Week 1 Top Ten Breakdown Class 1A
Class 1A
Zero Week provided a slight glimpse into 1A with 7 games played but almost all of them gave us a good look into the Conference. The only big surprise in zero week was Centauri upsetting Paonia. The other games went as expected: Crowley County beat Colorado Springs Christian 26 to 7, Ellicott beat Ignacio 34 to 16, Meeker blanked Highland 40 to 0, Peyton blanked Trinidad 42 to 0, Rocky Ford beat Byers 38 to 0, Merino (8 Man) beat Lake County 26 to 7, and of course Centauri upset Paonia 20 to 13.
This week I am very happy to have a full slate of games. 9 out of the 10 top ten teams are playing this week and there are a few match ups to watch for. The 5 games to watch for this week are Wray at Ellicott, Centauri vs Rye, Strasburg at Burlington, Limon vs Rocky Ford, and the Class 1A Game of the Week is Monte Vista vs Cedaredge.
#1 Bennet travels to Cornerstone Christian. Bennett is your preseason #1 team and will be looking to get going in the right direction. Cornerstone Christian a year ago went 3-6 but are looking much better coming into this year. Cornerstone Christian is returning their starting QB, Starting RB, and their top 3 tacklers. What Cornerstone Christian does have to replace 3 of their 5 offensive lineman. Bennett last year went 10-2 and fell just short of the state championship. They have some holes to fill on their line and on defense losing 5 of their 6 top tacklers but have plenty of talent returning. They have their starting QB and starting RB returning both of which generated 2500 combined rushing yards. Bennett also has some 4 senior lineman over 215 pounds returning and that will help anchor that o-line. Bennett will need to find some leadership on defense but their offense can carry them until they find that early on in the year.
#2 Meeker hosts Coal Ridge (2A). Coal Ridge a year ago went 1-8 and actually gave Meeker a game only losing 30 to 14 and I expected them to compete in the Western Slope 2A league but they fell short. Coal Ridge is losing some talented seniors they are losing their starting QB but are returning their leading rusher and they will need him to step up and hold this team together until they find a replacement at QB. Coal Ridge also lost some good seniors on defense so this could be a rebuilding year for Coal Ridge. Meeker got started on the right foot by blitzing Highland 40 to 0. They ran for 211 yards with QB Logan Hughes leading the way both rushing and passing. Meeker should dominate in game #2 as well. These are important games for Meeker to develop their weapons on the outside and also replace some defensive players from last year.
#3 Strasburg travels to Burlington. Last year this was the #1 vs #2 battle and this year it might not be two ranked teams but Burlington is not a pushover team. Burlington is losing quite a bit of talent for their 8-3 team. They possibly lost 5 lineman, their starting RB, and their starting QB. They do return plenty of talent on defense which is what they will need to anchor down their team till their offense gets going. Strasburg is your defending state champions and start the season ranked #3. Strasburg lost 13 seniors to graduation the biggest being QB Conner Martin. They also lost 6 lineman to graduation and 2 of their top 4 tacklers but Strasburg looks to have 5 senior lineman and they will need to step up this year. Strasburg does return one key weapon and that is starting RB Hunter Bergstorm 1,110 yards rushing. He will be the key to this offense. Strasburg will need to get their offense going this game or this game could be a defensive struggle.
#4 Limon hosts Rocky Ford. Rocky Ford got their season moving in the right direction beating Byers 38 to 0. Rocky Ford ran for 113 yards as a team and passed for 111 yards but they also threw 3 INT’s. The saving grace for Rocky Ford in their first game was forcing 4 turnovers and taking advantage of them. Rocky Ford will need to get their offense figured out if they plan on hanging with Limon. Limon only lost 6 seniors and are primed for a run in the playoffs. They are returning 4 of their 5 starting lineman, their starting QB, and their #2 rushing in Hauk Hubbard. What Limon is losing is their leading Rusher and some key defensive players. This could be a good game for Limon to get some young defensive players reps especially if Rocky Ford struggles throwing the ball again. Limon must take care of the ball on offense and not allow Rocky Ford to stay in the game because of turnovers. I have Limon winning this game because of their defense forcing turnovers.
#6 Wray travels to Ellicott. Ellicott got started in the right direction beating Ignacio 34 to 16. Ellicott lost some very good players last year 2 offensive lineman, starting RB, but the biggest loss was their Starting QB. Ellicott will need to retool on offense and they do have some good players coming back. Ellicott only lost 7 seniors so they will just need players to step up. Wray lost to Ellicott a year ago 29-24 so they will be looking to avenge that loss. Wray is returning the majority of their team from last year only losing 4 seniors. The biggest loss was star RB Sam Wynkoop 1643 yards rushing. Wray is returning 4 lineman and their #2 running back. Wray will lean on their defense to start the season until they can develop their offense a bit more. The biggest advantage from Wray will be they are a run heavy offense and with 4 of their 5 offensive lineman returning they should be ok early ok. Wray will be looking to take the step ahead of Burlington and a win to open the season could start that rise.
#8 Centauri hosts Rye. Rye has a new coach to enter the 2017 football year. Rye will be looking for a host of new starters at a lot of positions losing a talented senior class. Rye will be looking for a new QB and RB and also most of their defensive playmakers graduated as well. Rye could be rebuilding a bit this year but they are always a tough team to beat. Centauri got the football year started with an impressive upset of then ranked #7 Paonia. Centauri struggled passing the ball completing 4 of 13 passes for 66 yards 1 TD and 2 INT’s but were they struggled passing their QB ran the ball very effectively rushing for 129 yards. Their other RB didn’t contribute as much which must be a key point for this team. Centauri defensively played tough but their offense cannot disappear. This should be a good game for Centauri to work some of the kinks out on offense.
#10 Monte Vista hosts Cedaredge. Nearly identical from last year I had Cedaredge unranked and Monte Vista ranked #10 but this year the game is in Monte Vista. Cedaredge is retooling on defense, trying to find a new starting RB and finding new lineman will be a huge key for this team. What Cedaredge does have going for them is they are returning both QB’s who played big roles and I am guessing one of them will shift to RB. Cedaredge did look to have some lineman upcoming but experience will be a big key in this game and also in the Western Slope League. Monte Vista had a slight down year last year but still won the SPL. Monte Vista is reloading this year only losing 6 seniors that played significant playing time. The biggest loss was QB/RB Keshaun Duran but their backup QB played significant time. Monte Vista returns all starters at the RB positions and 3 of their 5 offensive lineman as well. Defensively they will be tough returning nearly all their defensive line and linebackers. This will be a tough game again for both teams but expect Monte Vista to win this game.
Top Ten Game not mentioned
#5 Grand Valley at Vail Christian #7 Peyton at Byers
Non-Top Ten Games:
Crowley County vs John Mall Platte Canyon vs Sheridan
Clear Creek vs Lake County
MileHigh Prep Report 