MileHigh Prep Reports Top 10 Games of the Week for Week 2 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
#4 Eaton (0-1) vs #6 University (0-1)
We move into week #2 and kick things off with a top 10 battle. University vs Eaton should be a great matchup and both teams look to move back into the win column. Eaton fell in week 1 to TCA 14 to 7. This is the second straight year that Eaton has fallen to TCA. Eaton ran the table after the loss a season ago and will look to get going again this year. Offensively Eaton struggled against TCA but only had 2 turnovers. Defensively Eaton gave up 286 yards of defense but also forced 3 turnovers. The key for Eaton going into this game will be getting the offense going again. University fell to Delta for the second straight year. University offensively struggled to get going just breaking the 200 yards of offense mark but had 3 total turnovers in the game. University will also look to get the offense going this week. Defensively University gave up 388 yards of offense but limited Delta to just 28 points. University defense kept them in this game, and they will look to dominate again this Friday.
#6 Rifle (0-0) at Montezuma-Cortez (0-1)
The next game is two teams who started the year ranked in the preseason poll, but one has fallen out. Rifle comes in ranked #6 in the state and have not opened their season. Rifle will look to get going in the right direction and will lean on their rushing attack to power them in this game. This is a big game for seeding. Montezuma-Cortez fell in their week one matchup to Aztec NM 28 to 6. Cortez defeated them last year but struggled this time around mainly due to turnovers. Montezuma-Cortez had 5 turnovers in the game offensively and that is not something you can easily recover from. Defensively Montezuma-Cortez played well limiting Aztec to just 241 yards of total offense. Cortez will look to fix the turnover problems this week.
#5 Basalt (2-0) vs 1A #10 Buena Vista (2-0)
Two ranked opponents square off here and both teams are playing their third game of the season. Both Basalt and Buena Vista played in the zero week, and they will be among the few that have already played 3 games this season. Basalt moved to 2-0 on the season with a 49 to 15 win over Eagle Valley last week. Basalt offensively did not have the biggest day yardage wise but racked up 250 yards of total offense and 6 offensive TDs. Defensively Basalt was dominate forcing 3 turnovers, 2 sacks, and scoring a defensive touchdown. Basalt will have their hands full this week against a tough offensive attack. Buena Vista improved to 2-0 on the season with a 22 to 0 win over rival Salida. This was a physical matchup with not much offense. Buena Vista offensively racked up 250 yards of total offense and were powered by their rushing attack. Defensively Buena Vista won the turnover battled forcing 4 turnovers. Buena Vista will be tasked with another physical team this week and we will see how their defense steps up.
#9 La Junta (1-0) vs Pagosa Springs (1-0) (Saturday)
This should be a great matchup. La Junta was expected to be 1-0 early in the season but Pagosa Springs pulled a huge upset in week 1 and are 1-0 and on the edge of being ranked. La Junta was dominate in their week 1 matchup defeating Burlington 42 to 0. Offensively La Junta had a big day racking up 292 yards of total offense. La Junta also had 0 turnovers and were effective both throwing and running the ball. Defensively La Junta was stout securing the shutout and winning the turnover battle grabbing a turnover. La Junta will face a much faster offense this week and we will see how they handle the spread offense from Pagosa. Pagosa Springs moved to 1-0 securing the upset win over Centauri at home 20 to 16. Pagosa Springs offensively relied on the rushing attack to snag the win and racked up 205 yards of total offense in the game. Pagosa Springs defensively was the star holding a very good offensive team to just 16 points and making key stands in the 4th quarter to keep Centauri from scoring. Pagosa Springs also forced 3 INTs in the game. Pagosa Springs will face another top 10 opponent this week and we will see how their defense does again this week.
Alamosa (0-1) vs 1A Gunnison (2-0)
A pair of teams who are on the verge of being ranked and looking for a key win early in the season. Alamosa opened 2023 with a loss to 3A Pueblo Central 40 to 12. Offensively Alamosa had success racking up 261 yards of total offense. The main problem for Alamosa was turnovers. Alamosa had 5 fumbles in the game 3 that they lost. Alamosa will look for improved play offensively this week. Defensively Alamosa struggled to stop the run. Alamosa gave up 360 yards of rushing to Pueblo Central. Alamosa will face another run heavy team this week and we will see what adjustments they make to stop the run. Gunnison enters the matchup at 2-0 and are coming off a 35 to 20 win over 2A Aspen last week. Gunnison will continue to look for their rushing attack to power the way. Defensively Gunnison was able to slow down pass heavy teams the past to week, and we will see how they handle a balanced spread this week.
Weld Central (1-0) at Platte Valley (0-1)
This is a very intriguing matchup with big implications down the road. Weld Central improved to 1-0 on the season with a 51 to 28 win over Bennett. Weld Central offensively got things going in the 2nd quarter and never looked back. Weld Central ran for an eye popping 615 yards rushing and 241 yards came from RB Marcello Rossi. Once Weld Central got rolling on offense they never looked back. Defensively Weld Central will look to improve after giving up 388 yards on the ground but stepped up big in the second half. Weld Central will look for a statement win this week when they travel to Kersey. Platte Valley opened the season with a 14 to 0 loss to Kent Denver. No stats were input this week. Platte Valley this week will look for their offense to get going and get points on the board. Defensively Platte Valley played well giving up 14 points all in the second half.
Woodland Park (0-1) at Salida (0-1)
Last year this turned out to be a very important game for teams looking to get into the playoffs. Woodland Park won this game a year ago and was a big catalyst for them to get into the playoffs. Woodland Park opened 2023 with a 21 to 0 loss to 3A Summit. Woodland Park was not able to get much going offensively. Woodland Park had just over 100 yards of total offense and had 2 turnovers on top of that. Defensively Woodland Park played tough and kept their team in the game. Woodland Park will look to adjust offensively this week. Salida opened 2023 with a 22 to 0 loss to Buena Vista. Salida has not put stats in for the game. Offensively Salida couldn’t punch it into the endzone, but Salida also had 4 turnovers in the game. Defensively Salida played well keeping Buena Vista out of the endzone until the second half. Salida also forced 3 turnovers in the game. Salida will look to a signature win this week.
Moffat County (0-1) at Steamboat Springs (1-0)
Another very good matchup with both teams looking to gain key momentum heading deeper into the season. Moffat County opened 2023 with a 14 to 0 loss to 3A Resurrection Christian. Offensively Moffat County struggled to get much going racking up 151 yards of total offense. Moffat County also had 2 turnovers in the game. Defensively Moffat County played well. They gave up 312 yards of total offense but limited Resurrection Christian to just 14 points. Moffat County will look to get going offensively this week, but their defense will be tested by a pass heavy team. Steamboat Springs opened 2023 with a 21 to 14 win over Coal Ridge. Steamboat Springs was able to grab a very close win. Offensively Steamboat Springs racked up 379 yards of total offense. The main problem for Steamboat Springs was turnovers with Steamboat Springs throwing 3 INTs. Defensively Steamboat Springs made key stops down the stretch. Steamboat Springs also won the turnover battle forcing 4 turnovers in the game. We will see how Steamboat Springs adjust to a very physical Moffat County team.
Arvada (1-0) at 3A Littleton (0-1)
I think this is a very intriguing matchup. Arvada enters the matchup at 1-0 and they come off a 54 to 6 win over Prospect Ridge Academy. Arvada made quick work of PRA and their offense was flying high. Arvada was led by QB Trevor Lucero who had 340 yards passing and 7 passing TDs. The rushing attack was also effective with 193 yards rushing. Defensively Arvada was dominate holding Prospect Ridge to just 122 yards of offense. Arvada will be tested much more this week and we will see how they respond. Littleton comes into the matchup at 0-1 and they lost to Sierra in week 1 26 to 18. Littleton will be looking to bounce back. Littleton defensively held Sierra to just over 150 yards of offense and they will be tested this week.
Lamar (1-0) at Fort Lupton (1-0) (Saturday)
The final game to mention is also a good one. Lamar and Fort Lupton both look to move to 2-0 on the season and grab key momentum. Lamar opened 2023 with a 44 to 8 win over Trinidad. Lamar had their way offensively racking up 280 yards of offense. Lamar defensively was very stout limiting Trinidad to just 45 yards of offense. Lamar will be tested much more this week and we will see how they adjust to adversity. Fort Lupton opened 2023 with a 24 to 22 win over 3A Wheat Ridge. Fort Lupton made some key plays down the stretch to secure the win. Offensively Fort Lupton racked up 325 yards of total offense, but they did have 3 turnovers in the game. Defensively Fort Lupton struggled at times to stop the pass giving up 315 yards passing and another 182 yards rushing. Fort Lupton did make key stops towards the end of the game keeping Wheat Ridge out of the endzone. Fort Lupton will be tested again this week.
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