Fairview's Tucker Tharp dives into the end zone during Friday night's game against Grandview. ( Andy Cross, The Denver Post )

AURORA — A few hours before Friday night's kickoff, Fairview quarterback Ben Schumacher chatted with offensive coordinator Sean Embree, who mentioned the inclement weather awaiting the No. 2 Knights at Legacy Stadium.

"He said, 'It's raining down there,' " Schumacher said. "I asked, 'Well, are we going to throw?' he said, 'Yeah, of course we are.' "

That rain quickly morphed into snow, but that didn't stop the run-oriented Knights from catching 18th-seeded Grandview off-guard with a few early touchdown passes to kick-start a 35-26 win in the second round of the Class 5A playoffs.

Schumacher hit Lucas Pena- Gonzalez in stride for a 70-yard TD on the Knights' second play and connected with Kenny Bell for a

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5-yard score to cap Fairview's second series. The Knights extended it to a 21-0 first-quarter lead before holding off a furious Grandview comeback to remain unbeaten at 11-0.