Class 1A League Predictions Update Week 5
The 4th week of the regular season is complete, and we are still about a week away from leagues kicking off league action. For most team this is a big week to pick up a non-league win. Starting this week, I will have my Playoff Predictions and Projection sin a separate article.
Foothills
#1 Platte Canyon
#2 Bennett
#3 Manual
#4 Jefferson
#5 Clear Creek
#6 Sheridan
The Foothills league continues to look more and more like only the League Champion is going to get into the playoffs. Platte Canyon is still my pick to win the Foothills League. Platte Canyon is 1-3 currently and have a bye this week. Platte Canyon kicks off league play against Sheridan. Bennett is my pick for second place. Bennett is currently 0-3 and face rival Strasburg this Friday. This is a key game for both teams as both have sub .500 records and it’s a rivalry game. Neither team will be eliminated from the playoff hunt but could go along way to determining if the Foothills league gets another team in. Manual is currently 1-2 and are coming off a tough 20-6 loss to Kent Denver (2A). Manual will look for a signature win when they host Banning Lewis. Manual with a win over Banning Lewis will see their playoff hopes to gain significant traction. Manual sits at #3 and are closer to being eliminated from the playoff hunt. Jefferson is currently 1-2 and have the best RPI in the Foothills league. Jefferson host Denver West tonight in a tough non-league matchup. Jefferson with a win could see their RPI continue to rise a loss could see them tumble into the 20-30 range in the RPI. Clear Creek and Sheridan are currently eliminated from the playoff hunt.
In the Playoff Hunt
Platte Canyon, Bennett, Manual, Jefferson
Eliminated from the Playoff Hunt
Clear Creek, Sheridan
RPI Standings (As of 9/23)
#19 Jefferson, #23 Bennett, #25 Platte Canyon, #33 Manual, #35 Clear Creek, #37 Sheridan
North Central
#1 Limon
#2 Wray
#3 Holyoke
#4 Wiggins
#5 Yuma
#6 Burlington
The North Central League must be the toughest League in Class 1A with all 6 teams looking to be very competitive this year. Limon is my pick to win the North Central League. Limon currently is 3-0 and have a non-league game against Coal Ridge this Saturday. I do not see Limon struggling in this game and will be a good warm up game for Limon heading into league play. Limon kicks off league play against Yuma. Wray is my pick to finish 2nd. Wray picked up a 34-0 win over Burlington in a non-league game. Wray will head into their bye week at 3-1. Wray kicks off league play against Wiggins on 10/1. Holyoke picked up their first loss of the season falling to Florence 36-15. Turnovers were a big problem for Holyoke, and they will look to fix that problem this week when they host Lamar. Wiggins is currently 3-0 on the season and Wiggins has cruised the past 2 weeks to wins. This week Wiggins has a true test against Flatirons Academy. Wiggins will hit the road to see if they can move to 4-0 on the season. Wiggins will be tested on the ground and should be a great matchup. Yuma moved to 2-1 on the season defeating Highland 28-21. Yuma has a non-league out of state game against Sidney on Friday. Yuma kicks off league play against Limon on 10/1. Burlington is currently sitting at #22 in the RPI and have a big non-league game against Rye on Saturday. This is a must win game for Burlington if they plan on trying to get into the playoffs. Burlington cannot drop this game before heading into league play.
In the Playoff Hunt
Limon, Holyoke, Wray, Wiggins, Yuma, Burlington
Eliminated from the Playoff Hunt
None
RPI Standings (As of 9/23)
#4 Limon, #7 Holyoke, #8 Wray, #10 Wiggins, #18 Yuma, #22 Burlington
Northern League
#1 Strasburg
#2 Highland
#3 Flatirons Academy
#4 Estes Park
#5 Prospect Ridge
Strasburg is my pick to win the Northern League. Strasburg has played a very tough non-league schedule and they conclude that this week with a rivalry game against Bennett. This is not a must win game for either team with both teams expect to perform well in league play. It will become big for seeding and if one league is trying to get a second team or third team into the playoffs. Momentum will be key for Strasburg especially with Strasburg hosting Highland to open league play. Highland is currently 2-2 and coming off a tough 28-21 loss to Yuma. Highland travels to face Weld Central this week and must be prepared to stop the run if they plan to move to 3-2 heading into league play. Highland sits at #21 in the RPI, and this could be a big game for them. Flatirons Academy currently has the best RPI in the Northern League. Flatirons Academy is currently 3-0 and face Wiggins at home this week. This game has big implications for playoffs. This should be a good game and one I will keep an eye on. Estes Park is on the edge of being eliminated from the playoff hunt. Estes Park lost to Fort Lupton last week and really hurt their shot at the playoffs. Estes Park will need to upset Brush this week and probably need an upset win over Flatirons, Highland, or Strasburg to really push for the playoffs. Estes Park with a loss to Brush could be eliminated from the playoffs.
In the Playoff Hunt
Strasburg, Highland, Flatirons Academy, Estes Park
Eliminated from the Playoff Hunt
Prospect Ridge
RPI Standings (As of 9/23)
#5 Flatirons Academy, #13 Strasburg, #21 Highland, #27 Estes Park, #36 Prospect Ridge
Santa Fe League
#1 Peyton
#2 Banning Lewis
#3 Rocky Ford
#4 Trinidad
Peyton is my pick to win the Santa Fe League. Peyton moved to 2-2 on the season following the 21-8 loss to Buena Vista. Peyton continues their tour of the Tri-Peaks league when they travel to C.S Christian. This is a big game for both teams as they fight for playoff spots. Peyton starts league play on 10-8 when they face Trinidad. Banning Lewis is my pick for second place. Banning Lewis currently sits at #16 in the RPI and have a key non-league game against Manual this week. Banning Lewis will look to avoid the upset by Manual. Banning Lewis kick off league play against Rocky Ford on 10/2. Rocky Ford and Trinidad are eliminated from the playoff hunt.
In the Playoff Hunt
Peyton, Banning Lewis
Eliminated from the Playoff Hunt
Rocky Ford, Trinidad
RPI Standings (As of 9/23)
#11 Peyton, #16 Banning Lewis, #31 Trinidad, #34 Rocky Ford
Southern Peaks
#1 Centauri
#2 Monte Vista
#3 Center
#4 Ignacio
#5 Del Norte
Centauri is my pick to win the Southern Peaks League. Centauri is coming off a 48-3 win over Strasburg. Centauri will hit the road this week to face Bayfield on Saturday. Centauri will be tested in this game as Bayfield is much improved this season. Centauri open league play against Center on 10/1. Monte Vista stays as my pick to finish 2nd in the SPL. Monte Vista moved to 2-2 on the season beating Platte Canyon 28-6. Monte Vista will host Cedaredge this week and is a must win game for Monte Vista. Monte Vista currently sits at #20 in the RPI and grabbing wins until you face Centauri is key for Monte Vista. Center fell to 1-3 on the season with a 30-8 loss to Rye. Center needed that game against Rye and will now look to upset either Centauri, Monte Vista, or Meeker to try and boost their RPI. Center also must take care of business against Del Norte and Ignacio. Ignacio moved to 4-0 on the season and their RPI sits at #12. Ignacio has not played that tough of a non-league schedule and their OWP currently is .197. Ignacio play Whitehorse UT this week and should enter league play at 5-0. Ignacio kickoff league play against Center on 10/8 and we will truly learn how good they are. Del Norte kept their playoff hopes alive beating Trinidad 58-8. Del Norte sit at #26 in the RPI and if they can grab wins over Center, Ignacio, and one other team they might have a shot at the playoffs. Del Norte has a bye this week and then host Monte Vista on 10/1.
In the Playoff Hunt
Centauri, Monte Vista, Center, Ignacio, Del Norte
Eliminated from the Playoff Hunt
None
RPI Standings (As of 9/23)
#3 Centauri, #12 Ignacio, #20 Monte Vista, #24 Center, #26 Del Norte
Tri-Peaks
#1 Florence
#2 Buena Vista
#3 Rye
#4 C.S Christian
Florence is my pick to win the Tri-Peaks. Florence picked up a key non-league win over Holyoke 36-15. Florence defensively did give up over 200 yards rushing but Florence forced 5 turnovers to pick up they key win over Holyoke. Florence will host Rocky Ford this week in a non-league game. I don’t see Florence struggling in this game and should be a good game before heading into league play against Rye on 10/1. Buena Vista moved to 4-0 on the season. Buena Vista had a tough game against Peyton but were able to secure the 21-8 win. Buena Vista hosts Meeker this week and should be a good game for both teams. This is 1 of 2 games that Buena Vista will face Western Slope teams and will give us a good look at how good Buena Vista is. Buena Vista kicks off league play on 10/8 against Rye. Rye picked up a key non-league win over Center 30-8. Rye continues the big non-league games when they host Burlington. Rye needs this win over Burlington before playing Florence and Buena Vista in back-to-back games. Rye currently sits at #17 in the RPI. C.S Christian kept their playoff hopes alive picking up the 46-0 win over Rocky Ford. C.S Christian has another big game against Peyton this week. C.S Christian sits at #30 in the RPI and probably need an upset or 2 against Peyton, Gunnison, or Rye to get into the playoffs.
In the Playoff Hunt
Florence, Buena Vista, Rye, C.S Christian
Eliminated from the Playoff Hunt
None
RPI Standings (As of 9/23)
#2 Florence, #6 Buena Vista, #17 Rye, #30 C.S Christian
Western Slope
#1 North Fork
#2 Meeker
#3 Gunnison
#4 Grand Valley
#5 Cedaredge
#6 Olathe
#7 Roaring Fork
North Fork is my pick to win the Western Slope League. North Fork moved to 3-0 on the season and 1-0 in league play with a 55-0 win over Olathe. North Fork will look for their second league win when they host Grand Valley. North Fork will be tested on the ground by Grand Valley. North Fork will also look to stay in 1st place in the Western Slope. Grand Valley picked up their first league win of the season beating Roaring Fork 35-14. Grand Valley will now look for their signature win against North Fork. Defensively Grand Valley must stop the run. Meeker is my pick for second place in the Western Slope. Meeker moved to 2-1 on the season with a 40-6 win over Cedaredge. Meeker now has a non-league game this week against Buena Vista. This is a good test for both teams and a good chance for Meeker to pick up a signature win. Gunnison moved to 3-0 on the season. Gunnison picked up the hard fought 24-14 win over 8-Man Dove Creek. Gunnison also improved their RPI to #1 in Class 1A. Gunnison has a must win game against Olathe this week and is a game they cannot afford to drop. Olathe is right on the edge of being eliminated from the playoffs. Olathe must upset Gunnison to keep their playoff hopes alive. Cedaredge also is on the edge of being eliminated from the playoffs. Cedaredge travels to face Monte Vista on Friday. This is a key game for both teams and a must win for both teams. Cedaredge could be eliminated if they lose to Monte Vista.
In the Playoff Hunt
Gunnison, North Fork, Meeker, Grand Valley, Olathe, Cedaredge
Eliminated from the Playoff Hunt
Roaring Fork
RPI Standings (As of 9/23)
#1 Gunnison, #9 North Fork, #14 Meeker, #15 Grand Valley, #28 Olathe, #29 Roaring Fork, #32 Cedaredge
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