Regular season wins weren’t as abundant has hoped for some Aurora area football programs, but the mettle forged even in defeat could pay off in the upcoming postseason.
The four local qualifiers for the Class 5A playoffs — Cherokee Trail, Eaglecrest, Grandview and Regis Jesuit — have a combined record of 19-21 that in many ways belies their ability.
The Cougars, Raptors and Wolves all took turns beating each other in Centennial League play to skew the mark, while the Raiders played a grueling non-league slate in addition to Southern League play.
Cherokee Trail finished under .500 at 4-6, but on a schedule that saw nine of its 10 opponents qualify for the postseason — including No. 1 seeds in two classifications in Cherry Creek (5A) and Dakota Ridge (4A) — there will be no surprises.
“We’re definitely battle-tested,” said Cougars coach Justin Jajczyk, whose team is seeded No. 16 in the 24-team field. “We took some losses, but it’s a testament to our mental toughness and togetherness that we are where we are.”
After Cherokee Trail completed a non-league slate that included the 5A seeds 3 (Mountain Vista), 7 (Pine Creek), 20 (ThunderRidge) and 23 (Rocky Mountain) plus Dakota Ridge, Cherokee Trail went 2-3 in the rugged Centennial League (which got five of its six teams into the postseason).
A group of 12 sophomore starters — including quarterback Bryson Peterson — grew up exponentially in the gauntlet and combined with seniors such as Logan Posey, Evan Smith and others to create a team capable of winning its 4 p.m. Nov. 7 contest vs. No. 17 Fountain-Fort Carson (7-3) and more, though Cherry Creek looms as a second round opponent for the winner.
Eaglecrest features the best record of the Aurora area qualifiers at 6-4, which includes three straight losses to playoff teams to end the regular season. The last two came by just a combined total of seven points, however, with losses to No. 11 Grandview (16-14) and No. 9 Arapahoe (28-23).
Coach Jesse German’s 14th-seeded Raptors, who will play host to No. 19 Legacy (6-4) in a game to be played at 7 p.m. Nov. 7 at Stutler Bowl due to a logjam at Legacy Stadium, faced seven playoff qualifiers in 10 contests and were just a few plays away from winning two more games.
“We’ve been saying for weeks that every single game we’re going to be in the playoffs is going to be a four-round fight that we have to be ready for,” German said. “Our schedule has been good, because we’ve been going against teams that are well-coached, physical and consistently in the top 10. It does nothing but prepare you for the playoffs.”
Eaglecrest has thrived on an outstanding defense and explosive special teams unit, while sophomore William Brinkman continues to grow since earning the starting quarterback job.
Grandview has qualified for the postseason for the 20th time in the past 21 seasons and enters it with a 5-5 record. Coach Tom Doherty’s team also had a loaded schedule, which helped it earn the No. 11 overall seed despite the .500 record. The Wolves played No. 2 Ralston Valley, No. 4 Legend and No. 19 Legacy in the non-league ahead of Centennial League play.
“When you play the schedule we played, you want to experience those tight games and see those physical opponents to develop hard bark on the outside of the tree,” said Doherty, whose team has a 7:30 p.m. game Nov. 7 at Legacy Stadium vs. No. 22 Chatfield (4-6).
Regis Jesuit faced No. 1 Cherry Creek and No. 5 Valor Christian plus Arizona power Brophy Prep in the non-league, while No. 4 Legend and No. 7 Pine Creek were only part of the Southern League slate.
Coach Danny Filleman’s Raiders — who have had the lead in many games, even losses — are the lone area team with a first round road game, as the No. 21 seed plays at No. 12 Erie (6-4) at 6:30 p.m.
Courtney Oakes is Aurora Sentinel Sports Editor. Reach him at sports@sentinelcolorado.com. Twitter/X: @aurorasports. IG: Sentinel Prep Sports
