Playoff Preview: Five First-Round Matchups

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is that time of the year when the regular season ends and the playoffs begin. The playoff brackets were published by the Colorado High School Activities Association early Sunday morning–3A is to be released next Sunday–with games starting on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are some entertaining matchups slated for the first round of the playoffs, making this week even more interesting. Here is a list of five games throughout all classifications to add to the radar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><a href="https://chsaanow.com/news/2023/10/29/class-5a-football-state-playoff-bracket-2023.aspx"><strong>The 5A Bracket</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#14 Chatfield vs #19 Cherokee Trail</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Chatfield Chargers will take on the Cherokee Trail Cougars in a rematch of the season opener. Both teams have progressed from last season. The Chargers are a senior-led team with a lot of talent coming up, while the Cougars have a significant number of junior starters with a solid group of underclassmen.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table {"className":"is-style-stripes"} --> <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Chatfield</span></strong></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Cherokee Trail</span></strong></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='251265' first='Jake' last='Jones']</em></strong><em> | 2024 QB</em></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='404991' first='Tyson' last='Smith'] </em></strong><em>| 2025 QB</em></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='251279' first='Drew' last='Rohlman'] </em></strong><em>| 2024 WR/TE</em></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>Noah Collins</em></strong><em> | 2025 RB</em></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='254906' first='Niguse' last='Shelp'] </em></strong><em>| 2024 CB</em></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>Brian Tucker </em></strong><em>| 2025 RB</em></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>Reed Narva </em></strong><em>| 2025 SS</em></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1297101' first='Blake' last='Rodriguez']</em></strong><em> | 2025 LB</em></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='567049' first='Jaden' last='Zeller']</em></strong><em> | 2027 WR</em></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1275168' first='Cade' last='Brook']</em></strong><em> | 2025 DE</em></td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#15 Fairview vs #18 Fountain-Fort Carson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Fariveiw Knights will take on the Fountain-Fort Carson Trojans in a game that has the potential to be one of the more exciting matchups of the first round. Fairview welcomed back their phenom QB from two years ago, who will lead the Knights in his first playoff appearance in the state. The Trojans have one of the state's top rushers on the roster and a stout defensive unit, making this game a must-watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table {"className":"is-style-stripes"} --> <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Fairview</span></strong></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Fountain-Fort Carson</span></strong></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>Bekkem Kritza</em></strong><em> | 2025 QB</em></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='698231' first='Mathias' last='Price'] </em></strong><em>| 2024 RB</em></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='230322' first='Jordan' last='Rechel'] </em></strong><em>| 2025 WR/ATH</em></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='381228' first='Keenan' last='Campbell']</em></strong><em> | 2024 WR</em></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='875538' first='Jace' last='Hines'] </em></strong><em>| 2024 WR</em></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='277533' first='Lincoln' last='Fa'apouli Jr'] </em></strong><em>| 2024 OT</em></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='232186' first='Brock' last='Kolstad'] </em></strong><em>| 2025 LB</em></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='143636' first='Matthew' last='Jennings']</em></strong><em> | 2024 OL</em></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='777474' first='Toray' last='Davis']</em></strong><em> | 2026 FS/ATH</em></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='218422' first='Myles' last='McClarity']</em></strong><em> | 2024 FS</em></td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><a href="https://chsaanow.com/news/2023/10/29/class-4a-football-state-playoff-bracket-2023.aspx"><strong>The 4A Bracket </strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#16 Vista Ridge vs #17 Denver South</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Vista Ridge Wolves will challenge the Denver South Ravens on Friday night. The last time these two teams faced off was when the Ravens beat the Wolves 14-0 in the first round of the playoffs in the 2016 season. Both teams have dynamic offenses capable of putting up large numbers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table {"className":"is-style-stripes"} --> <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Vista Ridge</span></strong></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Denver South</span></strong></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='404989' first='Zayden' last='Stevens']</em></strong><em> | 2025 QB</em></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>Jr Felipe </em></strong><em>| 2024 QB</em></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>Sonny Endicott </em></strong><em>| 2024 WR</em></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='251267' first='Chevelle' last='Early'] </em></strong><em>| 2024 RB</em></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>Nayshawn Hall </em></strong><em>| 2025 RB</em></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='652497' first='Alijah' last='Landrum-Hamilton'] </em></strong><em>| 2027 WR</em></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='205808' first='Kobe' last='Dooley'] </em></strong><em>| 2026 WR/ATH</em></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='514390' first='Orlando' last='Guevara']</em></strong><em> | 2024 RB/DB/ATH</em></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='143643' first='Wesley' last='Wright'] </em></strong><em>| 2024 DB</em></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>Jeremiah Emery</em></strong><em> | 2024 LB</em></td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><a href="https://chsaanow.com/news/2023/10/29/class-2a-football-state-playoff-bracket-2023.aspx">The 2A Bracket</a>&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#4 Berthoud vs #13 Wellington</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Berthoud Spartans are a team that has paid their dues over the last few years, and all of that hard work has paid off this year, entering the postseason as the four-seed with a senior-led squad. The Wellington Eagles are in their second season of football, quickly emerging as a playoff-caliber team with a lot of young talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table {"className":"is-style-stripes"} --> <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Berthoud</span></strong></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Wellington</span></strong></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='169557' first='Darin' last='Davidson']</em></strong><em> | 2024 QB</em></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='553996' first='Tanner' last='Gray'] </em></strong><em>| 2026 QB/SS</em></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>Alex Larson </em></strong><em>| 2024 RB</em></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='534428' first='Cash' last='Altschwager']</em></strong><em> | 2025 RB/ATH</em></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='169556' first='Aiden' last='McGrath'] </em></strong><em>| 2024 LB</em></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1312375' first='Tyler' last='Shaffer'] </em></strong><em>| 2026 LB</em></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>Joey Finnegan </em></strong><em>| 2024 LB</em></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1776602' first='Julius' last='Olivo']</em></strong><em> | 2026 DE</em></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>Cole Bialek</em></strong><em> | 2025 LB</em></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1335298' first='Ethan' last='Thumes']</em></strong><em> | 2027 DL/OL</em></td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><a href="https://chsaanow.com/news/2023/10/29/class-1a-football-state-playoff-bracket-2023.aspx"><strong>The 1A Bracket</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#8 Banning Lewis Academy vs #9 Wiggins</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Stallions from Banning Lewis Academy and the Wiggins Tigers will face off on Saturday afternoon. The Stallions have been perfect on the season so far, while the Tigers have proven themselves to be a stout team capable of standing their ground against top competition. Just because these teams are in the 1A classification, there will be no shortage of college-level talent on the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table {"className":"is-style-stripes"} --> <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Banning Lewis Academy</span></strong></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Wiggins</span></strong></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>Sam Bell</em></strong><em> | 2024 QB</em></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>Jayson Lousberg </em></strong><em>| 2025 RB</em></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='143641' first='Ben' last='Early'] </em></strong><em>| 2024 TE/ATH</em></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>Tyler Dilka</em></strong><em> | 2025 RB</em></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='547607' first='Chase' last='Riehle'] </em></strong><em>| 2025 RB/LB</em></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>Grant Reed </em></strong><em>| 2024 DL</em></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>Joseph Bjegovich </em></strong><em>| 2024 ATH</em></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>Americo Lorenzini</em></strong><em> | 2024 DL</em></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1707029' first='Jordan' last='Jones']</em></strong><em> | 2026 DB</em></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong><em>Jacob Dorren</em></strong><em> | 2024 RB/LB</em></td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table -->