MileHigh Prep Reports Top 10 Games of the Week (Class 2A and 1A)
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! To jump to Class 1A Click Here
Rankings used are from Media Poll.
Class 2A
#2 Delta at #4 The Academy (Saturday)
Easily the best matchup in Class 2A this weekend pits #2 Delta vs #4 The Academy. This is a big non-league matchup with playoff seeding implications on the line. Delta has rolled to 4-0 behind a strong defensive effort. Delta has given up just 20 points in 4 games and have pitched 3 shutouts as well. The Academy enters at 3-0 and come off a big win over D’Evelyn last week. The Academy has played a tough schedule, but this will be the first top defensive unit they have seen this season. This should be a great game and I think we learn more about each team after this week.
#7 Florence at Faith Christian
Florence vs Faith Christian is another great matchup this weekend. Florence and Faith Christian both enter with a 2-1 record, and both enter with wins in their last matchups. Florence had a bye last week and come off a tough 3-point win over Pagosa Springs two weeks ago. Florence has yet to fully get their offense going in full stride but defensively they have been stout. Faith Christian has not played the most difficult schedule and their 40 to 7 loss to D’Evelyn to weeks ago was a surprise. Faith Christian will look to their defense again to keep them in this game. I think early this game could be a defensive slug fest.
Rifle at Brush
Two teams enter this matchup at 1-2 and I believe both teams are better than their 1-2 record indicate. This is a very big matchup for both teams before heading into league play and could be key momentum. Brush comes into the matchup after falling to Yuma 10-7. This was a very physical matchup, and they must bring the physicality again to stop the run heavy offense of Rifle. Brush offensively will look to control the line of scrimmage and use the clock. Rifle enters after a close 21-0 loss to Delta. Rifle must be physical in this game and must have their defense stop the run. Whoever controls the line of scrimmage will win this game.
#1 Classical Academy at Sand Creek (3A)
A clash between two Colorado Springs teams and one team looking to take down the bigger 3A school. TCA enters at the #1 team in the state and a perfect 3-0 record. TCA comes off a bye week and the week before that TCA blasted Alamosa. TCA will look to move to 4-0 before heading into league play next week. Sand Creek is in 3A and coming off a tough loss to Wheat Ridge. Sand Creek is looking for any momentum and an upset of the #1 team in Class 2A could be the momentum they need.
Englewood at Lincoln (3A) (Thursday)
This is probably the most underrated matchup in Class 2A this week. Englewood enters at 2-1 and Lincoln is 3-0 and on the verge of being ranked in Class 3A. Englewood enters following the 44-33 loss to 3A Littleton and now look to bounce back. Englewood showed last week they can put points but now must fix their defensive mistakes. Lincoln is a surprise at 3-0 and they have a quality win over Denver West. Lincoln looks to stay perfect against 2A schools, but I believe this will be their toughest test yet.
Ignacio (1A) at Montezuma-Cortez
A great matchup in the Southwest Corner of the state pits Ignacio vs Montezuma-Cortez. Ignacio enters undefeated at 2-0 but have yet to truly be tested in their first two games. Not much is known about Ignacio either, so this is a true test if they have a shot in the Class 1A ranks. Montezuma-Cortez enters at 3-1 and come off an impressive win over North Fork last week. This was a surprise win, and they look to get to 4-1 before moving into league play. Cortez now has their eyes on making the playoffs and a win over Ignacio could be the momentum they need.
Lamar at Berthoud
A very intriguing matchup between two playoff fringe contenders square off in Berthoud this Friday. Berthoud is 2-1 but their two wins come against 0-6 teams and their lone loss is to 3A Thompson Valley. Berthoud is looking to pick up a very important win before jumping into their tough league schedule. Lamar is 1-2 entering this matchup and they played tough against Burlington last week but fell. Lamar needs this win to enter league play at .500. Lamar schedule after this game is brutal Florence, Alamosa, and their rivalry game against La Junta. Lamar could be in huge trouble in terms of playoffs without a win over Berthoud.
Salida at Del Norte (1A)
Another good matchup in the Southern Part of the state pits Salida at Del Norte. Salida has made a resurgence this season and sit at 2-2. Salida was dominate last week against Coal Ridge and they look to keep improving weekly. Salida is hoping to stay in the conversation as a playoff contender so winning against Del Norte is key. Del Norte is 2-1 to start the season and had a bye last week. Del Norte picked up their first loss of the season last week being blanked by Cedaredge 20-0. Del Norte will look to bounce back and a win over Salida would be their best win so far of the season. Del Norte will be truly tested physically by Salida and we will see how they hold up against Salida.
Denver West at Denver North (3A)
Denver West vs Denver North this matchup has gained some traction as both teams enter at 2-1. Denver West moved back into the win column last week defeating a good 1A Flatirons Academy team. Denver West must stay physical to grab a win over 3A Denver North. Denver North fell for the first time this season losing to Northfield. Denver North will look to bounce back against a run heavy Denver West team.
Grand Valley at Manual (1A) (Saturday)
The final matchup to talk about in Class 2A is Grand Valley at Manual. Grand Valley is 2-1 on the season and had a bye last week. Grand Valley looks to fix the mistakes of their last game when they fell to North Fork 28-0. Grand Valley is hoping to keep pace in the RPI race so a win over Manual would help. Grand Valley must be able to run the ball to have success this week. Manual is 1-2 on the season and come off back-to-back 20+ point losses. Manual will look to get back on track and a win over Grand Valley would do just that. This is a matchup that could eliminate a team from playoff contention.
Class 1A
#1 Limon at #7 Buena Vista
The best matchup in Class 1A features the #1 Limon Badgers vs the #7 Buena Vista Demons. A big matchup between top teams in the class and should have big implications on playoff seeding. Limon enters the matchup at 3-0 and come off a bye. Limon the week previous defeated Strasburg 27-0. This will be the fourth straight top 10 opponent for Limon. Limon defensively has been extremely tough and look for them to try and clamp down on Buena Vista spread offense. Buena Vista enters the matchup at 2-1 and they come off a 1-point loss to Gunnison. Buena Vista will face another physical team in Limon and their defense must step up this week. Offensively Buena Vista will look to get their QB going. This game is won in the trenches this week.
#3 Monte Vista at Peyton
A battle between two traditional powers. Monte Vista makes the trip to face Peyton. Monte Vista enters the matchup at 3-0 and come off a bye. Monte Vista last played on 9/9 against Gunnison and won in a hard-fought battle. Monte Vista will look to get their offense going again against Peyton. Peyton enters at 1-2 and they won their first game of the season last week defeating Trinidad. Peyton will need to be tough against the run if they want any shot in this game. This is a big game for both teams as they head into league play next week.
#5 Strasburg at #9 Bennett (2A)
A big rivalry game features two top ten teams in different classes. Strasburg and Bennett are separated by less than 10 miles and is always a great matchup when they meet. Strasburg comes off a bye and enters with a 2-1 record. Strasburg has quality wins over Holyoke and Wiggins and look to add to their resume when they travel to Bennett. Strasburg will be tested defensively by a run heavy Bennett team. Bennett enters at 3-0 and they picked up their best win of the season last week defeating Banning Lewis 40-32. This will be Bennett toughest game of the season so far and we will see how their defense handles a balanced offensive attack.
#10 Centauri vs Bayfield
Another solid matchup in the southern part of the state features Bayfield at Centauri. Bayfield is 0-3 currently but they keep improving weekly and they nearly upset Moffat County last week. Bayfield defensively will be tested by the rushing attack of Centauri, but the main test is can their offense handle the pressure of Centauri. Centauri enters at 1-2 but they have played a tough schedule. Centauri looks to even their record before heading into league play. The bye week came at a perfect time for Centauri as they look to fix the mistakes of the first three weeks. Defensively Centauri has proven to be one of the best in 1A but their offense must improve heading into the second half of the season.
C.S Christian at Woodland Park
What I believe is the most underrated matchup in Class 1A is C.S Christian traveling to face Woodland Park. C.S Christian and Woodland Park both enter the matchup at 2-1 and both have losses to undefeated teams. C.S Christian comes off a bye and they last played 9/10 and they defeated Denver Christian 52-20. C.S Christian will look to keep their passing attack going but their defense must keep improving weekly. Woodland Park also comes off a bye and they last played 9/9 and they defeated Mitchell 41-0. Woodland Park offensively looks to run the ball and control the line of scrimmage. Both teams play different styles of football and should make for an interesting matchup. This is a big game for RPI numbers and look for it to be a close game.
North Fork at Cedaredge
League One has kicked off league play and this is a league game. North Fork vs Cedaredge is very important not just for league standings but also playoff hopes. Both teams need a key win, and this is one of those games. North Fork enters at 1-2 and they come off a tough loss to Montezuma-Cortez last week. North Fork will look to fix the defensive mistakes and loo for them to really run the ball against Cedaredge this week. Cedaredge picked up their first league win blanking Olathe 42-0 last week. Cedaredge now looks to improve in their league standings and pick up a key win over North Fork. Cedaredge must be able to stop the run and must have a good performance from their QB this week. This is a huge game as mentioned and will help figure out some playoff contenders.
Roaring Fork at #8 Meeker
Another League game in League One happens in this matchup. Roaring Fork enters the matchup at 1-2 and they picked up their first win of the season defeating Clear Creek. Roaring Fork was balanced in their offensive attack, and they must continue to improve. Roaring Fork defensively must be ready to stop the run and we will see how much they have improved this season. Meeker enters the matchup off a bye and their last game they blasted Aspen 41-14. Meeker will look to move to 2-0 in league play and this is a very important game to win as they face Cedaredge, Buena Vista, and Gunnison the following three weeks. Look for Meeker to control the tempo with their offense rushing attack and look for the defense to force turnovers.
Platte Canyon at Pinnacle
An eliminate game in this matchup. Platte Canyon vs Pinnacle features two teams hoping to stay alive in the playoff hunt and I think the loser falls out of playoff contention. Platte Canyon enters the matchup at 2-1 and they look for a big win this week. Platte Canyon big knock is their loss to Flatirons Academy so winning out besides their game with Strasburg is a must! Platte Canyon must stop the run to have any success this week. Pinnacle enters the matchup at 1-2 and they picked up their first win of the season on 9/9 against Clear Creek. Pinnacle looks to improve to 2-2 and a win over Traditional power Platte Canyon would propel them into playoff contention.
#9 Estes Park at Ellicott
A interesting matchup between surprise Estes Park and Ellicott. Estes Park is 3-0 to start the season and they are coming off a wild shootout with Denver Christian 52-46. The main questions mark for Estes Park is their defense. They have no problem scoring but limiting other teams is the key. Estes Park needs this win over Ellicott to stay in playoff contention. Ellicott is 0-3 to start the season and offensively they have struggled going putting up just 8 points. Ellicott will have a shot to get their offense going this week against Estes Park. Defensively they must stop the pass to have any success.
University (2A) at Highland
Two 0-3 teams meet up here. University vs Highland features two traditional playoff teams who are off to rough starts. University has played a tough schedule playing against 3 top 10 teams. This is the easiest game in their non-league schedule, and they must get the win to help boost their RPI heading into league play. University has played good on defense at times and look for them to really clamp down on Highland. Highland has also played a tough non-league schedule playing against 3 teams with .500 records. Highland will look to get into the win column but must get their offense going. Defensively them also must be ready to make a stop or two.
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