Week 6 Class 1A League Breakdown

(Photo by Karissa Lechman)

Week 6 Class 1A League Breakdown

Week 1 of league play is complete and no huge upsets occurred in week 1.  Some leagues clarified the picture for us a bit but really a lot is still to be determined.  Some keys results from last week were #5 Limon over Wray 13-0, #1 Bennett over #9 Clear Creek 76-30, #10 Crowley County over Rocky Ford 40-8, #7 Platte Canyon over Vail Christian 43-22, and Yuma over Wiggins 20-14.  Week 6 offers some huge match-ups and possibly a couple league titles could nearly be determined.

Foothills League

The Foothills league continues down the same path as last year with the league title matchup between Bennett and Platte Canyon.  #1 Bennett took care of business last week and blasted Clear Creek 76-36.  Bennett really showed why they are the #1 team in the state of Colorado in 1A.  Platte Canyon also took care of business beating Vail Christian 43-22.  The collision course between these two teams is set up.  Manual also kept a share of the league lead with a solid 27-0 victory over Front Range Christian.  RPI numbers are very solid for this league with 4 teams in the Top 16.  Bennett is a lock for the playoffs especially with their very high OWP.  Bennett travels to Vail Christian this week and should easily walk away with a victory.  #7 Platte Canyon is also a near lock for the playoffs but must take care of business this week against Front Range Christian.  This is Platte Canyon last game against the bottom 2 of the league so a win will essentially lock them for the playoffs.  The big game in the Foothills league this week is Manual traveling to Clear Creek.  Manual is 4-1 on the season and is squarely on the bubble.  They are entering the tough part of their schedule with 3 of their final 4 games against teams with winning records.  Manual last week beat Front Range Christian 27-0.  Manual offensively ran the ball at will racking up 248 yards rushing.  They were led by senior Masiah Hudson 180 yards rushing.   Manual played good defense holding Front Range Christian to 41 yards rushing and 79 yards passing.  Manual will need their best defensive effort this week against a very dynamic offense from Clear Creek.  Clear Creek suffered their first loss of the season going down 76-30 to Bennett.  Stats for this game are crazy.  Clear Creek proved you can throw the ball on Bennett throwing for 406 yards 5 TDs and 1 INT.  Clear Creek couldn’t get anything going on the ground rushing for only 12 yards.  What killed Clear Creek in this game was their run defense.  Bennett ran wild racking up an incredible 647 yards of rushing.  Clear Creek cannot allow Manual to do something similar with their rushing attack.  Clear Creek will look to bounce back from this loss and they should get back to 1-1 in league.  I am going with Clear Creek to beat Manual 35-21.

#1 Bennett at Vail Christian       #7 Platte Canyon at Front Range Christian

Manual at Clear Creek

RPI: #1 Bennett, #6 Platte Canyon, #8 Clear Creek, #13 Manual, #32 Vail Christian, #34 Front Range Christian

North Central League

The North Central league answered a few question for us last week.  #5 Limon took care of business and beat Wray 13-0.  Burlington also got a huge win over Holyoke 40-7 and kept pace with Limon.  In the surprise win of last week, Yuma beat Wiggins 20-14 to keep their hopes of the playoffs alive.  RPI numbers for the North Central league have all 6 teams in the Top 26 of the RPI.  Wiggins is probably eliminated from making the playoffs with them losing to Yuma and I am not sure if they will win another game.  Wray is sitting at #25 and this is a must win for them this week against Wiggins.  A victory by Wray moves them back to 3-3 on the season and probably a boost in their RPI but a loss will eliminate them from playoff contention.  #5 Limon is the one team that is a lock for the playoffs.  They sit at #5 in the RPI and can shore that up some more with a victory this week.  Limon has been impressive with their defensive play but must get their offense going again.  I expect to see Limon break out this game and get by Holyoke.  The big game of the North Central has Burlington traveling to Yuma.  Yuma is sitting at #20 in the RPI and an upset over Burlington would probably move them into the Top 16.  A loss does not eliminate them from the playoffs.  This is a huge 4 game stretch for Yuma as they play the Top 4 teams to close out the year.  Yuma has played solid defense as of late giving up 21 points in two games and will need a very similar effort against Burlington.  Burlington got back over .500 with a solid 40-7 victory over Holyoke.  Burlington has looked like a Top 10 team all year and are right on the verge.  They must avoid the upset against Yuma.  They have played solid against Top 10 teams losing to Strasburg 24-6 and Bennett 50-38.  Burlington and Limon are the favorites to finish 1 & 2 and they won’t face Limon till the end of the year.  Burlington offensively has ran the ball really well rushing for 1028 yards and 13 TDs.  They are led by senior Case Rieber 375 yards rushing and 4 TDs.  Burlington must continue to play great defense and should walk away with a 35-14 victory over Yuma.

#5 Limon vs Holyoke                   Burlington at Yuma

Wiggins at Wray

RPI: #5 Limon, #12 Burlington, #19 Holyoke, #20 Yuma, #25 Wray, #26 Wiggins,

Northern League

The Northern league had a huge game in week 1 of league play.  Strasburg hosted Highland and it was not close.  Strasburg dominated the game and took control of their own destiny and potentially can lock up their league title if Highland upset Cornerstone Christian.  Also victorious last week was Cornerstone Christian blasting Lyons 41-7 and Byers grabbing their first win of the season over Estes Park 42-18.   RPI currently has 2 teams making the playoffs from the Northern League.  Currently I believe Strasburg is a lock at the #4 spot in the RPI and they travel to Byers and they should be victorious.  Two other teams fighting to make the playoffs square off this week when #10 Cornerstone Christian travels to Highland.  Highland is currently sitting at #19 in the RPI and are also 1 game behind the leaders in league.  Highland fell last week to Strasburg 42-0.  Highland had a very hard time doing anything on offense only racking up 47 yards of total offense.  Highland must improve offensively this week to have a chance.  Defensively Highland struggled stopping the run giving up 307 yards of rushing and 78 yards passing.  Highland biggest problem on defense this year has been stopping the run.  This week they face another run heavy offense and must bounce back from the loss this week.  Cornerstone Christian has been a surprise team this year in 1A.  They have strung together 4 straight wins since their opening game loss to Bennett 58-7.  Cornerstone Christian is a run first team but has a passing attack that you have to respect.  Cornerstone Christian has 453 yards passing 4 TDs but have 5 INTs, which must be improved upon.  Cornerstone Christian rushing attack has been solid this year with 918 yards rushing and is led by senior RB Brayden Kelch who has 678 yards rushing and 5 TDs.  He must lead this team against Highland.  Cornerstone Christian is looking to keep pace with Strasburg but won’t be easy against Highland.  Highland is looking to improve and stay in second place.  Cornerstone Christian can nearly lock up a playoff spot with a win over Highland.  I am going with Cornerstone Christian to beat Highland 21-0.

#3 Strasburg at Byers            #10 Cornerstone Christian at Highland

Lyons at Estes Park

RPI: #4 Strasburg, #9 Cornerstone Christian, #19 Highland, #30 Byers, #36 Estes Park, #37 Lyons

Southern Peaks League

The Southern Peaks league is going as planned and we will more than likely determine are league champion this week when Monte Vista travels to #4 Centauri.  Last week Monte Vista beat Ignacio 28-7 and Dolores beat John Mall 19-0.  John Mall has yet to win a game and has no chance at the playoffs.  Ignacio is sitting at #35 in the RPI and I don’t think they can make the playoffs but they can ruin the party for some teams.  Ignacio travels this week to Dolores.  Ignacio like I said will be looking for the upset and they played really well against Monte Vista and will need a similar effort this week.  Dolores will need some help to make the playoffs currently they sit at #28 and still have Monte Vista and Centauri to play.  They narrowly escaped against John Mall and cannot afford to lose to Ignacio if they want any chance at all at the playoffs.  I have Dolores winning by 3 touchdowns.  The big game of the week and the 1A game of the week features #4 Centauri hosting Monte Vista.  Monte Vista broke their 2 game losing streak beating Ignacio 28-7.  The game did not have a good flow to it but Monte Vista still took care of business on the road and set up the league championship this week against Centauri.  Monte Vista defensively is giving up 17 ppg and must improve this week.  They are facing a Centauri team who wants to run the ball and Monte Vista must limit their play makers from making huge plays.  If Monte Vista can slow down QB Nate Anderson on defense they will be in this game.  Offensively Monte Vista has been one sided.  They are a run first team and it has worked well rushing for 1181 yards and 13 TDs.  Their rushing attack is led by senior RB Jacob Chavez who has 738 yards rushing and 10 TDs.  Monte Vista must find ways to run the ball effectively against this very good Centauri defense if they want any chance at the upset.  QB Zach Hindes will need to make a couple throws as well to pull this upset.  #4 Centauri has played outstanding defense all year.  They are only giving up 5.4 ppg and have posted two shutouts already on the year.  Centauri has a huge signature win early on beating Paonia 20-13 in zero week.  Centauri offensively has improved from last year.  They are running the ball effectively racking up 1078 yards rushing and are paced by senior RB Brandon Buhr 367 yards rushing & 4 TDs and sophomore RB Taj Cornum 434 yards and 7 TDs.  Centauri passing attack has also improved as senior Nate Anderson has 354 yards passing and 5 TDs.  Centauri must stop the run to be successful and make Monte Vista throw the ball.  Centauri offensively cannot change what they do and must run the ball with their three playmakers.  This is a huge rivalry game and the winner will be the league champion.  I am going with Centauri to rise up on defense and slow down Monte Vista enough to be victorious, I have Centauri 21 Monte Vista 10.

#4 Centauri vs Monte Vista              Ignacio at Dolores

RPI: #3 Centauri, #15 Monte Vista, #28 Dolores, #35 Ignacio, #39 John Mall

Santa Fe League

The Santa Fe league last week saw the first big obstacle fall for Crowley County to repeat as league champions Crowley County pounded Rocky Ford 40-8 and I believe just clinched the league title.  They still will have to beat Ellicott but I do believe with their victory over Rocky Ford they should also beat Ellicott.  Rocky Ford is sitting at #21 in the RPI and must win out the rest of the league season to have any chance at the playoffs.  Rocky ford still has to play Monte Vista in a few weeks which is good for their RPI.  Rocky Ford cannot be upset this week and make the playoffs.  They should roll Trinidad.  The other league game this week is Ellicott against Dolores Huerta and it should also not be a game.  Ellicott is sitting at #29 and must win out. I think they may need a league title to get into the playoffs, we will have to see what their RPI does after their win against Dolores Huerta this week.

Dolores Huerta at Ellicott                      Rocky Ford at Trinidad

RPI: #7 Crowley County, #21 Rocky Ford, #29 Ellicott, #31 Trinidad, #40 Dolores Huerta

Tri-Peaks League

The Tri-Peaks league went as schedule last week with all the favorites winning and setting up some very intriguing league games this week.  Last week Peyton stormed Rye 48-7, Colorado Springs Christian beat St. Mary’s 27-9, and Buena Vista picked up win #1 on the season blasting Lake County 42-16.  Currently the RPI has 4 team battling to get into the playoffs.  #27 Rye is the team that would need a ton to get into the playoffs but they should grab win #2 on the season when the travel to Leadville to take on Lake County.  Rye must win to have any chance at sneaking into the playoffs.  #8 Peyton is still very square on the bubble and with today’s RPI they would get in but if they fall to St. Mary’s they would tumble quickly down in the RPI.  St. Mary’s is a much tougher team than their record indicates and will be a good test for Peyton.  The big game in the Tri-Peaks features Buena Vista at Colorado Springs Christian.  Buena Vista grabbed win #1 and in league are off to a 1-0 start.  They had their best outing on the offense scoring 42 points.  Buena Vista offense was very balanced in their attack throwing for 168 yards and rushing for 189 yards.  Junior QB Parker Johnson had his best day throwing going 8 of 13 for 168 yards and 3 TDs.  They will need another big day from the junior if they plan on upsetting Colorado Springs Christian.  Defensively Buena Vista struggled stopping the run giving up 236 yards rushing to Lak County.  What helped Buena Vista pull away was forcing 3 fumbles and converting them into scores.  Buena Vista has a chance to keep improving and now upset CSCS.  Colorado Springs Christian is off to an impressive 4-1 start.  They lost a lot of talent from last year’s team but have found a way to be successful.  Last week CSCS beat St. Mary’s 27-9.  Last year CSCS was a big time passing team but this year they are a run heavy team and it’s working for them.  CSCS ran for 341 yards and 3 TDs.  They were paced by senior RB Gabe Danzik who ran for 129 yards and 2 TDs.  CSCS also played great defense limiting ST. Mary’s to just 29 yards rushing and 122 yards passing.  CSCS must be able to run the ball effectively against Buena Vista to win this game.  CSCS does not play Peyton till the end of the year and both teams must avoid let downs and that will be for the league championship.  I have CSCS beating Buena Vista 28-0.

#8 Peyton vs St. Mary’s    Buena Vista at Colorado Springs Christian

Rye at Lake County

RPI: #10 Colorado Springs Christian, #16 Peyton, #22 Buena Vista, #27 Rye, #31 Trinidad, #33 Lake County, #37 St. Mary’s

Western Slope League

The Western Slope league started with a bang in league week #1.  The Contenders I believe have risen to 1-0 in the league standing and the 0-1 teams now have to bounce back but won’t be easy as none of the 1-0 teams face off this week.  In Week #1 of league #2 Meeker blasted Hotchkiss 36-7, #6 Paonia also blasted Cedaredge 49-8, and in a surprise Olathe beat Grand Valley 47-14 and are looking to prove than can hang with the Top 2.  RPI numbers look very good for the whole league.  All 6 teams are in the Top 25 and at this point in the season if you are not in the Top 25 you may not have a chance at the playoffs as an at-large team.  #2 Meeker is your only lock for the playoffs and this week Meeker travels to Grand Valley.  Grand Valley to open the season was a Top 10 team.  They returned some key starters but their losses to graduation really has hurt their defense and it has shown giving up 47 points to Olathe.  Grand Valley now is facing a more dynamic offense this week and is in danger of dropping to 0-2 in league and 2-4 overall.  Meeker continues to dominate breaking the 30 point mark again.  They have played solid on defense as well and for back to back weeks held a team to just a touchdown.  Meeker should have a really good day on offense again and I expect a big victory over Grand Valley 42-7.  #14 Olathe hosts Cedaredge and this is a huge match up for both teams.  Cedaredge fell to Paonia 49-8 and their offense continues to struggle against good teams.  Cedaredge in all three losses struggled to score points only scoring 8 against Cedaredge, 8 against Monte Vista, and 8 against Aspen.  Now Cedaredge is facing another top defense and must be able to score points to pull the upset.  Olathe bounced back nicely after back to back loses and scored a huge win over Grand Valley.  Olathe looks to have figured out some defensive problems and offensively did a good job scoring points.  Olathe has a chance to keep pace with Meeker and Paonia but need to take care of business.  Olathe sits at #14 in the RPI and cannot afford a loss to Cedaredge.  I have Olathe in a close 21-0 game.  The game of the week in the Western Slope features Paonia traveling to face rival Hotchkiss.  Hotchkiss last week struggled to stop the pass giving up 226 yards passing to Meeker but Hotchkiss was successful in slowing down the rushing attack of Meeker holding them to just 114 yards rushing.  Hotchkiss offensively ran the ball really well rushing for 236 yards and 1 TD but the turnover bug hit Hotchkiss hard they had 6 total turnover and they must improve in that area.  Hotchkiss if they can take care of the ball and stop the run will have a shot to upset Paonia.  #6 Paonia blasted Cedaredge racking up over 300 yards of total offense.  Jaden Miller once against lead Paonia on offense racking up 145 yards rushing and 3 TDs.  Paonia offense has relied heavily on him this year.  Defensively Paonia held Cedaredge to just 48 yards rushing and 106 yards passing.  They forced 3 turnovers and had 5 sacks.  Paonia now is facing a defense that can slow the run down and will be interesting if Paonia can still run the ball with Miller.  Paonia also must be able to stop the run and keep Hotchkiss from making this a game.  Paonia I believe has the defense to slow Hotchkiss down and I have Paonia winning 28-7.

#2 Meeker at Grand Valley              #6 Paonia at Hotchkiss

Cedaredge at Olathe

RPI: #2 Meeker, #11 Paonia, #14 Olathe, #17 Hotchkiss, #23 Cedaredge, #24 Grand Valley