MileHigh Prep Reports Top 8 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
#1 Eaton (3-1) vs Steamboat Springs (3-1) Friday 7pm
League play kicks off across all of 2A and some great matchups to talk about. We kick things off with Eaton hosting Steamboat Springs. Eaton enters the matchup at 3-1 and will be coming off a bye week. Eaton has won three straight games since their opening week loss. In their 3 wins they have not given up more than 7 points in any of those games. Steamboat Springs enters the matchup at 3-1. Steamboat Springs is on a 2-game winning streak. Steamboat Springs defeated Aspen last week 34-21. Steamboat Springs has not played a top tier opponent like Eaton yet this season so this will be a true test to the passing attack of Steamboat Springs.
#5 La Junta (3-1) at Alamosa (2-2) Friday 7pm
This is a brand-new league for both Alamosa and La Junta and they square off in Alamosa. Last season Alamosa grab a huge win over La Junta 42-6. La Junta will be looking to prove they have grown since last season game but will be without their starting QB (I believe). La Junta has turned a bit more to their defense and it showed against Manual on 9/16. Alamosa is coming off a bye week and enter at 2-2. Alamosa has not found its stride offensively yet this season but look for them to have things figured out. Alamosa must be physical in this game and must stop the run.
#8 Elizabeth (3-1) vs Englewood (3-1) Friday 7pm
I think one of the more underrated games in Class 2A this week. Elizabeth hosts Englewood in a very important league matchup. Elizabeth enters at 3-1 and their defense has been the most impressive thing this season holding two opponents under 16 points. Offensively Elizabeth has struggled at times, and they will look to have things sorted out after the bye week. Englewood also enters at 3-1 and they played a mixed schedule of 2A and 3A teams in the non-league schedule. Englewood lone loss came to Littleton on 9/16 but they bounced back last week defeated Lincoln (3A). Englewood will have to bring physicality this week as they try to stop the run. This game will be won or lost in the trenches this week.
#9 Moffat County (3-1) vs Rifle (2-2) Friday 7pm
I feel like the opening week of league play features some great games and I think we got another here. Moffat County will host Rifle. Moffat County enters at 3-1. Moffat County, I feel has not played up to the preseason hype with struggle wins against Bayfield and Steamboat Springs. But we know things do not matter until league play. Moffat County has played well on the defensive side of the ball making key stops to help get wins. Offensively Moffat County needed the bye week to sort things out on offense. Rifle is 2-2 and they may be the big surprise so far. Rifle played very tough against Delta and Glenwood Springs but picked up important wins over Montezuma-Cortez and Brush. Rifle will look to continue to surprise teams and they will look to the running game to do so. This will be a very physical game and who controls the line of scrimmage will be key.
Brush (1-3) at Arvada (2-2) Thursday 6pm
League Two did not have the best non-league success but three teams remain in the hunt for a playoff spot. Brush enters as the preseason favorite to win league two. Brush will be coming off back-to-back heart breaks and will look to break the losing streak. Look for Brush to control the clock and play very physical defense. Arvada enters at 2-2 and they also have a pair of heart breaks on their schedule falling in OT to Englewood and by 10 to Littleton. Arvada did show they can put up points in their final non-league game blasting Middle Park 41-7. Arvada will have to show they can play physical football to get the win over Brush. This is the first real big test for Arvada on the season.
Platte Valley (2-2) at D’Evelyn (2-2) Friday 4pm
I know this is week one of the league schedule, but we could see a team take a big step towards a league title in this game. Platte Valley will travel to face D’Evelyn. Both teams are seen as the top two teams in this league, and they square off right away. Platte Valley enters the game on a two-game losing streak and their offense has struggled. Platte Valley has scored just 13 points in two weeks and on the season are averaging 15.5 PPG on the year. Platte Valley will look to get back on track both offensively and defensively. D’Evelyn enters at 2-2 and they broke their losing streak last week blasting Alameda 40-13. D’Evelyn will look to slow the QB of Platte Valley but also look to their QB to continue to improve as the season goes on. D’Evelyn has a big chance to take control of the league in their home stadium.
#10 Montezuma-Cortez (4-1) vs Salida (3-2)
This may be one of the best games in Class 2A. Montezuma-Cortez hosts Salida. Cortez has to be the biggest surprise start to the season so far. Montezuma-Cortez is 4-1 to start the season with their best win coming over North Fork two weeks ago. Cortez lone loss is to Rifle on the season. Cortez will look to show they belong in the top 10 but play a very physical Salida team who is balanced in their offensive attack. Salida is 3-2 on the season and enter on a 3-game winning streak. Salida best win comes against Rye and since their opening two weeks Salida has broken the 24 point mark in all 3 games. Salida will look to slow the attack of Montezuma-Cortez. Salida will have to play disciplined defense to win this game.
Woodland Park (3-1) at Manitou Springs (3-1) Friday 7pm
Another big Clash in League 7 features a pair of 3-1 teams. Woodland Park is off to a great start and their defense is the main reason why. Woodland Park has given up just 38 points in 4 games including a pair of shutouts. Woodland Park has quality wins as well over Salida and C.S Christian. Woodland Park offensively has turned it up a bit more and look for the rushing attack to stay the focus. Manitou Springs also is on a 3-game winning streak. Manitou Springs does not have the quality wins Woodland Park does but their offense has scored in bunches this season. Manitou Springs has broken the 36-point mark 3 times this season and the 20 point mark in all 4 games. Manitou Springs will have to be physical to get this win and will test their high-flying offense.
Fort Lupton (3-1) at Berthoud (3-1) Friday 7pm
I believe this is the most important matchup in League 3 this week. Fort Lupton and Berthoud are both 3-1 and both look to keep pace with the league leaders. Fort Lupton has won three straight games with their best win coming against Lamar. Fort Lupton will look to add another key win this week against Berthoud, but this will be a very physical team. Fort Lupton must be physical on the defensive line to have any shot against Berthoud. Berthoud enters this matchup with momentum coming off a 4-point win over Lamar which is also their best win of the season. Berthoud will face a pass heavy offense this week but must stay physical on the offensive line to have success. I know this is very early in the league season, but this could be an elimination game when it comes to making the playoffs.
Class 1A
#5 Wiggins (3-1) at #6 Yuma (4-0) Friday 7pm
The best matchup in Class 1A features #5 Wiggins at #6 Yuma. This is a great way for League 4 to kick off things. Wiggins enters at 3-1 with their lone loss coming to Strasburg in Double OT. Wiggins has bounce back well blasting both Rocky Ford and Platte Valley. Wiggins will look for their defense to step up this game and be physical against the run. Yuma enters at 4-0 and I can admit I was wrong when it came to this team. Yuma has been very physical so far this season including big wins over Brush and Banning Lewis. Yuma will look to run it down your throat and really don’t look to pass. Controlling the line of scrimmage will be critical in this game and whoever does will win this game.
#7 Meeker (3-1) at Cedaredge (3-2) Friday 7pm
One of the two big clashes in League One features Meeker at Cedaredge. Meeker is 3-1 to start the season and their motto has been physical football. Meeker has been dominate in their past two games breaking the 40-point mark. Meeker also is playing tough defensively and look for this physical Meeker team to try and clamp down on the passing attack of Cedaredge. Cedaredge enters the matchup at 3-2 and are coming off a hard-fought loss to North Fork 24-12. Cedaredge will look to toughen up against the run after giving up 366 on the ground. That has to be the key for Cedaredge to try and upset Meeker is stopping the run and giving their QB time to throw.
#10 Centauri (2-2) at Center (2-2) Friday 7pm
The big game in League Two Features Centauri at Center. Centauri enters league play at 2-2 but still the favorite to win the league. Centauri has played a very difficult schedule with their losses coming to 2A Florence and Buena Vista. Centauri is battle tested and their defense has been the anchor for them. Centauri offensively is continuing to figure things out and we will see how effective they are against Center. Center enters league play at 2-2 and they are reeling a bit after falling big to Rye 48-16. Center will look to make adjustments to their defense this week to not allow the big play. Offensively Center must capitalize on red zone opportunities. Big plays are the key in this game.
#3 Wray (3-1) vs Holyoke (2-2) Friday 7pm
Another monster clash in League 4 features Wray hosting Holyoke. Wray enters at 3-1 but their non-league schedule was not the most difficult playing 3 teams who have yet to win a game. Wray though did dominate in those games, and they look to show what they can do against quality opponents. Wray will need to be physical up front to allow their offense to get going. Holyoke enters the matchup at 2-2 but are on a two-game winning streak. Holyoke picked up a pair of out-of-state wins against Colby KS and Hershey NE. Holyoke will be looking for their first win against a Colorado team. Holyoke will look for their QB to get them going this week and look for this game to be a very physical contest.
#9 Buena Vista (2-2) vs North Fork (2-2) Friday 7pm
Another great matchup in League 1. Buena Vista will host North Fork. Buena Vista sits at 2-2 currently and 0-1 in league. BV will look to break the two-game losing streak this week. Buena Vista will look to their defense to get back on track and be physical against opponents. Offensively Buena Vista has yet to really get things going. Buena Vista has only broken the 25-point mark once this season. Look for Buena Vista to try and get things rolling in their second league game. North Fork enters at 2-2 and they are coming off a big 24-12 win over Cedaredge. North Fork moved to 1-1 in league play and now look for a big upset to help their playoff hopes. North Fork must be physical on offense and must control the clock. North Fork also must be ready to stop the QB led offense of Buena Vista.
#1 Limon (4-0) at Burlington (2-2) Saturday 1pm
You know your league is one of the best-in-Class 1A when all 3 of your league games are featured in the top 10. Limon will kick off league play on the road at Burlington. Limon enters play at 4-0 and what a non-league schedule they played facing 4 top 10 teams and coming away with wins. Limon defensively is one of the best giving up just 30 points in four games. Offensively Limon had their best game of the season last week against Buena Vista scoring 50 points. Limon will look to get off to a hot start in league play on the road this week. Burlington enters league play at 2-2. Burlington is on a 2-game winning streak, and they have also played a tough schedule. Both of Burlington losses come to 2A opponents and both were close contests. Burlington will face their toughest opponent to date when they host Limon, and their offense must be able to run the ball to have any shot at defeating Limon. This will be a physical game and will be on in the trenches.
Banning Lewis (2-2) vs Peyton (1-3) Saturday 7pm
The biggest game in League 3 features Banning Lewis hosting Peyton. Banning Lewis got off to a hot start at 2-0 but have since lost two straight games enter league play. Banning Lewis will look for their defense to tough up this week. Offensively Banning Lewis did get things going last week but must find consistency now that league play is here. Look for Banning Lewis to try and set the tone against Peyton. Peyton enters league play at 1-3 and they were blasted last week by Monte Vista 50-22. Peyton did not score an offensive TD against the Varsity of MV but got a special teams score and a few TDs against the JV of MV. Peyton will look to get things fixed this week against Banning Lewis. Peyton must get protection for their QB and must get a rushing attack going. Peyton will look to their defense to make big strides this week.
Flatirons Academy (2-2) vs Pinnacle (1-3)
This is a matchup I think that has big playoff implications. Flatirons Academy sits at 2-2 and is desperate for a win. Pinnacle enters at 1-3 and also desperate for another win. This is an elimination game with the winner keeping their playoff hopes alive. Both teams will look to run the ball the majority of the time so look for the battle in the trenches to be the deciding factor.
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