MileHigh Prep Reports Class 2A Top 10 Games of the Week for Week 7
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. 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 & Seeding Index.
Class 2A
#7 Rifle (4-1, #3 Seeding) at #4 Basalt (5-0, #1 Seeding)
My vote for best game in Class 2A. Rifle makes the trip to face Basalt in a key Western Slope League matchup. Rifle comes into the matchup at 4-1 overall and 1-0 in league. Rifle is on a two-game winning streak coming off key back-to-back wins over Brush and Moffat County. Rifle offensively has leaned heavily on QB Logan Gross who has over 1000 yards of total offense. RB Isaac Valencia (261 yards rushing) and WR Sterling Cook (389 yards receiving) are other to keep an eye on. Defensively Rifle is led by Jesus Martinez (35 tackles) and Kevin Arviso (30 tackles). Basalt comes into the matchup at 5-0 overall and 1-0 in league play. Basalt last two wins were over 3A Glenwood Springs and Grand Valley. Offensively Basalt has been powered by there rushing attack which has racked up 1403 yards. RB Will Tarallo (646 yards rushing) and RB William Daniel (480 yards rushing) are the leading backs. QB Noah Johnston has also played well with 342 yards passing, 8 TDs, and just 2 INTs. Defensively Mav Dombrowski (50 tackles) and Noah Johnston (29 tackles) are leading the way. This game could be for the Western Slope League Title and for a top 4 seed in the playoffs.
#9 Kent Denver (5-0, #5 Seeding) at #3 Elizabeth (5-0, #6 Seeding)
Another phenomenal matchup pitches a pair of undefeated teams looking for League Title. Kent Denver makes the trip to face Elizabeth, and this should be a good one. Kent Denver enters the matchup at 5-0 overall and 1-0 in league. Kent Denver is a bit of a surprise at 5-0. Kent Denver last two games were wins over Sterling and Denver West. Kent Denver best win is over Platte Valley (14-0) in week 1. Kent Denver has not entered any stats on the season. The main stat to look at is defensively Kent Denver has given up just 15 points on the year. Elizabeth comes into the game at 5-0 overall and 1-0 in league. Elizabeth last two games were key wins over University and Englewood. Elizabeth offensively wants to run the ball and have been successful so far this season with 1202 yards rushing and 9.9 yards per carry. RB Cooper Connelley (483 yards rushing) and RB Cash Randle (384 yards rushing) are leading the way for Elizabeth. QB Gavin Garcia also keeps teams off balance with 303 yards passing and 2 passing TDs. Defensively Cooper Connelley (26 tackles) and Wes Noe (24 tackles) lead the way for Elizabeth. This is a big game for both teams to keep pace with TCA and possibly take a big step towards winning the league title.
#1 Delta (6-0, #2 Seeding) vs Salida (4-2, #17 Seeding)
We stay in the top 10 for a key matchup inside the Intermountain League. Delta will host Salida in a key matchup. Delta enters the matchup at 6-0 overall and 1-0 in league. Delta faced their toughest challenge last week holding off Pagosa Springs 14 to 7. Delta has played a tough schedule with key wins over University, 3A Palisade, Rifle, and Pagosa Springs. Offensively Delta has been very balanced in their attack with QB Ty Reed leading the way. QB Ty Reed has over 1000 yards of offense and 17 TDs. RB Jovanny Romero (493 yards rushing) and RB Talan Hulet (380 yards rushing) are also two key pieces to the Delta offense. Defensively Caleb Richman (54 tackles) and Tucker Johnson (50 tackles) lead the defense for Delta. Salida comes into the matchup at 4-2 overall and 0-1 in league. Salida is coming off a 42 to 13 loss to Montezuma-Cortez. Salida will hope to bounce back and try and knock off the #1 team. Salida offensively has been balanced in their attack this season. QB Ashton Walker leads the way with 584 yards passing and 4 passing TDs. RB Abram Jones (257 yards rushing) and WR Daniel Edgington (304 yards receiving) are two other players to watch. Defensively Casen Pridemore (73 tackles) and Connor Gentile (40 tackles) led the defense for Salida.
#6 Classical Academy (5-0, #10 Seeding) vs Denver West (3-2, #15 Seeding)
We look at a pair of teams both inside the top 16 of the CHSAA Seeding and Selection Index and both looking to improve on their current ranking. The Classical Academy comes in undefeated at 5-0. TCA has a pair of key wins over Eaton and Alamosa but have played a weaker schedule up till now. TCA has been led by their rushing attack which has over 1000 yards on the season. RB Riley Romine (382 yards) and RB Jackson Schipfer (216 yards) lead the rushing attack. QB Andrew Brown has also been key for the offense with 418 yards passing and 8 TDs. Defensively Gabriel Wright (41 tackles) and Michael Wu (33 tackles) lead the defense for TCA. Denver West comes into the matchup at 3-2 overall and 0-1 in league. Denver West fell last week to Kent Denver 54 to 7 and will be looking to bounce back this week. Denver West on the season has been powered by the rushing attack with RB Ahmed Hussein (429 yards rushing) leading the way. QB Meekael Garcia has also had a key role with 437 yards passing and 6 TDs. Defensively Denver West is led by Alexander Ramon (31 tackles) and Donevin Garcia (28 tackles). This is a key matchup for both teams as TCA looks to stay tied for first in league and Denver West looks for their first league win over the year.
Lamar (3-2, #18 Seeding) at Alamosa (0-5, #27 Seeding)
We move out of the top 10 for this matchup. Lamar makes the trip west to face Alamosa in a key matchup for playoff hopes. Lamar comes into the matchup at 3-2 overall and 0-1 in league. Lamar is sitting on a 2-game losing streak and will hope to snap that this week. Lamar is coming off a 53 to 12 loss to Florence last week. Offensively Lamar has leaned on the passing attack with QB Deyago Vasquez leading the way with 470 yards and 3 TDs. RB Raif Kee (167 yards rushing) and WR Cael Buxton (259 yards receiving) are two other players to keep an eye on. Defensively Austin Thacker (47 tackles) and Diego Estrada (44 tackles) lead the defense for Lamar. Alamosa comes into the matchup at 0-5 overall and 0-1 in league. Alamosa has played a tough schedule facing 4 ranked opponents and all 5 opponents in the top 16 of the seeding Index. Last week Alamosa fell to La Junta 35 to 18 but was just 7 to 6 at halftime. Alamosa will look to close out a game and get their first win of the year. Offensively Alamosa is led by the passing attack. QB Dyson Woodward leads the way with 968 yards passing, 259 yards rushing, and 9 total TDs. WR Brant Jackson (463 yards receiving) and RB RJ Meis (216 yards rushing) are two other key players for Alamosa. Defensively Landon Garcia (33 tackles) and RJ Meis (31 tackles) lead the way for Alamosa. I feel this is a make-or-break game for both teams. Winner of this game I believe keeps playoff hopes alive but the loser I think drops out of playoff contention.
#8 University (3-2, #8 Seeding) vs Weld Central (3-2, #29 Seeding)
We jump back into the top 10 with a key matchup inside the Patriot-East. University will host Weld Central as both teams look to get win #4 on the season. University comes in at 3-2 overall and 1-0 in league. University is on a two-game winnings steak with wins over Highland and Timnath. Offensively University has been balanced in their offensive attack and are near the 2000-yard mark of total offense. QB Coel Croissant has been the leader with 626 yards passing and 2 passing TDs. RB Brevon Doss (416 yards rushing) and Jacob Cruz (326 yards rushing) have led the rushing attack for University. Defensively University is led by Giovanni De Santiago (35 tackles) and Gage Schminke (25 tackles, 11 TFL). Weld Central comes into the matchup at 3-2 overall and 0-1 in league. Weld Central fell last week to Sterling 48 to 22 and will hope to get back to their winning ways. Weld Central offensively is powered by their rushing attack which has over 1600 yards on the season. RB Marcello Rossi leads the way with 737 yards rushing and 8 rushing TDs. QB Jace Cornelius is another key player with 219 yards passing and 647 yards rushing and 8 Total TDs. Defensively Cyler Troutner (46 tackle) and Harley Nulsen (43 tackles) lead the way for Weld Central. This is a big game for both teams as they both look for win #4 on the season and this is very important in the seeding index.
Brush (3-2, #11 Seeding) at Sterling (2-3, #26 Seeding)
We jump back outside the top 10 in the rankings but look at a pair of playoff hopefuls looking to improve on their seeding index. Brush makes the trip Northeast to face Sterling in a key Patriot-East matchup. Brush comes into the matchup at 3-2 overall and 1-0 in league. Brush picked up a key win last week over Arvada 41 to 13 and opened some eyes with that win. Brush offensively is led by their rushing attack which has racked up 1217 yards rushing. RB Ritchie Bruno leads all backs with 503 yards and 7 TDs. RB Tanner Ludgate (306 yards rushing) and QB Eric Rico (213 rushing, 212 passing) are also key players to the Brush offense. Defensively Ritchie Bruno (50 tackles) and Percy Odle (42 tackles) lead the way for Brush. Sterling enters the matchup at 2-3 overall and 1-0 in league. Sterling picked up a key win over Weld Central last week 48 to 22 and moved into a tie for first place. Sterling will hope to pick up another key win this week. Offensively Sterling has leaned on QB Hunter Diamond to lead the way with 995 yards of total offense and 9 TDs. RB Carter Jaeger (353 yards rushing) and WR Gage Parker (305 yards receiving) are also key players for the Sterling offense. Defensively for Sterling Carter Jaeger (54 tackle) and Ayden Gandee (41 tackles) lead the defense. Brush and Sterling are both looking to stay in first place in league by moving to 2-0 in league. We will see who comes out on top.
Manitou Springs (3-2, #33 Seeding) at Florence (4-2, #9 Seeding)
We stay outside the top 10 in the MileHigh Prep Report Media Poll but look at a key matchup in the Southwest League. Florence who sits at #9 in the Seeding Index hosts Manitou Springs. Florence comes into the matchup at 4-2 overall and winners of 4 straight games. Florence lone losses were to 1A Limon and Centauri. Florence has turned up the defense as of late holding their last 3 opponents to under 14 points. Defensively Florence has been led by Wyatt Dudley (38 tackles) and Gunner Busetti (36 tackles, 10 TFL). Offensively Florence broke the 40-point mark for the first-time last week scoring 53 on Lamar. Florence has been balanced in their offensive attack with QB Tanner Wrast throwing for 425 yards and 4 passing TDs. The rushing attack has been led by RB Luguse Nuss who has 580 yards rushing and 12 rushing TDs. Manitou Springs comes into the matchup at 3-2 overall and 0-1 in league. Manitou Springs fell in a heartbreaker last week to Woodland Park 25 to 24. Manitou Springs will hope to bounce back this week and move to 1-1 in league. Offensively Manitou Springs has been balanced in their offensive attack. QB Nate Gentzel has thrown for 668 yards and 8 passing TDs. The rushing attack has ben led by Logan Moore who has 497 yards and 7 rushing TDs. Defensively Manitou Springs will need to stop the run and will look to Bradyn Dowling (30 tackles) and Layton Little (24 tackles). This is a big game in the league as Florence hopes to keep pace with La Junta atop the league and Manitou Springs hopes to get back into playoff contention.
#5 La Junta (5-0, #7 Seeding) vs Woodland Park (2-3, #21 Seeding)
We stay in the Southwest League with another key matchup between a pair of 1-0 team in league. Woodland Park will travel east to face #5 La Junta in a key battle. La Junta comes into the matchup at 5-0 overall and 1-0 in league. They defeated Alamosa 35-18 to move to 1-0 in league and hope to stay in first place with a win. La Junta calling card has been defense this season giving up just 9 point per game. AJ Martinez (30 tackles) and Keo Fisher (21 tackles) lead the way for the La Junta defense. Offensively La Junta relies on their rushing attack which has accumulated 1333 yards and 16 rushing TDs. QB Rylan Schmidt lead the way with 508 yards rushing and 167 yards passing. RB Ethan Leyba (444 rushing yards) and RB Dilan Ruiz (295 yards rushing) are also key pieces to the rushing attack. Woodland Park comes into the matchup at 2-3 overall and 1-0 in league. Woodland Park has won two straight games and seem to have broken out of the scoring slump breaking 24 points in the past two games. Woodland Park defeated Manitou Springs in the last game 25 to 24. Offensively Woodland Park has been balanced in their attack with QB Marqus Schoenberger breaking out throwing for 548 yards and 4 TDs on the season. The rushing attack has ben led by Aidan Hood who has 150 yards and 2 rushing TDs. Woodland Park this season has been led by their defense and have yet to give up over 28 points on the year. Woodland Park will hope their defense can contain the run this week and will look for Parker Shreeve (45 tackles) and Aidan Hood (42 tackles) to lead the way. The winner of this game will be 2-0 in league and in position to possibly win the league title.
#2 Berthoud (5-0, #4 Seeding) vs Forge Christian (3-2, #23 Seeding)
The final game to mention is Berthoud hosting Forge Christian. Berthoud has lived up to the billing starting the season 5-0 including a key win over 3A Thompson Valley and Lamar. Berthoud also moved to 1-0 in league with a 48 to 17 win over Fort Lupton last week. Berthoud defensively has been stout giving up just 31 points on the season and have pitched 3 shutouts. Aiden McGrath (58 tackles) and Joey Finnegan (51 tackles) have been leaders this season for Berthoud. Offensively Berthoud has been tough to stop breaking the 40 point mark in 3 games and over 20 in 4 out of the 5. The rushing attack has been the key racking up 1424 yards on the season. RB Alex Larson (600 yards rushing) and RB Cole Bialek (395 yards rushing) have been the top backs. QB Darin Davidson has also contributed well this season with 579 yards passing, 9 TDs, and 0 INTs. Forge Christian comes into the matchup at 3-2 overall and 1-0 in league. Forge Christian snapped their two-game losing streak last week defeating The Academy 56 to 21. Forge Christian got the offense going again after back-to-back weeks of not breaking the 12 point mark. Forge Christian has relied heavily on the rushing attack which has accumulated 1222 yards on the season. RB Euli Tafoya (485 yards rushing) and RB Dante Vigil (462 yards rushing) have been the top rushers. QB Treysen Eye has also been effective at times passing for 359 yards and 2 passing TDs. Defensively Forge Christian will hope to continually see improvement and must stop the run this week. Dante Vigil (35 tackles) and Carson Craig (23 tackles) are the leaders for Forge Christian. This is a key matchup in the Front Range Mountain League as the winner will sit in first place and have a shot at the league title.
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