Back in August, 50 teams in the 5A ranks took to football fields across Colorado.

On Sunday, that number officially was pared to 32. And for Fountain-Fort Carson, it’s just one of 16 schools playing host to a first-round playoff game when play resumes.

That’s a big deal for longtime F-FC coach Mitch Johnson, who had plenty of questions surrounding a young, inexperienced team heading into the season.

“It’s a wonderful thing to play at home, in familiar surroundings,” Johnson said. “We knew we were going to be young, and every week, we thought we were going to be the underdog. We’ve grown up quite a bit, and we’re always trying to get better. Now that we’re at home, we can count on a big crowd on our side.”

Fountain-Fort Carson (7-2), which ended the regular season on a seven-game winning streak and ranked No. 10 in wild-card points, earned a home playoff game by virtue of its Continental South league title. The Trojans will meet ThunderRidge (4-5) at 7 p.m. Friday.

Playoff fields for 5A, 2A and 1A – also to include 8-man and 6-man – were released Sunday, and the Trojans were the lone area team seeded well enough to host a first-round game.

Doherty (4-5) plays at Horizon (7-2) in a 5A first-round game Friday.

Five other Pikes Peak-area teams also extended their season but will play on the road this weekend. That’s a big deal too, especially when considering the early hole dug by Manitou Springs.

One month ago, Mustangs football coach Monte Gutowski saw a team much better than its 0-5 record.

“If we could put together a complete game from start to finish, I really thought we could do something,” Gutowski said. “And we did.”

Following a 27-20 win over Florence on Oct. 9, the Mustangs won two of their last three 2A Tri-Peaks League games to finish in a tie for second, then claimed a tiebreaker to earn an automatic playoff berth despite a 3-6 overall record.

On Saturday, Manitou, seeded No. 16, will hit the road to meet top-ranked Bayfield (8-0).

“We’re excited to be in the field of 16,” Gutowski said. “It’s a whole new season. It’s anybody’s game. It’s quite a drive for us, but it’s the time of year you want to get to. We’re not checking stuff in this week, so that’s good.”

In 1A, three area schools – Colorado Springs Christian School, Ellicott and Peyton (all 6-3) qualified for the playoffs as the Nos. 11, 14 and 15 seeds, respectively.

Hanover (8-1) is the No. 7-ranked team in the 6-man bracket and will meet No. 2 Fleming in a quarterfinal game this weekend.