Week 4 Class 1A Top Ten Breakdown
Quick note: I will not be able to get 8-Man and 6-man breakdown done this week.
Week 3 of the Class 1A schedule is complete and only one big upset last week and that only showed minimal movement in the rankings. Most of the Top Ten teams who played last week all won big over 20 points except for three teams. Platte Canyon over Buena Vista 22-20 which was much closer than I thought especially with how bad teams have been beating Buena Vista, Centauri beat Olathe 14-0 and really showed us that Olathe will not be a joke when it comes to league and a possible playoff team. The other game was Monte Vista upset by Pagosa Springs. Pagosa Springs has improved quite a bit from last year. They were neck and neck with Centauri until the second half and they went toe to toe with Salida 2 weeks ago so Pagosa Springs is not a joke. Monte Vista dropped to #10 in the rankings but the road is not easy this week. Some Non-Top Ten scores were Clear Creek over Byers 38-14, Cornerstone Christian over Front Range Christian 27-0, Wiggins over Lyons 36-20, Hotchkiss over Montrose JV 21-18, and Cedaredge over Vail Christian 28-12.
#1 Bennett hosts Burlington in their last non-league game of the year. Burlington is off to a 2-1 start and pulled off a very close victory last week against winless Lamar (2A) the final score was 39-36. That is the most points Burlington has given up this year on defense. Defensively Burlington struggled to slow down Lamar offense in the 4th quarter giving up 15 points and barely holding on to close out the game. Burlington did force 4 sacks in the game. Offensively Burlington played well throwing for 113 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 INT. Burlington ran the ball extremely well rushing for 311 yards and 4 TDs. Burlington offensively was led by senior RB Case Rieber who had 20 runs for 311 yards and 3 TDs and junior QB Braden Witzel 7 of 22 for 133 yards passing and 86 yards rushing and 3 TDs. Both players will need to play huge games this week. Burlington last year was the only team who slowed down Bennett offense and will need a similar effort to pull the upset. #1 Bennett has proven that they are the #1 team in the state. They have dominated in all three games so far. They have broken the 35 point mark in all three games. Defensively they have given up 35 points all year. Last week Bennett faced Ellicott and dominated with a 54-14 victory. Offensively they were nearly unstoppable. They threw for 145 yards and ran for 466 yards and 5 TDs. Offensively they were led by senior QB Rocky Lechman who went 4 of 9 for 145 yards and also ran for 281 yards and 4 TDs. That is probably the most passing yards I have seen from Bennett but if they need big plays it shows they can complete the pass. Defensively they forced 5 sacks and 1 INT. Bennett has shown they can play dominant defense and will need to force Burlington to throw the ball. Burlington must find a way to stop Bennett offense. Bennett is the favorite and I have them winning 42-14
#2 Meeker hosts #10 Monte Vista in a rematch of a critical game from last year. Monte Vista is off a solid 2-1 start but 2 of their next 3 games come against Top 5 teams. Last week Monte Vista was upset by Pagosa Springs 26-7 and Monte Vista struggled to stop Pagosa Springs double wing option. Most of the touchdowns of 50 yards or more. Monte Vista must play better defensively this week if they plan on pulling their second upset of the year. Offensively Monte Vista was completely one-sided only throwing for 15 yards. If Monte Vista wants to pull this upset they must get better production from their QB. Monte Vista rushing attack also struggled as well. They ran for 139 yards on 39 carries for 3.6 yards per carry which is just too low. Monte Vista was led on offense by Senior RB Jacob Chavez who ran for 128 yards and 1 TD. Monte Vista has some huge improvements to make but possibly losing last week could have awoken this team. #2 Meeker is off to a 3-0 start and defensively could be the best team in the state. They have only given up 13 points so far this year. Meeker had two weeks to prepare for Monte Vista and this should be a good game. Two weeks ago Meeker beat Holyoke 39-6. Meeker was in a tight one at halftime winning 11 to 6 but a huge 28 point third quarter put this game away. Meeker offensively dominated. Senior QB Logan Hughes threw for 152 yards, 3 TDs, and 1 INT and 70 yards rushing & 1 TD. Rushing wise Meeker ran for 362 yards and 3 TDs and was led by senior RB Doak Mantle who ran for 136 yards and 1 TD. Meeker will need to play great rush defense to stop Monte Vista. Monte Vista will need to play their best defensive game of the year to pull the upset. Meeker will be heavily favored in this game and I have them winning 30-10.
#3 Limon hosts #4 Strasburg in the 1A Game of the Week. #4 Strasburg is coming into this game at 2-1 and rebounded from their loss two weeks ago by blanking University (2A) 26-0. In both of Strasburg’s wins they have only given up 6 points but in the loss gave up 37 points so defensively they improved from their loss against a good 2A opponent. Offensively for Strasburg they ran the ball very well rushing for 275 yards. They were led by senior RB Hunter Bergstorm who ran for 178 yards and 2 TDs. Strasburg still struggled throwing the ball throwing for 58 yards. Defensively Strasburg got back on track and forced 3 turnovers and 1 sack and dominated the line of scrimmage. Strasburg I figured would have a few growing pains have but have so far done well. We will see again how far this team has grown against Limon this week. #3 Limon is also playing amazing defense only giving up 12 points in three games. They picked up a monster win against rival Crowley County two weeks ago and followed that up with a 49-0 victory over Rye. Limon has also been very effective offensively breaking the 40 point mark twice this year and against very good competition still scored 27 points. Limon last week against Rye had 41 points by halftime and were able to get rest for their starters in preparation for this week’s game. Offensively Limon threw for 91 yards and ran for 254 yards and 6 total TDs. Offensively they were led by junior RB Hauk Hubbard who has really stepped into the leadership role this year. Hubbard ran for 102 yards and 3 TDs in the game. Defensively Limon played great defense only giving up 58 yards passing and 18 yards rushing. I have talked this year about Rye rebuilding this season but will be much better next year. Also defensively Limon forced 4 sacks, 3 INTs, and 1 fumble in the game. Strasburg has faced some very tough competition in preparation for their weaker league schedule. This is a huge two-game stretch for Strasburg with Limon this week and Highland next week in what could be for the league title. Strasburg will have a chance to prove that they have talent to make a deep run but will need to play turnover-free football and also must play good rush defense if they plan to upset Limon. Limon is looking to prove they are a title threat and have shown defensively they are dominate. They will need to stop the run if they plan on winning this game. Limon is my favorite to win and I have them winning 28-14.
#5 Centauri hosts Buena Vista looking for a perfect 5-0 start. Buena Vista is off to a rough 0-4 start but this team has improved every week and last week nearly upset a top 10 team. Buena Vista fell in a tough game to Platte Canyon 22-20 and were winning heading into the 4th quarter but couldn’t stop Platte Canyon from scoring. Buena Vista defensively still struggled stopping the run giving up 252 yards rushing but limited Platte Canyon to only 4.5 yards per carry. Also defensively they forced 3 sacks on Platte Canyon. Buena Vista offensively made some good strides. They threw for 142 yards 1 TD & 1 INT and ran for 90 yards and 2 TDs which can be improved. Buena Vista QB Parker Johnson led the team with 142 yards passing and 12 yards rushing. Offensively improvement is slowly happening but this week face a very good defensive team so seeing how far they have come will happen. #5 Centauri is off to a hot 4-0 start with solid wins against Paonia, Pagosa Springs, and Olathe last week. Last week they posted the 14-0 victory over Olathe in a defensive struggle but Centauri has proved their defense is one of the best in the state. Centauri defensively has given up 30 points on the year and posted 2 shutouts as well. Offensively Centauri ran the ball at will against Olathe racking up 315 yards rushing on 50 carries for an average of 6.3 per carry. They were led by senior RB Brandon Buhr who ran for 175 yards on 20 carries and 1 TD. Centauri just couldn’t get points on the board but controlled the clock and the line of scrimmage in a very important 14-0 victory over a very good Olathe team who will challenge Paonia and Meeker for a top 3 spot. Centauri offensively has improved every week and should have a good day against Buena Vista. Next week is a monster game for Centauri as they host Monte Vista and more than likely that will be for your league crown. Centauri is the heavy favorite in this game and even though Buena Vista defense has improved I think the Top 6 teams are in a different class from the rest of the Top 10. I have Centauri winning big 35-0.
#6 Paonia hosts Roaring Fork looking to move to 3-1 and be ready for league play. Roaring Fork is struggling to start the season and are off to a 0-3 start. Roaring Fork offensively have yet to score a point this season and must figure something out offensively. Defensively Roaring Fork has given up 40 points in every game this year and things don’t get much easier from here. They start league play against Moffat County next week. #6 Paonia has won its past two games since falling in week zero to Centauri. They beat Ridgeview Academy 43-6 and were in control of the game early on. Paonia has relied heavily on RB Jaden Miller who already this year has 499 yards on 51 carries and is averaging 9.8 yards per carry. He also has 6 TDs. Paonia running game will be critical for this team going forward. This game against Roaring Fork could be good to test some other backs or facets of the offense. Paonia should blast Roaring Fork 49-0.
#7 Platte Canyon has a Bye this week before starting their league schedule next week. They open league play against Vail Christian and won’t face the other undefeated schools in league till the final 3 weeks of the year. Platte Canyon must improve after barely escaping 22-20 at Buena Vista.
#8 Wray hosts Cornerstone Christian looking to improve before heading into league. Cornerstone Christian picked up a very important victory last week beating Front Range Christian 27-0 and moving to 2-1. Cornerstone Christian was impressive last week offensively racking up 324 yards rushing and 4 TDs. They were led by senior RB Brayden Kelch 247 yards rushing and 4 TDs. They will need a monster game from him if they plan on pulling the upset. Defensively Cornerstone Christian was impressive limiting Front Range Christian to just 69 yards rushing and 80 yards passing. Cornerstone Christian will need a similar effort to stop Wray run heavy attack. #8 Wray grabbed a very important victory last week beating Highland 35-26. The win moved Wray to 2-1 on the season and gives them a quality win over a quality team. Defensively Wray struggled a bit giving up 215 yards rushing and 113 yards passing. They did force 5 sacks, 1 INT, and forced 1 fumble. Wray was able to hold on late to preserve the lead and prove they are a Top 10 team. Offensively Wray ran at will. Wray ran for 347 yards on 48 carries for 72 yards per carry. They were led by junior Cade Hillman 154 yards rushing and 4 TDs. Wray defensively must be able to stop the run this week as well. If they control the line of scrimmage they should win. The same goes for Cornerstone Christian. They must stop the run if they give up over 300 yards rushing they will not win this game. I have Wray gaining another solid victory winning 28-7.
#9 Grand Valley hosts Aspen (2A) in a monster game for both teams. The second biggest game in the 1A ranks. Grand Valley hosting 3-0 Aspen who is on the verge of being ranked in 2A. Aspen has been super impressive to start this year scoring over 160 points in three games. Defensively they have also improved posting back to back shutouts after giving up 50 points in their opener. This week they face another Western Slope 1A team and their first team with a winning record. Aspen had two weeks to prepare for this game and this is a critical 3 game stretch for Aspen facing Basalt and Coal Ridge in the coming weeks. Aspen two weeks ago blasted Cedaredge 40-0 and Aspen offensively was outstanding throwing for 286 yards and running for 127 yards. Aspen senior QB RJ Peshek has been outstanding this year going 52 of 78 for 748 yards 10 TDs & only 2 INTs. He will need to be nearly perfect this week against Grand Valley. Aspen improvement on defense is well noted holding Cedaredge to 34 yards passing and 55 yards rushing and forcing 1 INT. Aspen will be facing a very talented QB this week as well and their defense will be tested. #9 Grand Valley is facing their third 2A opponent in a row. They are 1-1 against 2A opponents blasting Roaring Fork last week 41-0. Two weeks ago they were blown out by Basalt 44-0. Grand Valleys schedule will not get much easier from here playing Olathe next week followed by Meeker. Grand Valley has been pretty one-sided on offense. They didn’t throw a pass against Roaring Fork but racked up 299 yards rushing and were led by junior RB Jonathan Pena 121 yards rushing and 2 TDs. Grand Valley offensively has been feast or famine and we are still not a 100% sure how good this team is. This is a monster measuring stick game for Grand Valley and well see how well they can defense the pass. Grand Valley will not face another pass heavy offense like this again. Meeker can throw the ball but are more balanced. Grand Valley must have their offense clicking on all cylinders as they will try to avoid the upset. Aspen defensively I believe will be tested and this game could turn into a shootout. Aspen has had two weeks to prepare and well see how much they have improved. Grand Valley will be on upset alert. If they cannot stop Aspen passing attack they must be able to score points and I am not sure they can keep pace. I am going with Aspen to upset Grand Valley 49-35.
Non-Top Ten Key Games
Summit (3A) vs Clear Creek Weld Central (2A) at Manual
Ellicott at Peyton Mullen JV at Crowley County
Hotchkiss at Vail Christian
MileHigh Prep Report 