MileHigh Prep Reports Top 10 Games of the Week (Class 1A and 8-Man)
We are doing something a bit different this season and looking at the top 10 games of the week. These games are picked by MileHigh Prep Report and ranking does not matter. We will separate into two classes and go from there for the first few weeks. If there are not 10 games that catch are eye, we will lower the number of games. Good Luck this season to all teams! Rankings used are from the Media Poll.
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Class 1A
#1 Limon vs #4 Florence (2A)
This will be one of the best games in the State on Friday Night. Two teams with State Title aspirations in their respective classes. Limon lose a great senior class, but they just reload and will have plenty of weapons back. Florence is loaded with a talented senior class and look to get off on a strong foot in class 2A. This is a huge game for both teams and cannot wait to see the results!
#8 Meeker at #10 North Fork
This is a great matchup to start the year for both teams and if I am correct this is a league game (if I am wrong let me know). Lots on the line and both teams come in with question marks at multiple spots. North Fork lose a great senior class but do return plenty of talent to make a run. North Fork will lean heavily on the leadership returning at QB. Meeker is also in a similar spot losing a solid senior class. Meeker will turn to multiple players to fill the void of the offense lost to graduation.
#6 Strasburg vs #9 Holyoke
Let’s keep the top 10 matchups going in Class 1A. Both teams have deeper playoff run aspirations and both return solid cores to make those dreams come true. Strasburg will lean heavily on their rushing attack but look for a bit more balance this season. Holyoke returns a good junior class, and they will be looking to make their impact this season. This is another great game on Friday Night.
#5 Wiggins vs Brush (2A)
A very interesting matchup here. Brush was your runner up last year in Class 2A but lose a big chunk of that team. They will be looking to show they are still a threat this season and will open again a team many have their eye on. Wiggins is a team a lot of people have pegged for a deep playoff run. Wiggins returns nearly their entire roster and will look to dominate right away. Great test for both teams.
#4 Centauri vs Pagosa Springs (2A)
A very intriguing matchup. Centauri is your defending State Champions but lose a great senior class. Centauri will look to show they are still title contenders and look to get off on the right foot. Pagosa Springs is looking to prove they are a threat in 2A this season and return a big chunk of last years team. This could turn into a high scoring affair but is a great early season matchup.
Flatirons Academy at C.S Christian (Saturday)
Two teams with playoff aspirations square off in the opening weekend and I know very early, but these games could go a long way to getting into the playoffs. Flatirons Academy returns most of their offensive skill positions, but the main question is can their offensive line step up. C.S Christian defensively will be extremely tough but the question marks for them come on the offensive side. This is a great matchup and will tell a lot for both teams going forward.
Center at Platte Canyon (Saturday)
Another great matchup between two teams with playoff aspirations. Center enters returning key pieces on offense mainly at QB, FB, and WR, but can they put everything together and reach the playoffs. Platte Canyon will have a few holes from last season but return their QB plus secondary skill positions to make them very tough. This is another game that could go along way to making the playoffs.
#7 Monte Vista vs Rocky Ford
A very interesting matchup between teams who have meet for the past few seasons. Monte Vista enters looking for another playoff run. A few holes for Monte Vista to fill but look for this offense and defense to be top units this season. Rocky Ford will be looking to shake last years season and rebound. Rocky Ford will have new skill position players to step up, but their defense must improve.
Peyton at Cedaredge (Thursday)
Another great matchup in Class 1A. These early season games will be very important come the end of the season and this is another great example. Peyton enters with holes at the RB position but return their QB who must be a leader this season. Cedaredge also returns their QB but have holes at the skill positions. Another big game for teams hoping to reach the playoffs.
#3 Wray at Highland
Typically, this would be a battle between top 10 teams, but this still should be a good game. Wray enters with a deep playoff run in mind. Wray is talented at most positions but must stay healthy. Highland is rebuilding a bit after losing a good senior class. Highland will look to show they are still a threat, but this will be a test for their younger kids.
8-Man
#10 McClave vs Crowley County (Saturday)
A great matchup to kick things off for two playoff hopeful teams. McClave enters will playoff hopes, and I think could be a dark horse to make a deep playoff run. McClave returns nearly their entire roster most have been 3- or 4-year starters and we will see how much they have improved. Crowley County is another team with playoff hopes and return a talented roster. Crowley County will look to dominate on the ground and have the RB’s back to do so. I think this will be a very physical game.
#8 Simla at Hoehne
This is another great matchup between two talented teams. Both teams missed the playoffs, and both return most of last years roster. Simla will look to shore up their defense this season and this will be a good test of how much they have improved. Hoehne was inexperienced last season, but this season return a lot of experience and will look to show they can be a top team in 8-Man.
#7 Swink at Fowler
A rivalry game to kick off the season as #7 Swink heads down Hwy 50 to face Fowler. Both teams enter with plenty of talent back, but it comes down to who improved the most during the offseason. Both teams are playoff teams from a season ago and this could be that critical matchup to get in and possibly a high seed.
#3 Akron at Byers
Another matchup between playoff teams from a season ago. Akron burst onto the season last year and will look for another successful season this year. Byers also reached the playoffs but will look to show they have improved from last year. This should be a good matchup early on to test to see how far each team has come.
Dayspring Christian at Sanford
Typically, a top 10 matchup but both teams lost a lot of talent to graduation. Sanford reached the semifinals last season and look to replace a good senior class. Sanford has talent back but must put everything together on offense. I think defensively Sanford will be a top team. Dayspring Christian also lose a good senior class and must find weapons on offense. Good test for both teams early in the season.
#2 Merino at Pikes Peak Christian (Saturday)
Another great matchup and are two teams looking to make a statement right off the bat. Merino enters as a top team in 8-Man this season and have the talent to make a deep run. Pikes Peak Christian does not return as much but have been a top team in 8-Man for the past several seasons. This is a solid early test for both teams.
#4 Dove Creek vs Plateau Valley
A very interesting matchup here. Dove Creek enters without their long time QB and must find a replacement. Dove Creek will return a lot of talent elsewhere and makes them a top team in 8-Man. Plateau Valley lose a solid senior class and could be rebuilding this season. This is a good opportunity for Dove Creek to show what they have early on.
#5 Mancos at Melrose NM
Mancos will face an out of state opponent to open the year and this is no slack of an opponent. Melrose NM reached the playoffs last season and won a game before falling in OT. Mancos will be tested in this game but have a good shot at showing they are a team to watch in 8-Man this season.
Caliche at Rangely
I am excited about this matchup. Rangely will be young this season but have been competitive for the past few years. Caliche has been young the past few years but have built to this point and now look to burst onto the 8-Man scene. This is a big game for both teams as they look to show what this season has ahead of them.
Sedgwick County at Dundy County-Stratton NE (Thursday)
Another great out of state matchup in the opening weekend. Sedgwick County will look to avenge their 42-14 lose to Dundy County last season. Sedgwick County will be young this season, but they have great coaching as they look to build towards the playoffs again.
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