Get ready for some high-stakes drama! The road to glory ends here, with the championship matchups LOCKED IN for the Colorado High School Activities Association's (CHSAA) 2025 Football State Championships! We're talking 2A, 1A, 8-man, and 6-man football – the best of the best battling it out for ultimate bragging rights. All four title games are set to ignite the CSU Thunderbowl in Pueblo on Friday and Saturday, November 28th and 29th. Let's dive into the matchups and what to expect!
Championship Schedule - Mark Your Calendars!
Friday kicks off with a double dose of small-town showdowns:
- 6-Man Championship: No. 1 Idalia vs. No. 2 Stratton at 1:30 p.m.
- 8-Man Championship: No. 1 Akron vs. No. 2 Haxtun at 5:00 p.m.
Saturday brings the big-school action:
- 1A Championship: No. 1 Buena Vista vs. No. 2 Limon at 1:30 p.m.
- 2A Championship: No. 2 Wellington vs. No. 4 Elizabeth at 5:00 p.m.
Want to witness history in the making? Grab your tickets online through the CSU Pueblo box office: https://gothunderwolvestickets.universitytickets.com/w/. And for the truly dedicated fan, there's a Friday/Saturday combo ticket (https://gothunderwolvestickets.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=2253) that grants you access to both games on a particular day. It's the ultimate football feast!
2A Championship: A Rematch... With a Twist!
No. 2 Wellington, hungry for redemption after last year's runner-up finish, bulldozed No. 3 The Classical Academy 29-7 in a rematch of the 2024 championship. The newly established Wellington High School is on a mission to bring a state title back to the community for the first time since its predecessor school snagged back-to-back C (6-man) titles way back in 1952 and 1953. Fun fact: those were the only times the old school ever reached a football championship game! This is a program steeped in history, looking to write a new chapter.
But here's where it gets controversial... Can Wellington overcome the pressure of living up to that legacy? Will the weight of expectation be too much?
Wellington's opponent, No. 4 Elizabeth, powered past No. 9 Eaton 35-13. Elizabeth is chasing its second state football title, having previously hoisted the 3A trophy in 2010. Will experience prevail, or will Wellington's desire for redemption be the deciding factor?
1A Championship: Clash of the Titans!
No. 1 Buena Vista punched its ticket to the final with a 27-12 victory over No. 4 Centauri. The Demons are aiming for their third state championship in football, adding to their previous triumphs in 1999 and 2015. They've tasted victory before, and they're eager for another bite.
Their opponent, No. 2 Limon, pulled off a stunning upset, dethroning defending champion and No. 6 Wray 42-21. Limon is a Colorado football dynasty, boasting a mind-boggling 22 state football championships – eight more than second-place Cherry Creek! Their most recent title came in 2023, proving they're still a force to be reckoned with. And this is the part most people miss... Can Buena Vista overcome Limon's championship pedigree?
Adding fuel to the fire, Buena Vista defeated Limon 13-10 in a regular-season showdown on September 26th. So, can Limon get revenge when it matters most, or will Buena Vista prove their earlier victory wasn't a fluke?
8-Man Championship: Deja Vu All Over Again!
Get ready for a state-championship REMATCH! No. 1 Akron will face off against No. 2 Haxtun for the ultimate prize. Akron secured its spot in the final with a 39-16 win over No. 4 Sanford. The Rams are still hunting for their first-ever 8-man state championship, despite three previous appearances in the 8-man title game. However, they do have six 1A state championships to their name, with the most recent coming in 2008. From 2001 to 2009, Akron dominated the 1A scene, reaching eight of nine title games and winning five of them. This is a program with a championship pedigree, even if an 8-man title has eluded them so far.
Defending champion Haxtun dominated No. 3 McClave 50-8 on Saturday to reach the title game for the fourth time in the last five years. The Bulldogs claimed their seventh 8-man state title last year, bringing their overall state football championship total to nine.
Akron edged out Haxtun 28-24 in a nail-biter on October 10th. This sets the stage for an epic battle. Can Akron repeat their regular-season victory, or will Haxtun defend their crown? The tension is palpable!
6-Man Championship: A Clash of Powerhouses!
No. 1 Idalia steamrolled No. 4 Peetz with a 52-0 victory to advance to the championship game. Idalia is chasing its ninth state football championship, but their first since 2010. All of the Wolves' titles came in a dominant 13-season stretch starting in 1998. Can they recapture that magic?
No. 2 Stratton returned to the title game with a hard-fought 28-24 win over defending champion and No. 3 Cheyenne Wells. Stratton is playing in its NINTH straight 6-man state championship game, having won the title three times (2018, 2022, 2023) in that incredible run and 10 times overall. This marks Stratton's 20th state championship game appearance! Talk about a legacy!
Idalia crushed Stratton 80-32 in their regular-season meeting on September 26th. But regular season versus the championship... Does that score tell the real story?
Your Turn: What Do You Think?
Which team are you rooting for? Which game are you most excited to see? Do you think the regular-season results will hold true in the championship games, or are we in for some major upsets? And here's a truly controversial question: Does past championship experience guarantee future success, or is it all about the current team and their determination? Let us know your predictions and thoughts in the comments below!
