Win or Go Home II: Saturday’s 4A Quarterfinal Playoff Preview
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Class 4A #1 Palmer Ridge vs #8 Vista Ridge What to Watch For: Which offense can out-duel the other? Palmer Ridge Top Playmaker: QB Derek Hester Derek Hester 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB Palmer Ridge | 2024 State CO…
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Continue ReadingClass 4A
#1 Palmer Ridge vs #8 Vista Ridge
What to Watch For: Which offense can out-duel the other?
Palmer Ridge Top Playmaker: QB Derek Hester Derek Hester 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB Palmer Ridge | 2024 State CO
Vista Ridge Top Playmaker: QB Brayden Dorman Brayden Dorman 6'5" | 200 lbs | QB Vista Ridge | 2023 State CO
Prediction:
Who doesn’t love offense? At first glance of our first 4A playoff matchup of the day, this one may come down to whoever has the ball last. Clearly, both schools can’t go wrong at the quarterback position. Although Vista Ridge boasts the top-ranked quarterback in the entire state with Brayden Dorman Brayden Dorman 6'5" | 200 lbs | QB Vista Ridge | 2023 State CO under center, it has been Palmer Ridge that has yet to go down in defeat with a flawless 11-0 record and the number-one overall seed in the state playoff bracket. In fact, these two teams are no strangers when it comes to doing battle on the gridiron. Facing off with one another back on Oct. 28th that led to a Bears 24-17 victory, this quarterfinal rematch has the makings of being an absolute barn burner.
Palmer Ridge 48, Vista Ridge 45
#2 Broomfield vs #7 Heritage
What to Watch For: Heritage’s consistency on offense vs Pine Creek’s ferocious pass rush
Broomfield Top Playmaker: QB Cole LaCrue Cole LaCrue 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Broomfield | 2023 State CO
Heritage Top Playmaker: OLB Nick Long
Prediction:
Another unbeaten among the 4A contending squads, the Broomfield Eagles may be the most-improved team in all of Colorado. After compiling a losing record at 5-6 during the 2021 season, the Eagles have doubled their win total and are eager to build upon an undefeated season after taking care of business in a 42-0 route over Windsor last week. As for Heritage, the other Eagles have also undergone a tremendous turnaround after posting a miserable 2-8 mark during last year’s campaign. Fast forward twelve months later, and Heritage is now only three wins away from a state title. Does Heritage have enough firepower offensively to keep pace with future Wisconsin Badger Cole LaCrue Cole LaCrue 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Broomfield | 2023 State CO and the Broomfield offensive attack?
Broomfield 27, Heritage 23
#3 Ponderosa vs #11 Erie
What to Watch For: Erie’s high-octane offense vs Ponderosa’s stingy defense
Ponderosa Top Playmaker: LB Cape Olsen
Erie Top Playmaker: QB Blake Barnett Blake Barnett 6'2" | 210 lbs | QB Erie | 2024 State CO
Prediction:
Only a year ago, the Erie Tigers were busy marching their way through the 4A postseason bracket and ultimately reached the state title game versus Chatfield before barely coming up shorthanded. Fast forward nearly twelve months later, and the 2021 State Runner-Ups are in the midst if trying to play Cinderella for the second-consecutive year. Led by one of the top dual-threat signal callers in all of Colorado with Blake Barnett Blake Barnett 6'2" | 210 lbs | QB Erie | 2024 State CO under center. Without a doubt, Barnett gives opposing defensive coordinators fits with his strong arm and elusiveness when escaping the pocket. With a total of 479 points scored in the team’s twelve total games, the Tigers will have their hands full in going up against a swarming Ponderosa defense. Be on the lookout for senior linebacker Cape Olsen to continue to add to his impressive campaign. The heart of the Mustangs defense, Olsen has already racked up 157 tackles and is averaging 14.3 tackles per game.
Ponderosa 33, Erie 28