8-Man Football Playoff Projections & Predictions Week 9

8-Man Football Playoff Projections & Predictions Week 9

Remember to qualify for the playoffs you MUST Finish in the Top 16 of the CHSAA Seeding Index or WIN your league title. We have two weeks left of the regular season. We are in the final push to make the playoffs and look for some league champions to be crowned this weekend. Good Luck to all teams!

Playoff Projections & Predictions

8-Man Playoff Predictions (Who I think make the playoffs)

This is who I think make the playoffs and who win the leagues. In the 8-Man ranks all league champions are guaranteed a berth. The rest will be selected by CHSAA Seeding Index. Seeding is determined by CHSAA Seeding Index. I am picking my 9 At-Large teams via non-league schedules, remaining schedules, and how I think teams will do. League Champions are posted first then the At-Large Teams.

https://chsaanow.com/sports/2022/7/20/chsaa-postseason-seeding-index.aspx

League Champion Predictions

Ark Valley: McClave

McClave can lock up the league title with a win over Springfield this Friday.

Black Forest: Simla

Simla can lock up the league title with a win over South Park this week. They have the wins over #2 Calhan and #3 Elbert already but just need 1 win to make it official.

Central: Lyons

Lyons will face Front Range Christian for the league title this week. A Lyons win give them the league title. A Front Range Christian win does not give them the league title as they must face Byers next week.

League 2: West Grand

West Grand will face Vail Christian this week for the league title. If West Grand wins they win the league title. If Vail Christian wins they will face Rangely for the league title next week unless Rangely losses this week.

Mountain: Mancos

Mancos will face Sanford for the league title. A Mancos win and they win the league championship. A Sanford win and it forces a three-way tie for the league title.

Plains: Haxtun

Haxtun will face Sedgwick County this Friday for the league title. A win for Haxtun gives them the league title. A Sedgwick County win and it forces a three-way tie for first place.

Six County: Walsenburg

Walsenburg will face Fowler this week for the league title. A Walsenburg win and they still must face Crowley County next week for the league title. A Folwer win and they win the league title.

At Large Teams

Holly (Ark Valley)

Calhan (Black Forest)

Byers (Central)

Vail Christian (League 2)

Dove Creek (Mountain)

Sanford (Mountain)

Akron (Plains)

Sedgwick County (Plains)

Merino (Plains)

Playoff Hunt for Final Spots

Front Range Christian, Elbert, Rangely, Sargent, Fowler

Most of the drama for the final few spots I believe involves #13 thru #16. The winner of Fowler vs Walsenburg will get the league title and get the last spot in, or I believe jump into the top 16. I think Holly must win out to have a shot at the playoffs. Front Range Christian is the team I am most concerned about. They face Lyons and Byers in their final two games, and I am not sure losing both they can hold off Holly from the #15 spot. Merino is in a very similar spot as Front Range Christian as they face Akron and Haxtun to end the season. Vail Christian, I believe is just 1 win away from making the playoffs. I believe Calhan is a lock if they beat St. Mary’s. This week I am going with Merino, Vail Christian, and Holly as my last three teams in.

Seeded Playoff Bracket using my predictions and the CHSAA Seeding Index (10/18)

#1 Simla vs #16 Walsenburg

#8 Sanford vs #9 Byers

#4 Lyons vs #13 Merino

#5 Dove Creek vs #12 Calhan

#2 Haxtun vs #15 Holly

#7 Akron vs #10 McClave

#3 Mancos vs #14 Vail Christian

#6 West Grand vs #11 Sedgwick County

8-Man Playoff Projections (IF the Season Ended Today)

This is if the season ended today 10/18/2023. Using the CHSAA Seeding Index I will come up with the Playoff field. League Champions selected with my Predictions. I will seed & select the bracket with the CHSAA Seeding Index. Remember this is still early and things will change. The league champions I selected are at the top with the at-large berths following.

https://chsaanow.com/sports/2022/7/20/chsaa-postseason-seeding-index.aspx

League Champion Predictions ()=CHSAA Seeding Index

Ark Valley: McClave (11)

Black Forest: Simla (1)

Central: Lyons (4)

League 2: West Grand (6)

Mountain: Mancos (2)

Plains: Haxtun (3)

Six County: Walsenburg (18)

At Large Teams (Selected using 10/18 Seeding Index)

(Not in order)

#8 Dove Creek (5)