests.
#5 Green Mountain (12-0) at #1 Roosevelt (12-0)
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.
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.
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.
The Roughriders are favored to win this game, but nothing is guaranteed, especially when facing a team as tough and resilient as Green Mountain.
Key Players to Watch
Roosevelt:
Bronco Hartson
Bronco
Hartson
6'0" | 195 lbs | QB
Roosevelt | 2024
State
CO
| 2024 QB/DE
Xavier Ramirez
Xavier
Ramirez
RB
Roosevelt | 2024
State
CO
| 2024 RB
Ryan Doucette
Ryan
Doucette
RB
Roosevelt | 2023
State
CO
| 2023 RB/CB
Tucker Peterson
Tucker
Peterson
6'2" | 175 lbs | WR
Roosevelt | 2023
State
CO
| 2023 WR/SS/ATH
Bowie Schmitz | 2023 WR/DB
Ryne Knutson | 2023 LB/TE
Dillon Doyon | 2026 LB
Elizar Valencia | 2023 DE
Andrew Lara | 2023 LB
Miguel Hernandez | 2023 OLB
Evan Cline | 2023 LB/TE
Green Mountain:
Zach Wallace | 2023 QB/LB
Anthony Digrazia | 2023 RB/ATH
Dominic Sanchez | 2023 RB
Austin Beeson | 2024 WR
Donnie Carney
Donnie
Carney
6'5" | 230 lbs | TE
Green Mountain | 2023
State
CO
| 2023 TE/LB
Dalton Poulignot | 2024 RB/DB
Blake Weslin | 2024 LB
Austin Contreras | 2024 OLB/TE
Colton Brown | 2023
Kole Stratman | 2023
#3 Lutheran (10-2) at #2 Durango (11-1)
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.
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.
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.
Key Players to Watch
Durango:
Tyler Harms
Tyler
Harms
6'3" | 195 lbs | QB
Durango | 2024
State
CO
| 2024 QB
Jeric Baruch | 2023 RB
Zachary Haber
Zachary
Haber
5'11" | 195 lbs | LS
Durango | 2023
State
CO
| 2023 RB/LS
Joshua Bates
Joshua
Bates
6'3" | 280 lbs | OL
Durango | 2023
State
CO
| 2023 OL
Jaxon Fancher | 2024
AJ Folk | 2023 TE/OLB
Tagert Bardin
Tagert
Bardin
WR
Durango | 2023
State
CO
| 2023 WR/DB
Julian Rodriguez | 2024 LB/RB
Miguel Garcia-Rodriguez | 2023 LB
Jaylen Jeffries | 2025 DL
Kaleb Roberts | 2024 WR/DB
Lutheran:
Ryken Daugaard
Ryken
Daugaard
6'2" | 175 lbs | QB
Lutheran | 2024
State
CO
| 2024 QB
Ryan Kenny
Ryan
Kenny
5'10" | 170 lbs | RB
Lutheran | 2023
State
CO
| 2023 RB/LB
Chace Sorenson | 2023 WR/OLB
Joe Ciccio | 2024 WR/FS
Sam Wisler | 2023 WR/CB
Colin Sturm
Colin
Sturm
6'3" | 255 lbs | OL
Lutheran | 2024
State
CO
| 2024 OL/DL
Josh Ayers | 2023 LB/WR
Reichen Posey | 2024 DL/OL
Samuel Smolen | 2024 WR/CB
Michael Lopez | 2023 WR/CB
Peyton Garrett | 2023 LB