AURORA | After two virtually carbon copy victories to open the Class 5A state football playoffs, Regis Jesuit now gets to take its shot at an uncommon win.
Seeded No. 2 in Region A of the 5A state bracket, the Raiders set up a showdown with top-seeded and unbeaten Columbine with a decisive 34-7 victory over third-seeded Legacy on Friday night at Lou Kellogg Stadium.
Senior running back Alec Barnes rushed for three touchdowns, quarterback Michael Pavlakovich threw a touchdown pass to Jack Weigand and defensive back Ryan Brown took an interception back for a score to pace Regis Jesuit, which improved to 9-2.
Coach Danny Filleman moved to 2-0 in the postseason with the Raiders, who will be the road team for a 5A quarterfinal matchup against 11-0 Columbine, which rolled past fourth-seeded Heritage 48-14.
With yet another outstanding effort, Regis Jesuit’s defense put the brakes on Legacy’s high-powered offense led by UCLA-bound quarterback Matt Lynch, keeping the Lightning off the scoreboard until garbage time in a 34-0 game.
Barnes went down with an injury in last season’s win over Rangeview, but returned with a vengeance against Legacy. His 1-yard touchdown run put Regis Jesuit ahead in the first quarter and he scored from 73 yards and 1 yard out in the third quarter.
Pavlakovich, who threw four touchdowns a week earlier, connected with Wiegand in the second quarter to expand the Raiders’ lead, then Brown capped the first half with an 85-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Courtney Oakes is Aurora Sentinel Sports Editor. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or [email protected] Twitter: @aurorasports. FB: Aurora Prep Sentinel
(2) REGIS JESUIT 34, (3) LEGACY 7
Score by quarters:
Legacy 0 0 7 0 — 7
Regis Jesuit 7 14 13 0 — 34
SCORING
First quarter
Regis Jesuit — Alec Barnes 1 yard run (George Maguire kick)
Second quarter
Regis Jesuit — Jack Weigand 13 yard pass from Michael Pavlakovich (Maguire kick)
Regis Jesuit —Ryan Brown 85 yard interception return (Maguire kick)
Third quarter
Regis Jesuit — Barnes 73 yard run (run failed)
Regis Jesuit — Barnes 1 yard run (Maguire kick)
Legacy — Derek Coleman 20 yard pass from Matt Lynch (Kyle Freeburg kick)
