8-Man Football League Predictions Update Week 7
We are 6 weeks thru the regular season. League play is in full swing and all league races are really starting to heat up. A few more teams were eliminated from the playoff hunt, but a few teams also locked up playoff spots in my opinion. Another great week of games upcoming in the 8-Man ranks.. Playoff Predictions and Projections will be posted separate.
Arkansas Valley League
Holly
Holly stays as my pick to win the Ark Valley League. Holly moved to 4-1 on the season and 3-0 in league play with a 41-14 win over McClave. Holly sits at #12 in the RPI and will look to keep improving heading towards their final 3 games which will decide the league title. Holly must not overlook this week’s opponent in Las Animas.
Fowler
Fowler improved to 4-1 on the season and 3-0 in league play. Fowler has a big test this week when they travel to face Wiley. This is a big showdown and could be the difference in making the playoffs for one of these teams. Fowler sits at #15 in the RPI and a win over Wiley should help their shot at making the playoffs.
Wiley
Wiley dropped to 1-2 on the season falling in a hard-fought game to Hoehne 40-36. This was a very good game and now Wiley will look to bounce back this week when they host Fowler. This is a huge game for both teams as stated above. Wiley sits at #20 in the RPI and could use an upset to get a better shot at the playoffs.
Hoehne
Hoehne improved to 4-1 on the season and 3-0 in league play with the win over Wiley 40-36. This win was key to Hoehne staying inside the top 4 in the league title race. Hoehne will look to keep pace with the leaders when they travel to McClave. Hoehne will be facing a desperate McClave team who is hoping to get back into the playoff hunt.
McClave
McClave dropped to 2-3 on the season and are barely holding onto the playoff bubble. McClave sits at #25 in the RPI and need a signature win. If McClave could upset Hoehne they will really improve their chance at the playoffs. This is nearly a must win for McClave.
Crowley County
Crowley County improved to 3-2 on the season with a 56-0 win over Las Animas. Crowley County kept their playoff hopes alive with the win last week. Crowley County this week hosts Springfield in a must win game for Crowley County. Crowley County sits at #21 in the RPI and probably need an upset in their final 3 games to get into the playoffs.
In the Playoff Hunt
Holly, Fowler, Hoehne, Wiley, Crowley County, McClave
Eliminated from the Playoff Hunt
Las Animas, Springfield
RPI Standings (As of 10/6)
#12 Holly, #13 Hoehne, #15 Fowler, #20 Wiley, #21 Crowley County, #25 McClave, #33 Las Animas, #35 Springfield
Central League
Byers
Byers took a massive step towards the league title with the 60-58 win over Front Range Christian in 4 OT’s. This was a crazy game with both teams having big moment in this game. Byers will now look to lock up the league title this week when they host Lyons. Byers with a win over Lyons will be your league title winner baring an upset next week against South Park. Byers will have to quickly refocus against a very improved Lyons team.
Lyons
Lyons kept pace with Byers picking up the 50-14 win over Justice last week. Lyons this week will travel to face Byers. This is a huge game for both teams. Lyons cannot wrap up the league title this week as they still must face both Elbert and Front Range Christian. Lyons can take over as the favorite with the win but still must sort out a few games. Lyons has proven they are tough especially looking at their close loss to Merino. This should be a great game between Lyons and Byers.
Front Range Christian
Front Range Christian stays in the hunt but only if Lyons can beat Byers this week. If not I do not see Front Range Christian getting into the playoffs.
In the Playoff Hunt
Front Range Christian, Lyons, Byers
Eliminated from the Playoff Hunt
Elbert, Justice, South Park
RPI Standings (As of 10/6)
#16 Byers, #22 Lyons, #23 Front Range Christian, #28 Elbert, #37 South Park, #39 Justice
Mountain League
Mancos
Mancos stays as my pick to win the Mountain League. Mancos improved to 4-0 on the season and picked up a huge 22-14 win over Dove Creek last week. Mancos has a bye this week before playing Sanford for the league title. Mancos has the #1 RPI and I think are a lock for the playoffs.
Sanford
Sanford has back-to-back bye weeks with Norwood canceling their game last week. Sanford will have a chance to take control of the league when they travel to Mancos next weekend. This is a huge game to see how the injuries have affected Sanford. Sanford sits with the #2 RPI and I think are a lock for the playoffs
Dove Creek
Dove Creek currently sits at 3-2 overall and 1-1 in league play. Dove Creek is not a lock yet for the playoffs due to their #14 RPI and are on the bubble. Dove Creek will host Soroco this week, but this game won’t be a huge improvement for their RPI. Dove Creek though must win this game to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Lock for the Playoffs
Mancos, Sanford
In the Playoff Hunt
Dove Creek
Eliminated from the Playoff Hunt
Sargent, Norwood
RPI Standings (As of 10/6)
#1 Mancos, #2 Sanford, #14 Dove Creek, #32 Sargent, #38 Norwood
Northwest League
Vail Christian
Vail Christian stays as my pick to win the Northwest League. Vail Christian is most people pick to win the Northwest League but a huge league matchup this week against Hayden will tell us a ton. Vail Christian will look to play physical against Hayden and grab a huge league win. Vail Christian last week beat Plateau Valley 40-14. Vail Christian sits at #3 in the RPI and should be a lock for the playoffs.
Hayden
Hayden currently sits at 4-1 overall and 3-0 in league. Hayden will face their first true test in league when they host Vail Christian. Hayden will look to show there are a legit threat for the league title and a playoff spot. Hayden will have to be very physical to pull the upset. Hayden currently sits at #17 in the RPI and are in the hunt for a playoff spot.
Rangely
Rangely continues to improve their playoff chances and a 38-0 win over West Grand last week jump their RPI to #24. Rangely must continue to win, and they host Gilpin County this week. Rangely as mentioned must continue to win and probably can only drop a game to Vail Christian to have any shot at the playoffs.
West Grand
West Grand dropped to 1-4 on the season and sit at #26 in the RPI. West Grand travels to face Plateau Valley this week and this is a must win for both teams. The winner of West Grand and Plateau Valley keep their playoff hopes alive loser will be eliminated.
Plateau Valley
Plateau Valley is 2-3 overall and 1-2 in league play. Plateau Valley sits at #29 in the RPI and must beat West Grand to stay in the playoff hunt. Plateau Valley must win out to even have a shot at the playoffs.
Lock for the Playoffs
Vail Christian
In the Playoff Hunt
Plateau Valley, Rangely, Hayden, West Grand
Eliminated from the Playoff Hunt
Soroco, Gilpin County
RPI Standings (As of 10/6)
#3 Vail Christian, #17 Hayden, #24 Rangely, #26 West Grand, #29 Plateau Valley, #34 Soroco, #40 Gilpin County
Plains League
Haxtun
Haxtun moves as my pick to win the Plains League. Haxtun moved to 6-0 on the season and 3-0 in league play with a 64-20 win over Merino. Haxtun will look for another huge win this weekend when they travel to face Sedgwick County. Haxtun can just about wrap up the league title with a win over Sedgwick County this week. Haxtun will look to do something a Colorado team has not done in many years and that is beat Sedgwick County. Haxtun has the #5 RPI and is a lock for the playoffs.
Sedgwick County
Sedgwick County had a bye/forfeit last week when Denver Christian decided not to play. Sedgwick County has a very tough 4 games stretch coming up and will host Haxtun this week. Sedgwick County can take control of the league if they can beat Haxtun. This will be a very good game and should be a fun one to watch on Friday Night. Sedgwick County has the #4 RPI and is a lock for the playoffs.
Dayspring Christian
Dayspring Christian improved to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in league play. Dayspring Christian will host Denver Christian this week and should improve to 5-2 on the season. Dayspring Christian has a very tough 2 game stretch to end the season against Sedgwick County and Merino. Dayspring Christian is not locked into the playoffs just yet but next week could if they get by Denver Christian and their RPI does not drop too much.
Akron
Akron had a bye last week to prepare for their rivalry match with Merino on Friday. Akron currently sits at 3-2 overall and will be looking for a huge win over Merino. Akron will have to be very physical in this game and must get their rushing attack going. Akron currently sits at #7 in the RPI. They are not a lock just yet for the playoffs because I wanted to see how this game affects things going forward.
Merino
Merino dropped to 2-3 on the season falling to Haxtun 64-20. Merino will now look to bounce back when they host Akron. Merino must be ready for a physical game this week and must get the rushing offense and defense ready in this game. Merino sits at #6 in the RPI. I want to see what this game does for their RPI before I move them into lock status.
Caliche
Caliche dropped to 2-4 overall and 1-2 in league following the 48-14 loss to Dayspring Christian. Caliche has a bye this week and are still in the playoff hunt. Caliche has 3 games remaining against Merino, Akron, and Sedgwick County. Caliche will probably need an upset to get into the playoffs. Caliche sits at #18 and need at least 1 more win.
Lock for the Playoffs
Sedgwick County, Haxtun
In the Playoff Hunt
Merino, Dayspring Christian, Akron, Caliche
Eliminated from the Playoff Hunt
Denver Christian
RPI Standings (As of 10/6)
#4 Sedgwick County, #5 Haxtun, #6 Merino, #7 Akron, #8 Dayspring Christian, #18 Caliche, #30 Denver Christian
Southern League
Pikes Peak Christian
Pikes Peak Christian improved to 3-1 on the season and 2-0 in league play following the 36-20 win over Dolores Huerta. Pikes Peak Christian has a bye before a tough two game stretch against Calhan and Swink. Pikes Peak Christian is currently in the driver’s seat to win the league title. Pikes Peak Christian currently sits at #9 in the RPI.
Simla
Simla improved to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in league play following the 76-8 win over Custer County. Simla this week travels to face Dolores Huerta. Simla will look to keep pace with Pikes Peak Christian and keep their at-large playoff hopes alive. Dolores Huerta will be desperate for a signature win and Simla must avoid a loss. Simla currently sits at #11 in the RPI and are not a lock yet. Simla cannot drop this game.
Calhan
Calhan improved to 4-1 on the season and 1-1 in league play following the 12-6 win over Swink last week. Calhan desperately needed the win and keeps them in the league title hunt. Calhan this week is scheduled to face John Mall, but we will see if that happens. Calhan currently sits at #10 in the RPI and if they play John Mall cannot drop that game.
Swink
Swink dropped to 2-2 overall and 1-1 in league play following the 12-6 loss to Calhan. Swink will now look to bounce back against Custer County. This is a must win for Swink and I think they win this game. Swink has a huge game against rival Simla next week. Swink currently sits at #19 in the RPI and will be fighting weekly for their playoff hopes.
In the Playoff Hunt
Pikes Peak Christian, Calhan, Simla, Swink
Eliminated from the Playoff Hunt
Dolores Huerta, John Mall, Custer County
RPI Standings (As of 10/6)
#9 Pikes Peak Christian, #10 Calhan, #11 Simla, #19 Swink, #27 John Mall, #31 Dolores Huerta, #36 Custer County
MileHigh Prep Report 