Class 2A Football Week 4 Top Ten Breakdown
Three weeks of football complete in Class 2A and some teams have either stepped up or fallen off a bit. Movement in the Top Ten this week was pretty limited with the Top 6 all staying the same. Kent Denver beat Faith Christian to move up to #7. Eaton joins the rankings after blanking D’Evelyn and Salida stays put at #9. I keep Faith Christian in the rankings just a hair over Berthoud, but I see Berthoud joining the rankings very soon.
#1 Bayfield (3-0)
Bayfield moved to 3-0 early in the season and had another tough test this weekend. Bayfield hosted Aspen and this Aspen team gave Bayfield all they could handle. Bayfield was trailing 8-7 after the first quarter but their defense was able to shut Aspen down the rest of the game. Bayfield added 13 points in the second half and walked away with a 20to 8 win over Aspen. Bayfield offense was slowed by turnovers with 2 interceptions and 1 fumble. Offensively Bayfield was led by RB David Hawkins who had a monster day rushing for 256 yards and 2 TDs. QB Hayden Famer had an ok day with 112 yards passing but had 2 INTs. Bayfield defense has to be credited with holding Aspen to just 8 points and giving them a shot to win the game. David Hawkins (12 tackles) and Max McGhehey (7 tackles) led the Wolverines in tackles. Bayfield also had 3 sacks, 1 Interception, and 1 fumble recovery in the game. Bayfield has a huge game this week against 3A Durango. Durango is ranked in Class 3A and will give Bayfield all they can handle. Bayfield will have to play their best game this season if they plan on getting past Durango.
#2 Platte Valley (3-0)
Platte Valley continued their early season success with a blowout win over Elizabeth 59-13. Platte Valley made quick work of Elizabeth and got some of their younger players into the game. There are no stats for the game, but Platte Valley is off to another great start to their season. Platte Valley will have a huge game this week when they face #8 Eaton. Platte Valley will be tested offensively this week and will be a good test to see how much they have grown as a team. Defensively they will have to stop the run, and this is also my game of the Week for Class 2A.
#3 Resurrection Christian (2-0)
Resurrection Christian had a bye last week after opening the season with back to back solid wins. Resurrection Christian will be facing The Classical Academy who is 0-2 and desperate for their first win of the season. TCA fell to Sterling last week 40 to 28 and Resurrection Christian must be ready to stop a dual threat QB. This will be another tough game for Resurrection Christian defense, but I think Resurrection Christian offense should have plenty of success.
#4 Basalt (2-0)
Basalt is off to an explosive start scoring 75 points in two games and giving up just 6 points. Basalt last week blasted 3A Battle Mountain 47 to 6. Basalt offensively had a great day racking up 347 yards of total offense. Basalt passing attack was led by Trevor Reuss who was 8 of 11 for 162 yards and 3 TDs. The rushing attack had 185 yards and was led by Jake Reardon (89 yards rushing and 1 TD). Basalt defense has been really dominating early on this season giving up just 6 points. Basalt this week was led by Chance Maytham (8 tackles) and Tai Kim (7 tackles). Basalt also had 1 sacks and forced 4 turnovers in the game. Basalt this week will be facing a team who is also much improved as well. Basalt will face Pagosa Springs who is 1-2 but is also playing great football. Pagosa Springs beat Centauri who was #2 in Class 1A and Pagosa Springs also nearly upset La Junta the week before. Basalt defense discipline will be tested this week by the single wing option attack that Pagosa Springs runs. Basalt offense will also be tested, and I see a low scoring game this week.
#5 Rifle (2-0)
Rifle is also off to an explosive start scoring 98 points in two games and dominating both opponents. Rifle defense also has not been tested giving up just 7 points. Rifle only posted Stats for their first game and have not updated their stats for their other game. I am sure Rifle ran the ball effectively. This week Rifle faces off against 3A Pueblo County. Pueblo County is 1-1 on the season. Rifle will be tested by Pueblo County and should be a good test for Rifle.
#6 La Junta (3-0)
La Junta picked up a big Top 10 win this week blasting Alamosa 34-0. La Junta defense has to be credited for shutting down Alamosa offensive attack. La Junta held Alamosa to just 127 yards of total offense and forced Alamosa QB to just 5 of 21. La Junta had plenty of players involved on defense and were led by Kyle Keck (6 tackles). La Junta also had 1 interceptions and 1 fumble recovery. Offensively La Junta had a very good day with 452 yards of total offense. Jon Nuschy was the main player of the offense with 93 yards passing and 234 yards rushing, also 4 total TDs. This was a big signature win for the Tigers and have a big matchup next week against #7 Kent Denver. This will be the third time these two teams have meet during the regular season. This will tell us a lot about both teams and should be a great game.
#7 Kent Denver (2-0)
Kent Denver pulled a solid upset/key win for the season last week. Kent Denver faced off against Faith Christian and what a game it was. Kent Denver took a 17-0 lead into half time and then Faith Christian started their comeback scoring 7 in the third and then 10 in the fourth, but Kent Denver also grabbed one TD in the Fourth Quarter to pull off the victory 23 to 17. Kent Denver was led offensively by QB Joey Licht who threw for 118 yards and 1 TD. The rushing attack was led by Seth Lindsey 104 yards rushing. Kent Denver offensively did a good job of taking care of the ball and is one of the main reason they won this game. Defensively the Sun Devils played well forcing 1 Interception and 2 sacks in the game. Zach Schlichting (10 tackles) and Joey Licht (9 tackles) led the Defense in tackles. Kent Denver will have to bring the same intensity this week when they face #6 La Junta. This is a huge game for both teams and could have an impact on the Playoffs.
#8 Eaton (2-0)
Eaton started the season unranked in the Top 10 but were in the Top 15. Eaton had a lot to replace from last year’s team and they have had success replacing players. Eaton has started the season with two tough wins beating Sterling and last week blanking D’Evelyn 34-0. Eaton defensively has been stout grabbing the shutout and holding D’Evelyn to under 150 yards passing. Eaton pass defense was stellar picking up D’Evelyn QB 3 times and forcing 2 turnovers. Easton also scored 3 touchdowns with their defense and were the reason the differential was so big. Offensively Eaton did struggle only racking up 88 yards passing and 114 yards rushing. Eaton will need their defense to keep playing great this year if they plan on making a deep run. Eaton offense will develop as the year goes on as well and could make them very dangerous. This week Eaton faces their biggest challenged yet in #2 Platte Valley. Eaton will need their defense to really step up if they plan on pulling the upset.
#9 Salida (3-0)
Salida reaches the 3-0 mark by beating a tough Delta team 28-22. Salida defense has to be credited to stepping up when they needed in this game and also holding Delta to just 48 yards rushing. Salida did give up some passing yards surrendering 216. Salida defense was led by Hunter Clark (13 tackles) and Vince Deleo (12 tackles). Salida also forced 3 sacks and 2 fumbles in the game. Salida offensively did have some success with QB Zayne Walker throwing for 128 yards and 1 TD. Salida rushing attack was the main focal point rushing for 239 yards and were led by Eli Smith (101 yards and 1 TD). This will be a key win for Salida moving forward and should help this team continue to grow. Salida this week faces their rival Buena Vista. Buena Vista is off to a 2-0 start and are ranked #10 in Class 1A. Salida will have to be ready for a good dual threat QB and this should be another good test for Salida defense. Salida also must continue to develop their offense and look to have found their starting QB.
#10 Faith Christian (0-2)
Faith Christian is off to a rough 0-2 start facing back to back Top 10 teams. Faith Christian must get their offense rolling with just and the big problem has been their rushing attack racking up just 140 yards. Faith Christian defense has played decent holding both opponents to under 30 points, but they may need to step up a bit more if their offense can’t get going. Faith Christian does have a non-top 10 opponent this week against Manitou Springs. Manitou Springs struggled in game #1 losing to Salida 56 to 7 but Manitou Springs bounced back nicely upsetting Valley 31 to 28. Faith Christian will have to play well on offense if they want to avoid an 0-3 start.
MileHigh Prep Report 