Week 8 Class 8-Man League Breakdown
Central League
The Central League could have your league champion either determined this week or next week. Rocky Mountain Lutheran is in the driver’s seat. Rocky Mountain Lutheran is 5-2 and 3-0 in league and travel to paly Miami-Yoder this week. Rocky Mountain Lutheran should win and keep the advantage in league. South Park moved into the top 16 in the RPI. They host Belleview Christian this week and must grab the victory. South Park should win out and finish at 6-3 and have a good shot at the playoffs. South Park must win out though to put their best foot forward. The big game in the Central league features Justice at Pikes Peak Christian. Justice still has hopes at a league title but must beat Pikes Peak Christian. Justice has struggled against better competition and must show they have improved. Justice is #20 in the RPI and a splitting their final two games is a big key. Pikes Peak Christian is #23 in the RPI and have lost 2 straight games. They lost to South Park 30-6 and now Pikes Peak Christian must bounce back. Pikes Peak Christian should have a good chance at winning this game but must get their offense back on track. Rocky Mountain Lutheran can lock up the league title this week if Pikes Peak Christian beats Justice.
Playoff Discussion
#9 Rocky Mountain Lutheran is the closest to locking up their playoff hopes. They grab the league title if Justice loses this week or if they beat Justice next week. South Park is #16 in the RPI and right on the verge of making the playoffs. South Park must win out though to have any chance at the playoffs. If South Park wins out they will make the playoffs but cannot be upset in either of their last two games. If they are upset, they could miss the playoffs. Justice is #20 in the RPI and have a low OWP. They have two very tough games to close the season and if they lose out they will not make the playoffs. Justice must split these final two games and even then I am not sure if that is enough. Justice OWP might be just too low for them to make a run. Pikes Peak Christian is #23 in the RPI and will need to win out for a chance at the playoffs and they should. Pikes Peak Christian if they win out could see their RPI rise into the .51 to .52 range and would have an outside shot at the playoffs. Pikes Peak Christian may just be outside of range but only the numbers will tell next week. The Central League is looking like a 2 playoff league.
Rocky Mountain Lutheran at Miami-Yoder Justice at Pikes Peak Christian
Belleview Christian at South Park
RPI: #9 Rocky Mountain Lutheran, #16 South Park, #20 Justice, #23 Pikes Peak Christian, #28 Belleview Christian, #38 Miami-Yoder
Northwest League
The Northwest League title cannot be determined till next week but a couple games could help determine playoff hopes. #8 Gilpin County this week travels to face Rangely and should cruise to the win. They are 6-1 overall and 3-0 in league and currently tied atop the league standings. Gilpin County plays West Grand in the final game and that will be for the league championship. Another league games features Plateau Valley at Hayden. Both teams are currently in the fight for their playoff lives. The winner keeps their hopes alive and the loser will be eliminated. I am going with Hayden to win and they face Soroco in their final game. SO this is a must win for Hayden if they want a chance at the playoffs. The big game this week features #2 West Grand at Soroco. Soroco is 5-2 on the season with loses to Norwood and Gilpin County. Currently Soroco is one game back of West Grand and Gilpin County and an upset of West Grand would give them a shot at a 3 way tie for 1st. Soroco is a run first offense featuring junior RB Jace Logan 2082 yards rushing and 27 TDs. Keeping him in check is the key to beating Soroco. Soroco against good offensive teams has struggled giving up 36 to Caliche, 51 to Norwood, and 48 to Gilpin County. Improving their defense must be the key for Soroco. #2 West Grand is the opposite their defense is one of the best in 8-man. They currently have 3 straight games of shutting out the opponent and 4 games on the season with shutouts. The defense has given up over 12 points once and are giving up 2 ppg. West Grand has not played the toughest schedule but are going what they need to take care of business. West Grand run defense will be tested this week and see how they do against a very good running back. West Grand on offense is very good and since senior QB Brady Gore returned some balance has also returned to their offense. Passing wise West Grand has thrown for 715 yards and rushing wise they have run for 1535 yards. Two running backs pace West Grand, Luis Dominguez 431 yards & Hugh Wheatly 594 yards. Both this week will need to be productive to help grab the win. West Grand will be the favorite in this game due to their dominating defense and dynamic offense. I am going with West Grand to win 35-7.
Playoff Discussion
The only team that is eliminated from the playoffs is Rangely. Gilpin County is #4 in the RPI and their numbers are good enough to lock them into the playoffs. West Grand is #6 in the RPI but their OWP is low at .357. If West Grand beats Soroco then I will give them a lock into the playoffs. Soroco is #12 in the RPI and will need to split their final two games to get into the playoffs. They cannot lose both games and expect to make it. Hayden is #18 in the RPI and because of a forfeit they are 4-3 instead of 5-2 which would make a huge difference. Hayden must split their final two games as well and honestly the loser between them and Plateau Valley will be eliminated. If Hayden splits their final two games with their current numbers their RPI would be in the .510 to .520 range. Hayden may need to win out for a shot at the playoffs. Plateau Valley is #21 in the RPI and have a great OWP but their WP is lowering their RPI. Plateau Valley needs to win their final two games and if they do their RPI could rise into the .550 to .565 range. Plateau Valley though must win out and a loss could eliminate them. I think the Northwest League will get 3 teams into the playoffs
#2 West Grand at Soroco #8 Gilpin County at Rangely
Plateau Valley at Hayden
RPI: #4 Gilpin County, #6 West Grand, #12 Soroco, #18 Hayden, #21 Plateau Valley, #29 Rangely
Plains League
The Plains league champion has already been determined thanks to Caliche losing to Haxtun. Sedgwick County is your league champion again and also locked it up with a 57-14 win over Merino last week. Sedgwick County has yet to be pushed in the second half of a game and are looking like the #1 seed for the playoffs. This week they travel to Caliche and will be heavily favored in that game as well. They should win and keep moving towards the playoffs. Caliche is very much improved from last year at 3-4 and have a final game against Akron and that could determine if they make the playoffs or not. #5 Haxtun is sitting tied for second place in the plains league. They travel to Akron this week and are coming off a very close game against Caliche. Haxtun bounced back nicely and now are looking to improve their seed for the playoffs. They also will be the heavy favorite against Akron. Akron lost a very talented senior class and must rebuild for next year. They have some very talented players returning and will be a threat next year, Akron is eliminated from making the playoffs. The big game this week features #7 Merino hosting Dayspring Christian. Dayspring Christian got back to their winning ways pulling off a 22-14 victory over Akron. The win kept Dayspring Christian playoff hopes alive. They have two very tough games to end the season and more than likely will need to upset Merino or Sedgwick County to get into the playoffs. We’ll talk more about than in a bit. Offensively Dayspring Christian has struggled and they will need their offense to score point against Merino. DCA also must get their defense to play like they were earlier in the season. Merino will be looking to bounce back from their first loss of the year. They were hammered by Sedgwick County 57-14. Merino now is looking to stay in the Top 5 of the RPI and look to snag 1 of the 2 home games not reserved for a league champion. They will be facing a very hungry DCA team that need an upset to get into the playoffs. Merino must get their defense back on track and must avoid the upset. Merino is the favorite in this game but I am going with DCA to pull off the upset. This will be a very good game and I have DCA winning 28-24.
Playoff Discussion
Sedgwick County (#1 RPI) and Merino (#2 RPI) are lock for the playoffs. Haxtun who is #5 in the RPI needs to win one of their final two games to make sure they get into the playoffs. Akron who is #24 in the RPI is eliminated from the playoffs and that leaves Caliche and Dayspring Christian. Caliche has two very important games especially with them sitting at #14. This week they see how they measure against Sedgwick County and then next week is to see if they make the playoffs. Caliche has Akron next week and Caliche has to split their final two games to make the playoffs. If they lose both their RPI would drop into the .515 to .525 range which would put them out of the playoffs. If Caliche splits their final two games they could move into the .550 to .565 range and will make the playoffs. Dayspring Christian is #17 in the RPI and .003 behind South Park who is the last team in. Dayspring Christian has a brutal two game stretch with Merino and Sedgwick County. DCA must split the games but I will run the numbers for both. If DCA loses both their RPI could drop around the .495 to .510 range which would put them out of the playoffs. If DCA splits the games, then their RPI could move to .530 to .545 and would put them in right behind or right with South Park. DCA needs to upset one of their final opponents and I think their best shot is this week. I have the plains getting 4 teams into the playoffs.
#1 Sedgwick County at Caliche #5 Haxtun at Akron
#7 Merino vs Dayspring Christian
RPI: #1 Sedgwick County, #2 Merino, #5 Haxtun, #14 Caliche, #17 Dayspring Christian, #24 Akron
Southeast League
The Southeast League title cannot be determined until the final week of the season and McClave plays Springfield. This week Springfield hosts Wiley and Springfield cannot afford to lose this game. If Springfield wins they play for a league title next week. Springfield is 4-3 overall and 3-0 in league and control their own destiny. Their RPI is #19 and well see if they don’t win the league title if they can get in here in a bit. Wiley is at #25 in the RPI and out of the playoffs. They are in the role of spoiler and have a chance to upset Springfield and hurt their shot at a league title. I am going Springfield to win this game. Las Animas and Granada also face each other but both are out of the playoffs and must start rebuilding towards next year. The big game this week features #9 Holly hosting #10 McClave. McClave is 6-1 overall and 3-0 in league and also control their own destiny. If they beat Holly they play Springfield for the league title next week and if they lose then they are playing to force a three way tie with Springfield & Holly. McClave has played great defense this year they are only giving up 7.8 ppg and have forced 4 teams to under 14 points. McClave must be able to score points to keep pace with Holly and this should be a great game. Holly got back to winning last week beating Granada 41-8. Holly still has their league title hopes if they beat McClave and then McClave beats Springfield. Holly this year on offense has been very balanced. They have 1317 yards passing and 1128 yards rushing. Holly offense is led by junior QB Kobe Davis 1094 yards passing 13 TDs & 2 INTs. He must lead his team to the victory. Holly also must continue to play solid defense. This should be a great game. Holly is the favorite in this game and I think they will win. I have Holly beating McClave 35-28 and should be a great game.
Playoff Discussion
Wiley, Las Animas, and Granada are eliminated from making the playoffs. None of the 3 remaining teams can lock up a spot yet. McClave, Holly and Springfield all have OWP #’s under .500. All three are all still alive for the league title as well. Springfield is #19 in the RPI. If they split their final 2 games their RPI could stay the same which would keep them out of the Playoffs. More than likely Springfield needs the league title to get into the playoffs. McClave is #10 in the RPI but will need to win one of their final two games. If McClave loses out they will on the bubble and could miss the playoffs, their RPI could drop into the .520 to .535 range. If McClave splits their final two games they will be a lock for the playoffs. Holly is #11 in the RPI and the same boat as McClave they must win one of their final 2 games to make the playoffs. Holly plays Las Animas in their final game so winning 1 of their final 2 games is a very good possibility. Holly with 1 win gets into the playoffs. I think the Southeast League will get 2 teams in.
#9 Holly vs #10 McClave Springfield vs Wiley
Las Animas at Granada
RPI: #10 McClave, #11 Holly, #19 Springfield, #25 Wiley, #36 Las Animas, #37 Granada
Southern League
The Southern league is all wrapped up. Hoehne is your league champion and with them the home game as well. Fowler is #8 in the RPI and if they could move up a few more spots could still snag one of the two home games available. Hoehne plays Simla this week and should cruise and Fowler hosts Swink this week and also should grab a victory. The Southern League is a two team league this year for the playoffs. Custer County is the next closest at #26 and are way too far out to make the playoffs. Fowler and Hoehne must avoid upsets and get to the playoffs healthy and both should make waves in the playoffs.
#3 Hoehne vs Simla #4 Fowler vs Swink
Custer County at Kiowa
RPI: #3 Hoehne, #8 Fowler, #26 Custer County, #30 Swink, #31 Kiowa, #32 Simla,
Southwest League
The Southwest League title game is all set for next week when Sargent hosts Mancos. Of course both of those teams must avoid upsets this week and not look past their respective opponents. Sargent travels to Sanford this week. Sargent will be tested by a tough Sanford defense and should grab the win. Mancos should cruise to their victory over Dove Creek and that will set up the league title game. The other teams to note are Del Norte hosting Sangre De Cristo. Del Norte was blasted by Sargent last week 53-15. Del Norte is #22 in the RPI and must win out. Del Norte will get no help for the two teams they are playing in terms of OWP so they will need some help to get into the playoffs. Del Norte with two wins could move their RPI up into the .525 range to .535. They need the teams they have played to wins games to help their OWP go up. Del Norte must win this week. Norwood is #13 in the RPI and play Palisade JV I am not sure how that effects their RPI. I cannot comment much on that game so well see how their RPI looks next week and see what their chances are. They cannot win a league title and not in the running for it for the first time in a few years. I will break down the Southwest League playoff hopes more next week after I see what happens with Norwood. I do think the Southwest League will get 2 teams for sure and possibly a 3rd will depend on numbers.
#6 Sargent at Sanford Sangre De Cristo at Del Norte
Palisade JV at Norwood Mancos at Dove Creek
RPI: #7 Mancos, #13 Norwood, #15 Sargent, #22 Del Norte, #27 Sanford, #33 Sangre De Cristo, #34 Dove Creek
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