The Colorado high school football landscape is ablaze with anticipation as the playoff brackets have been set, with the regular season completed in every classification except 3A. Fort Collins-area teams are poised to make their mark, with one hosting a 5A first-round game and another hitting the road. In the 2A ranks, Wellington's surprising fall in the seeding index means they will not host a first-round playoff game, despite a strong finish to the regular season. This comprehensive overview delves into the matchups, storylines, and the broader playoff picture across Northern Colorado's high school football scene.

Gridiron Gladiators: Fort Collins-Area Teams Gear Up for Postseason Showdowns

Fossil Ridge SaberCats (No. 15 Seed, Class 5A)

The Fossil Ridge SaberCats (6-4, 4-1 league) have closed the season on a high note, securing five wins in their last six games. Their steady yet explosive offense has earned them a home playoff game in the 24-team 5A bracket, where they will face off against the No. 18 Mullen Mustangs (4-6). The Mustangs have found their stride in recent weeks, winning four of their last five games and averaging 33 points per game during that stretch. The winner of this clash will take on the formidable No. 2 seed, Mountain Vista (10-0), in the next round.

Fort Collins Lambkins (No. 19 Seed, Class 5A)

The Fort Collins Lambkins (6-4, 3-2 league) are making a return to the playoffs after a two-year absence. They will hit the road to face the No. 14 Arvada West Wildcats (6-4) in the opening round. While the Wildcats have dropped four games, all came against top-10 Class 5A teams, with three of those losses coming by 10 points or less. The Lambkins, who are 0-4 against 5A playoff teams this season, will need to reverse that trend if they hope to advance and take on the No. 3 seed, Ralston Valley (9-1), in the next round.

Wellington Eagles (No. 9 Seed, Class 2A)

The Wellington Eagles (7-2, 4-1 league) have been playing like a title contender, winning four straight games and five of their last six. However, a surprising fall in the seeding index means they will not host a first-round playoff game, despite their strong finish to the regular season. Instead, they will travel to face the No. 8 seed, Delta (7-2), in the opening round. The winner of this matchup will take on either the No. 1 seed, Strasburg, or the No. 16 seed, Denver West, in the next round. The Eagles' backfield, led by the return of star quarterback Tanner Gray, along with the contributions of Cash Altschwager and Cyle Kisner, will be a force to be reckoned with.

Northern Colorado's Playoff Landscape: A Diverse Tapestry of Contenders

Beyond the Fort Collins-area teams, the Colorado high school football playoffs feature a diverse array of contenders from across Northern Colorado. In Class 5A, the No. 7 seed Fairview Knights (bye) await the winner of the No. 10 Chatfield-No. 23 Rock Canyon matchup, while the No. 9 seed Erie Tigers will face the No. 24 Overland Trailblazers.In Class 4A, the No. 15 seed Frederick Warriors will host the No. 18 Northfield Nighthawks, the No. 17 seed Loveland Indians will travel to face the No. 16 Doherty Spartans, and the No. 24 seed Longmont Trojans will visit the No. 9 Grand Junction Tigers.The Class 2A bracket features the No. 6 seed Berthoud Spartans hosting the No. 11 Montezuma-Cortez Panthers, and the No. 13 seed Eaton Reds traveling to take on the No. 4 Elizabeth Cardinals.In Class 1A, the No. 8 seed Highland Huskies will host the No. 9 Flatirons Academy Falcons, while the No. 14 seed Platte Valley Broncos will visit the No. 3 Limon Badgers.

Class 3A: The Final Piece of the Puzzle

The Class 3A regular season is still ongoing, with one more week remaining before the 16-team playoff bracket is finalized. This classification features several top local contenders, including the No. 1 seed Thompson Valley Eagles, the No. 3 seed Mead Mavericks, the No. 5 seed Windsor Wizards, the No. 8 seed Roosevelt Roughriders, the No. 12 seed Severance Silver Knights, the No. 16 seed Mountain View Mountain Lions (currently the last team in), the No. 20 seed Holy Family Tigers, and the No. 23 seed Timnath Tigers.As the final regular-season games unfold, the Class 3A playoff picture will come into sharper focus, adding another layer of excitement to the Colorado high school football landscape.

Playoff Formats and Championship Dates: A Roadmap to Gridiron Glory

The Colorado high school football playoff formats vary by classification. Classes 5A and 4A feature 24-team fields, with the top eight teams receiving first-round byes and Nos. 9-16 hosting first-round games. Higher seeds will host through the semifinals in these classifications.In Classes 3A and below, the 16-team brackets will see the higher seeds hosting through the semifinals as well.The state championship schedule is as follows:- November 7-9: First round of playoffs (except for 3A)- November 14-16: Second round of playoffs (First round for 3A)- November 21-23: 5A/4A/3A quarterfinals, 2A/1A/8-man/6-man semifinals- November 29-30: 5A/4A/3A semifinals- November 30: 1A/2A state football championship games (CSU Pueblo's ThunderBowl)- December 7: 3A/4A/5A state football championship games (CSU's Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins)As the Colorado high school football playoffs unfold, the gridiron gladiators of Northern Colorado will take center stage, battling for the ultimate prize: a state championship. The journey promises to be filled with thrilling moments, unexpected twists, and the unwavering spirit that defines the high school football experience.