Class 2A Top Ten Breakdown
The Class 2A season started off with 5 ranked teams in action. Two games of those 5 were very intriguing match ups and they were Platte Valley vs Berthoud and Resurrection Christian vs Sterling. Now heading into the 2nd week of the season most teams open their season and we will look at all teams in action.
#1 Bayfield (1-0)
Bayfield opened their season with an impressive 54-13 win over Farmington NM. Bayfield defense really got things going in the first half with 5 interceptions. Offensively Bayfield was explosive once again and balanced in their attack. Bayfield had 152 yards passing and 228 yards rushing. Hayden Farmer led Bayfield in passing 152 yards and 2 touchdowns. The rushing attack was led by Dylan Hilliker (93 yards rushing) and had other contributions from David Hawkins (73 yards rushing) and Keyon Prior (66 yards rushing). Bayfield is on the road again next when they play San Juan UT. This is the third year in a row these two teams have meet with the series tied at 1-1.
#2 Platte Valley (1-0)
Platte Valley opened their season against Berthoud who dropped from 3A down into 2A. Berthoud has been a power in the 3A ranks and I knew this would be a great test for Platte Valley. Platte Valley and Berthoud were tied at halftime and this game was living up to the billing. Platte Valley was able to get their offense going in the second half and jump out to a 16-point lead and their defense took over from there shutting Berthoud out. Platte Valley has not entered any stats, but we do know that Platte Valley defense held Berthoud to just 127 yards of total offense and forced 1 turnover. Platte Valley schedule does not get any easier this week. Platte Valley is on the road to face 3A Lutheran. Platte Valley and Lutheran have been playing each other since 2014 and the series is tied at 2-2 with Platte Valley winning last year match up.
#3 Faith Christian (0-0)
Faith Christian did not play in week 1 but open their season with probably the best match up in week 2. Faith Christian opens their season on the road against #4 Resurrection Christian. Faith Christian won’t have the game experience that Resurrection Christian gained last week but did have an extra week to prepare for this game. Faith Christian comes into the season returning their starting QB Isaiah Kroll (1018 passing yard last year) and starting RB Jordan Abbot (755 rushing yards last year). Both players will be leading the Faith Christian offense behind at least 2 returning starters on the offensive line. Faith Christian defensively will be looking for a new leader with the graduation of Ryan Muniz. Faith Christian will look to Jacob Thielen (57 tackles) and Michael Osgood (42 tackles) to fill the role. Faith Christian has a tough opening schedule, and this is just game 1.
#4 Resurrection Christian (1-0)
Resurrection Christian opened their season with an impressive 24-3 victory over Sterling. Resurrection Christian built a 17-3 lead by halftime and that was all they needed holding Sterling offense to just the 3 points. Resurrection Christian was very impressive on defense racking up 5 sacks and 1 interception. Resurrection Christian defense was led in tackles by sophomore Tanner Applebee (8 tackles) and senior Peter Kuppinger (7 tackles). Resurrection Christian offense was the area I was more interested in seeing because we know how well the defense was going to be. Resurrection Christian started junior Buck Coors at QB and he had enough success going 4 of 10 for 74 yards and 2 TDs. The running game for RCS really got things going rushing for 164 yards and were led by Kyle Lueck (71 rushing yards and 1 TD). Game experience is extremely important, and they will need it with their next opponent being #3 Faith Christian. This will be my pick for the 2A Game of the Week.
#5 Basalt (0-0)
Basalt did not play in week 1 and both them and their opponent took the extra week to prepare for this game. Basalt opens the year against 1A Olathe. Olathe is not ranked 1A but a team to watch this year. Olathe returns a ton of players from last year’s team and their defense could be the reason they challenge for the 1A Western Slope Title. This should be a very good test for Basalt to opens the season. Basalt is returning their leader at QB Trevor Reuss (1075 passing yards last year) but Basalt has other holes to fill on offense. Basalt will be looking for a starting RB, but I think Jake Reardon or Colin Hipona can fill that role. Basalt also is looking for some WR help losing their top 3 WRs. Basalt defense though should also be extremely tough returning 7 of their 11 top tackles and their leading tackler from last year Tai Kim (58 tackles). Basalt will be tested in their opening game and will need some new faces on offense to really step up to the plate.
#6 Rifle (0-0)
Rifle dropped from 3A down to 2A this year and should be a threat right away. Rifle is coming of a successful 9-3 season where they came up short against Palmer Ridge in the Quarterfinals. Rifle didn’t play in week 1 but kick of their 2018 season against Eagle Valley. Rifle does have some holes to fill offensively losing their starting QB and top two WR to graduation. Rifle though does return their leading rusher Tanner Vines who had 2068 yards rushing and their #3 rusher Lopez Joel 807 yards rushing. Rifle defensively also has some holes losing 7 of their top 11 tackles but return their leader in Tanner Vines (88 tackles). Game #1 for Rifle will help get game experience to the players who are filling holes to players lost to graduation. Rifle schedule should get a bit tougher next week, but this week should gain confidence for the new faces.
#7 Kent Denver (0-0)
Kent Denver had last week off, but their opponent did as well to prep for game #1. Kent Denver opens the season at home against Grand Valley. Grand Valley is a 1A team this is just outside the Top 10 rankings. Grand Valley loses just 4 seniors from last year’s team and return most of their offensive line and most of their top players on defense. Kent Denver was hit hard by graduation losing 20 seniors including most of their offensive and defensive line, their top WR, and their top 3 rushers. Kent Denver will have some holes to fill but leadership on offense should not one of them with starting QB Joey Licht returning (920 passing yards). Defensively for Kent Denver they return their leading tackler from last year Will Morland (75 tackles) but are losing 6 of their 11 top tacklers. Kent Denver defense will be needed to help carry this team until their offense can get their feet under them. Kent Denver does do a good job of developing talent and they will need some players to really step up. Kent Denver opening 3 games are not easy with Faith Christian next week and La Junta in two weeks. We will learn a lot about Kent Denver in 3 weeks.
#8 La Junta (1-0)
Game #1 for new head coach Ty Buderus was a success with a big 47-0 victory over Raton NM. La Junta opened the season showing they are still a threat and their offense had a big day racking up 408 yards of total offense. Senior QB Jon Nuschy led the team in passing attempting just 2 throws and completing both for 63 yards. Nuschy also had 54 yards rushing but was not the leading rusher that goes to Dillon Stevens who had 82 yards rushing. La Junta defense not only got the shutout but also forced 2 turnovers and 2 sacks. Kyle Keck (6 tackles) and Mitch Peabody (5 tackles) led La Junta in tackles. La Junta schedule will now get a bit tougher their home opener against Pagosa Springs (0-1) and then a tough road game at Alamosa next week. La Junta will get tested a bit more by Pagosa Springs who lost their first game to 3A Durango.
#9 Salida (1-0)
Salida was able to open their season with success and a 28-0 victory over 3A Summit. The win was Matt Luttrell first win as the new head coach of Salida. Coming into the game we knew Salida was going to have a tough defense and it showed with a shutout win and holding Summit to 189 yards of total offense. Leading the Salida defense was Elijah Robert (8 tackles) and Hunter Clark (7 tackles). Salida defense also forced 2 sacks and 2 fumbles. Offensively Salida was hit hard by graduation losing most of their offensive weapons. Salida did return most of their offensive line and Salida had some success racking up 361 yards of total offense. Salida new starting QB is David Zwingers who was 5 of 10 for 93 yards and new leading rusher was Ben Fuller who ran for 67 yards. Salida was hit hard by Penalties with 15 Penalties and 122 Penalty Yards something that must improve as the season goes on. Salida will now hit the road against Manitou Springs. This will be a good test for Salida.
#10 Alamosa (0-0)
Alamosa did not play in week 1. Alamosa takes the 15-minute drive down HWY 160 to face 1A Monte Vista. This is technically not a rivalry game but will have the feel of a rivalry game. Monte Vista is not ranked but are sitting at #12 in my poll and ranked in the CHSAANow.com poll. Monte Vista did lose a talented seniors class but seem to be coming together as a group on both sides of the ball. Alamosa will be looking to get their season off on the right foot and some new faces will be needed to step up. Alamosa is losing leading rusher Reis Martinez and will look towards Ben Wuckert or Brendon Madril to fill his spot. Alamosa does return starting QB John Lujan who must get this offense clicking. Alamosa defense will be extremely tough this year. Alamosa is losing just 3 of their top 11 tacklers and this unit has carried Alamosa. Alamosa is hoping their offense can come around this year and their opening game will be a good test.
MileHigh Prep Report 