8-Man Football League Predictions Update Week 8
We are 7 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 this week is a huge week for many teams. 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 5-1 on the season and 4-0 in league. Holly had a big game against Las Animas winning 66-30. Holly is not yet a lock for the playoffs as they are sitting at #10 in the RPI. Holly This week can take another big step towards locking up a playoff spot when they host Hoehne. Holly will be facing a desperate Hoehne team who is fighting for their playoff lives.
Hoehne
Hoehne is coming off the biggest surprise result of last week falling to McClave 52-16. Hoehne RPI took a hit and they dropped out of the top 16. Hoehne will now need to pick up a win or two to close the season to get back into the playoffs. Hoehne this week face Holly and an upset would be huge for Hoehne. Hoehne close the year out against Crowley County and Fowler.
Fowler
Fowler improved to 5-1 on the season and 4-0 in league coming from behind to beat Wiley 40-34. Fowler was able to keep pace with Holly in the league standing coming from behind. Fowler this week will host rival Crowley County. Fowler will look to continue their winning streak. Fowler sits at #13 in the RPI and is on the Bubble. Getting a win over Crowley County will help their push for a playoff spot.
Crowley County
Crowley County improved to 4-2 on the season and 2-1 in league play following the 62-0 win over Springfield. Crowley County has now won 3 straight games after falling to Wiley to open league play. Crowley County travels to face Fowler this week and an upset gives them a shot at the league title on 10/29. Crowley County sits outside the top 16 in the RPI at #19. Crowley County will probably need an upset of Fowler, Hoehne, or Holly to give themselves a shot at the playoffs.
Wiley
Wiley dropped to 1-3 on the season falling in a close 40-34 loss to Fowler. Wiley has come up just short the past few weeks but have really battled well this season. Wiley sits at #22 in the RPI and are still in the hunt for a playoff spot. Wiley has a must win game this week against Springfield and then we will see where they sit heading into their final 2 games of the season against Las Animas and McClave.
McClave
McClave improved to 3-3 on the season picking up the stunning 52-16 win over Hoehne. McClave upset of Hoehne kept their playoff hopes alive and now McClave must win out to get into the playoffs. McClave will travel to face Las Animas and as mentioned must win out. McClave close the year out against Springfield and Wiley.
In the Playoff Hunt
Holly, Fowler, Hoehne, Wiley, Crowley County, McClave
Eliminated from the Playoff Hunt
Las Animas, Springfield
RPI Standings (As of 10/14)
#10 Holly, #13 Fowler, #19 Crowley County, #20 Hoehne, #21 McClave, #22 Wiley, #31 Las Animas, #35 Springfield
Central League
Byers
Byers continues their big run-in league play and picked up a huge 36-14 win over Lyons to put them in control of their own destiny. Byers will look to capture the league crown this week at home when they host South Park. If Byers beats South Park they are the league champions and get the automatic berth into the playoffs. Byers will be the favorite in that game. Byers sits at #15 in the RPI.
Front Range Christian
Front Range Christian cannot win the league title unless Byers is upset this week by South Park. Front Range Christian sits at #25 in the RPI and they face Lyons this week. This will eliminate another team from the playoff hunt. Front Range Christian will need some help to get into the playoff but a win over Lyons keeps their hopes alive.
Lyons
Lyons dropped to 3-3 on the year. Lyons will face Front Range Christian this week. Lyons only hope at the playoffs is to win out and get some help to reach the playoffs. Lyons sits at #25.
In the Playoff Hunt
Front Range Christian, Lyons, Byers
Eliminated from the Playoff Hunt
Elbert, Justice, South Park
RPI Standings (As of 10/14)
#15 Byers, #23 Front Range Christian, #25 Lyons, #27 Elbert, #38 South Park, #39 Justice
Mountain League
Mancos
Mancos stays as my pick to win the Mountain League. Mancos is coming off a bye week and this week could decide the league championship. Mancos will host Sanford this week and a win over Sanford will basically lock up the league title. Mancos is a lock for the playoff regardless of the outcome, but a league title is on the line. Mancos sits at #1 in the RPI.
Sanford
Sanford enters this week not playing an official game since 9/24. Sanford will be looking to bounce back and plenty of people will be watching to see if they are at full strength. Sanford will be looking for a huge win but cannot win the league title till they face Dove Creek on 10/29. This will be a huge game this week between Sanford and Mancos. Sanford is a lock for the playoffs with the #2 RPI.
Dove Creek
Dove Creek currently sits at 4-2 overall and coming off a forfeit win over Soroco last week. Dove Creek will have a neutral game against Melrose NM I believe this week. Melrose NM is currently 5-1 and a top 5 team in NM in 8-Man. This will be a good test for Dove Creek before back to back league games against Sargent and Sanford to close the year out. Dove Creek is still on the bubble at #14.
Lock for the Playoffs
Mancos, Sanford
In the Playoff Hunt
Dove Creek
Eliminated from the Playoff Hunt
Sargent, Norwood
RPI Standings (As of 10/14)
#1 Mancos, #2 Sanford, #14 Dove Creek, #28 Sargent, #37 Norwood
Northwest League
Vail Christian
Vail Christian stays as my pick to win the Northwest League. Vail Christian picked up a huge league win over Hayden this past week 44-0 to stay in first place in the Northwest League. Vail Christian cannot lock up the league title till next week when they travel to Rangely. Vail Christian this week hosts Gilpin County and will be the favorites in the game. Vail Christian in my opinion is a lock for the playoffs and have the #4 RPI.
Rangely
Rangely won their 3rd straight games improving their record to 3-3 overall. Rangely also kept pace with Vail Christian for the league title and sit undefeated in league. Rangely this week will face Soroco. This is a must win game before facing Vail Christian and Hayden to close the year out. Rangely will have a shot at both the league title and possibly an at-large berth if they get some help. Rangely sits at #24 in the RPI.
Hayden
Hayden currently sits at 4-2 overall and are coming off a 44-0 loss to Vail Christian. Hayden will look to rebound this week when they host Plateau Valley. This is a must win for both teams as both are fighting for their playoff lives. Hayden currently sits at #17 in the RPI just outside making the playoffs. Hayden will need to win out to get into the playoffs.
Plateau Valley
Plateau Valley has a huge stretch of games coming up and they kick it off with a road game at Hayden. I stated last week that Plateau Valley must win out to have any shot at the playoffs and that statement reins true still. Plateau Valley must win out as they sit at #29 in the RPI. 4 straight wins could be enough to boost their RPI.
West Grand
West Grand dropped to 1-4 on the season and sit at #26 in the RPI. West Grand did not play Plateau Valley last week and has been rescheduled for 10/19 which is a Tuesday. West Grand this weekend will face Custer County. West Grand must also win 3 of their final 4 games and may need to upset Vail Christian to 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 10/14)
#4 Vail Christian, #17 Hayden, #24 Rangely, #26 West Grand, #29 Plateau Valley, #34 Soroco, #40 Gilpin County
Plains League
Haxtun
Haxtun stays as my pick to win the Plains League. Haxtun picked up a huge 36-12 win over Sedgwick County last week to nearly clinch the league title. Haxtun has a bye this week before facing Denver Christian and Akron to close the year out. Haxtun with a win over Denver Christian next week will lock up the league title. Haxtun will have a shot at a top 3 seed for the playoffs if they win out. Haxtun sits at #3 in the RPI.
Sedgwick County
Sedgwick County lost to a Colorado team for the first time in a few years. Sedgwick County will now look to bounce back this week when they host Dayspring Christian. Sedgwick County will have to be able to stop the run this week and force Dayspring Christian to throw the ball. Sedgwick County is still a lock for the playoffs at #6 in the RPI.
Dayspring Christian
Dayspring Christian improved to 5-2 on the season following the 56-20 win over Denver Christian. Dayspring Christian will be looking for an upset of Sedgwick County this week. Dayspring Christian is close to being a lock for the playoffs, but I want to see the result of this game and what happens with the RPI. Dayspring Christian close the year out against Merino on 10/23. Dayspring Christian currently sits at #7 in the RPI.
Akron
Akron is now a lock for the playoffs barring an upset to Denver Christian or Caliche in the next two weeks. Akron picked up the huge 46-34 win over Merino to improve to 4-2 on the season and see their RPI jump to #5. Akron as mentioned hosts Denver Christian this week and will be the favorites to win that game.
Merino
Merino dropped to 2-4 on the season falling to Akron 46-34. Merino will now look to bounce back when they host Caliche. This is a huge game for Merino as they are now on the bubble at #12 in the RPI. Merino will be facing a desperate Caliche team who is also in the hunt for the playoffs. I do think if Merino wins 2 of their final 3 games they will get into the playoffs.
Caliche
Caliche dropped to 2-4 overall but now sit at #16 in the RPI. Caliche needs to win at least 1 of their final 3 games I think to hold onto a playoff spot. Caliche will face Merino this week then Akron and Sedgwick County to close out the year.
Lock for the Playoffs
Haxtun, Sedgwick County, Akron
In the Playoff Hunt
Merino, Dayspring Christian, Caliche
Eliminated from the Playoff Hunt
Denver Christian
RPI Standings (As of 10/14)
#3 Haxtun, #5 Akron, #6 Sedgwick County, #7 Dayspring Christian, #12 Merino, #16 Caliche, #32 Denver Christian
Southern League
Pikes Peak Christian
Pikes Peak Christian stays as my pick to win the Southern League. Pikes Peak Christian is coming off a bye last week and this week will hit the road to face Calhan. Pikes Peak Christian cannot lock up the league title till next week but a win over Calhan will have them controlling their own fate. Pikes Peak Christian will be tested again this week and should be a good game between them and Calhan. Pikes Peak Christian sit at #9 in the RPI.
Calhan
Calhan improved to 5-1 on the season and will have a shot to force a tie for first place inside the Southern League if they can upset Pikes Peak Christian this Friday. Calhan will have to play a very physical style game to win. Calhan currently sit at #8 in the RPI and are a near lock for the playoffs but I want to see the result of this game.
Simla
Simla improved to 5-2 overall coming off the 50-20 win over Dolores Huerta. Simla this week will host rival Swink. Simla will look to hold onto one of the final playoff spots. Simla is on the bubble at #11 but a win over Swink should be enough to keep them inside the top 16. Simla will be facing a desperate Swink team.
Swink
Swink improved to 3-2 overall coming off the 53-0 win over Custer County. Swink this week hit the road to face Simla. Swink currently sit at #18 in the RPI just outside the top 16. Swink may need a win over Simla or Pikes Peak Christian to jump back into the top 16 but possibly not. Swink must at least beat John Mall to close out the year and that may be enough. Swink is defiantly a team that I will be watching what happens to their RPI.
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)
#8 Calhan, #9 Pikes Peak Christian, #11 Simla, #18 Swink, #30 Dolores Huerta, #22 John Mall, #36 Custer County
