Broomfield returns to title game two years later – Boulder Daily Camera

Championship Saturday: Broomfield returns to title game two years later

Broomfield football is no stranger to playing until the end of the fall season. Since 1979, the Eagles have appeared in the championship game nine times, including a curious tie in their very first appearance 45 years ago.

Their most recent trip came in 2022, when star quarterback Cole LaCrue and fellow forward Cannon Juarez helped the Eagles to a 24-14 victory over Loveland, winning a trophy that is forever enshrined in the halls of Broomfield High.

In the two years since Empower Field arrived at Mile High, a lot has changed in the Eagles football landscape. A scandal with their former head coach paved the way for Robert O’Brien’s return to the program as the new man in charge.

Much of the talent from that title team has graduated, making way for new faces in the spotlight. But where change abounds, sameness defines the agenda of yesteryear. The Eagles run a lethal attack, primarily on the ground, but have a strong arm in quarterback Darien Jackson.

Mikhail Benner, 2022’s leading stealer with 11 steals, returns as a senior. This time around, the fifth-seeded Eagles will travel to Fort Collins and Canvas Stadium to take on No. 2 Montrose, with the game scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m.

Fans can purchase tickets before the game at CHSAANow.com, and those who cannot attend can find a live stream at NFHS.com.

Game details: Saturday, 2 p.m., at Canvas Stadium.

How Broomfield can win: Keep the Red Hawks guessing on defense. During their 12-1 campaign this season, the Eagles have mastered the art of the running game and passing game, with their only failure coming against Class 5A rival Erie in Week 5. During this competition, they failed to obtain more than one land. goal on the board as the Tiger defense pressed them hard from start to finish. Jackson enters the Finals with 1,648 passing yards and 20 passing touchdowns, and has seven receivers with 100 or more yards, including Benner (551). The bulk of their game, as always, comes down to the running game, and no one has done better in that aspect than senior Colin Torres. The 5-foot-10, 190-pounder. The running back knows how to slow the play down, a few yards at a time, to keep the clock and the opponent’s offense off the field. He already has 1,123 yards to his name. If the Eagles can develop their offense to its full potential, they will be tough to beat.

How Montrose can win: Push Broomfield’s defense to its full potential. Before their 18-7 semifinal victory over Pueblo West, the Red Hawks put on a scoring clinic to beat every team they faced. They outscored their opponents 541-197 in the quarterfinals, despite injuries that dogged them along the way. Elijah Womack, Aidan Grijalva and Chase Mehan are the biggest threats to the Montrose offense, with Grijalva being the biggest speed builder.

Match to follow: Broomfield’s defensive line against Montrose quarterback Cade Saunders. The Eagle defense enters the contest with 29.5 combined sacks, led by senior Ty LaCrue’s five takedowns. The D has 690 total tackles split between all players, along with 139 interception yards on 17 pick-offs. Saunders, the backup QB, came into play near the start of the playoffs, when starter Chris Mock ended his 2024 run with an injury.

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Originally published: December 3, 2024 at 3:09 p.m. MST