Big plays carried Grand Junction into the Class 4A quarterfinals.

Six of the Tigers’ seven touchdowns in Friday night’s 48-32 victory over Highlands Ranch at Stocker Stadium in the first round of the playoffs came on plays of at least 30 yards.

In the first half alone, the Tigers scored on a run of 31 yards and passes of 37, 47, and 57 yards to build a 28-17 advantage at halftime.

Grand Junction deployed a trick play late in the second quarter, a hook-and-ladder pass from Andrew Neese to wideout Jed Kleager, who was hit immediately but not before pitching the ball back to a streaking Elias Morgan, who ran the remaining 37 yards for the touchdown. The score would be one of two on the night for Morgan, who also rushed 39 yards for what would ultimately be the game-winning score late in th

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