Class 2A Football Preview-Week Six
By: Anthony Garcia
We enter the second half of the regular season. We kick off league play in Class 2A 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.
East League
Current League Standings (Using Seeding Index this week only) ()=Seeding Index
#1 Strasburg (1), #2 Elizabeth (13), #3 Englewood (18), #4 Kent Denver (27), #5 Bennett (29)
The East League currently has two teams inside the top 20 of the seeding index. Strasburg headlines the group at #1 in the Seeding Index and will be the favorite heading into league play to win the league title. Kent Denver (2-2) is the lone team not playing a league game this week as they face off against 3A Hinkley (0-4). Kent Denver will be looking to snap a two-game losing streak. Englewood (3-1) will face Bennett (1-4) in one of the league games this week. This is a must win game for both teams if they want to make any push for the playoffs. Englewood has been balanced in their offensive attack with QB Dylan Noll and RB Deon Robinson. Bennett is powered by their rushing attack and are led by RB Cougar Cronk and QB Brody Hawes. The main event in the East League is a good one and it will see Elizabeth hit the road to face Strasburg on Friday Night. Both teams currently are inside the top 16 of the seeding index and the winner of this game will be in the drivers seat to win the league title. Strasburg is being led by RB Ayden Dodge, QB Brody Hopwood, and their big offensive line. Elizabeth is powered by their rushing attack RB Tristan McCray, RB Joaquin Aviles, and the offensive line.
East League Stat Leaders (2 or 3 per category)
Passing: Brody Hopwood, Strasburg (593 passing yards, 8 TDs), Dylan Noll Englewood (453 passing yards, 3 TDs), Griffin Widhalm, Elizabeth (207 passing yards, 3 TDs)
Rushing: Ayden Dodge, Strasburg (598 rushing yards, 6 TDs), Deon Robinson, Englewood (533 rushing yards, 11 TDs), Tristan McCray, Elizabeth (502 rushing yards, 7 TDs)
Receiving: Cade Hemphill, Strasburg (254 receiving yards, 4 TDs), Cameron Manahan, Strasburg, (157 receiving yards, 1 TD)
Tackles: Wes Noe, Elizabeth (53 tackles), Brody Hawes, Bennett (51 tackles), Ethan Freeman, Strasburg (50 tackles)
Sacks: Caden Long, Elizabeth (4.0 sacks), Jorge Parra, Strasburg (2.5 sacks)
INTs: Desean Smith-Neal, Englewood (2 INTs), Logan Mael, Englewood (2 INTs)
Lock for the Playoffs
Strasburg
Playoff Contenders
Elizabeth, Englewood, Kent Denver, Bennett
Out of Playoff Race
None
Intermountain League
Current League Standings (Using Seeding Index this week only) ()=Seeding Index
#1 Pagosa Springs (5), #2 Bayfield (16), #3 Alamosa (19), #4 Montezuma-Cortez (21), #5 Salida (30), Gunnison (40)
The IML League currently has three teams inside the top 20 of the CHSAA Seeding and Selection Index. Pagosa Springs headlines the IML sitting at #5 in the Seeding Index. Currently the IML has three teams sitting at 3-1, two a 2-2, and just one team without a win. The IML will be a dogfight for the league title as I think all 6 teams believe they can win the league title. Week #1 & #2 of league I think will separate who is a contender and who is not for the playoffs. Game 1 of the IML is Gunnison (0-4) hosting Montezuma-Cortez (3-1). Gunnison may be 0-4 but they are starting to get healthy and if they start picking up wins could quickly move up the seeding index. No stats for Gunnison. Montezuma-Cortez has three blowout wins over New Mexico teams with a combined record of 2-14. Cortez will be facing their second toughest test of the season. No stats for Montezuma-Cortez. Game #2 of the IML is Salida (2-2) hosting Pagosa Springs (3-1). Pagosa Springs has picked up back-to-back big wins and they will be looking for #3. Pagosa has been powered by RB Colton Lucero and a very tough defense. Salida will be looking for a signature win and a upset of Pagosa Springs would be that. Salida is powered by their rushing attack and RB Casen Pridemore. Both teams are looking to gain key momentum heading into league play and is a must win to try and secure a playoff spot. The featured game this week in the IML is Alamosa making the trip over Wolf Creek pass to face Bayfield. This is a must win for both teams as they try to improve their playoff hopes. Alamosa has not beat Bayfield has yet to beat Bayfield in league play since dropping to Class 2A in 2010. QB Dyson Woodward and the Mean Moose defense will look to change that this season. Bayfield lost their first game of the season last week to Centauri and will be looking to bounce back. Bayfield on the season has been lead by QB Cole Mcwhirter and a physical defense. Bayfield with a win would put themselves in very good shape to make the playoffs.
Intermountain League Stat Leaders (2 or 3 per category)
Passing: Dyson Woodward, Alamosa, (502 yards, 4 TDs), Cole Mcwhirter, Bayfield (499 yards, 9 TDs), Creede Dozier, Pagosa Springs (307 yards, 2 TDs)
Rushing: Colten Lucero, Pagosa Springs (816 yards, 11 TDs), Casen Pridemore, Salida (425 yards, 4 TDs), Dyson Woodward, Alamosa (392 yards, 4 TDs)
Receiving: Kevin Gonzales, Alamosa (167 yards, 1 TD), Tyus Winkler, Salida (159 yards, 2 TDs)
Tackles: Casen Pridemore, Salida (43), Anthony Taverna, Salida (38), Seth Zeigler, Pagosa (32)
Sacks: Dane Bennett, Salida (2.0 sacks), Justin Westbrooke, Bayfield (2.0 sacks)
INTs: Lincoln Williams, Bayfield (4 INTs), Jaxten Schiel, Pagosa Springs (4.0 INTs)
Lock for the Playoffs
Pagosa Springs
Playoff Contenders
Montezuma-Cortez, Alamosa, Gunnison, Salida, Bayfield
Out of Playoff Race
None
League 7
Current League Standings (Using Seeding Index this week only) ()=Seeding Index
#1 The Academy (10), #2 Sterling (14), #3 Fort Lupton (22), #4 Weld Central (23), #5 Brush (35), #6 Arvada (37)
League 7 as it’s being called has just two teams currently inside the top 20 of the CHSAA Seeding and Selection Index. League 7 may get just two teams into the playoffs but could turn into three if a third team can sweep the rest of the league. I think League 7 is wide open and don’t discount a team like Brush making a push. Game 1 in League 7 is Arvad (1-3) hosting Brush (0-4). This is an elimination game. Loser will be out of the playoff hunt with the winner taking a big step forward on reaching the playoffs. Brush has been powered by their rushing attack and RB Jolani Thoams. Arvada has been led by their freshman QB Anthony Miller. Game #2 in league 7 is a good one featuring Weld Central (2-2) at Fort Lupton (2-2). Both teams have playoff aspirations, and I believe only the winner will keep their playoff hopes alive. Weld Central will look to RB Marcello Rossi and the rushing attack to get them to victory. While Fort Lupton will look for dual threat QB Royce Guerrero to lead the Bluedevils to the win. The featured game in League 7 pits the two top 16 teams in the Seeding Index head-to-head. Sterling (3-1) hosts The Academy (2-2). The winner of this game will be in the driver’s seat for the league title and a berth to the playoffs. Loser will still be in the hunt but makes the rest of the year crucial going forward. Sterling will look to two-way starter Carter Jaeger to power the Tigers to a win. The Academy will turn to dual threat QB Jase Farmer to lead the Wildcats to a key league win.
League 7 Stat Leaders (2 or 3 per category)
Passing: Royce Guerrero, Fort Lupton (496 yards, 6 TDs), Anthony Miller (352 yards, 8 TDs), Jase Farmer, The Academy (299 yards, 4 TDs)
Rushing: Carter Jaeger, Sterling (583 yards, 9 TDs), Marcello Rossi, Weld Central (513 yards, 5 TDs), Jase Farmer, The Academy (413 yards, 4 TDs)
Receiving: Jesse Ceretto, Fort Lupton (239 yards, 3 TDs), Josiah Gonzalez, Fort Lupton (235 yards, 3 TDs)
Tackles: Percy Odle, Brush (43), Konrad Castrup, Brush (28), Joel Valadez, Fort Lupton (28)
Sacks: Lucas Goebel, The Academy (3.0 sacks), Harley Nulsen, Weld Central (2.0 sacks)
INTs: Same Emmerson, Sterling (3 INTS), Percy Odle, Brush (2 INTs)
Lock for the Playoffs
None
Playoff Contenders
Sterling, The Academy, Weld Central, Fort Lupton, Brush, Arvada
Out of Playoff Race
None
Metro League
Current League Standings (Using Seeding Index this week only) ()=Seeding Index
#1 Denver West (3), #2 Classical Academy (4), #3 Alameda (31), #4 D’Evelyn (33), #5 Mitchell (39), #6 Lincoln (41)
The Metro League currently has just two teams inside the top 20 of the CHSAA Seeding and Selection Index and just two teams inside the top 30 as well. The Metro League currently looks like just two teams will get into the playoffs but we will have league to sort that out. We had one game take place last night in the Metro League and that was D’Evelyn defeating Alameda 42 to 6. D’Evelyn keeps their playoff hopes alive and I think Alameda needed that win but probably will be on the outside looking in for the playoffs. Two games take place today in the Metro League. Game 1 is TCA (4-0) traveling to face Lincoln (0-4). TCA will look to keep their unbeaten streak alive and keep pace with D’Evelyn atop the league standings. Lincoln will be looking for the upset. Game 2 is Denver West (4-0) hosting Mitchell (1-3). Denver West is looking to keep their playoff hopes alive and a win is a must. Denver West has not made the playoffs in the Maxpreps era and finishing second in league would give them a shot. Mitchell is looking to disrupt their plans.
Metro League Stat Leaders (2 or 3 per category)
Passing: Kevyn Feldon, D’Evelyn (828 yards, 9 TDs), Andrew Brown, TCA (686 yards, 7 TDs), Marcelo Ortiz, Denver West (328 yards, 7 TDs)
Rushing: Angel Arroyo, Alameda (395 yards, 3 TDs), Jackson Schipfer, TCA (324 yards, 3 TDs), Riley Romine, TCA (235 yards, 2 TDs)
Receiving: Adam Nguyen, D’Evelyn (315 yards, 0 TDs), Thomas Sweetman, D’Evelyn (227 yards, 0 TDs)
Tackles: Aries Uong, Denver West (26), Kafui B. Fiadonu, D’Evelyn (25), Zack Hale, TCA (24)
Sacks: Aries Uong, Denver West (2.5 Sacks), Ridge Blackwood, TCA (2.0 sacks)
INTs: Robert Wittke, Denver West (4 INTs)
Lock for the Playoffs
Classical Academy
Playoff Contenders
Denver West, D’Evelyn
Out of Playoff Race
Alameda, Mitchell, Lincoln
North League
Current League Standings (Using Seeding Index this week only) ()=Seeding Index
#1 Berthoud (7), #2 Wellington (8), #3 University (9), #4 Eaton (17), #5 Resurrection Christian (25), #6 Valley (34)
The North League is one of the toughest leagues in Class 2A. The North league currently features 3 teams inside the top 10 of the CHSAA Seeding Index and a fourth team inside the top 20. 4 possibly 5 teams could be playoff contenders and league will help separate things out. Game 1 in the North League is Resurrection Christian (2-2) hosting Valley (1-3). This is a must win game for both teams. Loser probably would be out of the playoff hunt and winner keeps things alive. Both teams are outside the top 24 currently. This is a big game for both teams. Game 2 in the North League is Eaton (2-2) making the quick trip to face University (4-0). This should be a great matchup for both teams as both teams look for momentum heading into league and to strengthen their playoff hopes and position. University will look for RB Brevon Doss to be big part of this game along with their defense. Eaton will also look for their defense to make some big lays but also look for QB Andrew Loyd to continue to play well for Eaton. The feature game in the North League is a great one. Wellington (3-1) makes the quick road trip to face Berthoud (3-1). This is a top 10 CHSAA Seeding Index battle and one of the best games in Class 2A this week. Both teams are looking to host a first-round playoff game and winning this game will be the first step in that process. Berthoud will look to QB Skyler Streicher to continue his great start and WR Jayden Michaelis to keep racking up the TDs. Wellington will look to the two headed monster of Tanner Gray and Cash Altschwager to power the Eagles to the win.
North League Stat Leaders (2 or 3 per category)
Passing: Skyler Streicher, Berthoud (921 yards, 8 TDs), Tanner Gray, Wellington (446 yards, 4 TDs), Andrew Loyd, Eaton (440 yards, 3 TDs)
Rushing: Hunter Hansen, Resurrection Christian (607 yards, 6 TDs), Brevon Doss, University (586 yards, 13 TDs), Tanner Gray, Wellington (338 yards, 5 TDs)
Receiving: Cash Altschwager, Wellington (251 yards, 5 TDs), Jayden Michaelis, Berthoud (221 yards, 4 TDs)
Tackles: Ethan Hofmeister, Berthoud (40), Sam Smith, Berthoud (40), Benjamin Schroeder, Berthoud (36)
Sacks: Tanner Gray, Wellington (4.0 sacks), Bryer Barr, Eaton (2.0 sacks)
INTs: Seamus Pikes, Wellington (2 INTs), Noah Sarchet, Valley (2 INTs)
Lock for the Playoffs
Berthoud, Wellington, University
Playoff Contenders
Eaton, Resurrection Christian, Valley
Out of Playoff Race
None
South East League
Current League Standings (Using Seeding Index this week only) ()=Seeding Index
#1 Lamar (2), #2 Woodland Park (11), #3 La Junta (20), #4 Manitou Springs (24), #5 Banning Lewis (32), #6 Florence (38)
The Southeast League has three teams currently at or below 20 in the CHSAA Seeding and Selection Index. Two teams are currently inside the top 16 of the Seeding Index. The Southeast League has a shot a getting three teams into the playoffs and league will be crucial to some teams staying in the hunt. Lamar and Woodland Park look to be the early favorites to win the league. Game 1 in the Southeast league is Woodland Park (4-0) vs Banning Lewis (1-3). Both teams are looking for wins to help their shot at the playoffs. Banning Lewis needs this win to get them inside the top 30 of the Seeding Index and improve their playoff hopes. This won’t necessarily eliminate Banning Lewis with a loss but would mean they need to win out. Woodland Park is looking to keep pace and try and push into the top 10 of the Seeding Index. Woodland Park has a real shot at hosting a first-round game. Game 2 is Manitou Springs (2-2) vs Florence (0-4). This is a must win game for both teams. Manitou Springs sits at #24 in the Seeding Index and a loss to Florence would see them tumble down the seeding Index. Florence sits at #38 and must win to try and improve their seeding index. Florence played a tough schedule, so a win probably jumps them near 30 in the seeding index. The featured game in the Southeast League is a huge rivalry game between La Junta (2-2) and Lamar (4-0). Lamar will look to build off their perfect start and improve to 5-0. Lamar will be tested by the La Junta defense, and they will look for QB Jacob Dunning and WR Cael Buxton to have big days. La Junta will also be tested by a improved Lamar defense and La Junta is also looking for that key win. Dual Threat QB Rylan Schmidt will look to power the Tiger offense to the upset win. Both teams will still keep their playoff hopes alive with a loss.
South East League Stat Leaders (2 or 3 per category)
Passing: Jacob Dunning, Lamar (914 yards, 10 TDs), Marques Schoenberger, Woodland Park (374 yards, 8 TDs), Ben Perkins, Manitou Springs (345 yards, 3 TDs)
Rushing: Logan Moore, Manitou Springs (461 yards, 7 TDs), Noah Howard, Florence (355 yards, 2 TDs), Trey Reed, Woodland Park, (324 yards, 5 TDs)
Receiving: Cael Buxton, Lamar (469 yards, 3 TDs), Alexander Williams, Lamar (174 yards, 2 TDs)
Tackles: Jordan Jones, Banning Lewis (59), Adriel Gonzalez, Lamar (56), Cam Leggett, Banning Lewis (40)
Sacks: Parker Shreeve, Woodland Park (3.0 sacks), Wyatt Dudley, Florence (2.0 sacks)
INTs: Logan Moore, Manitou Springs (4 INTs), Cael Buxton, Lamar (2 INTs)
Lock for the Playoffs
None
Playoff Contenders
Woodland Park, Lamar, Manitou Springs, La Junta, Banning Lewis, Florence
Out of Playoff Race
None
West League
Current League Standings (Using Seeding Index this week only) ()=Seeding Index
#1 Basalt (6), #2 Coal Ridge (12), #3 Delta (15), #4 Aspen (26), #5 Moffat County (28), #6 Middle Park (36)
Currently the West League has 3 teams inside the top 16 of the CHSAA Seeding Index. I do think the West League could get 3 teams into the playoffs but league play always makes the difference especially in this league. Game 1 in the West League is Aspen (2-2) traveling to face Middle Park (1-3). This is an elimination game. Neither team can lose this game and hope they can make the playoffs. Game 2 in the West League is Coal Ridge (3-1) at Moffat County (2-2). This is a huge game for both teams. Moffat County needs a key win to jump higher in the seeding index. Moffat County will look to grind out the win and RB Zachary Hedman will be key to the Bulldogs winning. Coal Ridge is looking to solidify their spot in the top 16 and a win over Moffat County will be a big step towards that. Coal Ridge will look to QB Dylan Miller to power the Titans to a key win to open league play. The featured game in the West League is a great one and the co-game of the week in Class 2A. Basalt (4-0) hits the road to face Delta (3-1) and the winner will be in the driver’s seat for the league title and hosting a first-round game. Basalt has been lead by their rushing attack which has racked up 928 yards. RB Will Daniel leads the way for the longhorns but also QB Karson Schneider who is having a solid start to the season. Delta is a bit more balanced in their offensive attack as QB Ty Reed looks to lead the Panthers to the win along with RB Nay Soe.
West League Stat Leaders (2 or 3 per category)
Passing: Ty Reed, Delta (636 yards, 6 TDs), Dylan Miller, Coal Ridge (602 yards, 8 TDs), Karson Schneider, Basalt (444 yards, 4 TDs)
Rushing: Will Daniel, Basalt (550 yards, 9 TDs), Zachary Hedman, Moffat County (525 yards, 8 TDs), Dylan Mika, Aspen (500 yards, 5 TDs)
Receiving: Ethan Sanchez, Coal Ridge (242 yards, 4 TDs), Taylor Hays, Basalt (232 yards, 3 TDs)
Tackles: Grayson Isenhart, Coal Ridge (69), Will Daniel, Basalt (57), Rhett Miramontes, Delta (46)
Sacks: Dylan Mika, Aspen (4.0 sacks), Clayton Vandersluis, Moffat County (2.0 sacks)
INTs: Diego Gamez, Coal Ridge (4 INTs), Damien Lira, Moffat County (3 INTs)
Lock for the Playoffs
Basalt, Delta
Playoff Contenders
Coal Ridge, Aspen, Middle Park, Moffat County
Out of Playoff Race
None
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