Class 1A Football Weekly Preview-Week Three
Two weeks of action completed in Class 1A. The top 3 teams in Class 1A remain the same but after that plenty of movement in the top 10. Three new teams joining the rankings this week. Gunnison (7), C.S Christian (9), and Yuma (10) all join the rankings for the first time. Wiggins, Monte Vista, and Buena Vista all fall out of the rankings. I am looking forward to 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 (2-0) vs #4 Strasburg (1-1) Friday at 7pm
Why not kick off the Class 1A preview with the two top 10 teams facing off against each other. Limon improved to 2-0 on the season with a hard-fought win over Meeker 28 to 7. Limon went on the road and won a physical defensive game. Limon defensively held Meeker to 158 yards of total offense. Limon forced Meeker to throw the ball in the game and forced 1 INT. Treyton Marx led all tacklers with 10 tackles and 4 TFL. Offensively Limon was held to just 28 points but had success rushing the ball racking up 293 yards of rushing. Lohgan Bottjer had a big day with 189 yards and 1 TD. QB Jordan Rockwell had some success passing throwing for 45 yards and rushing for 52 yards. Limon will face their third ranked opponent in a row, and we will see if they can grab another big win. Strasburg grabbed their first win of the season defeating Wiggins 27 to 22. Strasburg went on the road to grab a big win. Strasburg offensively found success against Wiggins with 354 yards of total offense. Strasburg was led offensively by QB Landen Martin who threw for 175 yards, rushed for 56 yards and 2 TDs. Defensively Strasburg forced 2 turnovers and had 2 sacks in the game. Dj Cannon had a big day on defense racking up 20 tackles and 1 TFL. Austin Velasco also had a big game with 11 tackles, 2 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. This will also be Strasburg 3rd ranked opponent and we will see what adjustments they make.
#2 Wray (2-0) at Scott KS (1-0) Friday at 7pm
Wray takes a trip southeast to face Scott Kansas on the road. Wray improved to 2-0 on the season defeating Goodland KS 52 to 14. Wray had a huge day running the ball racking up 419 yards of rushing. RB Samuel Meisner had a monster day with 315 yards rushing and 6 rushing TDs. QB Casey Midcap had a limited day completing 3 passes for 23 yards but also had 77 yards rushing and 1 TD. Defensively Wray limited Goodland KS to 14 total points and 252 yards of offense. Wray forced 3 fumbles in the game to limit the scoring for Goodland KS. Wray was led in tackles by Ben Harms (8 tackles) and Wyatt Fonte (6 tackles). Wray should be tested in this game. Scott KS opened 2023 with a win over Cimarron KS. Scott KS went 8-2 last season and made the playoffs where they lost in the second round. Scott KS defeated Wray last season 28-0.
#3 Holyoke (2-0) at Colby KS (1-0) Friday at 6pm
We keep with ranked teams facing Kansas opponents with Holyoke making the trip to Colby KS. Holyoke improved to 2-0 on the season with a 51 to 0 win over 3A Lincoln. Holyoke was dominate in the win scoring 36 points before halftime and getting the running clock going in the 3rd quarter. Holyoke did not put stats in for the game. Holyoke defensively did hold Lincoln to 23 yards of total offense in the game. Colby KS opened 2023 with a 32 to 8 win over Ulysses KS last week. Colby KS went 3-6 last season and did not make the playoffs. Holyoke defeated Colby KS last season 46 to 20.
#5 Rye (1-0) at 2A Salida (1-1) Friday at 7pm
A good test for both teams coming off wins and looking for key momentum. Rye opened their 2023 season last week defeating Manitou Springs 27 to 12. Rye offensively had a big day with yardage racking up 471 yards of total offense. Rye did just put up 28 points and will look to get more on the board. QB Nolan Schauer had a solid day with 193 yards passing and 1 TD. RB Dylan Hurne had a monster day with 231 yards rushing and 3 TDs. Defensively Rye limited the high-flying offense of Manitou Springs to just 12 points. Rye also forced 1 INT and 1 Sack. Dylan Hurne, Codah Graber, and Brendan Gray all had 7 tackles in the game. Rye lost to Salida last season 24 to 14 and look for another great game. Salida picked up their first win of the season defeating Woodland Park 16 to 0. This was a very physical game and Salida came away with the win. Salida did not post stats from the game. Salida defensively played very well holding Woodland Park to under 200 yards of total offense. Salida also forced 2 INTs and made Woodland Park throw the ball more than run in the game. Salida will look to use the momentum and look for back to back wins over Rye.
#6 Banning Lewis (2-0) vs #10 Yuma (2-0) Friday at 6pm
In my opinion this is one of the biggest games of the weekend. Banning Lewis will look for revenge after Yuma defeated them last season. Banning Lewis improved to 2-0 on the season after defeating Jefferson 52 to 0. Banning Lewis dominated in the game getting running clock going by halftime. Banning Lewis had over 300 yards of total offense in the game. QB Sam Bell was efficient going 10 to 12 for 113 yards and 4 TDs. RB Chase Riehle and Joseph Bjegovich combined for 100 yards and 4 rushing TDs. Defensively Banning Lewis was dominate holding Jefferson to 0 points and having the running clock going by halftime. Banning Lewis forced 4 turnovers and 1 sack. Banning Lewis will face their toughest opponent to date when they host Yuma this Friday night. Yuma improved to 2-0 on the season when they defeated Burns WY 38 to 8. Yuma defensively has been tough to start the year limiting both opponents to just 8 points. Yuma against Burns WY forced 4 turnovers in the game and held Burns to just 8 points. Marvin Duarte (7 tackles) and Brody Sheffield (6 tackles) led the way for Yuma in tackles. Offensively Yuma continues to improve weekly and had a monster day running the ball racking up 494 yards of rushing. QB Jonathan Tomson had 187 yards rushing, RB Damien Kosinski had 129 yards rushing, and RB Silas Bauek had 103 yards rushing in the game. Yuma will face another tough opponent this week and could be massive for Seeding and the Playoffs.
#7 Gunnison (3-0) at Monte Vista (1-1) Friday at 6pm
This was a very good matchup a year ago with Monte Vista holding on for the close win. This year Gunnison appears to be the favorite heading into the matchup. Gunnison improved to 3-0 on the year capturing the 23 to 14 win over Alamosa last week. Gunnison used their special teams and key defensive stops to get the win. Gunnison defensively did give up over 300 yards but did not break in the red zone. Gunnison will be playing their 4th game of the season already and this is a big one before kicking off league next week. Monte Vista fell to 1-1 on the season after a 48 to 20 loss to C.S Christian last week. Monte Vista was in the game at halftime, but turnovers hurt them in the game with 4 total. Offensively Monte Vista did find some success breaking the 300-yard mark but at times did struggle. QB Kaden Madrid had a solid day passing for 192 yards and 2 TDs. The rushing attack did struggle at times, but RB Jacob Pacheco rushed for 85 yards and a TD. Defensively Monte Vista will look to make improvements after giving up over 500 yards of offense. Stopping the run will be key for the Pirates as they gave up 379 last week. Jack Noonan, Kevin Cisneros, and Alex Marquez led Monte Vista in tackles. This is another key game for both teams.
#8 Meeker (1-1) at 2A Aspen (0-2) Friday 7pm
Meeker fell to 1-1 on the season after a hard-fought loss to Limon. Meeker was able to limit Limon offensively to just 28 points. Meeker was able to bend but not break and the defense kept Meeker in the game. Meeker forced 2 turnovers in the game. Buzz Clatterbaugh (13 tackles) and Judd Harvey (10 tackles) led the team in tackles. Offensively Meeker did struggle at times rushing for just 40 yards. Wyatt Powers had the lone rushing TD in the game. QB Ryan Sullivan had a good performance passing for 118 yards and getting the offense moving. Meeker will look to build off the success of last week and look for the offense to take a big step forward. Aspen had a bye last week after falling to Gunnison on 8/25 35 to 20. Aspen did not post stats for that game and neither did Gunnison. Aspen will look to break the 2-game slide. Aspen lost to Meeker last season 41 to 14.
#9 C.S Christian (2-0) at Denver Christian (1-1) Friday at 7pm
C.S Christian improved to 2-0 on the season with a 48 to 20 win over Monte Vista. Offensively C.S Christian has been on fire breaking the 40-point mark in their first two games. C.S Christian offensively had a huge day breaking the 500 yards mark against Monte Vista. QB Jace Velasquez threw for 167 yards and 1 TD. C.S Christian found the most success running the ball racking up 379 yards of rushing. RB Will Moore had a career day rushing for 266 yards and 3 TDs. Defensively C.S Christian did give up over 300 yards of offense but forced 4 turnovers in the game. Eddie Harmon (16 tackles), Joe Sammons (14 tackles), and Cody Glojek (14 tackles) all had big defensive games for C.S Christian. C.S Christian will look to use the momentum gained last week and use it this week. Denver Christian picked up their first win of the season blasting Pinnacle 62 to 0. Denver Christian gained some much-needed momentum heading into their second ranked game of the season. QB Nathan Buehrer had a good day passing for 148 yards and 3 TDs. RB Ben Pereira also had a big game with 102 yards rushing and 3 TDs. Defensively Denver Christian limited Pinnacle to 154 yards of total offense. Ben Pereira had 18 tackles and Diego Pellegrini had 9 tackles to lead the way for Denver Christian. We will see if the momentum will be key for Denver Christian against C.S Christian.
Buena Vista (2-1) at Centauri (1-1) Friday at 7pm
Two teams who have been ranked this season face off this week. Buena Vista and Centauri have both been ranked in the Media Poll at some point and this game could be huge for momentum and will be key for Seeding. Buena Vista fell to 2-1 on the season after losing to 2A #4 Basalt 33 to 14. Buena Vista played tough but could not overcome the 20-point deficient at halftime. Buena Vista offensively was limited on the ground rushing for just 47 yards. RB Eli Schuknecht had 40 yards rushing in the game. QB Hudson Wingo threw for 149 yards and 1 TD but had 3 INTs in the game. Buena Vista defense kept them in the game. They did give up over 400 yards of offense but had some key stops. Elijah Flowers and Aman Wingo both had 14 tackles in the game to lead Buena Vista. Centauri improved to 1-1 on the season with a 13 to 0 win over Florence. Defensively Centauri has been tough holding Pagosa Springs in week 1 to 20 and this week posting the shutout. Centauri has not posted stats from either game. Centauri defensively held Florence to 126 yards of total offense. This is a huge game for both teams not just for momentum but for playoffs seeding.
Del Norte (1-1) at Cedaredge (2-0) Friday at 7pm
I decided to look at a couple more games of interest and mainly because of their playoff implications they could have down the line. Cedaredge improved to 2-0 on the year with a 31 to 8 win over Grand Valley last week. Cedaredge avenged their loss to Grand Valley last week with the win. Cedaredge will look to improve to 3-0 before a huge league matchup with North Fork on 9/22. Cedaredge needs this win and could help them possibly push for the playoffs. Del Norte improved to 1-1 on the season with a 48 to 12 win over Rocky Ford. Del Norte is playing a tough schedule but needs to get a win against an opponent with playoff hopes. Del Norte has a very critical 4 game stretch incoming and a win over Cedaredge could be the momentum they need. This game has playoff implications written all over it and the loser could be in trouble of missing the playoffs.
Center (0-2) at Peyton (0-1) Friday at 7pm
Center vs Peyton is another huge game for momentum and playoff hope. Both teams do not have a win and both teams have tough schedule incoming. Center is 0-2 currently with losses to North Fork and Platte Canyon. Center needs this win and with Rye, Centauri, Ignacio, Del Norte, and Monte Vista upcoming this could be the game to get them momentum. Peyton is 0-1 and they have some big games upcoming as well. After Trinidad next week they face Monte Vista and Banning Lewis. I believe the winner of this game keeps playoff hopes alive with the loser needing an upset to get back into playoff contention.
Other Games to Note:
2A Grand Valley (1-1) at North Fork (2-1) Saturday at 11am
Goodland KS (0-1) at Burlington (0-2) Friday at 6pm
Wiggins (1-1) at Rocky Ford (0-2) Friday at 7pm
Middle Park (2-0) at Steamboat Springs (1-1) Friday at 7pm
2A Kent Denver (1-0) at Highland (0-2) Saturday at 1pm
Platte Canyon (2-0) at Sheridan (0-1) Saturday at 1pm
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