Class 2A League Predictions Update Week 9
We head into the 9th week of the regular season. We have given a few league title out; Brush, Eaton, and Classical Academy have all won league titles and the automatic berth. Plenty of big games this weekend! Playoff Predictions and Projections will be in a separate article. (Can always use more Class 2A pictures!!!!!!)
Colorado League
Elizabeth
Elizabeth is my pick to win the Colorado League. Elizabeth had a bye last week before their push for the final 2 games and possibly a playoff spot. Elizabeth cannot win the Colorado League till they face Kent Denver on 10/29. Elizabeth currently sits at #11 in the RPI. Elizabeth has a must win game this week against Denver West and this is also a game to fix any mistakes before facing Kent Denver next week.
Kent Denver
Kent Denver improved to 5-2 on the season following the 51-0 win over Alameda. Kent Denver this week has a bye to prepare for their league title match against Elizabeth. Kent Denver currently sits at #15 in the RPI and would be the second to last team into the playoffs.
In the Playoff Hunt
Elizabeth, Kent Denver
Eliminated from the Playoff Hunt
Denver West, Englewood, Alameda
RPI Standings (As of 10/22)
#11 Elizabeth, #15 Kent Denver, #25 Englewood, #29 Alameda, #30 Denver West
Flatirons League
Northfield
Northfield dropped to 4-3 on the season following the 41-12 non-league loss to 1A Centauri. Northfield now must quickly bounce back. Northfield is still in control of their own fate. If Northfield wins this week, they win the league title and the automatic berth into the playoffs. Northfield will face Middle Park this week and like I mentioned it’s for the league title. If Northfield losses back-to-back games then things will get interesting but all Northfield needs is a win tonight against Middle Park.
Faith Christian
Faith Christian improved to 3-4 overall following the 22-12 win over D’Evelyn. That win keeps Faith Christian in the league title race and a small shot at an at-large berth. Faith Christian must win out to get any shot at the playoffs. Only way Faith Christian can win a league title is for Northfield to lose back-to-back games. Faith Christian sits at #22 in the RPI.
Arvada
Arvada improved to 3-2 on the season following the 21-14 OT win over Middle Park last week. Arvada sits at #27 in the RPI and need the league title. If Northfield wins tonight, Arvada is eliminated from the playoff hunt.
In the Playoff Hunt (Will need the league title)
Northfield, Faith Christian, Arvada
Eliminated from the Playoff Hunt
Middle Park, D’Evelyn, Pinnacle
RPI Standings (As of 10/22)
#13 Northfield, #22 Faith Christian, #27 Arvada, #32 D’Evelyn, #35 Middle Park, #39 Pinnacle
Patriot East League
Brush
Brush is your Patriot East league title champions. Brush locked up the league title following the 70-0 win over Fort Lupton last night. Brush will now hope to improve their seed heading towards the playoffs. Brush will face Weld Central in their final game of the season. Brush sits at #10 in the RPI.
Platte Valley
Platte Valley improved to 4-3 overall and sit on the bubble at #14 in the RPI. Platte Valley must win out to get into the playoffs. Platte Valley cannot drop a game to Weld Central or Valley and get into the playoffs. Platte Valley will be favored in both games, but the pressure will be on. Platte Valley I think gets into the playoffs but they are still on the bubble.
Sterling
Sterling fell to 1-6 on the season after forfeiting to Brush. Sterling has 2 games remaining against Valley and Fort Lupton and must win both to throw their name into the conversation for the last playoff spot. Sterling is very much still in the mix for the #15 or #16 spot. Sterling has a high OWP and what is hurting them is their own record. Winning two games and Sterling will be in the mix for the last spot.
Lock for the Playoff
Brush (League Title)
In the Playoff Hunt
Brush, Platte Valley, Sterling
Eliminated from the Playoff Hunt
Weld Central, Valley, Fort Lupton
RPI Standings (As of 10/22)
#10 Brush, #14 Platte Valley, #20 Sterling, #26 Valley, #28 Weld Central, #38 Fort Lupton
Patriot West League
Eaton
Eaton locked up the league title following the 31-0 win over Severance last night. Eaton now has the automatic berth into the playoffs and a real good shot at a top 2 seed in the playoffs. Eaton will face Berthoud next week. Eaton has the #1 RPI now and as I mentioned a really good shot at the #1 or #2 seed for the playoffs.
Severance
Severance fell to 6-2 on the season after losing to Resurrection Christian 31-0. Severance played tough in the game but just couldn’t get their offense going. Severance will look to bounce back next week against The Academy. Severance sits at #5 in the RPI and are a lock to make the playoffs. If Severance win next week, I believe they will have a good shot at a Top 8 seed.
Resurrection Christian
Resurrection Christian bounced back from their first loss of the season 2 weeks ago beating Severance 24-14. Resurrection Christian locked up a spot in the playoffs following that win and now look to hold onto a top 6 seed for the playoffs. Resurrection Christian will host The Academy this week and should be a tough test. Resurrection Christian will be facing a desperate The Academy team as they are fighting for their playoff hopes. Resurrection Christian defensively will focus on a dual threat QB. Resurrection Christian sit at #3 in the RPI and are locked into the playoffs.
The Academy
The Academy picked up a very important win last week defeating Berthoud 35-6. The Academy is very much on the bubble, and they have a risk of missing the playoffs. The Academy this week travel to face Resurrection Christian. The Academy probably needs a win over Resurrection Christian or Severance to lock a playoff spot up. If not, The Academy will probably need some help to stay in the playoffs. The Academy sit at #16 in the RPI.
University
University had a bye last week before their final push of the regular season and possibly a playoff run. University this week will travel to face Berthoud. University will be heavily favored, and this is a must win game for University. University will face Resurrection Christian in the final game. University sits at #12 in the RPI and are a near lock. A win over Berthoud should be enough regardless of what happens in that Resurrection Christian game.
Lock for the Playoffs
Eaton (League Champion), Severance, Resurrection Christian
In the Playoff Hunt
The Academy, University
Eliminated from the Playoff Hunt
Berthoud
RPI Standings (As of 10/22)
#1 Eaton, #3 Resurrection Christian, #5 Severance, #12 University, #16 The Academy, #31 Berthoud
Southwest League
Bayfield
Bayfield continued their hot streak winning their fifth straight game last week defeating La Junta 31-13. Bayfield this week now looks to lock up the league title when they travel to face Montezuma-Cortez. Bayfield will be the favorite in that game. Bayfield will be facing a desperate Cortez team as they are fighting for their playoff hopes. Bayfield sits at #6 in the RPI and could be in good shape to host a first round game.
Montezuma-Cortez
Montezuma-Cortez dropped to 3-4 on the season following the 39-24 loss to Alamosa. Montezuma-Cortez this week will look to bounce back against Bayfield. Cortez will have to play their best game of the season to pull the upset of Bayfield. Cortez sits at #17 in the RPI and a win over Bayfield would probably get them into the playoffs. If Cortez losses to Bayfield, then we will have to look at their RPI going into next week. Montezuma-Cortez still has playoff hopes.
Alamosa
Alamosa kept their playoff hopes alive picking up the 39-24 win over Montezuma-Cortez last week. That win basically locks them into the playoffs as long as they don’t lose to Salida or Lamar in their final games of the season. Alamosa will not get into the playoffs if they lose one of their final games. Alamosa sits at #7 in the RPI. Alamosa winning out should be a top 13 seed.
In the Playoff Hunt
Alamosa, Bayfield, Montezuma-Cortez
Eliminated from the Playoff Hunt
Salida, Pagosa Springs
RPI Standings (As of 10/22)
#6 Bayfield, #7 Alamosa, #17 Montezuma-Cortez, #24 Pagosa Springs, #37 Salida
Tri-Peaks League
Classical Academy
Classical Academy improved to 6-0 on the season following the 41-0 win over Woodland Park last week. That win also makes Classical Academy your Tri-Peaks League Champions. TCA this week hosts Pagosa Springs. TCA going forward will look to improve their seed heading into the playoffs. TCA is hoping for a top 4 seed, but their remaining schedule is weak. TCA sits at #4 in the RPI.
Woodland Park
Woodland Park dropped to 3-3 on the season following the 41-0 loss to Classical Academy. Woodland Park is still in the playoff hunt. Woodland Park sits at #18 in the RPI and winning out is the only way they get into the playoffs. Woodland Park this week hosts Manitou Springs before travel to face La Junta for possibly the last playoff spot.
La Junta
La Junta fell to 3-4 on the season losing to Bayfield 31-13. La Junta is still in the playoff hunt sitting at #19 in the RPI. La Junta must win out to get into the playoffs. La Junta travels to face Lamar this week and then host Woodland Park in the final game, which will be for possibly the last playoff spot.
Lock for the Playoffs
Classical Academy (League Champions)
In the Playoff Hunt
La Junta, Woodland Park
Eliminated from the Playoff Hunt
Manitou Springs, Lamar
RPI Standings (As of 10/22)
#4 Classical Academy, #18 Woodland Park, #19 La Junta, #33 Manitou Springs, #36 Lamar
West League
Delta
Delta is my pick to win the West League title tonight against Moffat County. Delta improved to 6-1 on the season following the 42-14 win over Basalt last week. Delta has a shot at winning the league title tonight when they host Moffat County. Delta will be facing a very good team and should be one of the best games in Class 2A. Delta sits at #9 in the RPI and if they win their final game against Rifle are a lock for the playoffs.
Moffat County
Moffat County will look to win the league title tonight when they travel to face Delta. Moffat County will have to be able to stop the run to have success against Delta. Moffat County come into the game winning 7 straight and coming off a 62-35 win over Aspen. Moffat County sits at #2 in the RPI and are a lock for the playoffs. They are in contention for a top 4 seed if they win out.
Basalt
Basalt dropped to 5-2 on the season following the 42-14 loss to Delta. Basalt will look to bounce back when they host Rifle. Basalt is facing a desperate Rifle team who needs a quality win to get back into the playoff hunt. I moved Basalt into the playoff lock category but a loss in any of their final games will move them out.
Rifle
Rifle improved to 3-4 on the season following the 28-7 win over Coal Ridge. Rifle will travel to Basalt and are in desperate need of a quality win to help their shot at the playoffs. Rifle sits at #23 in the RPI and I think must win out to get in.
Aspen
Aspen dropped to 2-5 on the season after losing to Moffat County. Aspen now must win out to get into the playoffs. Aspen host Coal Ridge tonight and then travel to Basalt. Aspen could see a huge jump in their RPI with a win this week so we will check after this week if Aspen needs to upset Basalt or not.
Lock for the Playoffs
Moffat County, Delta, Basalt
In the Playoff Hunt
Aspen, Rifle
Eliminated from the Playoff Hunt
Coal Ridge
RPI Standings (As of 10/22)
#2 Moffat County, #8 Basalt, #9 Delta, #21 Aspen, #23 Rifle, #33 Coal Ridge
MileHigh Prep Report 