Week 4 Breakdown
Class 1A
Last week the Top Ten were all able to win the matchups in which they were favored. We had one top ten matchup this past week and it was between #3 Resurrection Christian and #4 Platte Canyon. This game was expected to be a great game and ended up being a blowout with Resurrection Christian winning 42 to 6. There were a few other games of importance last week. #5 Burlington beat Ellicott 20 to 14, Rye over Trinidad 48 to 0, Monte Vista over Hotchkiss 25 to 15, and with a huge comeback #10 Wiggins over Crowley County 27 to 20. Wiggins was down 20 to 6 and came all the way back to win the game. Some non-top ten games were Limon over Peyton 23 to 13, Center over Lake County 65 to 8, Colorado Springs Christian over Salida 42 to 0. We also have one Bye this week with Rye having the week off.
#1 Paonia has probably one of the biggest games in the state regardless of class when they travel to #5 Bayfield (2A). Paonia is going to be putting their 26 game winning streak on the line against a Bayfield team who beat a very good team from New Mexico two weeks ago. Last week Paonia flew past Centauri 48 to 6 scoring 42 points in the first half cruising to the victory. Paonia ran the ball very well rushing for 299 yards and passing for 67 yards. Since there opening week win over Monte Vista 21 to 7 they have beat the next two opponents 49-0 and 48-6. Bayfield has only played two games so far this year but have two impressive wins. One over Kirtland Central and the other over Miyamura (who is ranked in New Mexico 5A). In both games Bayfield has ran the ball very effectively rushing for 322.5 yard per game. They did not throw the ball that much in their last winning throwing for only 24 yards. The key to this game will be the front 7 on defense which ever defense shows up and can slow down the running game will win this game. Both teams did show in previous weeks that they can throw but I am sure both teams would prefer to ground and pound to win this game.
Centauri will continue the rough opening season schedule this week by facing off against #2 Buena Vista. Buena Vista had a very good win last week blowing by Manitou Springs (2A) 52 to 14. Buena Vista so far this season has not been challenged winning all three game by over 22 points and have yet to score under 30 points. They have been very effective running the ball this year averaging 254 yard per game. Passing has been enough to keep team’s honest passing for 74 ypg. Centauri on the other hand has had a very tough schedule playing a ranked opponent almost every week except for the opening week win against Pagosa Springs. Centaur has struggled getting their offense going running for only 140 ypg and passing for 81 ypg. This tough stretch of games will be good for Centauri when it comes to league play but they are more than likely looking at 1-3 to start the season. Buena Vista should cruise to another victory this week.
Another huge game this week is between #4 Burlington and unranked Limon who is fighting to get ranked. This is usually a game between top ten teams but Limon has not been ranked this year. Burlington has a pair of quality victories over Lamar and Ellicott who made the playoffs last year. They have been challenged in two games and that should prepare them for a tough game this week. Limon who is not ranked due to a weaker schedule can really use a quality win over a ranked team. Limon has faced one team with a winning record in Peyton and has had close games against every opponent this year. They also have a ton of younger talent and are relying almost completely on the run averaging 270 ypg. The key to this game will be can Limon score enough points to keep up with a very good offensive team in Burlington.
Another huge game this week is #6 Cedaredge at unranked Center. Center is another team that is fighting to be ranked and this could be the game to prove it. Cedaredge finally got their offense going last week blowing out 2A Aspen. I am sure Cedaredge would like to use that momentum offensively this week against a Center team who really has not been challenged. Before this game Cedaredge only scored over 20 points once and has a close 2 point victory over Olathe. Center has beaten Salida, Basalt, and Lake County which have a combined record of 1-7. This also is contributing to why they are not ranked. Center has scored twice over 40 points this year and lean on a very balanced attack. The key to this game is which offense shows up. Both teams have not proven they can score points but it will all come down to which team is more effective.
Top Ten Games:
#3 Resurrection Christian vs Estes Park #7 Platte Canyon vs Clear Creek
#8 Monte Vista vs Pagosa Springs (2A) #9 Meeker vs Holyoke
#10 Wiggin’s vs Rocky Ford
Other Non-Top Ten games:
Crowley County at Yuma Ellicott vs Colorado Springs Christian
MileHigh Prep Report 