MileHigh Prep Reports Top 10 Games of the Week for Week 1 Class 2A

MileHigh Prep Reports Top 10 Games of the Week for Class 2A

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 ten games that catch are eye, we will lower the number of games.  Good Luck this season to all teams!

Rankings used are from Media Poll.

Class 2A

#2 Delta at #3 University

No better way to kick off 2023 than with the #2 and #3 teams colliding in week #1.  Delta is considered by many to be the team to beat this season for the state title.  Delta is coming off a 12-1 record and the runners up from last season.  Delta main concern in week 1 must be on the defensive side of the ball.  They lost some key pieces from last season and will be facing a very potent offense.  University is coming off a 7-4 record and a trip to the Quarterfinals.  University will also have their defense tested by a balanced offensive attack.  This should be a great game and both teams will be looking to start the season on the right foot.

#1 Eaton vs Classical Academy (Saturday)

Another great game on the opening weekend.  Eaton is your defending State Champions, and they will be looking to repeat again.  Eaton had one loss last season and it was to TCA and they will look to avenge that loss.  Eaton has plenty of question marks on both sides of the ball and interested to see who steps up.  Classical Academy went 10-2 last season and reached the Semifinals.  TCA will be losing a good senior class and will be looking for new leaders to step up.  TCA will have a lot of inexperience tested under fire to open the season. 

#3 Elizabeth at D’Evelyn (Thursday)

We look at another ranked team facing off against a playoff team from last season.  Elizabeth went 8-2 last season but had a early exit from the playoff getting upset by Montezuma-Cortez in the first round.  Elizabeth returns a lot of key players, and they will look to get off on the right foot.  D’Evelyn went 7-3 last season and lost in the first round to Alamosa.  D’Evelyn lost a lot of key seniors from last years team and will be looking for new leaders at the skill positions.  D’Evelyn main strength will be on defense, and they will be tested in the opening game.

#7 Alamosa vs Pueblo Central (3A)

Alamosa will be looking for revenge as they face off against 3A Pueblo Central.  Alamosa fell to Pueblo Central on the road last season 40 to 29.  Alamosa will be looking for some revenge and to get off on the right foot.  Alamosa will have a few holes to fill offensively but look for the offensive line to set the tone.  Alamosa will be tested in this game.  Pueblo Central returns their main skill position group including their top two RBs.  Defensively Pueblo Central also returns 9 of their top 13 tacklers.  This should be a great battle for both teams to start the season hot.

#5 Berthoud vs Timnath

This is a intriguing matchup.  Berthoud enters the season coming off a 6-4 record and a trip to the playoffs.  They have some expectations this season and they will be looking to get off on the right foot against Timnath.  Timnath went 0-8 last season in their first season of Varsity Football.  They should improve this season, and this will be a good measuring stick game as they move into year 2 of their program.

Kent Denver at Platte Valley

We finally get are first matchup of unranked teams but two teams looking to get into the playoffs.  Platte Valley went 5-4 last season and missed the playoffs.  They defeated Kent Denver last season 21 to 20.  This could be a huge game as both teams are pushing for the playoffs this season.  Platte Valley has some key holes to fill defensively and that is the main key for Platte Valley in this game.  Kent Denver went 3-6 last season, and they are looking to get going in the right direction again.  Kent Denver is hoping to get back to the playoffs something they have not done since 2018.  Kent Denver did not post stats from last season so we will be learning more about this program as the season goes on.

Bennett at Weld Central

Opening the season with a win can be crucial for younger teams or teams hoping to have playoff aspirations.  Bennett at Weld Central is one of those games. Bennett went 7-3 last season and made the playoffs.  They got off on the right foot a season ago defeating Weld Central 38-7.  Bennett will hope to repeat that this season and they will have some inexperience but look for them to build off last season.  Weld Central went 2-7 last season and will be looking to improve this season.  Weld Central is hoping to make a push for the playoffs something they have not done since 2016.  Weld Central returns some key pieces but getting a win to start the season could be what they need for their confidence.

Salida at Buena Vista (1A)

Rivalry games to open the season are a great way to get 2023 going.  Salida is coming off a 4-5 record a season ago and were in the playoff discussion most of the year.  Salida will be looking for the playoffs this season and return the key pieces to do so.  Salida kicks off the year against rival Buena Vista and should be a great game.  Buena Vista has already opened 2023 and did so with a 41 to 0 effort against Coal Ridge.  Buena Vista jumped out the gates hot scoring 20 points in the first quarter.  This week will be a much more difficult test for Buena Vista.  This should be a great game!

Wellington at Estes Park (1A)

I know we are in week #1 but if you want to talk about a very important game to kick off 2023 then look no further.  Wellington is entering year #2 of their program and coming off a 4-5 record.  Wellington now looks to make the jump and get into the playoff discussion.  Wellington lost to Estes Park last season 34 to 14 and they will look to avenge that loss.  Wellington will look for revenge plus getting off on the right foot.  Estes Park is coming off a 7-2 record last season but missed the playoffs.  They need all the wins they can get to help get into the playoffs, but this year look for this game to be much more difficult.  Estes Park will lean heavily on their pass heavy offense, but the main question marks are on defense.  Both these teams need a win in week 1 to try and get into the playoffs.

La Junta at Burlington (1A)

The final game to mention is also a good one when La Junta makes the trip north to face Burlington.  La Junta is coming off a 5-4 record a season ago and missed the playoffs.  They return plenty of key pieces and will look for a good start.  La Junta defeated Burlington last season 42 to 34.  Burlington went 2-8 last season but made the playoffs due to their tough schedule.  Burlington will look for a better start this season.  Burlington will need their defense to step up this season.  Building momentum is key for both teams heading deeper into 2023.