Class 2A Football Preview-Week Nine

Class 2A Football Preview-Week Nine

By: Anthony Garcia

Just two weeks left of regular season play.  Class 2A still has around 8 or 9 teams that are playoff hopefuls as we going into the final two weeks.  We will breakdown the league title races for each league and how each league is looking in terms of playoff berths.  We will be using the CHSAA Seeding & Selection Index when it comes to rankings for this Article going forward.

East League

Current League Standings (Using Seeding Index this week only) ()=Seeding Index

#1 Elizabeth 2-0 (8), #2 Kent Denver 2-0 (15), #3 Strasburg 1-1 (2), Englewood 1-2 (22), Bennett 0-3 (34)

The East League Title won’t be figured out till next week when Elizabeth and Kent Denver will play each other.  Strasburg still has some hope for the league title as well but they will need to beat Kent Denver this week and hope Kent Denver can upset Strasburg to force a three-way tie atop the league standings.  Strasburg currently is the highest ranked team in the CHSAA Seeding Index at #2.  They are a lock for the playoffs and they are hoping to win out and keep a top 4 seed.  Strasburg will face Kent Denver this week and Bennett next week.  Strasburg is a lock for the playoffs.  Elizabeth sits at #8 in the CHSAA Seeding Index.  Elizabeth is also a lock for the playoffs but are searching for the league title.  Elizabeth will need to win out to keep a top 8 seed and host a first-round game.  Elizabeth plays Englewood this week and Kent Denver in the final week for the league title.  Kent Denver sits at #15 in the CHSAA Seeding Index.  They are in the most trouble of not making the playoffs.  Kent Denver has back-to-back tough games and probably need to win one of their final two games to get into the playoffs.  Kent Denver as mentioned will face Strasburg and Elizabeth to end the season.  Kent Denver could lose both and still get in, but with all those teams fighting for the final few playoffs spots I wouldn’t want to risk anything.  Englewood is the final team to mention in the East League.  Englewood is at #22 in the CHSAA Seeding Index.  They face Strasburg this week and is a must win game for Englewood.  A loss to Strasburg and I don’t think Englewood can get into the playoffs.  Englewood would also need to close out the season with a win over Platte Canyon, but this week is the make for break for Englewood.  Bennett is eliminated from playoff contention.

Lock for the Playoffs

Strasburg, Elizabeth

Playoff Contenders

Kent Denver, Englewood

Out of Playoff Race

Bennett

East League Stat Leaders

Passing: Yianni Balafas, Kent Denver (865 yards & 16 TDs), Dylan Noll, Englewood (794 yards & 5 TDs), Brody Hopwood, Strasburg (781 yards & 10 TDs)

Rushing: Wyatt Walker, Kent Denver (926 yards), Deon Robinson, Englewood (835 yards & 14 TDs), Ayden Dodge, Strasburg (798 yards & 8 TDs)

Receiving: Wyatt Walker, Kent Denver (269 yards), Cade Hemphill, Strasburg (257 yards & 4 TDs)

Tackles: Brody Hawes, Bennett (80), Wes Noe, Elizabeth (76), Logan Mael, Englewood (71)

Sacks: Caden Long, Elizabeth (4.0 sacks), Logan Mael, Englewood (4.0 sacks)

INTs: Cade Hemphill, Strasburg (3), Cougar Cronk, Bennett (2)

Intermountain League

Current League Standings (Using Seeding Index this week only) ()=Seeding Index

#1 Montezuma-Cortez 3-0 (13), Alamosa 1-1 (19), Bayfield 1-1 (23), Gunnison 1-2 (35), Pagosa Springs 1-2 (16), Salida 1-2 (21)

Montezuma-Cortez sits atop the league standings in the IML.  They can clinch the league title this week with a win over Pagosa Springs.  Montezuma-Cortez with a loss to Pagosa Springs could still win the league title in the final week of the regular season against Bayfield.  Montezuma-Cortez with a pair of losses in their final two games would be in danger of missing the playoffs.  Alamosa still has league title hopes sitting at 1-1 in league.  Alamosa is in big trouble of missing the playoffs sitting at #19 in the Seeding Index.  Alamosa must win their final two games of the season to have any shot at the playoffs plain and simple.  Alamosa with a loss in either game would be in big trouble of missing the playoffs.  Alamosa will face Salida and Pagosa Springs to end the season.  Alamosa can win the league title if they win out and Montezuma-Cortez fall in their final two games.  Bayfield is also in the league title race, but they need a few more things to go their way.  Bayfield would need Pagosa Springs to beat Montezuma-Cortez and Alamosa to lose either of their final two games.  Bayfield would then need to beat Cortez in the final game of the season.  Bayfield is in trouble of missing the playoffs outside of the league title race.  Bayfield sits at #23 in the seeding index and both of their final games are must win games.  Bayfield must win their final two games!  Pagosa Springs is the next highest ranked CHSAA Seeding Index at #16.  Pagosa Springs currently would be the last team in.  Pagosa Springs cannot win the league title but can still make the playoffs.  Pagosa Springs at a minimum need at least one win in their final two games but I honestly think Pagosa Springs must win out to 100% get into the playoffs.  If Pagosa Springs defeats Montezuma-Cortez and Alamosa they will get into the playoffs, I do think if they fall to Montezuma-Cortez and beat Alamosa they still have a chance at a top 16 spot.  Salida is the final team in the playoff hunt, and they sit at #21 in the CHSAA Seeding Index.  Salida, I believe has only one past to make the playoffs and that is winning out.  Salida will face Alamosa and Gunnison to end the season and winning out will be the only way to get into the playoffs.  Gunnison is eliminated from playoff contention but could play spoiler in the final two weeks.

Lock for the Playoffs

None

Playoff Contenders

Montezuma-Cortez, Pagosa Springs, Alamosa, Salida, Bayfield

Out of Playoff Race

Gunnison

Intermountain League Stat Leaders

Passing: Cole Mcwhirter, Bayfield (950 yards & 13 TDs), Dyson Woodward, Alamosa (927 yards & 7 TDs), Eli Schwarz, Salida (634 yards & 5 TDs)

Rushing: Colten Lucero, Pagosa Springs (1535 yards, 17 TDs), Tay Wheat, Montezuma-Cortez (1296 yards & 19 TDs), Dyson Woodward, Alamosa (861 yards & 9 TDs)

Receiving: Kevin Gonzales, Alamosa (472 yards, 3 TDs), Bryce Rodrigue, Salida (298 yards)

Tackles: Casen Pridemore, Salida (81), Anthony Taverna, Salida (70), Lincoln Williams, Bayfield (64)

Sacks: Zane Zook, Alamosa (4.0 sacks), Wyatt Oliver, Montezuma-Cortez (4.0 Sacks)

INTs: Lincoln Williams, Bayfield (6), Jaxten Schiel, Pagosa Springs (4)

League 7

Current League Standings (Using Seeding Index this week only) ()=Seeding Index

#1 Sterling 3-0 (10), The Academy 3-1 (14), Brush 2-1 (31), Weld Central 2-1 (24), Fort Lupton 0-3 (33), Arvada 0-3 (38)

Sterling is in the driver’s seat for the League 7 title.  Sterling can win the league title this week with a win over Fort Lupton and a loss by Weld Central.  If Weld Central win, then Sterling will face Weld Central for the league title match next week.  Sterling sits at #10 in the seeding index, and they must win out to have any shot at pushing for a top 8 seed.  The Academy sits in second place in League 7 and have the second highest Seeding Index.  The Academy can only win the league title if Sterling falls in their final two games, and they win out.  The Academy sits at #14 in the CHSAA Seeding Index.  They Academy must win out to get into the playoffs.  They got things started right defeating Arvada last night, but they face Brush in their final game who is looking to play spoiler.  Weld Central is still in the league title hunt but their hope for an at-large berth are in huge trouble.  Weld Central to have a shot at the league title must beat Brush this week and then defeat Sterling in the final week.  That would force a three-way tie atop the league standings unless The Academy is defeated in one of their final games.  Weld Central sits at #24 in the CHSAA Seeding Index.  I don’t think they can get into the playoffs without winning their final two games.  Brush sits at #31 in the Seeding Index and even if they win out over Weld Central and The Academy, I am not sure if they can jump 15 spots into the playoffs.  We will have to evaluate that if they can beat Weld Central this week, but a loss in their games ends their hopes for a playoff berth.  Fort Lupton and Arvada are eliminated from playoff contention.

Lock for the Playoffs

None

Playoff Contenders

Sterling, The Academy, Weld Central, Brush

Out of Playoff Race

Fort Lupton, Arvada

League 7 Stat Leaders

Passing: Jase Farmer, The Academy (657 yards & 7 TDs), Anthony Miller, Arvada (633 yards & 9 TDs), Royce Guerrero, Fort Lupton (540 yards & 6 TDs)

Rushing: Carter Jaeger, Sterling (1289 yards & 20 TDs), Marcello Rossi, Weld Central (1074 yards & 10 TDs), Jacob Arzberger, The Academy (598 yards & 7 TDs)

Receiving: Jesse Ceretto, Fort Lupton (291 yards, 4 TDs), Kaden Maikowski, Sterling (284 yards & 1 TD)

Tackles: Percy Odle, Brush (86), Aidan Kiser, Sterling (64), Carter Jaeger, Sterling (58)

Sacks: Gavin Snortland, The Academy (4.0 sacks), Harold Mcclain, Fort Lupton (3.5 sacks)

INTs: Same Emmerson, Sterling (7), Percy Odle, Brush (4)

Metro League

Current League Standings (Using Seeding Index this week only) ()=Seeding Index

#1 Classical Academy 3-0 (3), D’Evelyn 3-0 (29), Denver West 2-1 (12), Alameda 1-2 (32), Mitchell 1-3 (40), Lincoln 0-4 (41)

The Metro League title could be decided this week when TCA hosts D’Evelyn.  If TCA wins the game, they are league champions and will get the automatic berth.  TCA will also be in good shape to be a top 3 seed if they win out.  If D’Evelyn wins they must still face Denver West next week and that will be for the league title.  D’Evelyn sits at #29 in the CHSAA Seeding and Selection Index and their only hope for the playoffs is the league title.  Denver West is also in the mix for the league title, but they need TCA to lose to D’Evelyn then they must beat D’Evelyn to get the league title.  Denver West sits at #12 in the CHSAA Seeding and Selection Index.  They are in good shape to make the playoffs something they have not done in over 10+ years.  Denver West cannot drop one of their final two games against Alameda or D’Evelyn.  If they win out, they should hold a top 16 spot but a loss in their final two games could see them fall out of the top 16.  Alameda, Mitchell, and Lincoln are eliminated from Playoff Contention.

Lock for the Playoffs

Classical Academy

Playoff Contenders

Denver West, D’Evelyn

Out of Playoff Race

Alameda, Mitchell, Lincoln

Metro League Stat Leaders

Passing: Kevyn Feldon, D’Evelyn (1035 yards, 11TDs), Andrew Brown, TCA (963 yards, 13 TDs), Marcelo Ortiz, Denver West (385 yards, 10 TDs)

Rushing: Angel Arroyo, Alameda (638 yards, 7 TDs), Jackson Schipfer, TCA (400 yards, 6 TDs), Tez Glover, Alameda (354 yards & 2 TDs)

Receiving: Adam Nguyen, D’Evelyn (383 yards, 0 TDs), Thomas Sweetman, D’Evelyn (301 yards, 0 TDs)

Tackles: Aries Uong, Denver West (42), Zack Hale, TCA (41), Elijah Wright, TCA (34)

Sacks: Aries Uong, Denver West (5.0 Sacks), Ridge Blackwood, TCA (3.5 sacks)

INTs: Robert Wittke, Denver West (8), King Stancil, Denver West (2)

North League

Current League Standings (Using Seeding Index this week only) ()=Seeding Index

#1 Berthoud 3-1 (7), #2 Wellington 2-1 (6), #3 Eaton 2-1 (11), #4 Resurrection Christian 2-1 (17), #5 University 1-3 (20), #6 Valley 0-3 (37)

The North League has been a fantastic league race to watch and currently four teams sit with just 1 loss.  Two of those teams square off this week and could eliminate them from the league title race.  Wellington will host Resurrection Christian and winner keeps their league title hopes alive with the loser being out of league title hopes.  For Berthoud to win the league title they need Resurrection Christian to lose either of their final two games and win out.  Wellington to win the league title needs to win out plus need Berthoud to fall in one of their final two games.  Eaton to win the league title needs Resurrection Christian to beat Wellington and Eaton needs to win out.  Resurrection Christian to win the league tittle needs to win out plus have Berthoud beat Eaton in the final week.  We will have a much better idea after this weekend.  Wellington sits at #8 in the CHSAA Seeding and Selection Index and have the highest ranking in the North League.  Wellington is a lock for the playoffs but can keep their hopes alive at hosting a first-round game with a win over Resurrection Christian.  Berthoud sits at #7 in the CHSAA Seeding Index.  They defeated University last night and that win locks them into the playoffs.  Berthoud will need to win out to hold a top 8 seed and host a playoff game.  Eaton sits at #11 in the CHSAA Seeding Index.  Eaton with a win over Valley this week also makes them a lock for the playoffs.  Eaton final game against Berthoud could be to try and host a first-round game.  Resurrection Christian currently would be the first team out.  They are #17 in the CHSAA Seeding Index and have a brutal schedule to end the year.  Resurrection Christian will face Wellington this week and University next week.  They probably need at least 1 win in their final two games and more than likely will needs to be against University to hold off them from jumping ahead of them.  University sits at #20 in the CHSAA Seeding Index.  Their loss to Berthoud last night dropped them to #20 and they will have to win their final game of the season to get into the playoffs against Resurrection Christian.  Valley is eliminated from playoff contention. 

Lock for the Playoffs

Berthoud, Wellington

Playoff Contenders

Eaton, Resurrection Christian, University

Out of Playoff Race

Valley

North League Stat Leaders

Passing: Skyler Streicher, Berthoud (1635 yards, 11 TDs), Andrew Loyd, Eaton (717 yards, 8 TDs), Max Davis, University (643 yards & 7 TDs)

Rushing: Hunter Hansen, Resurrection Christian (981 yards, 7 TDs), Cash Altschwager, Wellington (691 yards & 5 TDs), Brevon Doss, University (586 yards & 13 TDs)

Receiving: Jayden Michaelis, Berthoud (462 yards & 4 TDs), Cade Anderson, Berthoud (441 yards & 2 TDs)

Tackles: Sam Smith, Berthoud (77), Ethan Hofmeister, Berthoud (75), Vinnie Juarez, Eaton (66)

Sacks: Tanner Gray, Wellington (4.0), Bryer Barr, Eaton (3.0)

INTs: Seamus Pikes, Wellington (3), Jackson Savona, Eaton (3)

South East League

Current League Standings (Using Seeding Index this week only) ()=Seeding Index

#1 Woodland Park 3-0 (5), Lamar 2-1 (4), Florence 2-1 (28), Manitou Springs 1-2 (27), La Junta 1-2 (26), Banning Lewis 0-3 (36)

Woodland Park is in the driver’s seat for the league title, and they can win the league title with a win in one of their final two games.  Woodland Park will face Manitou Springs this week and La Junta in the final week and their magical number is 1.  Woodland Park is also in very good position to host a first-round game if they win out, they should be a top 5 seed.  Lamar sits at #4 in the CHSAA Seeding Index, and they are in very good shape to make the playoffs.  Lamar winning out will be key to hosting a first-round game and they cannot drop a game against Banning Lewis or Florence to keep the host spot.  After the top two teams La Junta sits at #26, Manitou Springs at #27, Florence at #28, and Banning Lewis at #36.  I don’t think any other teams from the South East league can get into the playoffs. 

Lock for the Playoffs

Woodland Park, Lamar

Playoff Contenders

None

Out of Playoff Race

Manitou Springs, La Junta, Florence, Banning Lewis

South East League Stat Leaders

Passing: Jacob Dunning, Lamar (1523 yards, 18 TDs), Sam Early, Banning Lewis (674 yards & 6 TDs), Marqus Schoenberger, Woodland Park (665 yards & 13 TDs)

Rushing: Logan Moore, Manitou Springs (1060 yards, 14 TDs), Noah Howard, Florence (780 yards,52 TDs), Trey Reed, Woodland Park, (558 yards, 7 TDs)

Receiving: Cael Buxton, Lamar (696 yards, 8 TDs), Jordan Jones, Banning Lewis (371 yards & 2 TDs)

Tackles: Diego Estrada, Lamar (103), Jordan Jones, Banning Lewis (99), Adriel Gonzalez, Lamar (95)

Sacks: Parker Shreeve, Woodland Park (5.0 sacks), Matteo Pizarro, Woodland Park (5.0 sacks)

INTs: Logan Moore, Manitou Springs (4), Cael Buxton, Lamar (3)

West League

Current League Standings (Using Seeding Index this week only) ()=Seeding Index

#1 Basalt 3-0 (2), #2 Delta 2-1 (9), Coal Ridge 2-1 (18), Aspen 2-1 (25), Moffat County 0-3 (30), Middle Park 0-3 (39)

Basalt currently sits atop the West League Standings.  Basalt can win the league title this week with a win over Middle Park and an Aspen loss.  If that does not happen Basalt will face Aspen for the league title next week at home.  Basalt sits at #2 in the CHSAA Seeding Index and are a lock for the playoffs.  They should host a first-round game if they win out and are in good shape to be a top 3 seed.  Delta hopes for a league title rely on Aspen defeating Coal Ridge and Basalt in the final two weeks.  Delta sits at #9 in the CHSAA Seeding Index.  Delta is a lock for the playoffs and in the hunt for a first-round host.  Delta will face Moffat County this week and Coal Ridge in the final week.  Coal Ridge cannot win the league title without some major help.  Coal Ridge has a very tough schedule to close the year.  Coal Ridge sits at #18 in the CHSAA Seeding Index and their game against Aspen will be a huge game for both teams’ playoff hopes.  Coal Ridge with a loss to Aspen would have to upset Delta and probably need help to get into the playoffs.  Coal Ridge with a win over Aspen is a big step forward to making the playoffs.  Coal Ridge may also need a win over Delta, but that is not 100% and we will have to see how things unfold ahead of them this weekend.  Aspen sits at #25 in the CHSAA Seeding Index.  Aspen has only one way into the playoffs and that is winning out.  Aspen will face Coal Ridge and Basalt to end the season.  Moffat County and Middle Park are eliminated from playoff contention.

Lock for the Playoffs

Basalt, Delta

Playoff Contenders

Coal Ridge, Aspen

Out of Playoff Race

Moffat County, Middle Park

West League Stat Leaders

Passing: Dylan Miller, Coal Ridge (1100 yards & 13 TDs), Ty Reed, Delta (887 yards & 9 TDs), Jackson Salyards, Middle Park (842 yards & 4 TDs)

Rushing: Will Daniel, Basalt (873 yards, 13 TDs), Dylan Mika, Aspen (829 yards & 9 TDs), Zachary Hedman, Moffat County (745 yards & 10 TDs)

Receiving: Ethan Sanchez, Coal Ridge (390 yards, 6 TDs), Taylor Hays, Basalt (381 yards, 7 TDs)

Tackles: Grayson Isenhart, Coal Ridge (136), Will Daniel, Basalt (86), Rhett Miramontes, Delta (70)

Sacks: Dylan Mika, Aspen (4.0 sacks), Clayton Vandersluis, Moffat County (2.0 sacks)

INTs: Diego Gamez, Coal Ridge (6), Will Tarallo, Basalt (5)