It’s about time to have a discussion to add The Classical Academy to that “death, taxes” saying. Victories have become that routine for the Titans football team.

TCA improved to 10-0 and won its 23^rd consecutive game after 2A’s No. 3-seeded Titans matched a season high in points in their 56-14 win against No. 14 Florence on Saturday.

“We’re blessed to have continuity in our coaching staff and scheme,” TCA coach Justin Rich said after the first round playoff win. “It sounds boring, but our practices look alike, and we talked to the guys about being confident, calculated and relentless. We played well and started off fast.”  

The Titans (10-0) built a double-digit lead after two plays that required just 20 seconds. After TCA forced Florence (5-5) to go three and out on its opening drive, Hayden Gustafson returned the punt 45 yards to give The Classical Academy a 7-0 lead.

After another Huskies punt, Jackson Smetana hit Zach Mediavilla, who was alone behind the Huskies’ defense. Mediavilla cruised to the endzone for a 64-yard touchdown reception to give the Titans a 14-0 lead with 7:31 left in the first quarter.

The Classical Academy reached pay dirt three times in the second quarter as Smetana connected with Mediavilla on another passing TD. And Jackson Schipfer and Braden Godoy each rushed for a score to give the Titans a 35-0 advantage with 3:47 left in the half.

“No one is force fed the ball. The person who’s open will get it,” Smetana said. “Everyone is capable of getting a touchdown and everyone knows they’re a part of the team. I’ll always throw to the open receiver, I’ll never choose my favorite and we run the ball when necessary.”

Florence scored late in the second quarter and early in the second half, but the Titans’ mojo had already run amuck. Godoy, who finished with three touchdowns, scored two more in the second half and Schipfer rushed for another to give the Titans their 56 points

“They had a big score before halftime. We had 22 eyeballs on (Noah Howard) and because of that (Ryan Robinson) scored a touchdown. But that was basically it,” Rich said. “Our coaches do a good job and the kids absorb the gameplan. I know it’s repetitive and as boring as it sounds, this is from practice.”

The routine is mundane, but The Classical Academy’s results are anything but. During the Titans’ 23-game winning streak, 21 victories have come by double digits. Sans two forfeits by Lincoln and Mitchell, all the Titans’ wins this season have come by at least 17 points.

“These coaches have created such a great environment that we just want to be out here playing,” Smetana said. “Sometimes you’ll come across teams and you can tell they’re breaking down because they’re not having fun. Our coaches and players do so well of making it fun out here for everybody. … Last year’s seniors did a great job of making sure we knew everything they knew. The championship has already been won because I get to play on this team. These boys are everything to me.”  

The Titans will face No. 6 seed Kent Denver in next week’s second round.

Playoff results

5A

First round (Friday)

No. 17 Fountain-Fort Carson 14, No. 16 Cherokee Trail 7

Second round

No. 10 Mullen at No. 7 Pine Creek, TBD

No. 17 Fountain-Fort Carson at No. 1 Cherry Creek, TBD

4A

First round (Friday)

No. 16 Golden 31, No. 17 Air Academy 15

No. 14 Mesa Ridge 54, No. 19 Loveland 22

No. 11 Vista Ridge 38, No. 22 Montbello 13

Second round

No. 14 Mesa Ridge at No. 3 Palmer Ridge, TBD

No. 11 Vista Ridge at No. 6 Broomfield, TBD

2A

Second round

No 6 Kent Denver at No. 3 The Classical Academy, TBD

1A

First round (Friday)

No. 10 Monte Vista 21, No. 7 Colorado Springs Christian 0

6-man

No. 1 Idalia 65, No. 16 Hanover 6