8-Man Football League Predictions and Playoff Projections Week 8
We have completed the first four weeks of the season. A few surprises so far early on. A few surprises teams so far. League will always separate the true playoff contenders. I will continue updating my Predictions weekly. Of course, this is early in the season but with only 1 week left of league play some things are starting to shake out. I will be limiting my article length due to the longer breakdowns done by Kerry Sherman tomorrow. Again, I am not cheering against any team just giving my predictions.
Jump to Playoff Projections & Predictions Click Here
League One
1. Dove Creek
2. Mancos
3. Sanford
4. Sargent
5. Dolores
League One is nearly wrapped up with Dove Creek beating Mancos 34-26. Dove Creek just needs one win in their final two games against Dolores or Sargent to win the league title. Dove Creek is also in great position to finish as the #2 seed in the playoffs. Mancos will need a ton of help to win the league title, but Mancos has two remaining games against Dolores and a huge game against Sanford ton 10/21. Mancos is sitting #3 in the seeding index and are a near lock for the playoffs. The game against Sanford could be for a top 4 seed. Sanford is also in very good shape to make the playoffs. Sanford has three games remaining with their rivalry game against Sargent this Friday. Sanford with a win this week should be a near lock for the playoffs and on pace to host a first round game.
CHSAA Seeding Index: #2 Dove Creek, #3 Mancos, #6 Sanford, #35 Sargent, #40 Dolores
Playoff Contenders: Dove Creek, Mancos, Sanford
Eliminated from Playoff Contention: Sargent, Dolores
League Two
1. West Grand
2. Vail Christian
3. Hayden
4. Rangely
5. Plateau Valley
6. Soroco
League Two has two teams sitting atop the league standings and three teams still in playoff contention. West Grand and Vail Christian both remain undefeated in league play and won’t play each other until 10/21. West Grand this week will travel to face Hayden. West Grand is in the hunt for a home playoff game, but Hayden will be a great test. West Grand sits at #9 in the seeding index. Hayden is sitting at #15 in the Seeding Index and are on the bubble. Hayden could use a big win over West Grand, but Hayden will have must win games to close out the season. Vail Christian is the final team to mention in terms of playoff hopes. Vail Christian sits at #13 in the Seeding Index and remain on the bubble. Vail Christian will face Soroco, West Grand, and Rangely to close the season and must win two of their final three games. Vail Christian is hoping their game on 10/21 against West Grand is for the league title.
CHSAA Seeding Index: #9 West Grand, #13 Vail Christian, #15 Hayden, #28 Plateau Valley, #30 Rangely, #34 Soroco
Playoff Contenders: Hayden, West Grand, Vail Christian
Eliminated from Playoff Contention: Plateau Valley, Rangely, Soroco
League Three
1. Simla
2. Calhan
3. Elbert
4. St. Mary’s
5. South Park
6. Pikes Peak Christian
The farther and farther we move into the season the more and more league three looks like only the league champion will get into the playoffs. Simla is the favorite to win the league title and they can take another big step towards that league title when they host Elbert this week. Simla sits at #4 in the seeding index and are hunting for a top 3 seed. Calhan is still in the hunt for a playoff spot, but their remaining schedule probably won’t do much to help their playoff hopes. Calhan closes the season against St. Mary’s and South Park again. Calhan will need some help to get into the playoffs but currently they would be the 5th out of the playoffs. Elbert as mentioned will face Simla this week and they are desperate for a huge win. Elbert sits at #24 in the Seeding Index and a upset win over Simla would give them a shot at the playoffs. Elbert with a loss would need a ton of help to get into the playoffs but currently their playoff hopes are in big trouble.
CHSAA Seeding Index: #4 Simla, #21 Calhan, #24 Elbert, #30 St. Mary’s, #31 Pikes Peak Christian, #37 South Park
Playoff Contenders: Simla, Calhan, Elbert
Eliminated from Playoff Contention: St. Mary’s, Pikes Peak Christian, South Park
League Four
1. Haxtun
2. Akron
3. Merino
4. Sedgwick County
5. Dayspring Christian
6. Caliche
League Four has been a battle so far with multiple close games a few surprises and teams fighting for their playoff hopes. Haxtun remains my pick to win League Four. Haxtun sits at #1 in the seeding index and they host Dayspring Christian this week. Haxtun cannot win the league title till they face Merino the final week of the season. Haxtun will look to lock up their playoff berth though and I think a win this week will do just that. Dayspring Christian sits at #13 in the Seeding Index and are on the bubble. Dayspring Christian is on a two-game losing streak and are desperate to snap that streak. Dayspring Christian close the year against Caliche and Sedgwick County and might need to win both to get into the playoffs. Merino also sits atop the league standing picking up solid wins over Sedgwick County and Dayspring Christian. Merino will look to lock up a playoff spot this week when the travel to face Caliche. Merino sits at #7 in the seeding index, and I think a win here should be enough to make sure they make the playoffs. Merino will face Akron and Haxtun to close out the year. Akron saw their playoff hopes greatly improve with a big win over Dayspring Christian last week. Akron has another big game this week when they travel to face Sedgwick County. Akron sits at #10 in the seeding index and to have any shot at hosting a playoff game must defeated Sedgwick County this week. Sedgwick County sits at #18 in the seeding index and will be desperate for a quality win. Sedgwick County does not have a easy schedule to close the season and probably need at least one win in their final three games to get into the playoffs. Caliche is the final team to mention. Caliche will face Merino this week. Caliche sits at #17 in the seeding index and would be the first team out of the playoffs. Caliche will need probably one win in their final three games to have any hopes at the playoffs. Caliche will face Dayspring Christian and Akron to close the season.
CHSAA Seeding Index: #1 Haxtun, #7 Merino, #10 Akron, #13 Dayspring Christian, #17 Caliche, #18 Sedgwick County
Playoff Contenders: Haxtun, Akron, Merino, Caliche, Sedgwick County, Dayspring Christian
Eliminated from Playoff Contention: None
League Five
1. Lyons
2. Byers
3. Front Range Christian
4. Belleview Christian
5. Gilpin County
6. Justice
League Five like League Three is on the way to just getting one team into the playoffs. Lyons is my pick to win League Five. Lyons sits atop the league standings currently and will face the other league leader in Front Range Christian on 10/22. Lyons sits at #5 in the seeding index and winning out should give them a home first round game. Front Range Christian has improved their playoff hopes jumping into the top 20 this week. Front Range Christian sits at #19 in the seeding index and have a must win game against Justice this week. This game won’t do much to help their playoff hopes but their final two games against Lyons and Byers will probably be for a playoff spot. Byers is the final team to mention in terms of playoff hopes. Byers sits at #26 in the seeding index and must win out. Byers plays Belleview Christian this week, Justice next week, and Front Range Christian to close out the year. Byers will need help but must win out first. I eliminated Belleview Christian from playoff contention. Belleview Christian sits at #28 in the seeding index but have played very well in their first varsity season and will be fun to see their progress going forward.
CHSAA Seeding Index: #5 Lyons, #19 Front Range Christian, #26 Byers, #28 Belleview Christian, #39 Gilpin County, #41 Justice
Playoff Contenders: Lyons, Front Range Christian, Byers
Eliminated from Playoff Contention: Belleview Christian, Gilpin County, Justice
League Six
1. Crowley County
2. Fowler
3. John Mall
4. Hoehne
5. Dolores Huerta
6. Custer County
League Six like the two other mentioned leagues will probably be a One team into the playoff league. Crowley County is the heavy favorite to win the league and my pick to win the league as well. Crowley County sits at #9 in the Seeding Index. Crowley County will face Custer County this week. Crowley County cannot win the league title till they face John Mall the final game of the season. John Mall saw their playoff hopes improve greatly last week defeating Hoehne. John Mall sits at #22 in the seeding index and must win their next two games to have any shot at the playoffs. John Mall will face Dolores Huerta this week and Fowler next week. John Mall will close the season against Crowley County, and they hope that is for a league title. Hoehne and Fowler both have their playoff hopes on life support. They play each other this week with the loser being eliminated from playoff contention and even then, need a lot of help to jump into the top 16 on the seeding index. Hoehne sits at #23 and Fowler at #27.
CHSAA Seeding Index: #9 Crowley County, #22 John Mall, #23 Hoehne, #27 Fowler, #33 Dolores Huerta, #40 Custer County
Playoff Contenders: Crowley County, Fowler, Hoehne
Eliminated from Playoff Contention: Dolores Huerta, Custer County
League Seven
1. Holly
2. McClave
3. Swink
4. Wiley
5. Springfield
6. Las Animas
League 7 looks to be a wild ride to winning the league title. Two teams do sit atop the league standings in Holly and McClave and they square off this week. Holly remains my pick to win League 7 and they sit at #12 in the seeding index. Holly has had three easy games in a row but close the season against their main league competition. Holly with three wins should be in good shape for a home playoff game. Holly though could still see their playoff hopes fall apart. McClave sits at #16 in the Seeding index and probably need to win 2 of their final 3 games. McClave will face Springfield and Wiley to close the season. McClave could nearly wrap up the league title with a win over Holly. Swink sits at #14 in the seeding index and are on the bubble. Swink will face Springfield and Las Animas the next two weeks and must win those games. Swink should stay in the top 16 but their final game against Holly could be very important for playoff hopes. The final team to mention is Wiley. Wiley sits at #20 in the seeding index, and they face Las Animas this week. Wiley will close the season against Holly and McClave and might need an upset of one of the two to get into the playoffs. We will keep an eye on their Seeding Index after this week game.
CHSAA Seeding Index: #12 Holly, #14 Swink, #16 McClave, #20 Wiley, #33 Las Animas, #34 Springfield
Playoff Contenders: Holly, McClave, Wiley, Swink
Eliminated from Playoff Contention: Springfield, Las Animas
Playoff Projections & Predictions
What I have decided to do with 6-Man and 8-Man is combine my predictions and projections article since Kerry Sherman will be covering in more depth the league races. Remember to qualify for the playoffs you MUST Finish in the Top 16 of the CHSAA Seeding Index or WIN your league title.
8-Man Playoff Predictions (Who I think make the playoffs)
This is who I think make the playoffs and who win the leagues. In the 8-Man ranks all league champions are guaranteed a berth. The rest will be selected by CHSAA Seeding Index. Seeding is determined by CHSAA Seeding Index. I am picking my 11 At-Large teams via non-league schedules, remaining schedules, and how I think teams will do. League Champions are posted first then the At-Large Teams.
https://chsaanow.com/sports/2022/7/20/chsaa-postseason-seeding-index.aspx
(NOT IN ORDER!)
#1 Dove Creek (League 1)
#2 West Grand (League 2)
#3 Simla (League 3)
#4 Haxtun (League 4)
#5 Lyons (League 5)
#6 Crowley County (League 6)
#7 Holly (League 7)
At Large Teams
#8 Dove Creek (League 1)
#9 Sanford (League 1)
#10 Hayden (League 2)
#11 Vail Christian (League 2)
#12 Akron (League 4)
#13 Merino (League 4)
#14 Sedgwick County (League 4)
#15 Dayspring Christian (League 4)
#16 McClave (League 7)
Playoff Hunt for Final Spots
Caliche, Byers, Fowler, Wiley, Swink, John Mall
Seeded Playoff Bracket using my predictions and the CHSAA Seeding Index
#1 Haxtun vs #16 McClave
#8 Vail Christian vs #9 Crowley County
#4 Simla vs #13 Dayspring Christian
#5 Lyons vs #12 Holly
#2 Dove Creek vs #15 Sedgwick County
#7 Merino vs #10 West Grand
#3 Mancos vs #14 Hayden
#6 Sanford vs #11 Akron
6-Man Playoff Projections (IF the Season Ended Today)
This is if the season ended today 10/12/2022. Using the CHSAA Seeding Index I will come up with the Playoff field. League Champions are still selected with my Predictions. I will seed & select the bracket with the CHSAA Seeding Index. Remember this is still early and things will change. The league champions I selected are at the top with the at-large berths following.
(NOT IN ORDER!) ()=CHSAA Seeding Index
#1 Haxtun (1)
#2 Dove Creek (2)
#3 Simla (4)
#4 Lyons (5)
#5 Crowley County (9)
#6 West Grand (11)
#7 Holly (12)
At Large Teams (Selected using 10/12 Seeding Index)
#8 Mancos (3)
#9 Sanford (6)
#10 Merino (7)
#11 Vail Christian (8)
#12 Akron (10)
#13 Dayspring Christian (13)
#14 Swink (14)
#15 Hayden (15)
#16 McClave (16)
First Four Out
Caliche (17), Sedgwick County (18), Front Range Christian (19), Wiley (20)
Playoff Bracket Seeded using Seeding Index
#1 Haxtun vs #16 McClave
#8 Vail Christian vs #9 Crowley County
#4 Simla vs #13 Dayspring Christian
#5 Lyons vs #12 Holly
#2 Dove Creek vs #15 Hayden
#7 Merino vs #10 West Grand
#3 Mancos vs #14 Swink
#6 Sanford vs #11 Akron
MileHigh Prep Report 