Class 1A Football Week 3 Top Ten Breakdown
#1 Limon (1-0)
Limon kicked off their 2018 season by blasting Lamar 41 to 7. Limon scored all 41 points in the first half and had the mercy rule going by halftime. Limon offensively had a quick day with only 258 yards of total offense. QB Cannan Bennett had 36 yards passing, 14 yards rushing, and 3 TDs and the rushing attack was led by Kory Tacha 82 yards rushing and 1 TD. Limon defensively had 19 make a tackle and Kory Tacha led all Badgers with 5 tackles and 1 TFL. Limon also forced 2 INTs and 2 fumbles. Limon defense did give up 7 points but was in garbage time and Limon defense should be one of the better defenses in Class 1A. Limon schedule now gets much tougher. This week they played #5 Crowley County which will be a very physical football game. Their final 2 games of the non-league schedule feature Meeker and Strasburg both who are ranked in the Top 10.
#2 Centauri (0-1)
Centauri opened their 2018 season with a tough road trip up to Paonia. Centauri struggled in the first half against Paonia scoring just 12 points but an 18 point 3rd quarter created the separation Centauri needed and Centauri cruised to the 38 to 0 victory over Paonia. Centauri defense opens the season how they wanted with the shutout and holding Paonia offense to just 109 yards of total offense. Centauri has not posted any stats for the game. This was a big statement win for Centauri and now must refocus for their next game. Centauri faces 2A Pagosa Springs this week and will once again be on the road. Pagosa Springs lost last week to 2A #6 La Junta by 10 and showed improvement after their week 1 game. Centauri offense will be tested by a tough defensive Pagosa Springs team and Centauri’s defensive responsibilities will be tested by Pagosa Springs single Wings option attack.
#3 Strasburg (2-0)
Strasburg won their opener last week against University but the schedule for Strasburg got much tougher when they faced then ranked #2 Burlington. Strasburg and Burlington were a very tough defensive game and saw Strasburg escape with the 13 to 6 victories. Strasburg defensively slowed down a very good offense and limited Burlington to just 47 yards rushing and 118 yards passing. Strasburg defense was led by Wyatt Warren (6 tackles) and Michael Spence (5 tackles). Offensively Strasburg was able to run the ball effectively rushing for 244 yards and QB/RB Michael Spence led the way with 173 yards rushing and 1 TD. Strasburg will need to work on taking care of the football after giving up two fumbles in the game. Strasburg will have their first road game of the season, if you want to call it that. Strasburg travels the ten miles to face their rival Bennett this week. Bennett is now playing 2A and Bennett opened their season with a 62-0 blowout of Ellicott. This will be a test both offensively and defensively for Strasburg and they must be ready to play this week.
#4 Burlington (0-1)
As mentioned above Burlington lost to Strasburg last week 13 to 6. Burlington offensively struggled moving the ball racking up 47 yards rushing on 23 attempts and 118 yards passing on 15 attempts. Burlington offense will need to quickly bounce back and must establish their rushing attack. Burlington defense did do a good job keeping Strasburg out of the end zone but did give up 244 yards rushing to Strasburg. Burlington schedule does get much easier after last week’s game. Burlington will play Ellicott this week and Lamar the following week both should help Burlington prepare for their brutal league schedule.
#5 Crowley County (2-0)
Crowley County has started the season just the way they would like with back to back blowout wins. Last week Crowley County Blasted Rye 48 to 0 and had the mercy rule going by halftime. Crowley County was more run dominate this week rushing for 367 yards and passing for just 14. The rushing attack was paced by Tyler Schwartz (127 yards rushing and 2 TDs) and Adam Schulz (123 yards and 3 TDs). Crowley County defense was also outstanding holding Rye to 74 yards of total offense. Crowley County will now hit the hard part of their schedule and hopefully their first two games prepared them. Crowley County will face #1 Limon this week and then #8 Yuma in two weeks. Limon will test both the offense and defense for Crowley County and Crowley County will need to bring their A game if they plan to upset Limon.
#6 Wray (0-1)
Wray had last week off and had a chance to prepare for this upcoming game. Wray technically is 0-1 but, on the field, they are 1-0. This week Wray faces Sheridan. Sheridan is 0-2 to start the season and were blasted last week by Colorado Springs Christian 42 to 6. I expect Wray to not struggle with this game and should get Wray their first official win of the season.
#7 Peyton (1-0)
If you want to talk about statement wins then look no further than Peyton. Peyton faced Florence who dropped from 2A last year. Florence opened their 1A campaign with a 20-point victory over Rocky Ford and had some solid momentum coming into this game. Peyton though was prepared and came out swinging scoring 21 points in the first quarter and then scored a touchdown in the final 3 quarter to take the 41 to 0 win over Florence. Peyton dominated Florence with their defense holding Florence to just 95 yards. Peyton was led on defense by Clay Sims (15 tackles) and Daniel Frates (14 tackles). Peyton also forced 5 turnovers and had 2 sacks. Offensively Peyton was able to run the ball effectively rushing for 260 yards and 4 TDs. The rushing attack for Peyton was led by Jd Hart 114 yards and 2 TDs. Peyton will have their home opener against Colorado Springs Christian this week. Colorado Springs Christian opened with a 42 to 6 drumming of Sheridan. Peyton will be tested by the rushing attack of CSCS and CSCS is looking for an early key win.
#8 Yuma (0-1)
Yuma opened their season ranked in the Top 10 and opened against a very good opponent from WY. Yuma started their 2018 season against Pine Bluffs WY who is the defending 1A State Champion. Yuma played tough but was beat by Pine Bluffs 27 to 0. Yuma has now seen what it will take to be a state champion and hopefully us that game to build for the rest of the season. Yuma schedule does not get much easier this week as they face #10 Cornerstone Christian. Yuma will have to quickly bounce back and be ready to play.
#9 Meeker (1-1)
Meeker opened their 2018 season with a tough lose to Aspen and would have a chance to bounce back against another 2A opponent. Meeker faced off against 2A Coal Ridge this week and what a game it was. Meeker and Coal ridge both started the game with touchdowns in the first quarter and no other points would be scored until the fourth quarter. Both teams would snag a TD and the two-point conversion and OT would ensue. Meeker was able to punch a score in and beat Coal Ridge 22 to 14 to grab their first win of the season. Meeker was able to slowdown a very good rushing attack holding Coal Ridge to just 167 yards rushing. Meeker I am sure is happy the way their defense played this week and were led by James Amick (15 tackles) and Tannen Kennedy (14 tackles). Meeker also had 1 sack and forced 2 turnovers. Offensively Meeker was able to balance their offense out with 149 yards passing and 185 yards rushing. Tannen Kennedy led the rushing attack with 153 yards and 1 TD and Ryan Phelan led the passing attack with 149 yards and 1 TD. Meeker will have a week off to prepare for their cross-state trip to face #1 Limon next week.
#10 Cornerstone Christian (1-0)
Cornerstone Christian opened their 2018 season with a home game against 2A Prospect Ridge. Cornerstone Christian was held scoreless in the first quarter, but they were able to hold Prospect Ridge scoreless as well. CCA was then able to score 6 in the second quarter and that would be all they need to walk away with the 22 to 0 victory over Prospect Ridge. Defensively CCA played good grabbing the shutout and holding Prospect Ridge to just 33 yards of total offense. CCA was led on defense by Jacob Dube (9 tackles) and Edward Cruz (8 tackles). CCA also forced 3 turnovers in the game. Offensively CCA did struggle to score with only 3 TDs. CCA was able to rack up the rushing yards with 296 yards rushing. CCA rushing attack was led by Dillon Zastrocky (141 yards and 1 TD) and Jackson Sheppard (104 yards and 1 TD). Cornerstone Christian schedule gets much tougher this week and next week. CCA plays #8 Yuma this week and then #6 Wray the following week. We will learn a lot more about Cornerstone Christian after this week and next week.
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