Football: Preview capsules for 5A and 4A postseason teams from BVSD and SVVSD
The football programs at Fairview and Broomfield landed first-round byes for the playoffs, which begin this week in all of the state's classifications except 3A.
Erie was edged out of the final bye in 5A, while Longmont snuck into the final postseason spot in 4A.
A total of six teams from the Boulder Valley and St. Vrain Valley school districts made the 5A and 4A 24-team playoff fields. No local teams reached the small-school playoffs, while 3A teams have one more week to the regular season before theirs starts.
Class 5A
No. 7 Fairview
First round: Bye. Then hosts the winner of No. 10 Chatfield and No. 23 Rock Canyon.
What to know: The Knights (10-0) finished a full regular season undefeated for the first time in a decade. This fall, they've outscored teams on average, 48-12.
Player to watch: Senior Jordan Rechel has outscored the Knights' 10 regular season opponents by himself. With 23 touchdowns this season, he's accounted for 140 points. Fairview, meanwhile, has allowed a total of 119 points.
No. 9 Erie
First round: Hosts No. 24 Overland at Erie High School on Friday at 6:30 p.m.
What to know: The Tigers (8-2) won their final seven games of the regular season, winning the 5A Front Range-South League. They were slotted eighth in the 5A CHSAA Selection and Seeding Index late Friday night but were jumped by Pine Creek for the final first-round bye ahead of the bracket's release on Sunday.
Player to watch: Junior running back Braylon Toliver — who sealed Erie's 4A state title with a fourth quarter touchdown run against Palmer Ridge — has 891 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on just 84 carries this season. He had 301 yards and three TDs on the ground in the team's Week 9 win over Legacy.
Class 4A
No. 5 Broomfield
First round: Bye. Then hosts the winner of No. 12 Vista Ridge and No. 21 Highlands Ranch.
What to know: The Eagles (9-1) have had two close games all season — a one-point win over crosstown-rival Legacy and a 13-3 loss to 5A No. 9 Erie. They outscored teams 47-7 in their other eight wins.
Player to watch: Senior defensive back and wide receiver Mikhail Benner has six receiving touchdowns and two interceptions this season. Benner is committed to Air Force.
A football love letter: Broomfield CB Benner ultimately picks AFA; salutes veteran father
No. 10 Monarch
First round: Hosts No. 23 Bear Creek at Spangenberg Field on Friday at 7 p.m.
What to know: The Coyotes (8-2) have already won their most games in a season since 2017 in their first year under coach Jeff Santee. They closed the regular season with five straight wins to capture the 4A North 1 League title.
Player to watch: Senior quarterback Riley Montemayor has thrown for 1,269 yards and 13 touchdowns this season. He's also rushed for six scores.
No. 15 Frederick
First round: Hosts No. 18 Northfield at Frederick High School on Friday at 6 p.m.
What to know: The Golden Eagles (7-3) lost to 3A No. 3 Mead by two points a week after losing to 4A No. 5 Broomfield by 24, starting the season 0-2. They then won seven of their final eight games, losing by a point to 4A No. 10 Monarch in Week 9.
Player to know: Quarterback Gavin Ishmael has the fourth-most passing yards in the state with 2,369. He's thrown for 29 TDs to just four interceptions and has rushed for 10 scores.
No. 24 Longmont
First round: On the road at No. 9 Grand Junction at Ralph Stocker Stadium on Saturday at 1 p.m.
What to know: The Trojans (3-7) won two of their final three games to claim the final spot in the 4A field. Their resumé was helped by their strength of schedule. Their slate included 4A No. 4 Palmer Ridge, No. 5 Broomfield, No. 10 Monarch, No. 14 Riverdale Ridge and No. 20 Grand Junction Central.
Player to know: Junior Joey Foot has 64 receptions for 795 yards and nine touchdowns. His brother, freshman Jacob Foot, has 53 catches for 892 yards and eight scores.
