ThunderRidge (8‑3) and Eaglecrest (8‑2) will face off in the Class 5A state football second‑round playoff on Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. at Legacy Stadium, according to the Aurora Sentinel.
Team backgrounds
ThunderRidge, coached by Jay Madden, entered the playoffs for a second consecutive year after a one‑point loss to Ralston Valley late in the regular season. The Grizzlies advanced past No. 23 Chaparral in the opening round, highlighted by senior quarterback Noah Smyth’s 127 passing yards and multiple touchdowns. The team averages 33.2 points per game and has a balanced attack with over 2,200 passing yards and 1,650 rushing yards.
Eaglecrest, led by coach Jesse German, returns to the postseason for the fifth straight year. The Raptors earned a first‑round bye as an eighth seed after ending the regular season with wins over Arapahoe and Northfield. They average 23.4 points per game, relying heavily on junior running back Clyde Surrell IV’s 855 rushing yards and junior quarterback William Brinkman’s dual‑threat performance.
Local relevance
Both schools are Aurora‑based programs, and the game offers local fans a chance to see top‑ranked teams from the area compete for a state title.
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