Arvada West delivered its biggest win in more than a decade Friday night, defeating Grandview 31–15 in the second round of the Class 5A state playoffs at the North Area Athletic Complex. Behind explosive offensive plays, a relentless defensive front and a three-touchdown performance from senior star Noah Meurer, the Wildcats officially punched their ticket to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2009.

The tone was set early. Arvada West blocked a punt on Grandview’s opening possession, and the Wildcats immediately capitalized with a short touchdown run from senior Jaxon Pyatt. Moments later, Meurer ignited the home crowd with an 81-yard touchdown bomb from quarterback Logan Duhachek, giving A-West a quick two-score advantage.

By the midway point of the second quarter, the Wildcats held an 18–0 lead. Pyatt added another short rushing touchdown, while Arvada West’s defense swarmed Grandview’s backfield and forced turnovers throughout the half. Grandview finally cracked through late before halftime on a touchdown pass and two-point conversion, cutting the deficit to 18–8 at the break.

Arvada West’s defense continued to create havoc in the third quarter, and Meurer — who was already dominating — added a second touchdown grab to push the lead back into double digits. Grandview responded with a 46-yard touchdown run to claw within 25–15, but the Wolves couldn’t sustain momentum against a physical and disciplined Wildcats front.

The knockout blow arrived with 3:43 left in the fourth quarter, when Meurer hauled in his third touchdown of the night, a 31-yard strike that sealed the 31–15 victory and sent Arvada West into the next round. Meurer finished with more than 180 receiving yards, three touchdowns, an interception and two fumble recoveries — a complete two-way performance in one of the program’s biggest games in recent memory.

Duhachek delivered one of his most efficient outings of the season, passing for 346 yards and three touchdowns while completing 27 of 36 attempts. Pyatt added three total touchdowns, and the Arvada West defense forced five turnovers, including multiple plays inside their own red zone.

The win marks a significant moment for first-year head coach CJ Hanna, who has the Wildcats playing their best football when it matters most. The program, which has battled through deep 5A competition for years, now finds itself just one win away from the semifinals.

Arvada West will face the winner of Eaglecrest vs. Mountain Vista in next week’s quarterfinals.

For now, though, the Wildcats will savor a breakthrough win in front of a packed home crowd — one that signals a new era for Arvada West football and keeps their championship hopes alive entering the season’s biggest stage.