The Grand Junction Tigers secured a spot in the Class 4A playoffs after an undefeated 5-0 run in the I-25 Conference.

The Tigers (8-2) are the No. 12 seed and will host No. 21 Highlands Ranch (4-6) at Stocker Stadium on Friday for a 6 p.m. game.

The winner will move on to face No. 5 Heritage (7-3) in the second round.

The top eight seeds in the 24-team bracket have first-round byes.

After a tough loss to Durango on Sept. 25, Grand Junction has won five straight games outscoring its opponents 237 to 75.

The Tigers are led on offense by sophomore QB Andrew Neese with more than 1,200 yards throwing and 14 TDs. Senior Matthais Martinez-Santana has 923 yards rushing and 11 TDs, and junior receiver Paxton Webber has 520 yards receiving and six TDs to lead the Tigers.

Senior A.J. Schlachter

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