They are coming. In 5A they start this weekend. Playoffs, the reason kids workout, practice and play the games. Win and move on, lose and go home. This is when big performances equal wins. Here is a look at some players who have helped get their teams to the second season.
Once again Mitch Griebel of Heritage showed me why he is one of my favorite players in Colorado. The senior QB/DB/KR/Punter had a very strong offensive game as his Eagles defeated Wheat Ridge, the defending 4A champ 35-7. On the day Griebel had nearly 300 yards of total offense to go with four scores. Griebel’s favorite target, Shane Opitz grabbed two more TD catches, raising his total to an astounding 18 for the season.
Stephan Dickens of Cherokee Trail had a huge game Friday to help his Cougars defeat Cherry Creek 17-14. Dickens, a senior, rushed for 135 yard on just nine carries. In a losing cause Kain Colter had over 300 yards of offense and two scores.
Junior QB Erik Brakke of Fort Collins High School has split time under center this season, but in preparation for playoffs, the QB put together his best performance of the year in a 35-17 win over Rocky Mountain. On the night Brakke had 319 yards of total offense to go with two scores. As a reward for their performance on the season, the 8-1 Lambkins gained a #4 seed in the upcoming playoffs.
Regis senior running back Marcus Walker has picked the right time to play his best ball of the season. The Raiders, currently on a four game win streak have been supported the last two weeks by Walker’s 388 rushing yards and seven scores. Walker’s recent play makes this Friday’s first round playoff game against defensive minded Ponderosa very interesting.
Jesse Geary of Mountain Vista rushed for a season high 167 yards this past weekend in a win over Ponderosa. The back will need to have another big game this week in playoffs to Michael Hall. So far this season Hall is averaging over 10 yards a carry.
Currently, Rangeview is on a five game win streak going into playoffs. During the run, junior running back Jon Mitchell has rushed for 160 yards a game while posting 10 scores.