Week 3 Top Ten Class 2A Breakdown
Week two was another fun and exciting week and some important games were played in terms of Top 10 and outside the top ten showed us some teams who could possibly push for a playoff spot. The biggest game of the weekend was #3 Kent Denver vs #5 Faith Christian and it was a high scoring affair with Kent Denver scoring the 52 to 33 victory over Faith Christian. Another important game was #4 La Junta holding off #10 Alamosa 21 to 13 and another hugely important game was #6 Eaton being upset by Platte Valley and that game shook up the rankings. Some scores from outside the Top 10 were Elizabeth over Alameda (3A) 41-6, D’Evelyn over Green Mountain (3A) 21-0, Brush over Lamar 21-0, Academy over Middle Park 47-27, Valley over Manitou Springs 27-21, and Aspen over Cedaredge 40-0. This coming week has 1 Top Ten battle and a few games to measure were some outside top ten teams are.
#1 Bayfield has a bye this week to prepare for a huge game on September 22nd against #8 Durango (3A). This is the final game of the non-conference schedule and I believe will give us a good measure to how good Bayfield is. Last week Bayfield beat Aztec NM (5A) 48-21. Once again Bayfield was very balanced in their attack with 231 yards passing and 260 yards rushing. Well break this game down more next week.
#2 Kent Denver has a bye as well. When they come back from their bye they also have a monster game on September 23rd against La Junta. That game is huge in terms of playoff seeding. Kent Denver beat Faith Christian last week 52-33. It turned into a bit of a shootout but Kent Denver used their rushing attack to help secure the victory rushing for 338 yards and throwing for 117 yards. Well break this game down more next week as well.
#3 Classical academy travels to D’Evelyn. D’Evelyn got into the win colonm with a solid 21 to 10 victory over Green Mountain (3A). D’Evelyn played solid on offense throwing for 303 yards and rushing for 182 yards. Their offensive leader was senior QB Chad Dines who went 22 of 32 for 303 yards 3 TD’s and 1 INT. D’Evelyn rushing attack was led by junior RB Luca Mcintyre 126 yards rushing. D’Evelyn defensively played outstanding holding Green Mountain to 88 yards passing and 147 yards rushing. They also had 2 sacks and 1 INT to help secure the victory. D’Evelyn got much better QB play this week and they will need it again this week when they look to upset #3 Classical Academy. #3 Classica Academy grabbed a hard fought 24-7 victory over Sterling. Offensively TCA is still struggling throwing the ball despite having their QB return. Senior Cade Bethany went 6 of 13 for 76 yards. TCA was led by their rushing attack which ran for 263 yards and 3 TD’s. Their rushing attack was led by senior RB Brayden Luft 168 yards rushing. Defensively TCA slowed down Sterling pass heavy offense keeping them to 240 yards but also had 2 INT’s. TCA also held Sterling to just 67 yards rushing. TCA will need to have their secondary ready for another pass heavy offense. D’Evelyn may be able to exploit TCA secondary a bit but D’Evelyn must be able to stop the run. I see TCA grabbing a solid victory because of their rushing attack and I think their QB breaks out a bit this game. I have TCA winning 35-14.
#4 La Junta travels to Elizabeth. Elizabeth is off to a very solid start. They have beaten two 3A teams and are off to a 2-0 start. Last week Elizabeth pounded Alameda 41 to 6. Elizabeth has allowed 20 points this season and offensively they are pounding the ball on the ground. They didn’t post stats for the Alameda game but against Woodland Park they ran for 250 yards and will need a much similar effort to upset #4 La Junta. #4 La Junta was in a dog fight against #10 Alamosa. La Junta got all they could handle from a very good Alamosa team. La Junta offensively threw for 122 yards and rushed for 200 yards. Offensively they were led by two players senior RB Wyatt Buhr had 116 yards rushing and 1 TD and junior QB Jon Nuschy had 109 yards passing & 1 TD and 84 yards rushing & 1 TD. No other stats were posted from the game. In the game against Alamosa La Junta was only up 1 point till they scored again in the fourth quarter and helped secure the game. La Junta once again proved that their defense is top notch and they will need it this week to stop a run heavy offense. La Junta I think will flex it muscles in this game and prepare for their massive showdown with Kent Denver next week. I have La Junta winning 42-0.
#5 Platte Valley travels to Resurrection Christian. Platte Valley is the newcomer into the Top 10 and right away will be challenged by a very strong defense in their first ranked game. Resurrection Christian is 0-2 to start the season and have a completely new offense this year and it’s showing. They have only put up 8 points in two games. Offensively they are still working out some kinks but defensively they have played pretty well. Two weeks ago they lost to Faith Christian 9-0 and their defense played great. They held Faith Christian to 82 yards rushing and 147 yards passing. If Resurrection Christian can keep improving on offense they will start winning some games. They will have their hands full this week when they host Platte Valley. Platte Valley is completely proving me wrong. I thought they may struggle this year but instead are exceeding my expectations and are now my favorites to win the Patriot East. I still think they will be challenged by Valley and Sterling but they now are my favorites. Platte Valley last week upset #6 Eaton 41 to 21. They didn’t post any stats on offense but defensively they gave up 200 yards passing but held Eaton to just 170 yards rushing. Platte Valley also had an INT and were able to pull a huge upset. We’ll see how good their offense is this week against Resurrection Christian solid defense but I expect Platte Valley to grab the victory. I have Platte Valley winning 28-7.
#6 Faith Christian hosts Manitou Springs. Manitou Springs in my preseason poll was ranked #10 but after a close 14-7 victory over St. Mary’s I unranked them and then last week lost a close one to Valley 27-21 they are not in the Top 15 but this week they have a chance to right the ship and try and pull off an upset of #6 Faith Christian. Manitou Springs didn’t post stats from their game against Valley but against St. Mary’s they were balanced in their offensive attack but were heavily relient on senior QB Cole Sienknecht. Manitou Springs must find some other offensive weapons to take the load off of him. Manitou Springs defensively also must be ready for a balanced offensive attack. Also Faith Christian will be looking to bounce back from a tough loss. #6 Faith Christian was in a shootout with #2 Kent Denver last week but fell 52-33. Defensively they must improve. Faith Christian gave up 338 yards rushing and 6 TD’s along with 117 yards passing 1 TD & 1 INT. Faith Christian must improve their run defense going forward if they plan on being upsetting some of the top teams. They can show some improvement this week against Manitou Springs. The biggest bright spot from their game against Kent Denver was that they can score on a solid defense and they did hold Kent Denver passing attack to just 114 yards and did have 1 INT. Faith Christian will need to stop the run this week as Manitou Springs wants their QB to led the attack. Faith Christian I believe will bounce back and grab a 35-14 victory.
#7 Basalt host #9 Delta in the 2A Game of The Week. #9 Delta got back on track after a tough 3-0 loss in OT to Durango. Delta crushed Moffat County 40-7. Delta has proven their defense is going to be extremely tough as they have only given up 10 points in two games. Delta got their offense back on track. Delta threw for 170 yards and ran for 303 yards. Their offensive attack was led by senior QB Drake Hom 6 of 14 for 170 yards & 4 TD’s and by senior RB Brendon Starr 149 yards rushing & 1 TD. It was a very impressive game from Delta and it was needed. Defensively they were solid only giving up 89 yards rushing and 84 yards passing. They forced 2 sacks and 4 INT’s. Delta will need a similar effort on defense again and also will need their offense to produce numbers if they plan on grabbing another victory on a Western Slope League team and the upset. #7 Basalt also got back on track after losing in week zero. They faced then ranked #5 Grand Valley (1A). I expected this to be one of the better games on the weekend but Basalt came out and pounded Grand Valley 44-0. Basalt dominated the entire game and by half time was leading 30-0. Basalt offensively was impressive throwing for 156 yards and rushing for 280 yards. Offensively Basalt was led by junior QB Trevor Reuss 10 of 19 for 138 yards & 1 TD. They rushing attack was led by senior RB Noah Williams 84 yards rushing & 1 TD. 8 different running backs for Basalt had carries last week. Defensively Basalt improved from last week posting the shutout on a solid offensive team and also had 2 INT’s. Basalt will need to bring their A game against defensively to stop a run heavy offense but also better make sure their offense is clicking. This game I believe will be a defensive struggle. I think Delta on defense is going to be to much to handle and they will pull the 13-7 upset on Basalt.
#8 Salida host Gunnison. Gunnison is off to a rough start losing both games to start the season. They are rebuilding their program and both of their offensively leaders are juniors so I expect Gunnison to improve as the year goes on but this year could be a tough one as the Intermountain league has improved this year. I could see Gunnison finishing second to last in the Intermountain league but you cannot count them out as they will improve as the year goes on. #8 Salida was able to finally get everything clicking on all cylnders and grabbed a huge victory on rival Buena Vista. Salida blew past Buena Vista 55-7. Buena Vista like Gunnison is rebuilding as well after losing some very talented senior classes. Salida has not posted offensive stats but in the first half alone Salida threw for 5 touchdown passes 3 of them over 40 yards and ran for a touchdown. Salida is a pass heavy team and they showed it in their big win over Buena Vista. Defensively Salida was great holding Buena Vista to 48 yards passing and 60 yards rushing. They also forced 1 fumble and 2 INT’s. Salida must keep improving and be ready for the Tri-Peaks league games as that will really test them. Salida should easily win this game and I have them winning 48-7.
#10 Alamosa hosts Trinidad. Trinidad grab that elusive victory last week beating John Mall 21 to 0. It was a very important victory for a traditionally rich Trinidad team. Trinidad was effective on offense throwing for 81 yards and rushing for 269 yards. Their offense was led by senior QB Josiah Portenier who threw for 81 yards and rushing for 122 yards & 1 TD. Trinidad was also very effective on defense posting the shutout and forcing 4 fumbles. Trinidad now must quickly refocus and be ready for a very solid Alamosa team. #10 Alamosa was able to stay ranked despite losing last week. Granted their loss was to #4 La Junta and it was only by 8. Alamosa has improved quite a bit from last year and I believe will be a tough team to beat as the season goes on. Alamosa must improve their run defense a bit more as they allowed 200 yards to La Junta. Alamosa must use this game to rebound and get ready for their league schedule. If Alamosa comes out and plays solid defense I don’t think Trinidad can stay in this game. I have Alamosa winning big and getting back on track. I have Alamosa winning 42-7.
Non Top Ten Key Games
Burlington (1A) at Lamar Jefferson at Weld Central
Brush at Eaton Academy at Valley
Coal Ridge at Battle Mountain (3A) Denver North (3A) at Englewood
MileHigh Prep Report 