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
#3 Elizabeth (3-0) vs #6 University (1-1)
We kick are top 10 games of Class 2A off with a top 10 battle between Elizabeth and University. Elizabeth comes into the matchup at 3-0 and coming off a 41 to 7 win over The Academy. Elizabeth has broken the 30-point mark in all three of their wins and defensively have not given up over 12 points yet in a game. Against The Academy the rushing attack again was the main weapon with Elizabeth rushing for 284 yards as a team. Cooper Connelley led all rushers with 181 yards on 11 carries and 3 TDs. Defensively Elizabeth held The Academy to 141 yards of total offense. Wes Noe and Cooper Connelley both had 9 tackles in the game. University enters the matchup at 1-1 overall and they are coming off a bye week. University last game was against Eaton they won 20 to 6. University offensively had a big day against Eaton racking up over 350 yards of total offense. QB Coel Croissant led the offense with 137 yards passing, 57 yards rushing, and 2 total TDs. RB Jacob Cruz led all rushers with 123 yards on the ground. Defensively University held Eaton to 113 yards of total offense. Giovanni De Santiago led all tacklers with 8 tackles and DB Kaleb Tejada had a game high 4 INTs. This is a big top 10 game and should give a team key momentum heading forward.
#1 Delta (3-0) at #4 Rifle (2-0)
Another top 10 matchup pits #1 Delta vs #4 Rifle. This is a huge game for momentum and seeding and should be a great matchup. Delta enters the matchup at 3-0 and are coming off a 35 to 10 win over 3A Palisade. Delta was dominate on both sides of the ball. Defensively Delta had a great game plan and held Palisade to just 99 yards of total offense. Caleb Richman (18 tackles) and Xavier Martinez (12 tackles) lead Delta in tackles. Offensively Delta had 410 yards of total offense. QB Ty Reed had a solid performance going 8 of 13 for 126 yards and 2 passing TDs. The rushing attack had a huge day with 284 yards of total rushing. RB’s Jovanny Romero and Talan Hulet both broke the 120-yard mark, and each had a pair of TDs. Rifle enters the matchup with a 2-0 record, and they are coming off a come from behind win over 3A Glenwood Springs 22 to 20. Defensively Rifle made great adjustments in the second half and held Glenwood Springs to just 8 points. Rifle gave up 225 yards of total offense in the game but had big performances from Kevin Arviso and Troy Mataia. Offensively Rifle had things clicking in the 4th quarter scoring 16 points and grabbing the win. QB Logan Gross led the offense with 283 yards passing and 107 yards rushing and 2 Total TDs. WR Sterling Cook also had a big day with 157 yards receiving.
#10 Arvada (3-0) at Middle Park (2-1)
We stay inside the top 10 at #10 Arvada travels to face Middle Park. Arvada is off to a great start at 3-0 overall and they are looking to move before moving into league play. Arvada is coming off a solid 48 to 36 win over Englewood. Arvada was consistent in the game scoring in every quarter but defensively gave up big points in the 2nd and 4th quarters. Offensively Arvada racked up over 400 yards of total offense. QB Trevor Lucero continues his great start to the season passing for 276 yards and 4 TDs, he also added another 60 yards on the ground and 1 rushing TD. RB Gabriel Munguia also had a big day with 89 yards rushing, 57 yards receiving and 2 total TDs. Defensively Arvada did give up some yards giving up over 350 yards of offense. Miguel Cortez led all tacklers with 9 tackles and Christian Lake had 3 sacks in the game. Middle Park comes in with a 2-1 record and will be looking to bounce back after a 21 to 6 loss to Steamboat Springs. Middle Park offensively will look to fix their turnover problems after giving up 3 INTs in the loss. Also, Middle Park will look to get the offense going after just 168 yards of total offense and just 50 yards on the ground. Defensively Middle Park was able to take away the pass but did give up over 250 yards on the ground. Middle Park was led in tackles by Jacob Trail who had 9 tackles. Arvada is coming off back-to-back hard-fought wins and we will see if they will keep their focus against Middle Park.
Forge Christian (2-0) at Kent Denver (2-0)
We move outside the top 10 for a old rivalry between Forge Christian (formerly Faith Christian) and Kent Denver. Both these teams are off to great starts this season and makes this a big game. Forge Christian is off to a 2-0 start and last week defeated D’Evelyn 17 to 7. Forge Christian played tough defense in the game and were able to shutout D’Evelyn in the second half. Carson Craig led all tacklers with 6 tackles. Offensively Forge Christian racked up 338 yards of total offense. QB Treysen Eye had 98 yards passing, 52 yards rushing, and 2 rushing TDs. RB Dante Vigil also contributed well with 92 yards rushing. Kent Denver enters the matchup at 2-0 and they are coming off a 59 to 8 win over 1A Highland. Kent Denver had not posted any stats on the season. Defensively Kent Denver has only given up 8 points on the season. Offensively Kent Denver got things going last week with the 59 points scored many in the first half. This is a big game to see where each program stands in 2023.
#7 La Junta (3-0) at 1A Manual (1-1)
We move back into the top 10 were #7 La Junta makes the trip to Denver to face 1A Manual. La Junta continues their hot start to the season, and they picked up a big win last week over 3A Pueblo East 26 to 17. That win helped La Junta improve to 3-0 on the season. Defensively La Junta has been outstanding, and they are cementing themselves as a very good defensive team. La Junta defensively gave up just over 200 yards of offense. Dilan Ruiz and Rylan Schmidt led all tacklers. The defense for La Junta also played huge in the 4th quarter keeping Pueblo East off the board. Offensively La Junta ran the ball effectively, rushing for 418 yards. Ethan Leyba, Rylan Schmidt, and Dilan Ruiz all broke the 130-yard mark. Rylan Schmidt also had 2 rushing TDs. Manual enters the matchup at 1-1 and they are coming off a bye week. Manual last game was a 40 to 36 loss to 2A Denver West. Manual will look to fix the mistakes on offense after being held to 102 yards of total offense. Offensive line play will be the main focus as they had -2 yards rushing. Cartail Dickey will be key for the offense to get going. Defensively Manual will also look to improve after giving up over 400 yards.
#9 Eaton (1-2) vs 3A Severance (1-2)
We stay in the top 10 at #9 Eaton will be hosting 3A Severance. Eaton broke their 2-game losing streak last week defeating Platte Valley 48 to 12. Eaton got the offense going last week and will look to use that momentum. Eaton did not post stats for the Platte Valley game. Defensively Eaton has played tough so far. Eaton has not given up over 21 points and they will lean on their defense again against a 3A opponent. Severance enters the matchup at 1-2 and they are on a 2-game skid right now. Severance fell to Mead last week 35 to 31 and they will be looking to right the ship before a tough stretch of games coming up. Severance has been effective throwing the ball with QB Jaden Hoffman having a big season. Severance will look to shore up the defense this week but look for the offense to be tested by Eaton. This is a very important game for both teams as they look towards league play in a couple weeks.
Pagosa Springs (1-2) at Alamosa (0-3)
We move outside the top 10 but if you want to talk about a big game this is it. Pagosa Springs and Alamosa were both expected to be contenders in their league and playoffs. Both are looking to gain some momentum and this game could be key for making the playoffs later down the road. Pagosa Springs enters the matchup at 1-2 and they are on a 2-game skid after falling to Florence last week 35 to 32. Special teams and turnovers were the main problems for Pagosa Springs. Pagosa Springs defensively held Florence to just 130 yards of total offense but gave up 35 points. Mainly this was due to short fields on turnovers and big returns in the special teams. Offensively Pagosa Springs found success running the ball rushing for 271 yards. RB Gavin Lindahl led all rushers with 240 yards and 4 TDs. Alamosa is off to a 0-3 start and they fell in a close one last week to Classical Academy 21 to 20. Alamosa offensively will be looking to break the 20-point mark for the first time this season. Alamosa had success on offense with QB Dyson Woodwards throwing for 308 yards, rushing for 57 yards, and 2 Total TDs. Defensively Alamosa stepped up holding TCA to just 246 yards of total offense. Dyson Woodward, Brant Jackson, and Ryan Higareda led all tacklers for Alamosa.
Timnath (2-1) at Wellington (3-0)
A intriguing matchup here as both Timnath and Wellington are in year #2 of their program and both are over the .500 mark currently. Wellington is off to a 3-0 start, and they are coming off a win over Sterling last week 36 to 14. Offensively Wellington seems to be improving as they have scored more and more each week. Last week Wellington got the rushing attack going rushing for 327 yards. QB Tanner Gray led all rushers with 128 yards and 3 TDs and RB Cash Altschwager got into the mix as well with 81 yards and 2 TDs. Defensively Wellington has held all three opponents to under 15 points. Wellington was led in tackles by Ian Allison and Tanner McLean. Timnath comes into the matchup on a 2-game winning streak and sit at 2-1 overall. Last week Timnath was dominate in their 49 to 7 win over Prospect Ridge Academy. Offensively Timnath had a big day with 312 yards of total offense. QB Jackson Craig had a big day with 203 yards passing and 2 TDs. WR Jackson Barker had a breakout day with 150 yards receiving. Defensively Timnath held Prospect Ridge to 80 yards of total offense. Aiden Ressue and Cade Geist led all tacklers with 5 tackles.
Florence (1-2) at Woodland Park (0-2)
Another key matchup heading into the 4th week of the season. Two playoff hopefuls look for key momentum as we head deeper into the season. Florence and Woodland Park are two teams who are under .500 currently but all it takes is one win to get going in the right direction. Florence enters the matchup at 1-2 but they broke their 2-game slide defeating Pagosa Springs last week 35 to 32. Florence was able to get the win because of their defense and special teams. Defensively Florence gave up over 300 yards of offense but forced 3 turnovers in the game. Florence has had a big performance on special teams by Noah Howard. Offensively Florence was limited but took advantage of their chances. RB Luguse Nuss had 30 yards rushing but 4 rushing TDs. Florence will look for their offense to get going this week. Woodland Park enters the matchup at 0-2 and are coming off a hard-fought loss to Salida 16-0. Woodland Park offensively is looking to fix the problems they have had in their first two games. Woodland Park last week had 171 yards of total offense. Look for Woodland Park offensively to try and get the rushing attack to get going. Defensively Woodland Park has played stout this season. They will look to hold their opponent again this week and hope the offense gets going. Their defense will be tested again this week. Parker Shreeve, Ben Summeril, and Aidan Hood led all tacklers for Woodland Park.
#5 Basalt (3-0) at 3A Glenwood Springs (3-1)
The final game to mention and it is a good one as #5 Basalt hits the road to face 3A Glenwood Springs. Basalt enters the matchup at 3-0 and they look to continue to play well against 3A opponents. Basalt had a bye last week. Basalt last game was a 33 to 14 win over Buena Vista. Offensively Basalt was very effective on the ground rushing for 347 yards. RBs Will Tarallo and William Daniel both rushed for over 160 yards. Defensively Basalt took away the run from Buena Vista and forced them to throw. Basalt forced 3 INTs in the game. Basalt was led in tackles by Noah Jonston and Mav Dombrowski. Glenwood Springs enters the matchup at 3-1 and they are coming off a close loss to 2A Rifle. This will be their second game against a ranked 2A opponent, and they will look for a win.
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