Class 1A Football Preview-Week Six
By Anthony Garcia
We enter the second half of the regular season. We kick off league play in Class 1A as well as the rest of the 11-man ranks in Colorado. We change how we are doing are article for the rest of the year and we focus on the league title races plus who is in the hunt for a playoff spot. We will be using the CHSAA Seeding & Selection Index when it comes to any rankings going forward.
Frontier League
Current League Standings (Using Seeding Index this week only) ()=Seeding Index
#1 Forge Christian (2)
#2 Flatirons Academy (9)
#3 Prospect Ridge (11)
#4 Platte Canyon (19)
#5 Denver Christian (27)
The Frontier League may be the early surprise early on as 4 of the 5 teams are sitting inside the top 20 and at least two are in very good position to make the playoffs. Flatirons Academy is the lone team not in action this week. Forge Christian (5-0) will host Prospect Ridge (3-2) this week. Forge Christian last week defeated Manitou Springs 49 to 0. Forge Christian had big offensive days from QB Sullivan Strange (216 total yards) and RB Euli Tafoya (125 rushing yards). Defensively Dante Vigil set the tone with 8 tackles along with Euli Tafoya who had a fumble recovery and 7 tackles. Prospect Ridge moved over he .500 mark on the season with a win over Pinnacle (48-0) last week. Prospect Ridge has not played the toughest schedule and the game against Forge Christian will be a huge test. QB Emerson Mallon (380 passing yards) is off to a great start as is RB Machaon Puga (464 rushing yards). Defensively Prospect Ridge will have to play their best game to upset Forge Christian and look for Machaon Puga and Vincente Aguilera to lead the Miner defense. The other game in the Frontier League is Denver Christian (1-4) hosting Platte Canyon (1-3). This is probably an elimination game for the loser as both are sitting outside the top 18 currently.
Lock for the Playoffs
Forge Christian
Playoff Contenders
Flatirons Academy, Prospect Ridge, Platte Canyon, Denver Christian
Out of Playoff Race
None
League 6
Current League Standings (Using Seeding Index this week only) ()=Seeding Index
#1 Highland (6)
#2 Manual (12)
#3 Jefferson (23)
#4 Platte Valley (26)
#5 Estes Park (33)
League 6 as it’s being called has just two teams currently inside the top 20 of the CHSAA Seeding Index. I do think a team like Platte Valley with a few wins could shoot up the rankings. All 5 teams are in action this week. Jefferson has a non-league must win game against Pinnacle this week. The featured game this week is Manual (2-2) making the trip north to face Highland (4-1). Highland is the early favorite to win League 6. Highland is coming off a hard-fought win over Bennett 33 to 30. Highland had big offensive days from QB John Bingley (164 passing yards) and RB Wyatt Chase (139 rushing yards). Defensively Highland made just enough plays to get the win and were led in tackles by Ira Sittner (12) and Tyler Varra (11). Manual is off to a surprising start at 2-2 and sitting inside the top 16 of the Seeding Index. Manual will be looking to play their best game of the season to upset Highland. Last week Manual was defeated by Flatirons Academy 24-0. On the season Manual has been led by QB/RB Marcus Keller (407 total yards) and RB/QB Nigel Jones (235 total yards). Defensively Manual has improved the most and will look to hold down a tough Highland offense. Manual will look to Kearre Watson (36 tackles) and Torrice Bell (28 tackles) to lead the Thunderbolts defense. The other league game is Platte Valley (0-5) hosting Estes Park (0-4). The loser of this game will be eliminated from playoff contention.
Lock for the Playoffs
Highland
Playoff Contenders
Highland, Manual, Jefferson, Estes Park, Platte Valley
Out of Playoff Race
None
North Central League
Current League Standings (Using Seeding Index this week only) ()=Seeding Index
#1 Limon (3)
#2 Wray (4)
#3 Wiggins (5)
#4 Yuma (8)
#5 Burlington (14)
#6 Holyoke (16)
The toughest league in Class 1A. So far it’s holding up to that title with all 6 teams currently inside the top 16 of the seeding index. All 6 teams are true playoff contenders, and I am guessing 5 of the 6 teams will get into the playoffs. We had one game take place last night and that was Wray defeating Holyoke 49 to 7. The featured game this week is Wiggins (2-2) making the trip south to face Limon (4-0). Limon comes into the contest at 4-0 overall and they are coming off a 26 to 13 win over Buena Vista. Limon played well on defense holding Buena Vista to just 13 points and forcing four turnovers in the game. Brody Scherrer had a pair of fumble recoveries and Camdyn Tacha lead all tacklers for the Badgers. Offensively Limon took care of the ball with 0 turnovers. QB Aiden Kollath (121 passing yards) lead the passing attack while RB Skylur McCready (75 rushing yards) and Camdyn Tacha (73 rushing yards) lead the rushing attack. Wiggins comes into the contest at 2-2 overall and they are coming off a loss to 2A Strasburg 21 to 0. Wiggins has played a tough non-league schedule facing 4 quality opponents. Last week against Strasburg, Wiggins did struggle to get much going offensively racking up just 146 yards of total offense. QB JR Meyer had 75 yards passing and RB Jayson Lousberg had 45 yards rushing. Defensively Wiggins did limit Strasburg to 237 yards of offense. JR Meyer (11) and Michael Adamson (10) lead the Tigers defense. The other league game is another key matchup in Class 1A as Yuma (3-1) makes the quick trip south to face Burlington (2-2). This should be great matchup between two teams looking to run the football. Yuma will look for QB Jonathan Thomson (626 total yards) to lead the way and Burlington will look for the two headed backfield of Jason Saucedo (266 rushing yards) and Scout Humrich (255 rushing yards) to power the way.
Lock for the Playoffs
Limon, Wray
Playoff Contenders
Yuma, Wiggins, Burlington, Holyoke
Out of Playoff Race
None
South Central League
Current League Standings (Using Seeding Index this week only) ()=Seeding Index
#1 Centauri (1)
#2 Monte Vista (18)
#3 Ignacio (21)
#4 Trinidad (22)
#5 Center (35)
#6 Del Norte (34) (Forfeit the rest of the season)
The South Central league see two familiar foes atop the league standings with Centauri and Monte Vista both inside the top 20 of the CHSAA Seeding and Selection Index. Ignacio and Trinidad are near the top 20 and will look to be playoff contenders if they can finish in 3rd place. This week Trinidad will get the forfeit win over Del Norte and improve to 1-0 in league. The featured game is Ignacio (1-3) making the trip west to face Centauri (4-0). Centauri coms into the matchup at 4-0 overall and they are coming off a 41 to 0 win over Bayfield. This was a close game at halftime with Centauri holding a narrow lead. Centauri did pull away in the second half. Offensively QB Sean Jarvies had a big day passing throwing for 241 yards and RB Parker Buhr continues his career setting pace with 239 yards. Defensively Centauri forced 3 turnovers in the game and were led by 3 players who had 7 tackles in Marcos Atencio, Parker Buhr, and Ryder Norton. Ignacio comes into the contest at 1-3 overall and they are coming off a bye week. Ignacio three losses have all been by less than 10 points. Ignacio last contest was a 38 to 35 loss to Bayfield. This is not an elimination game for the loser but will set the tone. The other contest in the South Central League is Monte Vista (2-2) hosting Center (0-4). This is a must win game for both teams as they both sit outside the top 16 of the CHSAA Seeding and Selection Index.
Lock for the Playoffs
Centauri
Playoff Contenders
Monte Vista, Ignacio, Center, Trinidad
Out of Playoff Race
Del Norte
Tri-Peaks League
Current League Standings (Using Seeding Index this week only) ()=Seeding Index
#1 Buena Vista (7)
#2 C.S Christian (10)
#3 Peyton (17)
#4 Ellicott (24)
#5 Dolores Huerta (30)
#6 Rye (31)
The Tri-Peaks league features three teams currently inside the top 20 of the CHSAA Seeding and Selection Index in Buena Vista, C.S Christian, and Peyton. The opening week of football for the Tri-Peaks will be very important and I think only three teams from this league get in so finishing in 3rd place will be key. All 6 teams are in league action this week. Dolores Huerta (1-1) will host C.S Christian (2-2). I truly think this is a must win game for both teams. You cannot take a bad loss if your CSCS and Dolores Huerta needs a big win to jump into the top 20. The featured game of the Tri-Peaks is Buena Vista (2-2) hosting Ellicott (2-2). Buena Vista comes into the contest at 2-2 overall and they are coming off a 26 to 13 loss to Limon. Buena Vista has played one of the tougher non-league schedules in Class 1A. Buena Vista against Limon was able to move the ball offensively racking up 300 yards of offense, but turnovers were their down fall with four in the game. QB Hudson Wingo had one of his better offensive performances racking up 197 passing yards. RB Eli Schuknect and RB Tray Cardwell both had around 40 yards rushing. Defensively Buena Vista did slow down the Limon offensive attack. Abel Flowers (16) and Knox Reid (13) lead the Demons in tackles. Ellicott comes into the contest at 2-2 overall and they are coming off a bye. Ellicott last opponent was a 49 to 0 win over Center on 9/20. Ellicott on the season is powered by their rushing attack. RB Tony Bonilla (289 rushing yards) and RB Jairus Martin (201 rushing yards) pace the Ellicott offense. Defensively Ellicott will have to play their best game of the season. Look for Xavier Hoyle (29) and Tony Bonilla (23) to lead the Thunderhawks defense. The third game in the Tri-Peaks is a key contest between Rye (0-4) and Peyton (3-1). This is an elimination game as both teams need this win. Rye will look to RB Enoch Farney (317 rushing yards) and Peyton will turn to QB Noah Martin (837 total yards) to lead their respective teams.
Lock for the Playoffs
Buena Vista, C.S Christian
Playoff Contenders
Peyton, Dolores Huerta, Ellicott, Rye
Out of Playoff Race
None
Western Slope League
Current League Standings (Using Seeding Index this week only) ()=Seeding Index
#1 Meeker (13)
#2 Cedaredge (15)
#3 Roaring Fork (20)
#4 Olathe (25)
#5 North Fork (28)
#6 Grand Valley (32)
The Western Slope League has three teams inside the top 20 of the CHSAA Seeding index. The Western Slope League is by far the most wide open and I think league play will determine who makes the playoffs and all three games this weekend are important games. Our featured game is Meeker (2-2) hosting Cedaredge (3-1). Meeker comes into the contest at 2-2 overall and they are coming off a bye. Meeker last contest was a 40 to 7 win over Grand County UT. Meeker had a solid day offensively racking up over 250 yards of total offense. QB Cade Mills was perfect on the day going 5-5 for 68 yards and rushing for 60 more. RB Clay Crawford also had a solid day with 90 yards rushing. Defensively Meeker forced four turnovers in the game capped off by a defensive TD by Cade Blunt. Tristin Rollins (15) and Cade Blunt (12) lead the Cowboys in tackles. Cedaredge comes into the contest at 3-1 overall and they are coming off back-to-back weeks of byes. Cedaredge last game was a 52 to 12 win over Center on 9/13. On the season Cedaredge is led by their rushing attack. RB Kolter Mann (250 rushing yards) and Wylee Lorimor (238 rushing yards) lead the rushing attack while QB Logan Sanders leads the passing attack with 269 yards. Defensively Kolter Mann (17) and Ethan Toothaker (15) lead the Bruins in tackles. The second game in the Western Slope features North Fork (2-2) at Olathe (2-1). This is also a must win for both teams. North Fork will look for RB Derick Sievertsen (354 rushing yards) to lead the way and Olathe will look for their team defense to step up. The third game in the western slope is Grand Valley (0-4) traveling to Roaring Fork (2-2). Grand Valley will look for QB Andrew Horner (260 total yards) to lead the way while Roaring Fork will look for their QB Kenny Riley (281 passing yards) to power them to a win.
Lock for the Playoffs
None
Playoff Contenders
Meeker, Cedaredge, Roaring Fork, Olathe, North Fork, Grand Valley
Out of Playoff Race
None
MileHigh Prep Report 