BROOMFIELD — Broomfield quarterback Cole LaCrue delivered another standout performance Saturday afternoon — this after seamlessly executing his live television appearance earlier in the week when he committed to the University of Wisconsin.
Take Two. He thinks the defense may also need some airtime.
Brent Harris had a pick-six for one of his two interceptions and the Eagles defense delivered a clear message to the rest of the 4A classification in Colorado, shutting down No. 15 Windsor in a dominating 42-0 state second round victory at Elizabeth Kennedy Stadium.
Harris also caught a score, Garrett Keeler and Devin Furuiye helped keep Wizards quarterback Wyatt Gustafson on the run, and LaCrue threw for 259 yards and had four total TDs before sitting out the fourth quarter with the state’s mercy-rule running clock in effect.
“They deserve the airtime as well,” LaCrue said of his defense. “Like I said at the end (of the regular season), we got a real defense … they’re studs.”
No. 2 Broomfield will host No. 7 Heritage in the quarterfinals next weekend. The Eagles clinched their league title with a 17-13 win over the Littleton school in the final game of the regular season on Oct. 28.
Their defense came up big in that game, too — especially late, holding to a one-score lead. Much was still left to be wanted.
“We felt like that was a horrible game and I think we’re going to go back out there stronger,” Keeler said. “I think we’re going to try and get business done.”
The Eagles (11-0) didn’t allow a first down until midway through the second quarter and forced six punts, a turnover and two turnovers on downs before Harris’ pick-six kicked in the running clock late in the third. Ryland Boehmer and Canon Juarez added interceptions in the fourth.
It was their third shutout of the season and first in the postseason since 2017.
“We want to put the state on notice,” Harris said. “We work hard every day, and our offense does its job. As long as we do what we do, we can make it to the ‘ship.”
Earlier, LaCrue had touchdown passes of 67 and 32 yards to Anthony Cobb and Juarez among his first seven passes, finishing 13-for-19 for 259 yards and three scores. The senior has now thrown for multiple scores in seven games this fall.
Luke Francis rushed over the century mark for a fourth time, totaling 146 yards on 19 carries.
Elsewhere Saturday, 3A No. 7 Holy Family fell to No. 10 George Washington 38-24 and 8-man No. 6 Lyons lost to No. 3 Mancos 32-18.
Rylan Cooney threw for two touchdowns in the first quarter for the Tigers, then ran for another with 3:52 remaining to cut the lead to 31-24. But the rally the stopped there. Holy Family (7-4) couldn’t get out of the opening round for the first time since 2019.
“Can’t have four turnovers and can’t have some of the big plays we gave up,” Tigers coach Mike Gabriel said after the game. “And you just can’t make some of the mistakes we made.”
The Lions (10-1), meanwhile, came back from a 24-6 halftime deficit to climb within 24-18 with 6 minutes remaining. Their perfect season finally ended as Levi Martin’s rushing TD in the final minute sealed things for Mancos.
Malik Sigg-Brown had rushing scores of 20 and 80 yards in the loss. Miles Dumbauld’s 55-yard TD pass to Finn Oetting cut the lead to six in the fourth. Lyons’ 10 wins were its most since 2011.
“This is a great group of young men that believed in themselves, in each other, and in the program,” Lyons coach Jason Yantzer said. “We have come a long ways and this group has certainly made an impact on that.”
Friday night, 4A No. 11 Erie and 3A No. 11 Frederick advanced in their respective brackets. 4A No. 16 Skyline and 5A No. 12 Legacy lost in the second round.
