The path to high school baseball state titles runs through Northern Colorado

You have to come through Northern Colorado if you want to win a Colorado high school baseball state championship.

Northern Colorado teams dot the high seed lines in the regional brackets released Wednesday by CHSAA.

Classes 3A, 4A and 5A all have Northern Colorado teams right at the top, including the No. 1 seed in each of Colorado's three biggest classifications.

Here's a look at the force in Northern Colorado and specifically where Fort Collins-area teams will play regionals:

Class 5A Northern Colorado teams

Fossil Ridge is the No. 1 overall seed, Fort Collins is No. 7, Rocky Mountain is No. 20 and Loveland is No. 31. Fossil Ridge and Fort Collins both host regionals.

Class 4A Northern Colorado teams

Windsor is the No. 1 overall seed, Thompson Valley is the No. 8, Severance is No. 19 and Roosevelt is No. 26. Windsor and Thompson Valley are both hosting regionals.

Class 3A Northern Colorado teams

It's a NoCo show in this class.

Powerhouse Eaton is the No. 1, Berthoud is the No. 2, University (Greeley) is No. 3, Resurrection Christian (Loveland) is No. 4, Sterling is the No. 11, Wellington is No. 15, Timnath is No. 17, Platte Valley is the No. 20 and Highland is the No. 26.

Eaton, Berthoud, University and Resurrection Christian are all regional hosts.

Where Fort Collins-area teams play

Here's a look at where local Poudre School District teams and Windsor play for regionals:

FOSSIL RIDGE (5A)

The No. 1 SaberCats (22-1) have by far the best record in 5A (the next closest has four losses) and host No. 32 Eaglecrest (12-11) in the first round at 10 a.m. Saturday. The winner advances to the regional title game to face the winner of No. 16 Grandview and No. 17 Ralston Valley.

The regional title game is scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday.

FORT COLLINS (5A)

The No. 7 Lambkins (19-4) host and face No. 26 Arapahoe (13-10) in the first round at 12:30 p.m. Friday. The winner advances to the regional title game to face the winner of No. 10 Legend and No. 23 Legacy.

The regional title game will be at roughly 3 p.m. Friday.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN (5A)

The No. 20 Lobos (14-9) play No. 13 Chaparral (16-7) to open 5A Region 4 action at 11 a.m. Saturday. The winner advances to face the winner of No. 29 and No. 4 and region host Fruita Monument.

The regional title game will follow the second semifinal (1:30 p.m.).

WINDSOR (4A)

The No. 1 Wizards (21-2) host No. 32 Aurora Central (11-9) in the first round of regionals at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. The winner faces the winner of No. 16 Discovery Canyon and No. 17 Grand Junction in the regional title game.

The regional title game is scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday.

TIMNATH (3A)

The No. 17 Cubs (11-12) face No. 16 Jefferson Academy (12-11) in 3A Region 1. The winner faces the winner of No. 32 Kent Denver and title-favorite Eaton.

The regional is currently scheduled for Saturday, with game times not yet announced.

WELLINGTON (3A)

The No. 15 Eagles (11-12) face No. 18 Prospect Ridge Academy (12-11) in 3A Region 2 at 12:30 p.m. Saturday in a game played at Berthoud. The winner faces the winner of No. 31 Basalt and No. 2 Berthoud.

Regional format

In many ways winning the region is as difficult as winning state itself. Regions are made up of four teams and they play a single-elimination bracket, with one team advancing to the eight-team, double-elimination state tournament.

The top seed in the region starts with the lowest seed and then the winner of that game plays the winner of the other regional semifinal with a trip to state on the line.

Follow sports reporter Kevin Lytle on X and Instagram @Kevin_Lytle.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Northern Colorado teams host high school baseball regional tournaments