Rifle vs. Glenwood/Playoff Bound

Rifle’s defeat of Glenwood Springs accomplished a number of things. First, it secured Rifle’s first playoff berth since 2007. Second, it wrapped up a perfect regular season of 10-0. Finally, it earned an outright West Slope League Championship, Rifle’s first since 2002.

Rifle will face the Roosevelt Roughriders in the first round of the 2011 3A playoffs. This will be the first ever meeting between the two schools. Rifle has not seen playoff action since 2007, when the Bears lost in the first round to eventual state-finalist Falcon. Rifle missed the playoffs for the first time in fourteen seasons in 2008. Rifle’s all-time playoff record is 23-24-1, last winning a playoff game in 2006 at home vs. Elizabeth. The Bears are 16-4 since Damon Wells took the reins as head coach for a second time in 2010.

At 8-2, Roosevelt is the #3 seed out of the Northern Conference. The Roughriders lost to both Mountain View and Silver Creek during conference play. They enter the playoffs on a one game losing streak. 2011 marks Roosevelt’s second straight playoff appearance as well as their third in the last four years. The Roughriders lost to Frederick 12-0 in the first round of the 2010 playoffs. Their last playoff win came in a 16-7 first round defeat of Colorado Springs Christian in 2005. The Roughriders last extended playoff run came in 2000 when they lost to Eaton in the 2A finals.

(Thanks to Kevin at coloradopreps.com for the teams’ playoff histories. )

The game starts at 1:00PM on Saturday at Bears stadium.

News Links:

Rifle faces Roosevelt in first round – Glenwood Post Independent

3A Football: Post-Season History of Playoff Teams – Colorado Preps Network – coloradopreps.com

Football Pairings (2A-3A-4A) – Complete w/Game Times – Colorado Preps Network – coloradopreps.com

Rifle wins rumble of valley rivals – Glenwood Post Independent

Rifle Survives Glenwood Springs Rally, Finishes Unbeaten – News Channel 5 KREX

Red Zone – Rifle Finishes Undefeated – KJCT Channel 8