ARVADA • Fitting that The Classical Academy’s mascot is a Titan, because they continue to tower over nearly all their opposition.

TCA earned shutout wins in their second-round game and quarterfinals contest Saturday at North Area Athletic Complex to advance to the 4A state flag football semifinals.

The No. 1-seeded Titans earned a 31-0 victory against No. 17 Ellicott and followed with a 40-0 drubbing of Denver West in the quarterfinals to inch closer to the inaugural 4A flag football state championship.

TCA (15-2) will face No. 5 Green Mountain in their semifinal matchup on Nov. 2.

“We have so much talent on the team and we hang out all the time, and we love each other so much,” Kelsey Peterson said. “This win is special.”

Only a handful of area schools — Ellicott, Vanguard, Coronado and Colorado Springs Christian School — played last season while flag football entered its final year as an unsanctioned sport.

Despite the Titans getting their first experience of the game this year, they continue to thrive.

“It’s great to see what we’ve worked for this season is paying off,” Brooklyn Blair said. “Our coach talks about us being a flying plane and we’re building it in the air.”

And the Titans continue to fly with ease. After opening the playoffs with a win, TCA scored 21 in the first quarter against Denver West and never looked back.

Peterson threw for a pair of touchdowns in the first while Lillian Grothe rushed for a touchdown to give the Titans their 21-point advantage.

For Peterson, her performance to open the playoffs serves as redemption. In the Titans’ regular-season finale against Doherty, a 13-7 loss, Peterson threw a touchdown but also tossed six interceptions.

Against Denver West, the sophomore quarterback threw for four touchdowns.

“We went out there a little shaky and didn’t play our game but it was a good lesson to learn before playoffs,” Peterson said. “It was motivating to come back out here and play well because I know I’m better than how I performed in our last game of the season. I got to bounce back and use my talented receivers to help us go out and get the win.”

Blair caught two of Peterson’s touchdown passes and snagged three interceptions against Denver West to help pace the Titans.

The Titans wide receiver entered the postseason tied with teammate Kate Osborn with eight interceptions and second on the team in receiving with 611 yards. Blair’s eight touchdown receptions were tied for first among TCA pass catchers.

Blair credited her work as a goalkeeper for her success on the field.

“A lot of what I do as a goalie translates into the game,” Blair said. “Kelsey is a great quarterback, so we’re able to find each other very well.”

The Titans scored 19 second-half points and forced seven total turnovers against Denver West.

“To be in this position and to get to do this with this team is special,” Peterson said. “Having a chance to play in the semifinals and a shot to become champions would be such a great memory.”

No. 6 George Washington 26, No. 3 Vista Ridge 20

The Wolves looked ready to join the Titans in the semifinals after a strong first half against the Patriots.

Vista Ridge cruised to a 31-0 win against No. 14 Manual earlier in the afternoon and built a 13-7 lead against the Patriots in the quarterfinals game.

Then, in the second half, the Patriots scored 19 in a row to build a 26-13 lead with 9:36 left in the game.

Though the Wolves looked cooked, they never quit.

“It’s a beautiful thing to see these young ladies go out there and make plays,” Wolves coach Trevas McFail said. “There were some girls on (George Washington’s side) who made some plays and you can’t take that away from them.”

Samira Jackson broke a 60-yard run down the Patriots’ sideline with 5:50 on the clock in the fourth and the Wolves converted their point-after-touchdown attempt to cut the lead to 26-20.

Addison Vrana followed with an interception on defense with 3:06 on the clock to keep the Wolves in the game.

But Vista Ridge needed one more first down to remain alive on fourth and inches from the Patriots 21 and George Washington forced an incompletion.

“A lot of people don’t know we got started later than everybody,” McFail said. “We had one official week of practice before our first real scrimmage. For these girls to have come this far, I’m incredibly proud of them.”

Other second-round games:

5A

No. 10 Douglas County 20, No. 7 Doherty 16

4A

No. 9 Denver West 16, No. 8 Air Academy 14