Class 1A Football Preview-Week Two
After a great opening weekend of games, we have seen the Media Poll make some big changes. We see two new teams enter the rankings in Monte Vista and Buena Vista. We also saw Centauri and North Fork drop out of the rankings. Look for another great weekend of Football. We will continue to use the MileHigh Prep Report Media Poll until the CHSAA Seeding and Selection Index comes out.
Rankings used are from Media Poll.
Class 1A
#1 Limon (1-0) at #4 Meeker (1-0) Saturday at 1:00pm
Limon kicked off their state title defense in a big way with a 55 to 23 win over Florence. Limon was able to build a 41 to 9 lead at halftime and cruised to the big win. Limon racked up over 500 yards of total offense led by QB Jordan Rockwell who had 102 yards passing and 1 TD. The rushing attack for Limon had a big day with 425 yards rushing and key performances by Lohgan Bottjer (138 yards rushing & 4 rushing TDs) & Keon Bandy (88 yards rushing & 2 rushing TDs). Defensively Limon was stout allowing 9 points while the starters were in the game. Limon was led in tackles by Treyton Marx (7 tackles, 2TFL) and Keon Bandy (7 Tackles). Limon will make the trip down I-70 for their yearly test against a physical Meeker team. Meeker kicked off 2023 in a very exciting way defeating North Fork 36 to 35 in OT. Meeker took a huge gamble in OT going for two and securing the win. Meeker defensively will have some things to clean up after giving up 319 yards rushing to North Fork. Meeker did have a big day in the turnover category with 3 INTs. Meeker leading tacklers were Judd Harvey (13 tackles) and Cade Blunt (10 tackles). Offensively Meeker had a solid day racking up 345 yards of total offense. QB Ryan Sullivan was efficient going 9 of 14 for 77 yards and a TD. The rushing attack was the main catalyst with 268 yards and was led by Clay Crawford who had 158 yards rushing and 2 rushing TDs. Meeker will be tested on the ground and we will see how the defense steps up.
#2 Wray (1-0) at Goodland KS (0-0) Friday at 6:00pm
Wray kicked off 2023 with a contest against Highland at home. Wray was able to secure the 46 to 6 win and move to 1-0 on the season. Wray made quick work in the game scoring 34 points in the first quarter then adding 6 more in the second quarter to get running clock going and getting some playing time for the younger players. Wray offensively had a big day scoring 40 points in the first half but also racking up 324 yards of total offense. Wray was led by QB Casey Midcap who had 30 yards passing but 69 yards rushing and 3 rushing TDs. RB Samuel Meisner also had a solid day with 124 yards rushing and 1 rushing TD. Defensively Wray came out hot and established the tempo. Wray forced 3 INTs and 2 sacks in the game. Wray also kept Highland scoreless in the first half while the starters were in. Wray was led in tackles by Brodie Riggelman (6 tackles) and Samuel Meisner (6 tackles). Wray will hit the road in their first road game of the year and travel to Kansas to face Goodland. Goodland has not opened the 2023 season. Goodland KS went 2-7 a season ago and will be looking to bounce back. Goodland lost to Wray last season 36 to 16.
#3 Holyoke (1-0) at 3A Lincoln (0-0) Friday at 6:00pm
Holyoke opened 2023 with a huge win over previously #2 ranked Strasburg. Holyoke had a complete team effort in the win. Holyoke defeated Strasburg 33 to 7. Holyoke has no stats for the game. I can tell you that defensively Holyoke held Strasburg to 239 yards of total offense. Holyoke also forced 5 turnovers in the game and that was the biggest difference in the game. Holyoke will hit the road this week to face 3A Lincoln and should be a solid test. Lincoln has not kicked off the 2023 season yet and this is their first game of the year. Lincoln went 3-7 last season and 0-5 in league.
#5 Strasburg (0-1) at #7 Wiggins (1-0) Friday at 7:00pm
Strasburg fell in their season opened to Holyoke 33 to 7 and will be looking for that bounce back win this week. Strasburg offensively had 239 yards of total offense, but turnovers hurt their shot at coming back in this game. QB Landen Martin had 153 yards passing but 4 INTs and I am sure he will be looking for that bounce back game. The rushing attack for Strasburg did struggle at times with only 86 yards rushing and were led by QB Landen Martin with 55 yards. Defensively Strasburg forced 2 turnovers in the game and were able to hold Holyoke in the first half. Strasburg was led in tackles by AL Dickens (9 tackles) and Dj Cannon (7 tackles). Look for Strasburg to have a bounce back game this week. Wiggins opened 2023 with a very exciting game defeating Brush 20 to 18 in 2OT. Wiggins had a huge fourth quarter TD that forced OT. Both teams failed to score in the first OT, but Wiggins was able to strike first and went for two. Brush was able to answer but failed on the two-point conversion and Wiggins grabbed the win. Wiggins did not post stats from the game. This will be a huge test for both teams. Strasburg is looking to bounce back, and Wiggins is hoping to use the momentum gained in the OT win.
#6 Rye (0-0) vs 2A Manitou Springs (1-0) Friday at 7:00pm
Rye has not kicked off the 2023 season. They will at home and will look to build off last season playoff run. Rye will be tested by a pass heavy attack, and we will see how they respond defensively. Rye has a lot of weapons back on offense and we will see how they come out to start 2023. Manitou Springs opened 2023 with a 39 to 2 win over Valley. Manitou Springs had a big day offensively racking up 326 yards of total offense. QB Nate Gentzel was efficient throwing the ball going 14 of 22 for 185 yards and 4 TDs. Manitou Springs also got the rushing attack going with 141 yards rushing and were led by Logan Moore who had 124 yards rushing and 1 TD. Manitou Springs defensively had a great day holding Valley to 117 yards of total offense. Manitou Springs also forced 4 sacks and 3 turnovers. Manitou Springs was led in tackles by Bradyn Dowling (10 tackles) and Sam Fournier (6 tackles). Manitou Springs will face a much more physical Rye offense this week and should be a good test.
#8 Banning Lewis (1-0) at Jefferson (0-1) Thursday at 6:00pm
Banning Lewis opened 2023 with a win over Denver Christian 56 to 12. Banning Lewis made quick work of Denver Christian jumping out to a 35 to 0 lead after the first quarter then getting the running clock going before halftime. Banning Lewis offensively did not have to do much with just 199 yards of total offense. Banning Lewis was led by RB Chase Riehle who had 101 yards rushing and 2 TDs. QB Sam Bell also pitched in with 35 yards and 2 TDs. Defensively Banning Lewis had a very good day holding Denver Christian to just 161 yards of total offense. Banning Lewis also forced 5 turnovers in the game. Banning Lewis will look to improve to 2-0 before their huge class with Yuma next week. Jefferson fell in their home opener to Manual 28 to 0. Offensively Jefferson struggled to get much going with 164 yards of total offense. QB Demitrias Martinez led the offense with 108 yards rushing and 15 yards passing. Defensively Jefferson will look to improve after giving up 382 yards of total offense. Jefferson will face another dynamic offense this week and we will see what changes they made.
#9 Monte Vista (1-0) at C.S Christian (1-0) Friday at 6:00pm
Monte Vista opened 2023 with a huge win over Rocky Ford 50 to 0. Monte Vista made quick work of Rocky Ford scoring 36 points in the first quarter and had running clock early in the second half. Offensively Monte Vista did their damage on the ground racking up 290 yards rushing and were led by RBs Jacob Pacheco (191 yards rushing & 5 TDs) and Kevin Cisneros (54 yards rushing & 1 TD). Defensively Monte Vista held Rocky Ford to just 60 yards of total offense, forced 3 sacks, and had 4 INTs. Monte Vista was led in tackles by Jizaiah Villagmoez (8 tackles) and Azariah Hurtado (7 tackles & 2 INTs). Monte Vista will face a much tougher task this week and will be pushed on the road. C.S Christian opened 2023 with a 40 to 0 win in the rain over Flatirons Academy. C.S Christian offensively was efficient racking up 332 yards of total offense. QB Jace Velasquez had a solid day with 185 yards passing and 3 TDs. The rushing attack was powered by Eddie Harmon who had 147 yards rushing. Defensively C.S Christian held Flatirons Academy to just 79 yards of total offense. C.S Christian does not post defensive stats. This should be a much tougher game for both teams and should be a good matchup like it was a season ago.
Flatirons Academy (0-1) at Platte Canyon Friday at 4:00pm
Flatirons Academy opened 2023 with a 40 to 0 loss to C.S Christian. Flatirons Academy will be looking to bounce back, and it will start with their offense as they only had 79 yards of total offense. RB Everson Nelson led the way with 60 yards rushing. Defensively Flatirons Academy will look to make some adjustments and improve against the spread offense. Flatirons Academy did force 1 INT and 1 sack in the game. Flatirons Academy was led in tackles by Shawn Austermann (9 tackles) and Luke Miller (6 tackles). Platte Canyon did open their season last week but due to lightning there was with Center was postponed to this upcoming Monday 6/4. Platte Canyon was leading Center 6-0 in the second quarter. Sam Patterson will be the name to watch against Flatirons Academy. Hopefully Platte Canyon will get a full game under their belt and look to face Center on 9/4.
2A Florence (0-1) at Centauri (0-1) Friday at 7:00pm
Centauri opened 2023 with a loss to Pagosa Springs on the road 20 to 16. Centauri will be looking to bounce back and get revenge from last season loss to Florence. Centauri will have a few things to fix offensively mainly with turnovers as they had 3 INTs. Centauri did not post any offensive stats. Centauri was able to stay in this game due to their defense. Defensively Centauri only gave up 206 yards of total offense and made key stands at points in the game. Centauri will look to adjust as they host Florence this Friday. Florence opened 2023 with a 55 to 23 loss to #1 Limon. Florence will be looking to adjust their defense as they gave up 527 yards of total offense to Limon most on the ground. Florence will look to stop the run this week and force the pass. Offensively Florence had a solid day with RB Luguse Nuss breaking the 100-yard mark and 2 TDs. Look for QB Tanner Wrast to have a big role again this week as he had 60 yards passing and 50 yards rushing. Both teams are looking for their first win and look for this game to be very physical.
Center (0-0) at North Fork (1-1) Friday at 7:00pm
North Fork has already played two games this season and are off to a 1-1 record. North Fork fell in a heart breaker last week losing in OT to Meeker 36 to 35. North Fork will look to bounce back and will lean on their rushing attack. North Fork racked up 319 yards rushing, and 5 TDs led by Hayden Moreno who had 176 yards and 3 TDs. RB Daniel Owens also had a big game with 92 yards rushing and 2 TDs. The passing attack will look to make some adjustments after throwing 3 INTs. Defensively North Fork will look to improve this week after giving up over 340 yards of total offense. North Fork will need to be better at stopping the run. North Fork was led in tackles by Joe Hollembeak (14 tackles) and Treyven Stevens (11 tackles). Look for North Fork to improve this week. Center opened 2023 last week but due to lightning their game was postponed. Center was trailing Platte Canyon 6-0 in the second quarter. Center will make some adjustments on defense but will be facing a run heavy attack this week.
#10 Buena Vista (2-0) at #5 Basalt (2-0)
This game was mentioned in the 2A Top 10 Schedule but wanted to leave it on here because it is a huge matchup.
Other Games to Note:
2A Denver West (0-0) at Manual (1-0) Saturday at 11am
Platte Canyon (0-0) at Center (0-0) 9/4 Monday at 2:00pm. Platte Canyon leads 6-0 with 3:57 left in the second quarter.
Grand Valley (1-0) at Cedaredge (1-0) Friday 7:00pm
Gunnison (2-0) at 2A Alamosa (0-1) Friday 7:00pm
2A Wellington (1-0) at Highland (0-1) Friday 7:00pm
Estes Park (0-1) at Middle Park (1-0) Friday 7:00pm
Burns WY (0-1) at Yuma (1-0) Friday 7:00pm
MileHigh Prep Report 