EIGHT-MAN FOOTBALL PREVIEW – WEEK FOUR
BY: KERRY SHERMAN
The bar for the title of “Game of the Year” was set incredibly high last week, as McClave outlasted Simla for a 58-52 triple overtime victory. As a result, the Cardinals vaulted to the #1 spot in this week’s MileHigh Prep Report Media/Coaches poll. Both teams are on a bye this week, but most of the remaining top-10 teams will be in action.
FRIDAY
#6 AKRON (3-0) VS HOLLY (1-1) 7PM
Last week… Akron’s defense pitched its second shutout of the season, as the Rams went on the road and beat Fowler 50-0. Cooper Redburn, Jace Curtis, and Jakzon Livesay each had an interception, with Livesay’s going for a touchdown. Caleb Poss and Anderson Filla both added a fumble recovery, helping the unit force five turnovers. Poncho Saenz had his fingerprints all over Holly’s 42-8 win over Custer County, catching a pair of TD passes, and leading the defense with 10 tackle, including a sack. Devin Eaton forced a pair of fumbles, and Drayden McCray picked off a pass.
Series history… Akron leads 4-3 with five of the seven meetings decided by 14 points or less. Last year’s 41-22 win by the Rams was the second largest margin of victory in the series.
SATURDAY
#2 HAXTUN (2-1) VS CROWLEY COUNTY (0-3) 1PM
Last week… Colin Cone threw for 97 yards and two touchdowns, and added 101 yards and a TD on the ground in Haxtun’s 60-0 win at Sanford. Grant Statz ran for four touchdowns and also led the defense with 13 tackles. Zach Statz added 10 tackles and a forced fumble. Crowley County held Calhan to just under 300 yards of offense, but the Chargers gave up a late TD to fall 28-20.
Series history… First meeting in MaxPreps era (2004-current)
#4 BYERS (3-0) AT BELLEVIEW CHRISTIAN (1-1)
Last week… Chase Long tossed four TD passes, two to Cameron Eastwood and one apiece to Kaleb Willoughby and AJ Engle in Byers’ 48-18 win over Clear Creek. Willoughby added two more scores on the ground, while Eastwood reached paydirt a third time on a pick-six. The Bruins had the last two weeks off after collecting a 42-0 win over Soroco in week one.
Series history… Byers leads 2-0, winning 52-0 two years ago, and 54-6 last year. Long threw three touchdowns in each of those games.
#8 WEST GRAND (3-0) VS LAKE COUNTY (0-3) 7PM
Last week… Blake Terryberry ran for four TD and threw for another as West Grand beat Front Range Christian 48-6. The Mustangs ran for 381 yards, 92 by Ruben Hatcher, 85 by John Butler, and 82 by Joe Probst. Lake County had to forfeit its contest to Gilpin County.
Series history… West Grand leads 2-0, but this is the first meeting since 2009.
#9 MERINO (1-2) VS LYONS (0-3) 6PM
Last week… Merino lost its second straight outing, falling 36-32 to #5 Mancos. The Rams allowed 525 yards of offense to the Bluejays, 345 of it on the ground. Lyons got the best effort from its defense of the season, but still fell to Vail Christian by a 28-12 count. It was the second straight week that the Lions were held to 12 points.
Series history… Lyons leads 2-1, winning the last two. The Lions got a 48-18 win last season.
#10 DAYSPRING CHRISTIAN (3-0) VS LAS ANIMAS (3-0) 1PM
Last week… It was a defensive grind for Dayspring Christian, who got a pick from Will Nugent and fumble recoveries by Micah Rutz and Sawyer Klein in a 22-8 win at Hayden. Max Krehbiel caught a pair of TD passes and also recorded a safety for the Eagles. Orion Martinez rushed for 297 yards and three scores, while Nicholas Duran 66 yards and two TD on the ground as Las Animas moved past Soroco 32-6.
Series history… Dayspring Christian leads 2-0, but the teams have not played since 2015.
VAIL CHRISTIAN (2-0) AT PLATEAU VALLEY (2-1) 1PM
Last week… Vail Christian won its second straight tight game, beating Lyons 28-12. The Saints beat Norwood 30-28 in week two. Plateau Valley snuck past Norwood 40-34, getting four TD passes and a rushing touchdown from Colter Ralston. Hunter White caught two of the scoring passes, and Virgil Kuper provided balance by running for 149 yards and a touch.
Series history… Vail Christian leads 11-2, with all of the victories by the Saints coming in succession. They won 52-6 last year. The winner gets a share of the early lead in the Northwest division.
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