{"id":2451148,"date":"2019-11-14T23:04:00","date_gmt":"2019-11-15T06:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/basalt-rifle-football-set-for-rematch-in-second-round-of-2a-playoffs\/"},"modified":"2019-11-14T23:04:00","modified_gmt":"2019-11-15T06:04:00","slug":"basalt-rifle-football-set-for-rematch-in-second-round-of-2a-playoffs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/local-news\/basalt-rifle-football-set-for-rematch-in-second-round-of-2a-playoffs\/","title":{"rendered":"Basalt, Rifle football set for rematch in second round of 2A playoffs"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"swift-gallery p402_hide\" readability=\"6.8882750153468\">\n<ul id=\"imageGallery-316099-617\" class=\"gallery list-unstyled\">\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/11\/footballpreview-atd-111519-1-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/11\/footballpreview-atd-111519-1-1024x756.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Lindsey Smith\/The Gazette | Basalt quarterback Matty Gillis (6) rushes the ball during a 2A playoff game against The Classical Academy. The Longhorns defeated the Titans 13-7 on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2019 in Colorado Springs to advance to the second round of the playoffs. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"0.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"12\">\n<p><strong>Basalt quarterback Matty Gillis (6) rushes the ball during a 2A playoff game against The Classical Academy. The Longhorns defeated the Titans 13-7 on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2019 in Colorado Springs to advance to the second round of the playoffs. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)<\/strong><br \/>Lindsey Smith\/The Gazette<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/11\/footballpreview-atd-111519-1-1024x756.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Basalt quarterback Matty Gillis (6) rushes the ball during a 2A playoff game against The Classical Academy. The Longhorns defeated the Titans 13-7 on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2019 in Colorado Springs to advance to the second round of the playoffs. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/11\/footballpreview-atd-111519-1-1-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/11\/footballpreview-atd-111519-1-1-1024x789.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Lindsey Smith\/The Gazette | Jackson Rapaport lands on a TCA defender after making a catch during a 2A playoff game. The Longhorns defeated the Titans 13-7 on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2019 in Colorado Springs to advance to the second round of the playoffs. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"0.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"12\">\n<p><strong>Jackson Rapaport lands on a TCA defender after making a catch during a 2A playoff game. The Longhorns defeated the Titans 13-7 on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2019 in Colorado Springs to advance to the second round of the playoffs. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)<\/strong><br \/>Lindsey Smith\/The Gazette<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/11\/footballpreview-atd-111519-1-1-1024x789.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Jackson Rapaport lands on a TCA defender after making a catch during a 2A playoff game. The Longhorns defeated the Titans 13-7 on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2019 in Colorado Springs to advance to the second round of the playoffs. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/11\/footballpreview-atd-111519-1-2-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/11\/footballpreview-atd-111519-1-2-1024x678.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Lindsey Smith\/The Gazette | Basalt special teams lines up for a kickoff during a 2A playoff opener against TCA. The Longhorns defeated the Titans 13-7 on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2019 in Colorado Springs to advance to the second round of the playoffs. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"0.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"12\">\n<p><strong>Basalt special teams lines up for a kickoff during a 2A playoff opener against TCA. The Longhorns defeated the Titans 13-7 on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2019 in Colorado Springs to advance to the second round of the playoffs. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)<\/strong><br \/>Lindsey Smith\/The Gazette<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/11\/footballpreview-atd-111519-1-2-1024x678.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Basalt special teams lines up for a kickoff during a 2A playoff opener against TCA. The Longhorns defeated the Titans 13-7 on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2019 in Colorado Springs to advance to the second round of the playoffs. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/11\/footballpreview-atd-111519-1-3-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/11\/footballpreview-atd-111519-1-3-1024x683.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Lindsey Smith\/The Gazette | The No. 9 Basalt Longhorns defeated the No. 8 TCA Titans 13-7 on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2019 in Colorado Springs to advance to the second round of the playoffs. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"0.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"12\">\n<p><strong>The No. 9 Basalt Longhorns defeated the No. 8 TCA Titans 13-7 on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2019 in Colorado Springs to advance to the second round of the playoffs. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)<\/strong><br \/>Lindsey Smith\/The Gazette<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/11\/footballpreview-atd-111519-1-3-1024x683.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"The No. 9 Basalt Longhorns defeated the No. 8 TCA Titans 13-7 on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2019 in Colorado Springs to advance to the second round of the playoffs. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/11\/footballpreview-atd-111519-1-4-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/11\/footballpreview-atd-111519-1-4-1024x719.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Lindsey Smith\/The Gazette | Jackson Rapaport looks back after pulling in a touchdown reception during a 2A playoff opener against TCA. The Longhorns defeated the Titans 13-7 on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2019 in Colorado Springs to advance to the second round of the playoffs. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"0.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"12\">\n<p><strong>Jackson Rapaport looks back after pulling in a touchdown reception during a 2A playoff opener against TCA. The Longhorns defeated the Titans 13-7 on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2019 in Colorado Springs to advance to the second round of the playoffs. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)<\/strong><br \/>Lindsey Smith\/The Gazette<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/11\/footballpreview-atd-111519-1-4-1024x719.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Jackson Rapaport looks back after pulling in a touchdown reception during a 2A playoff opener against TCA. The Longhorns defeated the Titans 13-7 on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2019 in Colorado Springs to advance to the second round of the playoffs. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/11\/footballpreview-atd-111519-1-5-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/11\/footballpreview-atd-111519-1-5-1024x752.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Lindsey Smith\/The Gazette | Matty Gillis stiff arms a TCA defender during a 2A playoff game. The Longhorns defeated the Titans 13-7 on Saturda,y Nov. 10, 2019 in Colorado Springs to advance to the second round of the playoffs. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"0.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"12\">\n<p><strong>Matty Gillis stiff arms a TCA defender during a 2A playoff game. The Longhorns defeated the Titans 13-7 on Saturda,y Nov. 10, 2019 in Colorado Springs to advance to the second round of the playoffs. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)<\/strong><br \/>Lindsey Smith\/The Gazette<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/11\/footballpreview-atd-111519-1-5-1024x752.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Matty Gillis stiff arms a TCA defender during a 2A playoff game. The Longhorns defeated the Titans 13-7 on Saturda,y Nov. 10, 2019 in Colorado Springs to advance to the second round of the playoffs. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"caption-toggle\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/sports\/basalt-rifle-football-set-for-rematch-in-second-round-of-2a-playoffs\/#\" class=\"show-captions\">Show Captions<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/sports\/basalt-rifle-football-set-for-rematch-in-second-round-of-2a-playoffs\/#\" class=\"hide-captions\">Hide Captions<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText DropCap\">Calling it a rivalry game might not be accurate, at least today. After the weekend, it might be worth talking about.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">The Basalt High School football team is set to host Rifle at 1 p.m. Saturday in the second round of the Class 2A state playoffs. The recent history between the teams only goes back a few seasons now, a series dominated by the Bears. But if the Longhorns get what they want Saturday, a real rivalry could result from the upset.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cIt\u2019s sort of like a rivalry,\u201d Basalt receiver Rulbe Alvarado said. \u201cIt\u2019s not like Aspen, but you always want to beat them no matter what just because they are a great team and they always bring it. So beating them would be really great.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Rifle (10-0) is the top overall seed in this year\u2019s bracket. The Bears rolled over No. 16 seed Englewood in the first round last week, winning 48-15. Basalt (8-2) is the tournament\u2019s No. 9 seed, having gone on the road to knock off No. 8 The Classical Academy in the first round, escaping 13-7.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Basalt is the host team on Saturday due to the Colorado High School Activities Association\u2019s rule that attempts to prevent teams from traveling back-to-back weeks in the playoffs. The Longhorns are certainly glad to be playing at home this weekend, although Rifle\u2019s relative proximity will likely result in a large road crown and a nearly neutral-site feeling.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">The teams played as recently as Oct. 25 in Basalt, Rifle winning 21-9 after trailing early in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cThere is going to be a huge crowd out here. I think the environment out here is going to be insane. Playoffs are just different,\u201d BHS senior receiver Jackson Rapaport said. \u201cWe\u2019ve never actually made it to the third round in football playoffs, so if we win this we are all trying to make history.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Basalt is no stranger to the playoffs in recent years, although this is believed to only be the third time its ever played in the second round of the 2A state playoffs. The other two times came in each of the past two seasons, which ended with second-round losses to Bayfield (41-0 in 2017) and Platte Valley (46-9 in 2018).<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Getting into the state semifinals would be uncharted territory for the Longhorns.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">On the flip side, Rifle has long terrorized this side of the state with its dominance, most of it coming under longtime head coach Damon Wells and mostly in Class 3A. This includes a pair of state championships, the most recent coming in 2004.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cWe are grateful we get another stab at them, because we feel like we missed our chances last time and we are here to come take it,\u201d Rapaport said. \u201cI don\u2019t think we\u2019ve ever beaten them. I think because of that they may be in our heads a little bit. But after that last game, we showed ourselves that we can beat them. I can\u2019t speak for everybody else, but I know I\u2019m ready.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Rifle moved from 3A into the 2A Western Slope League last season, winning the first of now back-to-back WSL titles. Having been in different classifications all those years prior, the teams essentially never played each other, at least this century according to the MaxPreps records. The teams finally came together for a two-game, non-league series in both 2016 and 2017, when Rifle was still 3A. The Bears won 48-34 and 34-14 before a 35-14 win in 2018 when they became league foes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Having beaten Basalt four times in four years, Rifle will certainly be favored on Saturday. But the Longhorns feel they have closed the gap and want to prove to the state they belong and step into the semifinals for the first time.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cNo matter who you play, there are only eight teams remaining,\u201d Basalt coach Carl Frerichs said. \u201cIt\u2019s a super special time for these kids and the kids probably don\u2019t realize it now, but these are going to be memories these kids are going to remember forever.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">The winner of Saturday\u2019s game will face either No. 4 Delta or No. 5 Faith Christian in the semifinals.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText Tagline\"><a href=\"mailto:acolbert@aspentimes.com\">acolbert@aspentimes.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/sports\/basalt-rifle-football-set-for-rematch-in-second-round-of-2a-playoffs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">via:: The Aspen Times<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Basalt quarterback Matty Gillis (6) rushes the ball during a 2A playoff game against The Classical Academy. The Longhorns defeated the Titans 13-7 on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2019 in Colorado Springs to advance to the second round of the playoffs. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)Lindsey Smith\/The Gazette Jackson Rapaport lands on a TCA defender after making [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[49],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2451148","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-local-news"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-08-19 06:19:27","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"KSPN The Valley&#039;s Quality Rock","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2451148","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2451148"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2451148\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2451148"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2451148"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2451148"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}