8 Man First Round Breakdown
#1 Sedgwick County vs #16 McClave
McClave had a great season and was able to grab a playoff spot. They went 6-3 and played tough in the Southeast league. They finished third in league and was good enough to get them into the playoffs. They have yet to build much momentum going 2-2 in their final 4 games but won their final game big 62-30. They played against 4 playoff teams going 0-4 against them. They played a few of them pretty tough only losing to Pikes Peak Christian by 10 and Granada by 6. McClave Offensively has been very good scoring 39.6 ppg. Their offense is led by their rushing attack averaging 346.8 ypg and to say they are one sided is an understatement. They only threw for 43 yards this year compared to 3121 yards of rushing. Their rushing attack is led by RB Jake Trujillo averaging 223.8 ypg. Defensively McClave has struggled. They are giving up 24.3 ppg and in their losses struggled to keep the better teams from breaking the 20 point mark. McClave only held 2 opponents to under 10 points all year. McClave must improve defensively.
Sedgwick County is once again your #1 overall seed and looks like the team to beat. They ran right through the plains league. Only being challenged by Merino and that was still at 17 point game. Sedgwick County one loss is to a top 5 team in Nebraska. Sedgwick County played against 5 playoff teams going 4-1 against them. Sedgwick County has only given up over 10 point twice all year and will be looking to bring their amazing defense into the playoff. Defensively they have the best defense in 8 man allowing 6.8 ypg they are just ahead of Sargent for that elusive best defense title. Offensively Sedgwick County has been great once again. They are scoring 48.0 ppg and they do not have any stats uploaded.
McClave will have their hand completely full in the first round and I am not sure if they will be able to slow down Sedgwick County. I am going with Sedgwick County to win by 45.
#8 Granada vs #9 Merino
Merino opened the season against a few pretty easy teams rolling up to a 5-0 start before running head first into the top league opponents. Merino last 2 straight games in league before winning their last two to finish 3rd in league. Merino played against 5 playoff teams going 3-2 against them and are ready to make a run in the playoffs. Merino on offense is scoring 36.9 ppg and also don’t have any stats uploaded. Their defense is middle of the pack allowing 16.7 ppg but also have allowed over 30 points 3 times this year.
Granada lost a ton of players to graduation but have quickly grown up and made the playoffs and won their league. Granada early on struggled against Akron and Dayspring Christian early on but have ran off 6 straight wins. Granada faced 4 playoff teams going 2-2 against them. Granada on offense is scoring 34.2 ppg and are paced by their rushing attack which is averaging 221.4 ypg. Their offense is led by RB Kevin Navarrete who is averaging 113.0 ypg and QB Cade Holden who is averaging 165.0 total ypg. Defensively is where Granada has shown their youth. Giving up a whopping 31.8 ppg. That must be the emphasis of improvement if they plan on winning this game. They didn’t hold a single opponent to under 10 point this year but will need a huge defensive showing this week.
These two teams have 3 common opponents. They both faced McClave, Dayspring Christian, and Akron. Both team beat McClave Merino beat them 40-8 and Granada won 44-38. Merino then beat Dayspring Christian 34 to 28 and Granada lost to both Akron and Dayspring big. Merino will be the favorite in this game. They must bring their defense to play. If they can stop Granada’s offense I don’t think Granada can stop Merino offense. I am going with Merino in this game by 21.
#4 Hoehne vs #13 Mancos
Mancos snuck into the playoff finishing 16th in the RPI and the very lost playoff spot. They benefited by playing Sargent in their last game. Mancos was blown off the field losing 58 to 6. They must quickly rebound to get ready for this game. Mancos on offense is scoring 32.9 ppg. Defensively they have been average giving up 18.9 ppg. They have struggled against the best teams getting blown out by Norwood and Sargent.
Hoehne played a very tough schedule. They opened the season against Sargent, played against Holly, and closed their non-league schedule against Dayspring Christian. They needed to do that to make sure they were ready for the playoffs. Their league was extremely weak this year and they were the only team from the Southern League to make the playoffs. Offensively Hoehne blew past everyone scoring 48.3 ppg. They are led by their rushing attack which is averaging 372.3 ypg. Their rushing attack is led by RB Jacob Yates who is averaging 120.6 rushing ypg. Defensively Hoehne at times has struggled. They are a middle of the pack defense giving up 17.3 ppg. They have held 4 teams to under 10 point this year.
I don’t think this will be a very close game at all. Hoehne is a much better team and they will get started on the right foot in the playoffs. Hoehne is my pick in this game and it will by 31.
#5 Norwood vs #12 Plateau Valley
Plateau Valley had a great run this year running to a 6-3 record they finished second in the Northwest league. They played against 3 playoff teams going 2-1 against them. They didn’t play any big games against the top teams only to West Grand and were handled easily 30 to 6. Plateau Valley is scoring 27.3 ppg and are led by their rushing attack which is averaging 268.0 ypg. They don’t really pass that often only averaging 63.6 ypg. Plateau Valley is led by do it all QB Marlon Castillo. He is averaging 132.1 rushing ypg and 53.6 passing ypg. Defensively Plateau Valley has been slightly better than averaging only giving up 14.6 ppg. They did allow over 28 points three time this year.
Norwood for the first time in many year didn’t win the league crown being shifted into a tougher league. Norwood finished the season 8-1 behind Sargent who gave them their only loss. Norwood faced 3 playoffs teams this year going 2-1 against them. Norwood on offense is scoring 39.9 ppg. They are led by their rushing attack which is averaging 294.4 ypg and only passing for 65.9 ypg. They are led by their QB Trenton Armintrout who is averaging a total of 168.5 ypg. Defensively Norwood has the third best defense giving up 8.0 ppg. They held 5 opponents to under 10 points this year and only gave up over 20 point twice this year and once was to a JV 3A opponent.
The first round of the 8 Man bracket usually has quite a few blowouts and I think this will be another one of those. Plateau Valley has been a tough team to put away I just don’t think their offense can keep up with Norwood. I am going with Norwood here by 28.
#3 Akron vs #14 Holly
Holly is having a great season this year running out to a 6-2 record and making the playoffs. They played against 3 playoff teams this year going 1-2 against them. They did finish second in the Southern League and will have a very tough much up in the first round. Offensively Holly is one of the lower scoring 8 man teams only scoring 31.8 ppg. They are one of the more balanced teams in 8 man averaging 200.1 rushing ypg and 146.3 passing ypg. Their offense is paced by QB Kobe Davis who is averaging 140.0 passing ypg and RB Tack Neugebauer who is averaging 62.1 rushing ypg. Holly defensively has been tough only giving up 14.3 ppg which has been the biggest key to their success. In Games where they held their opponents to under 20 point they went 6-0 and where they gave up over 20 point they went 0-2. Holly will need their rushing defense to be on point this week.
Akron opened the season 3-2 playing against two very tough opponents before closing the season on a 4 game winning streak. Akron faced 6 playoff teams going 4-2 against them. Offensively Akron has been good scoring 41.9 ppg and they are led by their rushing attack. They are averaging 350.9 rushing ypg and 73.2 passing ypg for a total of 424.1 ypg. Their offense is led by QB Levi Basler who is averaging 70.9 passing ypg and 161.3 total ypg. Defensively Akron is not the juggernaut that they were a year ago. They are allowing an average of 17.1 ppg which is middle of the pack in 8 man. They have held 5 teams to under 10 point this year though.
Once again I do not think this will be that close of a game. Holly will have to play their best game and even then will need a few things to go their way. Akron power rushing attack is very good and I am not sure if they can be stopped. Akron must keep improving on the defensive side of the ball to compete for a state championship. I am going with Akron by 31.
#6 Pikes Peak Christian vs #11 Haxtun
Haxtun played in the rugged Plains league and that is what hurt their record. They started the season 4-0 before heading into league play. In League play they competed very well against Dayspring Christian losing by 2 and Akron losing by 5 on a last second TD. Haxtun biggest problem has been their defense. They are allowing 30.3 ppg which is really high. Their offense is what powers them to wins. They are averaging 40.4 ppg and are the one team that passes more than runs. They are averaging 140.8 rushing ypg and passing for 263.3 ypg. Haxtun is paced by QB Bo Soukup who is averaging 252 passing ypg. Their QB must play great this postseason to have any chance to pull the upset. Haxtun also must have their defense step up or expect a shootout in the first round.
Pikes Peak Christian is having an amazing season running out to an 8-1 record and probably one of their best season in a few years. Pikes Peak Christian played against 2 playoff teams going 1-1 against them. They have improved every week this season but have a very difficult task in the first round. Pikes Peak Christian offense is not the high scoring juggernaut that Haxtun has but they are averaging 33.9 ppg. Their defense is their strong point. They are only giving up 8.9 ppg which is fourth best in 8 man. They will need their defense to be on point. If their defense can’t stop Haxtun I think their offense should be able to do enough to keep pace.
These teams have 3 common opponents and it does nothing to separate the two. They both played Simla, Rocky Mountain Lutheran, and Kiowa. Both teams beat all three of them by 30+ points. I have Pikes Peak Christian on upset alert here. I think this game will be one of the more electric games on offense. I think this turns into a shootout and I am going with Pikes Peak Christian to pull out a 49 to 45 victory.
#7 West Grand vs #10 Dayspring Christian
Dayspring Christian has struggled this year only going 6-3 which is must below their standards. They have played a tough schedule though playing against 7 playoff teams going 4-3. Their defense is very very suspect this year. They usually are very tough on defense but have only two games where they held team to under 10 points and they didn’t make the playoffs. Dayspring Christian has 6 games where they gave up over 21 points. On Average they are giving up 29.8 ppg which is really high. What is winning games for DCA is their offense which is scoring 40.6 ppg. DCA is a balanced offensive team averaging 190.2 rushing ypg and 186.6 passing ypg. They are led by QB Jonathan Cowles who is averaging 186.6 passing ypg and 227.6 total ypg and their RB Caleb Urwiller who is averaging 135.5 rushing ypg. Likes I said if DCA wants to go farther than the first round their defense must show up.
West Grand once again is having a very quality season going 8-1 and only being challenged in their loss. West Grand only played against 3 playoff teams going 2-1 against them. Their only loss was to Pikes Peak Christian but since that loss have won five straight games and have all been by a bunch. Offensively West Grand is averaging 37.4 ppg so they can keep up with them best of them in the scoring category. Their offense is run first averaging 266.6 rushing ypg and only 76.2 passing ypg. Their offense is led by QB Brady Gore who is averaging 79.2 passing ypg and 160.0 total ypg. He is the catalyst on their offense and is the key for them to win.
West Grand will be on upset alert this week. They have a very tough matchup against a high powered offense. West Grand will need their offense and defense to be on point. If West Grand cannot stop DCA offense then they will need their offense to step up and exceed their 37.4 ppg. DCA will need their defense to show up. They do not want to get in a shootout with a very good QB. I don’t see either defense stopping the offense and easily see both teams breaking the 40 point mark. What will make or break this game will be a turnover and I think West Grand will escape this game. I am going with West Grand to win 55 to 52.
#2 Sargent vs #15 Soroco
Soroco grabbed one of the last playoff spots into the playoffs and was the 3rd team from the Northwest league to make the playoffs. They are coming into this game on a bit of a slide. They have lost 2 of their last 3 but ended the season with a win. They played against 2 playoff teams going 0-2 against them and both were by more than 20 points. Soroco on offense is averaging 37.8 ppg and they are led by their rushing attack. Soroco is rushing for 337.3 ypg and only throwing for 76 ypg. Their offense is paced by RB Jace Logan who is averaging 240.2 ypg. Defensively Soroco has struggled giving up 24.4 ppg. In their three losses all the teams broke the 30 point mark which must be fixed if that want any chance at the upset.
Sargent rolled through their league games only being challenged by #5 Norwood and that was a great game 22-20. They played against 3 playoffs teams rolling to an undefeated season and getting themselves ready for the playoffs. The southwest league was a bit down this year but still ended up with 3 teams into the playoffs. Sargent defensively is very good. They only allowed over 20 points twice and both were to playoffs teams and in both games they made huge stops late to win those games. Defensively they are only giving up 7.1 ppg which is the second best in 8 Man behind Sedgwick County. Offensively they are also very good scoring 43.6 ppg. Offensively they are paced by their rushing attack which is averaging 255.3 ypg but also have picked up the throwing this year averaging 101 ypg. Their offense is paced by RB Justin Hacsi averaging 122.0 ypg and QB Ryan Davis 188.3 total ypg. These two have been very dangerous all year and hope to continue that into the playoffs.
These two teams have 3 common opponents. They are Caliche, Norwood, and Sanford. Both teams beat Caliche and Sanford but Sargent held them to a combined 6 points where Soroco gave up a combined 56 points. Also Sargent beat Norwood and Soroco was hammered by Norwood. Sargent is the clear favorite and I have them winning big by 38.
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