Week 3 Class 1A Top Ten Breakdown
Week 2 of the Class 1A schedule is complete and it shook up the rankings and really some of the results were shocking. Bennett proved it was the #1 team in 1A with a 37-14 victory over #3 Strasburg. #4 Limon beat rival Crowley County 27-0. #8 Centauri, #9 Paonia, and #10 Monte Vista were all winners last week and improved there ranking. Those were the winners last week in the top 10 some of the teams that lost last week were Grand Valley, Wray, and Peyton. A game that I thought would be much closer turned into a blowout #7 Basalt (2A) beat #5 Grand Valley 44-0 I could have seen Basalt winning this game but not by 44 points. #6 Wray lost in a blowout loss to a much bigger Goodland KS team. The biggest upset from week 2 was #7 Peyton being upset by Highland 13-7. I had already counted out Highland after their loss to Meeker by over 35 points. Highland has rebounded well and will have a chance again for another upset. Some non-top 10 wins were Vail Christian over Lake County 26-12, Burlington over St. Mary’s 41-0, Trinidad over John Mall 21-0, Cornerstone Christian over Yuma 12-7, and Front Range Christian over Lyons 14-13.
#1 Bennett travels to Ellicott. Ellicott is off to a rough 1-2 start. They will not be an easy out though as they have improved over the past two weeks and gave Monte Vista all they could handle last week. Ellicott still has some big areas for improvement and one of them has to be their run defense. Monte Vista ran for 310 yards on them and Ellicott had no answer. Ellicott also didn’t force any turnovers and their defense must improve. This is a bad matchup for Ellicott who has struggled stopping the run. Ellicott must get their offense clicking on all cylinders if they plan on pulling the upset. #1 Bennett is off to a solid 2-0 start. Last week they faced their toughest game of the year. They were able to secure their #1 spot by beating #4 Strasburg 37-14. In normal Bennett form they didn’t complete a pass but their rushing attack was spot on. Bennett ran for 383 yards and 5 TD’s. Their rushing attack was led by senior QB Rocky Lechman 186 yards and 2 TD’s. Defensively Bennett had a fantastic game. They forced 1 INT and forced 8 sacks. They were able to keep Strasburg offense in check because of the 8 sacks and pulled away in this game. Bennett has already proven they will be extremely tough to beat and they shouldn’t have any problems this week either. I have Bennett winning 42-0.
#2 Meeker has a Bye this week ahead of their huge game against Monte Vista on September 22nd. Last week they beat Holyoke 39-6. It was only 11-0 at half time but a huge 3rd quarter was the difference in the game. Meeker had a fantastic game on the ground rushing for 362 yards and 3 TD’s. They also threw the ball well throwing for 152 yards 3TD’s & 1 INT. Well break this game down more next week.
#3 Limon travels to Rye. Rye is off to a 0-2 start and things don’t get any easier for the Thunderbolts. They have faced 2 Top Ten teams in back to back weeks and will face another this week. They have only scored 3 points so far this year and defensively have allowed 84 points. Offensively Rye has struggled. They only ran for 16 yards against Paonia last week. Rye allowed 287 yards rushing on defense. Rye is rebuilding their team and the experience they are getting this year will be huge going forward. #3 Limon grabbed a monster 27-0 victory over a good Crowley County team. Limon used a very solid defensive effort and a strong 4th quarter to put this game away. Limon was effective once again both passing and running. They threw for 120 yards and rushed for 173 yards. Offensively they were led by junior RB Hauk Hubbard 80 yards rushing. Limon on offense was hit by the turnover bug this game. They threw 2 INT’s and also gave up a fumble but because of their defense were able to keep Crowley County at bay. Defensively Limon held Crowley County to just 65 yards passing and 114 yards rushing. They also forced 2 INT’s and 1 fumble. Limon must limit their turnovers going forward but their offense is the most balanced I have ever seen it and that will be tough to stop going forward. Limon should cruise to victory here and I have them winning 35-0.
#4 Strasburg travels to University (2A). University is off to a 1-1 start in class 2A. They grabbed their first victory of the 2017 season last week. They beat Fort Lupton 40-21. Offensively University ran the ball very effectively rushing for 214 yards and 4 TD’s. They also completed 2 passes for 71 yards and 2 TD’s. Defensively University forced 1 INT and were able to keep Fort Lupton off the scoreboard till the fourth quarter. University showed some good improvement last week but in their opener against a nearly ranked team they struggled so they will be looking to prove that they have improved. They will need their defense to play amazing this week if they plan on upsetting #4 Strasburg. Strasburg for the first time in over a year tasted defeat. They were beat by #1 Bennet 37-14. Strasburg now will need to rebound and have a really good chance to do that against University. Strasburg must improve their rush defense after allowing 383 yards on 33 carries for 11.6 ypc. Strasburg also needs to shore up its offensive line after allowing 8 sacks. Strasburg didn’t post any offensive stats but some growing pains did show against a very experience Bennett team. I expect Strasburg to bounce back against University. Not many teams in class 1A have the rushing attack that Bennett does and I see Strasburg shutting down University rushing attack and grabbing a big 28-7 victory.
#5 Centauri travels to Olathe. In one of the more interesting game in 1A this week is Centauri vs Olathe. This game will show us how good Olathe really is. Centauri has already come out with a few really good victories but Olathe has played against two teams who are going to struggle this year. Olathe is 2-0 and off to a hot start. They beat Roaring Fork 49-0 in week 1 and blasted a young Gunnison team 47-18. Olathe offensively ran wild. They ran for 536 yards on 54 carries for 9.9 avg and 6 TD’s. They were led by junior RB Cesar Suarez 267 yards and 2 TD’s. Passing the ball Olathe struggled only completing two passes for 63 yards and 2 INT’s. Olathe was able to take advantage of an inexperience Gunnison team on offense. Defensively Olathe also shinned. They gave up 164 passing yards and 116 rushing yards. They also forced 3 fumbles and 1 INT. Olathe will be in for their biggest challenge of the year so far. Like is said Olathe has yet to play a team that will even fight for a playoff spot this year. Centauri is off to a 3-0 start and have picked up the pace offensively. They broke 35 point for the second game in a row. Last week Centauri beat Pagosa Springs 36-17. Pagosa Springs will not be an easy out this year they are very much improved and have proven it so far this year nearly upsetting Salida and Centauri. Centauri must be ready on defense for a run heavy attack from Olathe. I am not sure how good Olathe is but defense will be the key for both teams. Centauri has proven that they can play solid defense this year. Olathe will have to match that defensive intensity. I think this game will be much closer than people think and I have Centauri holding off Olathe 24-7.
#6 Paonia host Ridgeview Academy (2A). Ridgeview Academy is off to a tough 0-2 start but had two weeks to prepare for Paonia. Two weeks ago Ridgeview Academy was beat by Moffat County 25-8. Ridgeview Academy in both losses have struggled to stop the run and things don’t get much easier against a Paonia team who wants to run the ball. Ridgeview Academy will need their best defensive effort this week to pull the upset. Ridgeview academy also must get their offense going as they have only scored 14 points. Paonia jumped into the win column last week with an impressive 44-3 victory over Rye. Paonia offensively ran the ball extremely well rushing for 287 yards and 5 TD’s. They were led by their workhorse senior Jaden Miller 170 yards & 3 TD’s. Defensively Paonia played great holding Rye to 16 yards rushing and 89 yards passing. They also forced 2 Sacks and 1 fumble. Paonia won’t play another tough game until they open their league schedule. Paonia should easily walk away with a victory this week and I have them winning 35-14.
#7 Monte Vista hosts Pagosa Springs (2A). Pagosa Springs is off to a tough 0-2 start but are a very improved team from a year ago. They have lost to #8 Salida (2A) 30-22 and to #5 Centauri (1A) 36-17. Pagosa Springs will need to stop the rush heavy attack from Monte Vista if they plan to pull the upset. Both teams Pagosa has faced ran a more shotgun offense. I know Salida is a pass heavy attack and Centauri is a bit more balanced. Monte Vista on the other hand wants to run the ball the majority of the time and Pagosa Springs will need to slow that down or could be in trouble. Pagosa Springs also must be able to throw the ball as Monte Vista rush defense is very solid. #7 Monte Vista is on a revenge tour from a year ago. They beat Cedaredge in week 1 to avenge last year’s loss and last week beat Ellicott 29-14 to avenge the loss from last year as well. Monte Vista offensively has not put up big point numbers but have been able to run the ball very effectively. Last week they ran for 310 yards for a 5.2 avg and 4 TD’s. Monte Vista has not thrown the ball as much this year last week they went 3 for 3 for 15 yards. Monte Vista defensively has struggled stopping the pass this year but are improving every week. Defensively they forced 1 sack and 1 fumble. Monte Vista must keep improving their defense and I think will be challenged by Pagosa Springs this week. If Monte Vista can set the tone defensively I believe they could cruise to a victory but this will not be a blowout. I have Monte Vista winning this game 28-14 in a defensive struggle.
#8 Platte Canyon hosts Buena Vista. Buena Vista is off to a very rough start going 0-2 and neither game being close. Last week Buena Vista was hammered by Salida 55-7. Buena Vista had a hard time stopping the pass allowing 332 yards and 5 TD’s. Buena Vista has yet to get their offense going as they barely broke the 100 yard mark on offense. We saw a couple rough years coming for Buena Vista after losing some very talented classes. Buena Vista has a lot of young players playing this year and it will only be a matter of time before Buena Vista is winning again. Platte Canyon is off to a 2-0 start but both wins come against 0-2 teams and will face another winless team this week as well. RPI numbers could be a factory for Platte Canyon as they will only face maybe 3 winnings programs this year and possibly face 3 teams that might not grab a victory this year. Platte Canyon can help themselves out though and keep winning games. Last week Platte Canyon got a good 26-6 victory over an improving Wiggins team. Platte Canyon which will attack Buena Vista differently than Salida ran for 268 yards on 43 carries. Platte Canyon is replacing a good senior class from last year so any experience will be good. Defensively Platte Canyon held Wiggins to 24 yards passing but they did give up 156 yards rushing. Platte Canyon did force 1 fumble as well. Platte Canyon needs to come out and dominate the line of scrimmage and they should walk away with the victory. Buena Vista will continue to get better as the year goes on and a victory or close game here could help turn their season around. I have Platte Canyon though dominating the line of scrimmage and pulling the 28-7 victory.
#9 Wray travels to Highland in the Class 1A game of the Week. Highland is off to a 2-1 start and really shocked some people last week with a huge 13-7 upset of then ranked #7 Peyton. I was not sure what to think of Highland after they were beat 40-0 by Meeker in zero week. Highland though has improved and showed that with the upset. Their game last week was tied 7-7 at half time and a late score by Highland pushed them to the win. Both Highland and Peyton are run heavy offense and the numbers show it. Highland offensively ran for 208 yards on 38 carries. They only threw completed 2 out of 6 passes for 6 yards. Offensively Highland was led by senior RB Trey Allmon 111 yards rushing and 2 TD’s. Defensively Highland allowed 197 yards rushing & 1 TD. They held Peyton passing attack to 1 completion for 6 yards. The difference in the game was turnovers. Highland had 0 turnovers but forced 5 turnovers in the game. Highland is going to need a very similar effort this week. Both Highland and Wray are run heavy offenses. #9 Wray is 1-1 on the season and struggled against 4A Goodland last week. Wray had problems getting anything going on offense only rushing for 138 yards on 41 carries. It’s a tough loss for Wray but that is equivalent to Wray playing a 3A school in Colorado. Wray must quickly rebound and must be ready for Highland. Wray be ready to stop the run against Highland. Wray also must get their offense going in the right direction this week. The game against Highland will come down to which team can control the line of scrimmage. Whichever team dominates the line will win this game. I have Wray getting back to their ways and avoiding the upset against Highland. I have Wray winning 28-17.
#10 Grand Valley travels to Roaring Fork (2A). Roaring Fork is off to a rough 0-2 start and have yet to score a point this year. In both games this year they have given up over 45 points and still are struggling on offense. Things will do not get much easier this week or next week when they face a Grand Valley and Paonia in back to back weeks. Roaring Fork is trying to figure themselves out but must keep building and they could pull an upset as the season progresses. Grand Valley barely stays in the rankings after a 44-0 thrashing by Basalt. Grand Valley had a hard time getting their offense going and now must rebound this week. Grand Valley didn’t post offensive stats but the 0 on the scoreboard tell the story. Defensively Grand Valley struggled giving up 280 rushing yards and 156 passing yards. Grand Valley should easily bounce back this week against Roaring Fork. Grand Valley though must improve from their mistakes last week and better be ready for their game against Aspen next week. Grand Valley must use this game to improve and they should. I have Grand Valley winning big 45-0.
Non-Top Ten Key Games
Cornerstone Christian at Front Range Christian Burlington at Lamar
Crowley County at Yuma Vail Christian at Cedaredge
MileHigh Prep Report 