MileHigh Prep Reports Class 1A Top 8 Games of the Week for Week 8
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 1A
#1 Limon (6-0, #1 Seeding) at #2 Holyoke (6-0, #2 Seeding)
We kick off my Class 1A Preview with my top game of the year. Limon makes the trip north to face Holyoke in a battle of #1 vs #2. Limon comes into the matchup at 6-0 overall and 2-0 in league. Limon picked up the win over Wray last week 35-7. Limon played very physical defense and limited Wray to just over 200 yards of offense. Limon will face a different type of offense this week and must be ready to stop the pass. Treyton Marx, Lance Beedy, and Keon Bandy will be key for Limon on stopping Holyoke passing attack. Offensively Limon had a solid day racking up 393 yards of offense. QB Jordan Rockwell was efficient going 10 of 13 for 160 yards. RB Keon Bandy led all rushers with 100 yards and 2 TDs. Lohgan Bottjer is another key to the Limon offense and look for him to have a big day. Limon sits at #1 in the seeding index and is a lock for the playoffs. Holyoke comes into the matchup at 6-0 overall and 2-0 in league. Holyoke defeated Wiggins last week 34 to 14 (No stats entered). Holyoke has broken the 30-point mark in all 6 games so far this season. Holyoke has been powered by their passing attack and look for QB Wyatt Sprague to have another big game this week. RB Tyson Mosenteen and WR Reid Sprague are also key players to the offense. Defensively Holyoke must be able to limit the rushing attack and Wyatt Sprague and Cody Maloney are key for the Dragons. Holyoke sits at #2 in the Seeding Index and is a lock for the playoffs. Winner of this game will be the #1 Seed in the Playoffs. Loser will still be a top 3 seed.
#7 Gunnison (6-1, #7 Seeding) at #3 Meeker (5-1, #3 Seeding)
We head west to the Western Slope League for another top 10 battle. Gunnison makes the trip west to face Meeker and this could be for the Western Slope League title. Meeker comes into the matchup at 5-1 overall and 3-0 in league. Meeker took control of their own destiny in terms of the league title when they defeated Buena Vista last week 42 to 14. Meeker was dominate on defense limiting Buena Vista to just 14 points and just 7 points thru 3 quarters. Meeker also held Buena Vista to just 163 yards of total offense. Meeker will be tasked with stopping the run again this week and look for Hayden Shults, Buzz Clatterbaugh, and Judd Harvey to fill big roles this week. Offensively Meeker had a solid game plan and took advantage of mistakes by Buena Vista. Meeker offensively had 295 yards of total offense. QB Ryan Sullivan had a very efficient day going 16 of 20 for 164 yards and 2 TDs. The rushing attack was limited in the game, but RB Clay Crawford powered the way with 59 yards and 3 rushing TDs. Meeker sits at #3 in the Seeding Index. If Meeker wins the game, they win the Western Slope League Title. Meeker only remaining game is against Teton Idaho on 10/20. Gunnison enters the matchup at 6-1 overall and 1-1 in league. Gunnison cannot win the league title by defeating Meeker but can force the three-way tie if they can win. Gunnison last week defeated Cedaredge 38 to 14. Gunnison offensively was balanced in their attack and racked up 296 yards of total offense. QB Mason Williams had a solid day passing for 128 yards and 3 TDs. RB Graden Buckhanan also had a big day rushing for 104 yards and 1 TD. Gunnison will look for their offense to have another big day against a very good defensive team. Defensively Gunnison limited Cedaredge to just 14 points and forced 2 turnovers in the game. No other defensive stats are listed. Gunnison sits at #7 in the Seeding Index and I believe are a lock for the playoffs.
#9 C.S Christian (5-1, #11 Seeding) at #4 Banning Lewis (6-0, #10 Seeding)
Class 1A continues to produce great games and we head back east for another Top 10 clash. Banning Lewis will host C.S Christian and this is possibly for the Tri-Peaks League title. C.S Christian comes into the matchup at 5-1 overall and 2-0 in league. C.S Christian picked up a huge win last week over Rye 42 to 34 and a win over Banning Lewis gives them control of the league title race. (They would need to beat Ellicott next week to officially win the league). C.S Christian offensively had a solid outing racking up 397 yards of total offense. QB Jace Velasquez had a big day passing for 137 yards, rushing for 75 yards, and 3 Total TDs. RB Will Moore also had a big day with 185 yards rushing and 3 TDs. The offense must have another huge outing this week. Defensively C.S Christian did give up some yards but played well in the first half limiting Rye to just 14 points. This week they face another balanced offensive attack and will look for Eddie Harmon, Nick Larson, and Mikey Orawiec to have big games. C.S Christian sits at #11 in the Seeding Index. They are on the bubble but a win over Banning Lewis locks them in with the League Title and probably a top 8 seed. Banning Lewis comes into the matchup at 6-0 overall and 2-0 in league. Banning Lewis had a bye last week and their last game was a 28 to 0 win over Peyton on 9/29. Banning Lewis defensively played outstanding pitching the shutout and holding Peyton to 116 yards of total offense. Banning Lewis forced 4 turnovers in the game. This week they face a balanced attack and will need another complete game. Riley Dotson, Jordan Jones, and Julien Laderman will be keys for Banning Lewis. Offensively Banning Lewis had 214 yards of total offense. Banning Lewis was limited on offense but still had big games from RB Chase Riehle (70 yards rushing), TE/FB Ben Early (47 yards rushing, 15 yards receiving), and QB Sam Bell (49 yards passing, 46 yards rushing). Banning Lewis will look for their offense to come up big this week. Banning Lewis sits at #10 in the Seeding Index. They are on the bubble, and I do worry if a loss will push them much farther down in the rankings. Banning Lewis still must face Rye so they cannot lock up the league title this week.
#10 Wiggins (4-2, #5 Seeding) at Burlington (1-5, #18 Seeding)
We head east for the next matchup at #10 Wiggins travels to face Burlington. Wiggins comes into the matchup at 4-2 overall and 1-1 in league. They fell to Holyoke last week 34 to 14. No stats have been entered in for the game. Wiggins has a been a run first team this season. RB Jayson Lousberg and Jorge Mendez are key for the Wiggins offense. Wiggins sits at #5 in the Seeding Index. Wiggins needs this win over Burlington as they have a very tough schedule to end the year. Wiggins will be on the road at Limon and Wray to end the year so this game against Burlington is a must win game. I believe Wiggins is a lock for the playoffs but seeding wise this is a big game. Burlington comes into the matchup at 1-5 overall and 0-2 in league. Burlington fell to Yuma last week 38 to 12. Burlington will look to fix any mistakes on defense and look for shore up against the run this week. Stanton Cure and Angel Vela are key for Burlington to stop the run. Offensively Burlington did find some success against Yuma breaking the 200 yards mark on offense. QB Angel Vela and RB Scout Humrich are key if Burlington wants to pull off the upset. Burlington sits at #18 in the Seeding Index. Burlington needs this win over Wiggins or a win in any of their final 3 games. Burlington will not get in by losing out and a win against Wiggins, Wray, or Holyoke is needed if they want to get into the playoffs.
Ignacio (3-3, #24 Seeding) at Monte Vista (4-2, #15 Seeding)
We head back west into the San Luis Valley for a key South Central League matchup. Monte Vista will host Ignacio and both teams sit at 2-0 and look to keep pace with Centauri atop the league standings. Monte Vista comes into the matchup at 4-2 overall and 2-0 in league. Offensively Monte Vista has got things rolling breaking the 50-point mark in the last 3 games. Last week Monte Vista defeated Trinidad 64 to 12. Monte Vista racked up 335 yards of total offense. QB Kaden Madrid had his best game of the season passing for 102 yards and 3 passing TDs. RB’s Jacob Pacheco (111 yards rushing) and Kevin Cisneros (77 yards rushing) also had big games against Trinidad. Defensively Monte Vista had a solid day forcing 5 sacks and forcing 6 turnovers in the game. This week Monte Vista will be tasked with stopping the run and look for Jack Noonan, Chayse Bouet, and Jeremiah Baumgardner to have big games. Monte Vista sits at #15 in the seeding index. Currently they would be the last non-league champion in. Monte Vista will need the next two wins for sure to stay in the top 16. Monte Vista needs this win and next weeks win to set up the league title matchup with Centauri. Ignacio comes into the matchup at 3-3 overall and 2-0 in league. Ignacio is on a 2-game winning streak and have been firing on offense breaking the 50-point mark in their last two games and 40 point mark in 3 of their last 4. Ignacio has not posted any stats on the season. Ignacio has leaned heavily on their rushing attack the past few weeks. Defensively they will look to stop the run. Ignacio sits at #24 in the Seeding Index. This is a must win game for Ignacio to have any shot at the playoffs. I don’t think Ignacio can get into the playoffs with a loss to both Monte Vista and Centauri.
#8 Wray (3-3, #9 Seeding) at Yuma (3-3, #13 Seeding)
We jump back into the top 10 and head east back into the North Central League as Wray travels to face rival Yuma. Wray comes into the matchup at 3-3 overall and 0-2 in league. Wray is on a two-game slide dropping games to #2 Holyoke and #1 Limon. Wray will be looking to bounce back this week. Wray defensively did find some success and forced 2 turnovers in the game. This week Wray must stop the run to have any success. Wray will look for Samuel Meisner, Casey Midcap, and Austin Collins to be big against the run. Offensively Wray did break the 200-yard mark on offense. RB Samuel Meisner lead the way with 133 yards rushing and 1 TD. QB Casey Midcap will be important this week if Wray look to grab their first league win. Wray sits at #9 in the Seeding Index, and I believe a win over Yuma should lock them into the playoffs. Wray ends the year against Burlington and Wiggins. Yuma comes into the matchup at 3-3 overall and 1-1 in league. Yuma last week broke their 3-game slide defeating Burlington 38 to 12. Yuma will look to use the momentum and move to 2-1 in league. Yuma offensively had a big day breaking 300 yards of total offense. QB Jonathan Tomson had a big day with 81 yards passing, 141 yards rushing, and 2 TDs. RB Silas Baucke also had a big game with 106 yards rushing and 3 TDs. Yuma will look to get the ball going on the ground this week. Defensively Yuma had a great game plan holding Burlington to just 12 points. This week Yuma must be able to stop a balanced offensive attack and control the line of scrimmage. Yuma will look for Jonathan Thomson, Hugo Montes, and Trey Stegman to step up. Yuma sits at #13 in the Seeding Index. Yuma has a very difficult schedule to end the year facing Holyoke and Limon. Yuma may need this upset of Wray to hold onto a playoff spot. Yuma could still possibly get into the playoffs if they drop all three games. We will have to see what transpires after this game.
Peyton (3-3, #23 Seeding) at Rye (4-2, #17 Seeding)
We move outside the top 10 but have a key game inside the Tri-Peaks League. Rye will host Peyton in a critical game for both teams. Rye comes into the matchup at 4-2 overall and 1-1 in league. Rye fell last week to C.S Christian 42 to 34 and that snapped a 3 game winning streak. Rye will look to bounce back this week. Rye offensively had a solid game putting up over 330 yards of total offense. RB Dylan Hurne continues his record-breaking season rushing for 221 yards and 3 TDs. QB Nolan Schauer also contributed big with 113 yards and 2 TDs. Rye will look to keep the offense churring this week. Defensively Rye will look to fix the mistakes they had against C.S Christian. Rye will look to stop a talented QB this week and look for Derick Bak and Brendan Gray to be keys to that. Rye sits at #17 in the Seeding Index. Rye needs to win out to get into the playoffs. I am not sure if Rye drops another game if they get in. Rye ends the year against Banning Lewis and Rocky Ford. Peyton comes into the matchup at 3-3 overall and 1-1 in league. Peyton escaped a loss coming from behind to beat Ellicott 20 to 18. Offensively Peyton got just enough to get the win. RB Landon Hadley had a solid game rushing for 123 yards and 1 TD. QB Noah Martin was limited this week and must step up this week if Peyton plans on the upset. Defensively Peyton did make some mistakes but were able to hold Ellicott when it mattered. This week Peyton must stop the run if they plan on having any success. Josiah Zimmerman and Hunter Trim are key for Peyton to stop the run. Peyton sits at #23 in the Seeding Index. Peyton needs this upset to get into the playoffs. I don’t think Peyton gets in without this upset and possibly one other.
Denver Christian (2-4, #21 Seeding) at Platte Canyon (6-0, #16 Seeding)
The final game to mention takes us to the Frontier League. Platte Canyon will host Denver Christian for a key Frontier League game. Platte Canyon comes into the matchup at 6-0 overall and 1-1 in league. Platte Canyon has been dominating in their 6-game winning streak breaking the 30-point mark in all 6 games. Platte Canyon will be looking to keep pace with Strasburg atop the league standings. Last week Platte Canyon defeated Clear Creek 46 to 0. Offensively Platte Canyon had a huge game racking up 442 yards of total offense. QB Kamron Skouge had a big game with 183 yards passing, 41 yards rushing, and 4 total TDs. RB Sam Patterson also contributed with 108 yards on the ground. Defensively Platte Canyon pitched the shutout while forcing 4 turnovers in the game. This week they face a balanced offensive attack and will look for Kamron Skouge and Ian Twaddell to step up. Platte Canyon sits at #16 in the Seeding Index. They would be replaced by the league champion of the Longs Peak League if the season ended today. Platte Canyon cannot win the league title till they face Strasburg on 10/28. I am not sure if Platte Canyon can get into the playoffs without winning out but we will keep an eye on their Seeding Index numbers. Denver Christian comes into the matchup at 2-4 overall and 1-1 in league. Denver Christian is coming off a 64 to 7 loss to Strasburg last week and will hope to bounce back. Denver Christian defensively will look to fix their mistakes and look to stop the run this week. Denver Christian will turn to Joseph Spallone and Trenton Steeves to step up this week on defense. Offensively Denver Christian was limited against Strasburg. Denver Christian will hope to get the rushing attack going this week. QB Nathan Buehrer will also look to step up this week. Denver Christian sits at #21 in the Seeding Index. Denver Christian is desperate for a key win. This win would qualify as that, and they probably cannot get into the playoffs without a win over Platte Canyon.
Other Games to Note:
#5 Strasburg (4-2, #6 Seeding) vs Middle Park (3-3, #25 Seeding)
Center (0-6, #30 Seeding) at Del Norte (1-5, #27 Seeding)
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