Week 5 Class 8-Man League Breakdown
Week 4 or the final week of the non-league schedule had some huge upsets and really set the tone for the league schedule. The biggest upset of week 4 was #7 Hoehne over #2 Dayspring Christian 44 to 37. Another upset and really was a victory to possibly save the season was Sargent over Norwood 34-6 and the last big top 10 battle was #10 Merino over #9 McClave 14-8 and the score happened in the final seconds of the game. Some non-top ten battles
Central League
Last year the Central league had a breakout year getting two teams into the playoffs. This year that could still happen but two teams will need to win out to have a chance. Currently my favorite to win the Central league is Pikes Peak Christian, followed by Rocky Mountain Lutheran, Justice, South Park, and Miami-Yoder. RPI numbers are not the best for the league. They have 1 team in the Top 16 but have 4 teams in the Top 25 and that gives all the teams a chance at the playoffs. The first week of league play will show some distinction between teams. Both league games this week should easily be won by the favorites and both will grab that important win to move over .500 and we will have to see how their RPI changes next week. Both Pikes Peak Christian and Rocky Mountain Lutheran must play good this week and get their starters off the field. Pikes Peak Christian and Rocky Mountain Lutheran play each other next week and that will help determine the league championship. The other game this week is Justice hosting Belleview Christian and Justice should also walk away victorious and keep their eyes set for their matchup with Pikes Peak Christian and Rocky Mountain Lutheran later on in the season.
South Park at Rocky Mountain Lutheran Pikes Peak Christian at Miami-Yoder
Belleview Christian at Justice
RPI: #15 Justice, #18 Rocky Mountain Lutheran, #20 Pikes Peak Christian, #23 South Park, #37 Miami-Yoder
Northwest League
The Northwest league looks to be one of the most competitive leagues in the 8-man ranks. Looking purely at numbers it is crazy how good this league looks. 5 teams are over .500 and 5 teams are in the Top 20 of the RPI with 2 in the Top 10. West Grand Currently is my favorite to win the Northwest league followed by Soroco, Gilpin County, Plateau Valley, Hayden, and Rangely. The first week of league does have 1 huge matchup between undefeated teams and well talk about that at the end. #9 Soroco opens up league against Rangely. This is the second meeting between these two teams. The first was a 34-12 victory for Soroco. In The game Soroco ran wild racking up 297 yards and playing very solid defense holding Rangely to just 157 yards of total offense. I expect similar results and Soroco should move to 1-0 in league. The other game is between Plateau Valley and Gilpin County. Plateau Valley is 2-2 on the season and have wins against Dove Creek & Justice both have 1 win on the season. Their losses are to Mancos 31-0 and Grand County UT JV 32-14. For Plateau Valley they will play a team with a near winning record from here on out so well see how good Plateau Valley is. #10 Gilpin County has been a surprise team this year. They are 3-1 on the season with their one loss to #9 Merino 35-28. Gilpin County has beat Simla, Caliche, and Belleview Christian. This is a big game for both teams as it will set the tone for the rest of the league schedule. I do believe the loser will essentially be eliminated from the league title chase but not the playoffs. The biggest game of the week is between undefeated team. #3 West Grand hosts Hayden. Hayden is 3-1 record wise due to forfeiting a game to Justice and they were winning 56-12. Not sure the complete story but that goes as a loss on their record which is why their RPI is probably #17. Hayden has not played a team with a winning schedule this year and have been in a few close games. Two weeks ago they snuck by South Park 30-20 but still grabbed the victory. We don’t have much information on Hayden but they will be tested by West Grand. #3 West Grand has been dominate this year. They have given up 14 total points on defense. They also have not played much competition this year but have not played a close game. Last week they dominated Rocky Mountain Lutheran 52-2. Senior QB Brady Gore looks to be back from injury and has two games under his belt, he has 237 yards passing in two games. The main player leading West Grand in offense has been Hugh Wheatley 326 yards rushing and 7 TDs. Now that West Grand has all their weapons back I expect to see this team dominate even more. This game will give both teams a boost in their RPI but West Grand I believe will set the tone for the rest of the league and I have those winning big 42-14.
#3 West Grand vs Hayden #9 Soroco at Rangely
#10 Gilpin County vs Plateau Valley
RPI: #8 Gilpin County, #9 West Grand, #11 Plateau Valley, #13 Soroco, #17 Hayden, #25 Rangely
Plains League
Once again the Plains league looks to be the most dominate league in 8-man. Three undefeated teams and no teams under .500. The RPI numbers look really good for 4 teams with 4 of them in the Top 16. The other two teams are sitting in the Top 25 though. The Plains league also has 4 teams ranked in my rankings. My favorite to win the Plains League is Sedgwick County followed by Haxtun, Dayspring Christian, Merino, Akron, and Caliche. All three games are important games as most will be for the remainder of the year. #1 Sedgwick County travels to Akron to open their league schedule off. Akron is off to a 2-2 start. Both of Akron’s wins come against winless opponents and both their losses come to ranked opponents. Akron offensively relies very heavily on their rushing attack. They have 1123 yards rushing gaining 6.0 yards per carry. Their passing attack is not as dynamic as last year’s only throwing for 208 yards and 2 TDs. Akron rushing attack is led by two juniors Justin Traxler and Dustin Poss both have over 400 yards rushing and must help carry this team in the league schedule. Akron will need to play their best defense of the year and will test to see how far they have come. #1 Sedgwick County is 3-0 on the year and had their biggest test of the season two weeks ago and were successful beating Perkins County NE 33-28. The 28 points surrendered was the highest amount they have given up this year. In the win against Perkins County they surrendered over 300 yards rushing which must be fixed this week against a run heavy Akron team. I have Sedgwick County winning 28-14. The next game is between #8 Merino and Caliche. Caliche is 2-2 on the year and have a signature victory over Sargent but it was not the same Sargent team that beat Norwood last week. Caliche had two weeks to prepare for Merino and this will be the biggest deciding game for both teams. Caliche cannot afford to lose this game. I believe that Merino, Akron, and Caliche are all really close in terms of talent and were they could finish in the standings. Caliche must play better defense this week and limit teams to under 30 points. Offensively they have been very good. Caliche has rushed for 1494 yards and have a player already over 1000 yards rushing in Adan Zink 1025 yards and 15 TDs. He will be the key if Caliche is going to pull the upset. #8 Merino is undefeated and the #1 RPI. They have been close in every game this year and really why in my rankings are #8. Their biggest win in terms of points was over winless Lake County 26-7. Their other wins are 35-28 over Gilpin County, 26-20 over Rocky Mountain Lutheran, and 14-8 over McClave. Merino has played solid defense to close out games and it shows with them winning the majority of their games by 7. This will be a very solid test again and the winner gains a huge leg up. I have Caliche pulling the upset of Merino 21-14. The biggest game in the Plains league features #6 Dayspring Christian hosting #7 Haxtun. Haxtun has been dominate in their 4-0 start. They have broken the 40 point mark in all 4 games and defensively have 2 shutouts and only given up 26 points. The biggest problem is the level of competition. Their biggest signature win in the non-league schedule is over Rocky Mountain Lutheran who is 2-2. Haxtun I believe is a very good team though. Their offense is very dynamic and very balanced in their attack. Haxtun is led by junior QB Drew Coffin 580 yards passing, 9 TDs and 1 INT and 339 yards rushing 5 TDs. Defensively Haxtun will be tested and I think this will be a great game to watch. #6 Dayspring Christian is coming off their first loss of the season to Hoehne 44-37. DCA was down 22-8 at half and I believe 30-8 before scoring 22 points in the third quarter and making the final quarter very exciting. Defensively they both struggled and succeeded in certain areas. Were DCA struggled was stopping the run they gave up 390 yards rushing and 5 TDs but they also succeeded in forcing 3 turnovers and those turnovers are what got them back in the game. DCA struggled offensively putting up big numbers. Freshman QB Christian Still threw 3 INTs but also 3 TDs and was his first real taste of a tough defense. DCA will need to play better defense but are facing an offense that can be effective both running a passing. Haxtun must take care of the ball and I believe if they do that will pull the upset. I have Haxtun upsetting Dayspring Christian in a wild 35-28 game.
#1 Sedgwick County at Akron #6 Dayspring Christian vs #7 Haxtun
#8 Merino vs Caliche
RPI: #1 Merino, #3 Sedgwick County, #10 Haxtun, #14 Dayspring Christian, #19 Caliche, #24 Akron
Southeast League
The Southeast league looks like a two horse race but I think a third team could be thrown into the mix. The Southeast league currently has only 2 teams in the Top 25 RPI both are in the Top 10 tough. The rest of the league is sitting outside the RPI Top 25. #2 Holly is my favorite to win the league followed by McClave, Springfield, Wiley, Granada, and Las Animas. #2 Holly opens league play against Wiley and I don’t see them having too many problems. Holly has proven they are going to be a tough team when they upset Hoehne early on in the season. Holly will have a huge matchup next week against Springfield. McClave also should dominate this week and keep pace with Holly. McClave suffered their first loss of the season to Merino in a very good game. McClave must rebound quickly and I believe they do. Springfield traveling to Granada in their huge rivalry game will be for these teams. Granada is 0-4 and have the worst RPI in 8-man. There best chances at the playoffs will be to run the table and capture that automatic berth. Springfield on the other hand sits at #27 and if they beat the bottom half of the league will have a chance. They cannot afford to lose this game and make the playoffs. Springfield had two weeks to prepare for Granada. I have Springfield winning this game and keeping their hopes alive.
#2 Holly vs Wiley Las Animas at McClave
Springfield at Granada
RPI: #2 Holly, #7 McClave, #26 Wiley, #27 Springfield, #33 Las Animas, #38 Granada
Southern League
The Southern League has two very good teams and both proved it to start the season. Fowler and Hoehne are the outright favorites to win and finish second in league and both will make the playoffs. Both should easily win this week and get their starters off the field and that sets up a monster game between the two next week in Fowler. The comparison between the two will be Sargent and both beat Sargent and it should be a great game. The biggest game in league this week will be between Swink and Simla. Simla has struggled out the gates going 0-4 and are in rebuilding mode. They have struggled defensively to stop teams giving up 195 points this year. Simla must get better defensibly going forward. Swink will be fighting for their playoffs lives every week against the bottom half of the league. One slip up could possibly cost them. They play the bottom half of the league 3 straight weeks before playing Fowler and Hoehne to close out the season. Swink in their wins were very successful scoring 48 points on Granada and 56 points on Las Animas. Their losses came against Holly and McClave by the same score of 42-14. Swink must win and hope their RPI will rise enough to grab a playoff spot. Swink biggest knock has been poor defense against quality opponents and they can help improve that area by taking care of business against weaker opponents.
#4 Fowler at Custer County #5 Hoehne vs Kiowa
Swink at Simla
RPI: #5 Hoehne, #6 Fowler, #22 Swink, #30 Kiowa, #34 Simla, #35 Custer County
Southwest League
The Southwest League has already began league play the past few weeks. A big surprise teams sits in the top 4 of the league and that is Del Norte who is having a great season and is 3-1. Currently Mancos is sitting in first place after beating Del Norte and Sangre De Cristo. Sargent though is my favorite to win the Southwest especially after they beat Norwood last week. Norwood is still my pick to finish second, followed by Mancos, Del Norte, Sanford, Dove Creek, and Sangre De Cristo. RPI wise the league is in decent shape with 4 teams in the Top 25. I do think they league could get 3 maybe 4 teams into the playoffs just depends on If the top 4 take care of business. Sargent this week travels down the road to face Sangre De Cristo which is a rivalry game. Sargent though took a huge step last week dominating Norwood 34-6 and looked completely different than their first 3 games of the season. If they would have played like that in their first 3 games they could be undefeated. Sargent also gets a key play back in Frank Torres who had to sit out 4 games he will be a huge help to their offense. Sangre De Cristo is rebuilding after losing some talented senior classes. Sargent should win big and move to 2-0. Another league game is between Sanford and Mancos. Sanford is 0-4 on the season and I figured they would be much better this year. Sanford has shown some improvement only losing to McClave 6-0 but since then have given up more and more points since. I think Sanford could give Mancos a game but will take the team to come together and play a full game. Mancos is off to a solid 3-1 start with solid wins against Plateau Valley and Del Norte. Their one loss was to Melrose NM who is 4-0 on the season. Mancos was nearly beat by Del Norte a few weeks ago but scored 14 unanswered point to win. Mancos is looking to compete with Sargent and Norwood for the league title and must avoid any upsets. Mancos hosts Norwood next week. I have Mancos over Sanford 21-14. The biggest game in the Southwest League is Del Norte traveling to Norwood. Del Norte is off to their best start in many years sitting at 3-1. They picked up a very important victory over Dove Creek last week and moved to 1-1 in league. This week they are facing a Norwood team who is going to be trying to bounce back from a loss to Sargent. This is a big game to see how far Del Norte has come. Del Norte is a pass heavy offense and has been successful. They have 690 yards passing 8 TDs and 6 INTs. Del Norte biggest improvement has been their defense. They have only given up 30 points this year but that unit will be tested by Norwood this week. Norwood is 2-1 on the season and are not trying to bounce back after being beat by Sargent 34-6. Norwood offensively struggled. They had 6 straight 3 and outs to open the game and never scored an offensive touchdown. Norwood 1 touchdown was a kickoff return for a TD. Norwood defensively also struggled giving up 271 yards rushing and 116 yards passing and struggled stopping the big pass play. Norwood will have to quickly bounce back and figure out what happened on both side of the ball. Del Norte keys to winning is to take advantage of the big pass play and to give their QB enough time to throw. For Norwood to win they must dominate the line of scrimmage and stop the big plays. Also they must get their offense going again. I think Norwood bounces back and wins 35-7.
Sargent at Sangre De Cristo Sanford at Mancos
Del Norte at Norwood
RPI: #4 Mancos, #12 Del Norte, #16 Norwood, #21 Sargent, #29 Sanford, #31 Dove Creek, #32 Sangre De Cristo
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