Class 2A League Prediction Update Week 7
We are 6 weeks into the regular season. We are one week deep into the league schedule and already big changes are being made. With that said I will be jumping much more into the CHSAA Seeding Index and possibly eliminate some teams from playoff contention. I will post separately my Playoff Projections and Predictions.
League One
1. D’Evelyn
2. Bennett
3. Platte Valley
4. Valley
5. Wellington
6. Prospect Ridge
League One had a major shake up right off the bat with a couple surprise wins. D’Evelyn beat Platte Valley and Valley beat Wellington. Those two wins change a lot in this league and now we look forward to the second week of league. D’Evelyn moves into my pick to win the league and they face their main contender in Bennett this week on the road. This is a battle of two different styles and whoever is more physical will win this game. Bennett sits at #14 in the seeding index and D’Evelyn sits at #16. Platte Valley drops into my 3rd place pick. Platte Valley lost by 2 to D’Evelyn and now look to jump back into contention and they face a Valley team who is hoping to make a run for a playoff spot. This game will eliminate one team from playoff contention. Platte Valley sits at #24 and Valley sits at #29 in the seeding index. Both teams need this win so loser will be eliminated from playoff contention. Wellington has been eliminated from playoff contention following their loss to Valley.
CHSAA Seeding Index: #14 Bennett, #16 D’Evelyn, #24 Platte Valley, #29 Valley, #31 Wellington, #40 Prospect Ridge
Playoff Contenders: Platte Valley, D’Evelyn, Bennett
Eliminated from Playoff Contention: Wellington, Prospect Ridge
League Two
1. Brush
2. University
3. Arvada
4. Sterling
5. Weld Central
6. Timnath
League Two more than likely is only going to get the league champion into the playoffs. Maybe a second team but things will be tight for that spot. Currently no teams sit inside the top 16 of the seeding index. Brush remains my pick to win the league and they sit at #20 in the seeding index. Brush will face Sterling this week. University is my pick to finish in second. University sits at #17 in the seeding index, and they face Weld Central this week. Weld Central won last week so they are hoping to get the upset and continue their bid for a league title. The rest of the league sits outside the top 32 of the seeding index and have been eliminated from playoff contention.
CHSAA Seeding Index: #17 University, #20 Brush, #34 Arvada, #37 Sterling, #39 Weld Central, #41 Timnath
Playoff Contenders: Brush, University
Eliminated from Playoff Contention: Arvada, Sterling, Timnath, Weld Central
League Three
1. Eaton
2. The Academy
3. Berthoud
4. Steamboat Springs
5. Fort Lupton
6. Faith Christian
League Three has proven so far to be one of the toughest leagues in 2A. The first week of the league season had Eaton, The Academy, and Berthoud all victorious and all three sit at 1-0. Those three teams will not battle each other this week. Eaton remains my pick to win League Three. Eaton sits at #2 in the seeding index, and they will face Fort Lupton this week. Eaton defensively has been outstanding and look for them to continue to put the pressure on Fort Lupton this week. Fort Lupton will be desperate as they need a quality win to keep playoff hopes alive. Fort Lupton sits at #21 I the seeding index. The Academy remains my pick for second place. The Academy sits at #5 in the seeding index and they hit the road to Steamboat Springs this week. This could turn into a high scoring game with a lot of passing. I do think the Academy has improved this season so look for their defense to clamp down. Steamboat Springs sits at #19 in the seeding index and an upset would boost their rank. The final matchup to mention is Berthoud at Faith Christian. Berthoud now sits as my pick to finish in 3rd and sit at #13 in the seeding index. Berthoud will have a very good shot at the playoffs but cannot drop this game to Faith Christian. Faith Christian is getting closer and closer to being eliminated from playoff contention and they need an upset bad. Faith Christian sits at #23 in the seeding index.
CHSAA Seeding Index: #2 Eaton, #5 The Academy, #13 Berthoud, #19 Steamboat Springs, #21 Fort Lupton, #23 Faith Christian
Playoff Contenders: Eaton, The Academy, Faith Christian, Steamboat Springs, Berthoud, Fort Lupton
Eliminated from Playoff Contention: None
League Four
1. Classical Academy
2. Elizabeth
3. Englewood
4. Denver West
5. Kent Denver
6. Alameda
League Four went nearly as expected with only one big upset and that was Kent Denver upsetting Denver West. That win I think changes League Four to just 3 teams in playoff contention. The Classical Academy remains my pick to win League Four. TCA sits at #1 in the seeding index, and they will face Denver West on the road this week. TCA is in very good position to get the #1 overall seed if they win out. Elizabeth remains my pick to finish in second place. Elizabeth sits at #4 in the seeding index, and they face Kent Denver on the road this week. Kent Denver is trying to get back into playoff contention and they need that league title to do so. Elizabeth cannot overlook Kent Denver who will be desperate in this game. Englewood is the final playoff contender left and they sit at #22 in the Seeding Index. Englewood lost last week so a win is a must this week against Alameda. We will see what a win for Englewood will do for their rankings.
CHSAA Seeding Index: #1 Classical Academy, #4 Elizabeth, #22 Englewood, #30 Denver West, #35 Kent Denver, #38 Alameda
Playoff Contenders: Classical Academy, Englewood, Elizabeth
Eliminated from Playoff Contention: Denver West, Kent Denver, Alameda
League Five
1. Delta
2. Montezuma-Cortez
3. Salida
4. Pagosa Springs
5. Bayfield
League Five currently still has no teams eliminated from the playoff hunt but that will change this week. With all 5 teams in action some teams are desperate for wins. Delta remains my pick to win League Five. Delta sits at #3 in the seeding index, and they will face Salida on the road this week. Delta defensively is one of the best teams in 2A and they have really prided themselves on playing great defense. Salida sits at #18 in the seeding index, and they will be without their starter at QB. Salida has also prided themselves on defense, so I don’t expect a very high scoring game this week. Montezuma-Cortez jumps into the #2 spot following the win over Salida last week. Cortez also jumped up to #9 in the seeding index. Montezuma-Cortez will face Bayfield this week and this could be a very interesting matchup. Bayfield is desperate for a win and a loss will eliminate them from playoff contention. Cortez cannot overlook Bayfield, and this could be an interesting game. Bayfield sits at #28 in the seeding index. The final team to talk about is Pagosa Springs. Pagosa Springs sits at #27 in the seeding index and it’s do or die time for Pagosa. If Pagosa Springs can run the table they have a shot at the playoffs but any loss and I think they are eliminated from playoff contention.
CHSAA Seeding Index: #3 Delta, #9 Montezuma-Cortez, #18 Salida, #27 Pagosa Springs, #28 Bayfield
Playoff Contenders: Delta, Salida, Montezuma-Cortez
Eliminated from Playoff Contention: None
League Six
1. Basalt
2. Moffat County
3. Rifle
4. Coal Ridge
5. Grand Valley
6. Aspen
League Six opened up with a couple interesting results but went about as expected. Basalt, Moffat County, and Aspen all picked up wins last week and some key games happen this week. Basalt remains my pick to win League Six and they face a big test this week in Rifle. Basalt will be tested in this game, and we will see how their defense handles the run. Rifle fell by just 3 to Moffat County last week. Rifle has been close to a couple upsets but are still sitting in good position to make the playoffs. Rifle can drop this game but then will probably have to run the table the rest of the way to get into the playoffs. Moffat County also came out victorious last week and sit at #12 in the seeding index. Moffat County will face a desperate Coal Ridge team this week. Moffat County with a win keeps pace with the winner of the game above. Aspen has moved back into playoff contention following their 17-6 win over Coal Ridge last week. Aspen will host Grand Valley this week and must win to keep pace with the top teams and keep their playoff hopes alive. Aspen sits at #26 in the seeding index.
CHSAA Seeding Index: #7 Basalt, #11 Rifle, #12 Moffat County, #26 Aspen, #32 Grand Valley, #36 Coal Ridge
Playoff Contenders: Moffat County, Basalt, Rifle,
Eliminated from Playoff Contention: Grand Valley, Coal Ridge
League Seven
1. Florence
2. Alamosa
3. La Junta
4. Woodland Park
5. Lamar
6. Manitou Springs
League Seven is going to be a battle with every game being important. Looking at the league standings 5 of the 6 teams sit above .500. The opening week of league play had one surprising result and that was Alamosa defeating La Junta. That result changes everything in league and we will see what happens this week. Florence remains my pick to win league 7. Florence sits at #6 in the seeding index, and they face Manitou Springs this week. Florence will face a desperate Manitou Springs team this week. Look for Florence defense to make a splash this week. Manitou Springs sits at #25 in the seeding index, and they are in danger of falling out of playoff contention. Alamosa moves to my pick to finish in second. Alamosa picked up a big win last week and greatly improved their playoff hopes. Alamosa now sits at #10 in the seeding index. Alamosa will travel to face Lamar, and this could be a trap game. Alamosa cannot overlook Lamar and that showed last season when Lamar upset Alamosa. The final teams to talk about are La Junta and Woodland Park and they face each other this week. La Junta was upset by Alamosa last week and are still without their starter at QB. They face a dominate defense in Woodland Park this week and must be able to run the ball successfully. Woodland Park is looking for that signature win and must be physical to snag another big win. La Junta sits at #15 in the seeding index and Woodland Park sits at #8.
CHSAA Seeding Index: #6 Florence, #8 Woodland Park, #10 Alamosa, #15 La Junta, #25 Manitou Springs, #33 Lamar
Playoff Contenders: Florence, La Junta, Alamosa, Woodland Park
Eliminated from Playoff Contention: Lamar
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