Almost 23 years ago, former NFL coach Jim Mora said, “Playoffs? Don’t talk about – playoffs? You kidding me? Playoffs?”
Yes, Jim, we’re going to talk about playoffs.
Fall high school sports teams are less than a week away or multiple weeks away from the state playoffs, depending on the sport. The Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) has its selection and seeding index on its website. This provides a great look at where teams are in their class and the strength of their final few opponents. Here’s a look at where each Durango High School team stands in the final stretch of the regular season.
Football:
After an 0-2 start, the Durango High School football team has found its groove and is 5-3 overall. The Demons are currently ranked seventh in 4A. If the rankings stayed the same at the end of the season, Durango football would get at least one home game.
The Demons have two games left against Liberty (2-6) and Vista Ridge (5-3). Durango should easily take care of Liberty, while Vista Ridge is No. 9 in 4A so that should be a competitive game.
If Durango finishes the regular season 7-3, the Demons would need some help to move up. Spots 1-4 are definitely out of reach, while the fifth or sixth seeds are attainable.
Broomfield is fifth in 4A, 7-1 overall and plays Riverdale Ridge on Friday. Riverdale Ridge is No. 13 in 4A and undefeated. If Riverdale Ridge wins the Demons could move up.
Boys soccer:
Once again, the Durango boys soccer team has performed well in the regular season. The Demons haven’t lost since Sept. 19 and are 10-2-2 overall and 7-1-1 in the 5A/4A Southwestern League.
Durango is currently ranked 10th in 4A. The Demons have one game to go at Montrose on Friday. The Red Hawks are 9-5 overall and should be a real test for Durango. The Demons beat Montrose 2-1 on Sept. 28.
If the rankings stay the same and Durango finishes 10th in 4A, the Demons would get at least one home game and maybe another, depending on what happens in the No. 7 vs. No. 26 matchup in the bracket.
Durango could move up to as high as seventh in 4A, depending on what happens with the teams above them. No. 9 Evergreen, who plays No. 2 Battle Mountain, is expected to lose that game which could help Durango if Evergreen does lose.
Regardless of who the Demons play, Durango must put its past playoff struggles behind it. The Demons have won one playoff game in the past two years.
Volleyball:
It’s been an up-and-down season for the Durango volleyball team. At 9-9 overall and 3-6 in the 4A/5A Southwestern League, the Demons are ranked 27th in 5A.
Durango has a chance for a big win against No. 3 Palisade in 4A at home on Friday. After that, it’s unclear how much the Demons can improve at the end of the season. Durango plays in a tournament starting on Nov. 1. The Demons open up with Longmont and after that, it’s unclear who they’ll see.
Even after losing three of its last four games, Durango is in good shape to make regionals as a top 36 team in 5A. It’s very unlikely the Demons would host a regional pod.
bkelly@durangoherald.com
