Colorado High School Football Playoffs Round of 16 Recap | Class 5A & 4A Highlights & Analysis (2025)

The CHSAA State Football Playoffs: A Round of 16 Recap in Class 5A and 4A

It's that time of year when the air crackles with anticipation and the roar of the crowd becomes the soundtrack of the weekend. We're diving deep into the CHSAA state football playoffs, specifically the intense Round of 16 matchups in Class 5A and 4A. Buckle up, because the journey to the championship is underway!

Class 5A

• Cherry Creek vs. Fountain-Fort Carson: The top-seeded Cherry Creek Bruins (10-0) faced off against the Fountain-Fort Carson Trojans (8-3). The winner of this game will advance to play the victor of the Arapahoe-Fairview showdown. (Game time: 7 p.m. Friday)
• Fairview vs. Arapahoe: Fairview (9-1) took on Arapahoe (7-4). The winner moves on to face the victor of the Cherry Creek-Fountain-Fort Carson game. (Game time: 7 p.m. Friday)
• Legend vs. Fort Collins: Legend (9-1) battled Fort Collins (9-2). The victor will go up against the winner of the Erie-Valor Christian game. (Game time: 7 p.m. Friday)
• Valor Christian vs. Erie: Valor Christian (8-2) played against Erie (7-4). The winning team will then face the Legend-Fort Collins victor. (Game time: 7 p.m. Friday)
• Ralston Valley Dominates Columbine: Ralston Valley, with an impressive 11-0 record, triumphed over Columbine (6-6) with a score of 35-12. Senior QB Zeke Andrews, back from injury, led the charge with a passing and rushing touchdown. Junior Levi Rillos added two touchdowns. Columbine's lone answer was a score by Mark Snyder in the first quarter, but the Mustangs shut them down until the fourth. Next up for Ralston Valley: Mullen.
• Mullen Edges Pine Creek in a Thriller: In a nail-biter, Mullen (8-4) defeated Pine Creek (7-4) with a score of 21-18. Senior Nick Marcoux's late touchdown catch sealed the deal, followed by an interception. The game saw five lead changes before Mullen secured their victory, advancing to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2016. Mullen will now face Ralston Valley.
• Mountain Vista vs. Eaglecrest: Mountain Vista (10-0) went head-to-head with Eaglecrest (7-4). The winner will advance to play the victor of the Grandview-Arvada West game. (Game time: 7 p.m. Friday)
• Arvada West Shines Against Grandview: Arvada West (10-1) won against Grandview (6-6) with a score of 31-15. Senior QB Logan Duhachek connected with senior Noah Meurer for three touchdowns, securing their spot in the quarterfinals for the first time in 16 years. Jaxson Pyatt added two rushing touchdowns. Grandview's attempts to close the gap were thwarted by A-West's strong defense. Next up for Arvada West: the winner of the Eaglecrest-Mountain Vista game.

Class 4A

• Dakota Ridge Crushes Golden: Dakota Ridge (11-0) dominated Golden (8-4) with a score of 49-7. Scoring 42 points in the first half, they secured their sixth consecutive win by a significant margin. Golden managed a touchdown in the third quarter, but it was too late.
• Pueblo West Survives Northfield: Pueblo West (8-3) edged out Northfield (9-3) with a score of 16-14. A crucial fourth-down stop and a clock-killing drive propelled them to the quarterfinals for the second straight season. Pueblo West took a 16-0 lead with touchdowns from Chance Chamberlain and Zach Duran. Northfield responded with two touchdowns, but Pueblo West's defense held strong. Next up: Pueblo West at Dakota Ridge.
• Durango vs. Ponderosa: Durango (8-2) faced Ponderosa (7-4). The winner will advance to play the victor of the Grand Junction-Heritage game. (Game time: noon Saturday)
• Heritage Soars Past Grand Junction: Heritage (8-3) defeated Grand Junction (9-3) with a score of 42-13. Senior Mo Thenell's four touchdown runs led Heritage to their fourth consecutive quarterfinal appearance. Heritage led 21-0 at halftime, keeping Grand Junction out of the end zone until the fourth quarter. Next up: Heritage vs. the winner of the Ponderosa-Durango game.
• Montrose vs. Frederick: Montrose (10-0) played against Frederick (8-3). The winner will advance to play the victor of the Riverdale Ridge-Monarch game. (Game time: 1 p.m. Saturday)
• Monarch Wins in Overtime Against Riverdale Ridge: Monarch (9-2) defeated Riverdale Ridge (11-1) with a score of 14-7 in overtime. Junior QB Nico Rizzello's touchdown run and a defensive play sealed the win, sending the Coyotes to the quarterfinals for the first time in 12 years. Ricky Weeks connected with Jeter McArthur for a touchdown, but Rizzello's answer and a tough defensive battle led to overtime. Next up: Monarch vs. the winner of the Frederick-Montrose game.
• Palmer Ridge Holds Off Mesa Ridge: Palmer Ridge (11-0) survived Mesa Ridge (6-6) with a score of 19-16. Senior Carter Charron's 52-yard touchdown run was key. Mesa Ridge, after trailing 13-0, rallied with touchdowns, but Palmer Ridge answered immediately, securing their sixth straight quarterfinal appearance. Next up: Palmer Ridge vs. Broomfield.
• Broomfield Dominates Vista Ridge: Broomfield (9-2) routed Vista Ridge (8-4) with a score of 49-3. After an early field goal by Vista Ridge, Owen Lee's kickoff return for a touchdown set the tone. Freshman Kashus Clarvoe and Slater Saunders added touchdowns, giving the Eagles a massive lead by halftime. Next up: Broomfield at Palmer Ridge.

And there you have it! A whirlwind tour of the Round of 16. These games were filled with incredible plays, heart-stopping moments, and the kind of grit that defines high school football.

What were your biggest takeaways from these games? Did any results surprise you? Share your thoughts in the comments below!