2A football semifinals: No. 1 Delta, No. 2 Eaton will face off in title game
By Brad Cochi/CHSAANow.com
Photo: David Johnson/davidjohnsonphotopraphy.com
The Class 2A football state semifinals were all played on Saturday afternoon throughout Colorado.
When the dust settled, the championship game competitors for next week’s title game were set. No. 1 Delta and No. 2 Eaton will meet in the Class 2A state championship game next Saturday at the CSU-Pueblo Thunderbowl.
(1) Delta 24, (4) The Classical Academy 17
The Class 2A state semifinals matchup between No. 1 Delta and No. 4 The Classical Academy figured to be one of the more intriguing games played throughout the state on Saturday.
It featured two top-five teams, each of which had steamrolled its way through the first two rounds of the playoffs. It didn’t disappoint.
At the end of a close game, it was the top-seeded Panthers who prevailed with a second-half surge that earned them a 24-17 win and a spot in the 2A championship game.
Prior to Saturday’s game, The Classical Academy was averaging just over 40 points per game through its first 11 games. But with a solid performance on the defensive side of the ball, Delta led 17-7 at halftime. A touchdown pass from Ty Reed to Gavin Brewer put the Panther up 24-7 early in the fourth quarter and gave the team the much-needed cushion in order to hold off the Titans.
The Panthers will have a chance to win their first state title since 1960 next week when they take on No. 1 Eaton in the state championship game at the CSU-Pueblo Thunderbowl. The Panthers last played in the 2A title game in 2019.
(2) Eaton 47, (11) Montezuma-Cortez 8
The Eaton football team doesn’t appear ready to relinquish the top spot in Class 2A.
Last season, the Reds defeated Brush in the championship game to repeat as Class 2A state champions. After going back-to-back, the Reds have now set their sights on a three-peat. On Saturday, the Eaton football team made sure that three-peat was a possibility.
In the Class 2A state semifinals, No. 2 Eaton won 47-8 over No. 11 Montezuma-Cortez to punch its ticket to the championship game next week at the CSU-Pueblo Thunderbowl.
“Right now, we just have a lot of playmakers who are playing really well, playing comfortable and playing smart,” Eaton coach Zac Lemon said on the Coloradopreps.com Scoreboard Show. “Our defense is doing a good job of keeping other teams off balance, we have a good mix of run and pass and our playmakers are making plays.”
Eaton started fast and didn’t let up on Saturday, pushing its lead to 41-0 at halftime and cruising to victory in the second half.
The loss ended an impressive run by Montezuma-Cortez, a team that upset No. 7 Elizabeth in the first round by holding the Cardinals to just seven points and then shut out No. 14 Rifle in the quarterfinals.
