Class 1A League Predictions and Playoff Predictions Week 5

Picture by OTSportChek (Wiggins vs Platte Valley)

Class 1A League Predictions and Playoff Predictions Week 5

We have completed the first four weeks of the season. This is the final week for most teams for non-league games. Next week we kick off league games and the second half of the season. Good Luck to all teams this weekend.

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League One

1. Gunnison

2. Buena Vista

3. Meeker

4. North Fork

5. Cedaredge

6. Roaring Fork

7. Olathe

League play has already kicked off in League One. Things kicked off with a bang in League One last week with the first major upset. I do believe we could be in store for another upset or two in this league. The first major upset happened last week. Gunnison upset Buena Vista and with that win jump to my pick to win the league. Gunnison of course still must face Meeker, North Fork and Cedaredge but they take the first big step to winning the league title with the win over Buena Vista. Buena Vista falls into the #2 spot and continue their tough schedule with a game against #1 Limon on Friday at home. Buena Vista will hope to bounce back this week. Meeker falls into the #3 spot but still in playoff/league title contention. Meeker had a bye last week and face Roaring Fork this Friday. I think the biggest game inside League One though happens this Friday in Cedaredge. North Fork makes the trip to face Cedaredge. This is critical game not just for league title hopes but possibly playoff hopes as well.

Playoff Contenders: Buena Vista, North Fork, Meeker, Gunnison, Cedaredge

League Two

1. Centauri

2. Monte Vista

3. Center

4. Del Norte

5. Ignacio

6. Trinidad

No changes this week on my order inside league two. Centauri stays as my pick to win the league just ahead of Monte Vista. These two don’t play each other till the end of the season. Centauri will host Bayfield this week and Monte Vista hits the road to face Peyton. Both important RPI games and I think both are favored to win. Center stays as my pick to finish 3^rd just ahead of Del Norte and Ignacio. Center playoff hopes did take a hit though with a loss to Rye last week. Center will probably need to win out against Del Norte, Ignacio, and Trinidad and still may need an upset over Centauri or Monte Vista. Del Norte will face their toughest test so far this season against Salida an upset would propel them into the playoff contention category. Ignacio has not faced a true test yet with the combined record of the teams they faced at 1-6. But that all changes this week when Ignacio travels to face Montezuma-Cortez. A win for Ignacio would propel them into the playoff and league title contention.

Playoff Contenders: Centauri, Monte Vista, Center

League Three

1. Rye

2. C.S Christian

3. Banning Lewis

4. Peyton

5. Rocky Ford

6. Ellicott

League Three is still somewhat of a mystery in terms of predictions. I think the top 3 teams (Rye, C.S Christian, and Banning Lewis) are the main title contenders and playoff contenders but figuring out their order was tough. I decided to jump Rye into the #1 spot. Rye picked up a impressive win over Center last week. They won’t really be challenged again till they face C.S Christian on 10/7. C.S Christian sits at 2-1 and face another huge test this week against Woodland Park. This is a big RPI game for C.S Christian. Banning Lewis falls into my #3 spot. Banning Lewis has back-to-back losses to run heavy teams. This is a bit of a concern, but they have a bye this week to try and get things sorted out before moving into league play. Banning Lewis will face Peyton on 10/1 and we will see if they get back on track.

Playoff Contenders: Rye, C.S Christian, Banning Lewis

League Four

1. Limon

2. Wray

3. Wiggins

4. Yuma

5. Burlington

6. Holyoke

The toughest league in Class 1A is League Four. All 6 teams have a shot at making the playoffs, but I think at most only 4 or 5 will get in. This league has proven how tough they are with all 6 teams sitting above .500. Only one team is in action this week and that is Limon. Limon makes the trip over to Buena Vista this Friday. This is another huge test for Limon, and I think gives us insight into League 1. Wray and Wiggins remain in the #2 and #3 spots, and I think the main challengers for the league title. Wiggins and Wray both sit at 3-1. Yuma has to be the biggest surprise so far this season. Yuma is 4-0 and picked up a big win over Brush last week. Yuma will look to continue to surprise everyone and look to make a run for that league title. Burlington and Holyoke both sit at 2-2 and both have shown they cannot be taken lightly. League play will really decide who has a shot at a playoff berth and I will dive much more into RPI talk next week.

Playoff Contenders: Wray, Limon, Wiggins, Holyoke, Burlington, Yuma

League Five

1. Strasburg

2. Platte Canyon

3. Middle Park

4. Denver Christian

5. Clear Creek

6. Jefferson

Just two teams inside League Five sit above .500 and I think those are the only two teams I think push for a playoff spot. Strasburg and Platte Canyon are my two teams to watch going into league play next week. Strasburg will remain my pick to win league Five and they face rival Bennett this week. This is a big RPI game. Platte Canyon will face Pinnacle this week and is a must win for Platte Canyon to keep their playoff contention alive. Middle Park, Denver Christian, Clear Creek, and Jefferson have many question marks going forward. I really don’t see any of the 4 teams pushing for playoff spots but all it takes is one upset in league play to change that.

Playoff Contenders: Strasburg, Platte Canyon

League Six

1. Flatirons Academy

2. Estes Park

3. Highland

4. Manual

5. Pinnacle

6. Sheridan

League Six in my opinion looks to be the weakest league in Class 1A and could be a 1 bid league. Flatirons Academy and Estes Park look to be the main league title contenders and playoff berth contenders. Flatirons Academy stays as my pick to win league 6. They have a pair of tough losses to C.S Christian and Denver West. I think once inside league play you will see Flatirons Academy run the table. Their RPI will be the main question mark. Estes Park is undefeated at 3-0 but they have not played the toughest schedule with their best win coming over Wellington. Estes Park should beat Ellicott this week and like I said about Flatirons Academy they should run the table till they meet. RPI is again the main question mark for Estes Park. Pinnacle, Manual, and Highland are the three teams who could push for a top 2 spot but will have to show improvement.

Playoff Contenders: Flatirons Academy, Estes Park

Playoff Predictions

We are early in the season, so I am just going to pick the 16 teams I think make the playoffs. They are not in any order, and I am just picking the 16 teams I think have a shot at the playoffs. Remember still very early and plenty can still change if you are left of the list.

Buena Vista

Meeker

North Fork

Gunnison

Monte Vista

Centauri

Banning Lewis

Rye

C.S Christian

Wray

Limon

Yuma