Class 2A Football Week 3 Top Ten Breakdown
Week 2 of the Class 2A season is complete and there was plenty of movement inside the Top 10. No new teams were added this week, but some teams were able to grab a statement win in week #2.
#1 Bayfield (2-0)
Bayfield had their rubber match against San Juan UT. This was the third straight year these teams had played, and the series was tied at 1-1. Bayfield was able to take the Rubber Match in a very hard fought defensive game winning 27 to 0. The key for Bayfield was their defense and they played outstanding limiting San Juan to just 136 yards of total offense. Bayfield forced 3 turnovers in the game and had 6 sacks, 3 of them by Isaac Lorenzen. David Hawkins led Bayfield in tackles with 15 total tackles. Bayfield offense also had a productive day with 408 yards of total offense. Hayden Farmer led the passing attack with 140 yards passing and 2 TDs. David Hawkins led the rushing attack with 105 yards and 1 TD. Bayfield schedule does not get any easier and in fact will get tougher. Bayfield will finally have their home opener this week against Aspen. Aspen opened their season by upsetting Meeker and this high-flying offense will be a good test for this Bayfield defense.
#2 Platte Valley (2-0)
Platte Valley continued their great start to the season by beating a very tough Lutheran team 36 to 17. That is Platte Valley second straight win over Lutheran and help improve Platte Valley to 2-0. Platte Valley has not entered stats for the game, but Lutheran did have some success throwing the ball with 242 yards passing but struggled running with only 69 yards rushing. Platte Valley will be facing Elizabeth in their next game. Elizabeth opened their season with a 49-14 loss to Berthoud and will have to quickly bounce back. Platte Valley defense is playing great against the run which suits them well against Elizabeth. This is the home opener for Platte Valley and Platte Valley will be on the road for their next 2.
#3 Resurrection Christian (2-0)
Resurrection Christian faced yet another test this week against #7 Faith Christian. This was a rematch of last year quarterfinals matchup and figured to be a good game. Resurrection Christian once again frustrated the Faith Christian offense holding them to just 7 points and Resurrection Christian was able to win again 28 to 7. Resurrection Christian defense is living up to the billing holding Faith Christian to just 97 yards of total offense. Resurrection Christian defensively was flying around the ball with 2 turnovers and 2 sacks. Tanner Applebee led the defense with 13 tackles and 2 sacks in the game. Resurrection offense continues to improve as well with 304 yards of total offense. The passing attack was led by Buck Coors 91 yards passing and 2 TDs. The rushing attack was able to rush for 213 yards and was led by Kyle Lueck (54 yards rushing and 1 TD). Things do not get any easier this week for Resurrection Christian as they face The Classical Academy on 9/15. Classical Academy opened their season with a tough 22 to 20 lose to D’Evelyn. TCA came up just short giving up a field goal in the 4th quarter to lose to D’Evelyn. Resurrection Christian will have to be prepared to stop the run this week and will be another test for this Defense.
#4 Basalt (1-0)
Basalt opened their 2018 season against 1A Olathe. Everyone knew this was going to be a tough test for Basalt with Olathe returning most of their Defense. Basalt was able to have a huge 21-point second quarter and walk away with the 28 to 0 victory. Basalt offensively had success on the ground rushing for 226 yards and led by Jake Reardon (137 yards rushing and 1 TD). QB Trevor Reuss also had some success with 90 yards passing, 49 yards rushing, and 3 total TDs. Defensively Basalt forced 6 fumbles and were flying around the ball. Henry Twitchell led the team with 12 tackles and 1 forced fumble. Basalt will now go on the road for their first road game of the season. Basalt faces 3A Battle Mountain this week and this could be a tough game for Basalt. Battle Mountain is 2-0 to start the season and are coming off a 50 to 8 victory over Alameda. It will be interesting to see if Basalt offense can continue to improve and if their defense can force another shutout.
#5 Rifle (1-0)
Rifle opened their 2A campaign against 3A Eagle Valley and Rifle was able to make quick work of Eagle Valley winning 49 to 7. Rifle offensively had some new faces including QB Holden Stutsman who had a success opening game with 66 yards passing, 3 TDs and 48 yards rushing. The big returner for Rifle was RB Tanner Vines and he opened 2018 in a big way with 146 yards rushing and 2 TDs. The rushing attack for Rifle produced 317 yards and 4 TDs. Defensively Rifle was control holding Eagle Valley to just 7 points. Rifle did force 1 turnover and were led on defense by Gabe Burris, Dalton Pruett, and Ethan Mackley all 3 had 6 tackles. Rifle schedule does get a little tougher this week when they play Grand Valley. Grand Valley opened their season against Kent Denver and lost 49-7. This will be a good test for Rifle to see how they compare to Kent Denver. The rest of Rifle non-league schedule includes games Pueblo County and Glenwood Springs.
#6 La Junta (2-0)
La Junta opened their season against Raton but this week faced their first quality opponent in Pagosa Springs. La Junta would struggle to open the game and at halftime were trailing 14-12. Pagosa Springs defense played tough but in the end La Junta offense wore down Pagosa Springs defense and La Junta would pull away and win 24-14. La Junta offensively did struggle a bit but still racked up 238 yards of rushing and 45 yards of passing. Jon Nuschy was the focal point of the offense with 45 yards passing, 159 yards rushing, and 3 total TDs. He was the only player to break the 50-yard mark on offense and was one of the main keys to the comeback. Defensively La Junta played well forcing 1 turnover and 1 sack and holding Pagosa Springs to just 14 points in the game. Jon Nuschy and Fransisco Naputi led the La Junta defense in tackles. Things now get much tougher for La Junta. This week La Junta faces off against #10 Alamosa and the following week against #8 Kent Denver. La Junta offense will be tested this week by Alamosa and we will see if La Junta can get off to a quicker start than last week.
#7 Faith Christian (0-1)
Faith Christian opened their 2018 campaign against a Top 10 opponent Resurrection Christian. Faith Christian offensively struggled to get anything going and lost to Resurrection Christian 28 to 7. Faith Christian has plenty of things to fix for this week’s game and getting their rushing attack sorted out will be one of them. Faith Christian had just 27 yards of rushing and that won’t be enough in most game. Faith Christian passing attack did have some success with 70 yards passing but QB Isaiah Kroll will have to shoulder the weight more if their rushing attack cannot get going. Faith Christian defense did play solid but still gave up 28 points. Faith Christian defense gave up 304 yards of total offense with most of it coming on the ground. Faith Christian was led by Jordan Abbott who had 11 tackles. Faith Christian will have to quickly bounce back as the face their second Top 10 opponent this week #8 Kent Denver. We will see if Faith Christian leaders can step up this week and if their offense can improve after their tough week 1 opponent.
#8 Kent Denver (1-0)
Kent Denver opened their 2018 campaign at home against 1A Grand Valley. Kent Denver made very quick work of Grand Valley scoring 42 points in the first two quarters and had the mercy rule going by the 3rd quarter. Kent Denver offensively was very effective with 415 yards of total offense. The passing attack was led by Joey Licht who had 135 yards passing and 2 TDs. The rushing attack had 260 yards and was led by Will Morland (156 yards rushing and 3 TDs). Kent Denver seems to have filled the holes left by graduation but the real rest for this offense will be next week. Kent Denver defensively gave up just 6 points in the 3rd quarter but the starters for the most part had the shut out going. Defensively they forced 2 turnovers and had 3 sacks in the game. Rhodes Fotopulos led Kent Denver in tackles with 8. Kent Denver this week will face a much tougher test against #7 Faith Christian. I think after this week we will have a much better idea of how good both Kent Denver and Faith Christian are.
#9 Salida (2-0)
Salida faced their first road test of the season after opening with a home win against Summit. Salida faced Manitou Springs and figured to be a tough test for the Spartans. Salida though had their offense clicking on all cylinders and made very quick for of Manitou Springs scoring 42 points in the first half and had the mercy rule going by the third quarter. Salida seems to have found their groove on offense with 450 yards of total offense. Salida seems to be leaning towards Zayne Walker at the QB position as he was 4 of 8 for 95 yards. Salida ground game churned out 295 yards rushing and was led by Eli Smith (76 yards rushing and 2 TDs). Salida defense once again was outstanding with the starters pitching a shutout and only giving up 7 points in the fourth quarter. Salida forced 5 turnovers in the game and had 3 sacks. Hunter Clark had a good game coming up with an INT and a fumble in the game. Salida will have a much tougher opponent this week when they face Delta. Delta blasted 4A Thornton 42 to 0 and looks to have reloaded once again. Salida will have to contend with a balanced offense and should be a good test for both teams.
#10 Alamosa (1-0)
Alamosa opened their 2018 season against 1A Monte Vista. These two teams last meet in 2005 but if felt like a rivalry game. This was the definition of a defensive struggle with Alamosa took an 8-0 lead into halftime. Alamosa would strike again in the 3rd quarter and that is all they would need to take the 24 to 0 victory. This was a tight game all the way through and Alamosa scored 2 of their 3 touchdowns on plays of 40 plus yards. Alamosa defense powered the way holding Monte Vista to just 111 yards of total offense. Alamosa defense caused havoc all night and forced 1 fumble and 1 sack. Alamosa defense was led by Andres Mondragon and Alex Stokes. Offensively Alamosa relied on the big play for scoring but also had some success with both the pass and run. Alamosa passing attack was led by Brendon Madril who had 93 yards and 1 TD in his first start at QB. The rushing attack was led by Chad Jackson who had 104 yards. Alamosa will continue their tough schedule this week when they face #6 La Junta. Alamosa offense will be tested by a very good defense and we will have to see if they can improve. Alamosa defense will have to take charge again this week and may need to keep La Junta under 10 points to win this game.
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