MileHigh Prep Reports Class 1A Top Games of the Week for Week 10
We look at the top games that matter for the playoffs & league title in Class 1A. Since we are in the final week of the season, I am just focusing on the games that will affect the playoffs or league seedings.
(Rankings used are from Media Poll & CHSAA Seeding Index)
Cedaredge (3-3, #14 Seeding) at #7 Buena Vista (5-3, #5 Seeding)
The first game we look at is on the Western Slope where Cedaredge will make the trip to face Buena Vista. This game will impact both the league title race and the race for the final few spots in the playoffs. Buena Vista is a lock for the playoffs sitting at 5-3 overall and #5 in the CHSAA Seeding Index. They are also still in the hunt for a league title and could force a three-way tie if they defeat Cedaredge. Buena Vista has had back-to-back bye weeks and should be well rested for this game. Buena Vista will be looking to bounce back from their 42 to 14 loss to Meeker. As mentioned, if Buena Vista defeats Cedaredge it forces a three-way tie for the Western Slope League. Cedaredge comes into the matchup at 3-3 overall and 0-3 in the western slope. Cedaredge sits at #14 in the CHSAA Seeding Index and is one of the teams that are sitting on the bubble. Cedaredge with a win over Buena Vista would lock them a spot in the playoffs but a loss to Buena Vista will make things much more interesting. Cedaredge could see their RPI drop to the low .510 and that would see them possibly drop behind both Monte Vista and Yuma for the final spot. Cedaredge will also be well rested since they have not played since 10/6 when they lost to Gunnison 38 to 14. Cedaredge with a loss will be scoreboard watching to see if they get into the playoffs.
#5 Strasburg (6-2, #8 Seeding Index) at Platte Canyon (8-0, #13 Seeding Index)
The next impactful matchup is Strasburg hitting the road to face Platte Canyon. This is the league championship in the Frontier League. The winner gets the automatic berth into the playoffs. Strasburg enters the matchup at 6-2 overall and 4-0 in league. Strasburg is a lock for the playoff regardless of this game but with a win should be in position to host a first-round game. Strasburg has dominated league play and won 5 straight games breaking the 49-point mark during their run. Strasburg last win was over Jefferson last week 65 to 0. Strasburg with a win I believe will host a first-round game. Platte Canyon comes into the matchup at 8-0 overall and 4-0 in league. Platte Canyon has run the table thus far with a few close games along the way. Platte Canyon against Jefferson was their closest game this season with Platte Canyon winning 32-22. Platte Canyon will face their toughest opponent to date when they host Strasburg. Platte Canyon last week was dominate against Middle Park winning 46 to 6 and will look to punch their ticket to the state playoffs. Platte Canyon sits at #13 in the Seeding Index and is one of those teams on the bubble. Platte Canyon with a loss would see their RPI fall to around .530 which would have them fall from #12 in the RPI to around #14. If they do fall to #14 and they fall any farther back in the MaxPreps rankings (they are ranked #16 right now) they could possibly fall out of the playoffs. I think Platte Canyon has a decent shot at getting into the playoffs with a loss but will depend on what happens with games round the state.
#1 Limon (8-0, #1 Seeding Index) at Yuma (3-5, #15 Seeding Index)
The next game to look at takes us out east to the North Central League. Limon hits the road to face Yuma. Limon is the #1 team in the state and sits with an 8-0 record and 4-0 in league. Limon is the North Central league champion as well. Limon clinched the league championship last week defeating Wiggins 42 to 21. Limon has the automatic berth into the playoffs and with a win over Yuma should be the #1 overall seed. Yuma comes into the matchup at 3-5 overall and 1-3 in league. Yuma sits at #15 in the CHSAA Seeding Index and would be the last team into the playoffs currently. They have a lot on the line in this game. A win for Yuma would easily punch their tickets into the playoffs. If Yuma loses things become much less clear. Yuma with a loss could see their RPI drop around .515 where it currently sits and that is #17 in the RPI. Yuma would then hope their MaxPreps rankings does not drop from #12 any lower. If it does, they could be in danger of dropping behind Monte Vista and Cedaredge. I think Yuma has a good shot at still getting into the playoffs with a loss but then it will be scoreboard watching like everyone else hoping to get into the playoffs.
Manual (4-4, #20 Seeding Index) at Highland (4-4, #17 Seeding Index)
We head to the Longs Peak League for our next matchup and it’s for the League Championship. Manual hits the road north to Ault to face Highland. Manual comes in with a 4-4 record and 3-1 in league play. Manual had to forfeit a win they had over Flatirons Academy and if they defeat Highland would only force a three-way tie for the league title. Manual only way into the playoffs is to get the league title. I am not sure of the tiebreaker for the Longs Peak League. Normally leagues go by point differential but I have seen leagues use the RPI or Seeding Index as well. Manual kept their league title hopes alive when they defeated Estes Park on 10/12 44 to 32. Highland comes into the matchup at 4-4 overall and 4-0 in league play. Highland has won 4 straight games and have woken up on offense breaking the 30-point mark in those wins. Highland set up the league championship when they defeated Flatirons Academy 52 to 0 last week. Highland with a win over Manual wins the league championship outright and gets the automatic berth into the state playoffs. If Highland losses, I do not think they can get into the playoffs. Good Luck to both teams as they fight for the League Championship.
Monte Vista (6-2, #16 Seeding Index) at #9 Centauri (6-2, #11 Seeding Index)
We head south for our next matchup and into the South Central League. Monte Vista hits the road south to face Centauri in the South Central League Championship. Centauri comes into the matchup at 6-2 overall and 4-0 in league. Centauri set up the league championship when they defeated Ignacio last week 38 to 6. Centauri has won 5 straight games and broke the 35-point mark in all 5 games. Centauri sits at #11 in the Seeding Index. I believe they are a lock for the playoff regardless of the outcome. If Centauri wins, they could possibly jump North Fork at #10 but I think they end up either as the #10 or #11 Seed. If Centauri falls to Monte Vista, they would probably drop to #12 or #13 depending on where Monte Vista moves up to. Monte Vista comes into the matchup at 6-2 overall and 4-0 in league play. Monte Vista set up the league title matchup when they defeated Center last week 58 to 6. Monte Vista has won 5 straight games and have broken the 40-point mark in those 5 wins. Monte Vista sits at #16 in the CHSAA Seeding Index and would be the first team out of the playoffs currently. Monte Vista, I believe, has a shot at getting into the playoffs regardless of the outcome. Monte Vista with a loss to Centauri will see their RPI stay around .510 which it is currently at. They would then need some other teams to lose as mentioned above, but I think Monte Vista with a loss gets in at #15. If Monte Vista wins, they get the automatic berth into the playoffs but could also move up to #13 or #14. Good Luck to both teams as they fight for the league title.
Wiggins (5-3, #7 Seeding Index) at #8 Wray (5-3, #9 Seeding Index)
The final game to mention is in the North Central League and has big implications for seeding the Class 1A State Playoffs. Wiggins makes the trip east to face Wray in a matchup that will affect who hosts in the first round. Wiggins comes into the matchup at 5-3 overall and sits at #7 in the CHSAA Seeding Index. Wiggins is coming off a 42 to 21 loss to Limon last week and will hope to get the rushing attack going this week. Wiggins is a lock for the playoffs, but this game affects the seeding and who hosts. Wiggins with a win should lock up the #7 or #8 seed in the Playoffs. If Wiggins loses, they would probably fall to #9 and hit the road in the first game. Wray comes into the matchup at 5-3 overall and #9 in the Seeding Index. Wray has won two straight games with a key win over Yuma two weeks ago. Wray last week blasted Burlington 53 to 6 and now they hope they can jump into a home playoff game. Wray is a lock for the playoffs. Wray with a win should jump up to #8 if not #7 in the CHSAA Seeding Index. That would give them a home playoff game. A loss and Wray probably stays at #9 and will hit the road in the first round.
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