Class 1A Football Preview-Week Five
Week 4 is in the books, and it was a wild week of games. We see big changes to the rankings this week! Burlington jumps from #6 to #3 with Forge Christian dropping from #3 to #5. Wray also drops from #3 to #7. We add a new team this week as Monte Vista rejoins the rankings and North Fork falls out. This will be the final week we use the MileHigh Prep Report Media/Coaches Poll. We will shift to the CHSAA Seeding and Selection Index as we move into the second half of the year. Rankings used are from the MileHigh Prep Report Media/Coaches Poll.
#1 Limon (3-0) at #2 Buena Vista (3-0), Friday at 6pm Game of the Week
Last Week…Limon improved to 3-0 on the season blasting 2A Bennett 45 to 0. Limon got out to a hot start scoring 38 points in the 1st quarter and never looked back. Limon had 267 yards of total offense in the win over Bennett. QB Aiden Kollath went 2 for 2 for 51 yards and a TD. WR Drey Tacha caught both passes for 51 yards and a TD while also rushing for 23 yards and a rushing TD. RB’s Liam Yoder, Camdyn Tacha, and Jacob Jaklich all rushed for a TD as well. Defensively Limon shutdown Bennett forcing 1 turnover and 3 sacks in the game. Nelson Sontay (11 tackles) and Parker Harris (7 tackles) lead the Badger defense in tackles.
Buena Vista is coming off a bye week. Buena Vista is 3-0 on the season and is coming off a hard-fought win over Centauri 37 to 27 two weeks ago. Buena Vista trailed early against Centauri but used a 22-point 2nd Quarter to take a one-point lead into halftime. Buena Vista then outscored Centauri 15 to 6 in the second half to secure the win. Buena Vista offensively had an impressive day racking up 400 yards of total offense. QB Hudson Wingo had a solid day offensively throwing for 211 yards and 3 TDs but also threw 2 INTs. WR Caleb Pierce was the main target catching 3 passes for 85 yards and a TD. The rushing attack found success rushing for 203 yards and 2 TDs. RB Eli Schuknecht led all rushers with 126 yards and a TD. Defensively Buena Vista limited Centauri to just 190 yards of total offense. Casen Pridemore (10 tackles) & Abel Flowers (7 tackles) lead the Demon defense.
Last Year…Limon defeated Buena Vista in a barnburner 26 to 13.
Series history… Limon leads the series 3-0 over Buena Vista, since 2004
#3 Burlington (3-0) at Denver Christian (1-3), Friday at 6pm
Last Week…Burlington improved to 3-0 on the season with an impressive 50 to 6 win over previously ranked Lamar. Burlington took control early in the game, scoring 14 points in the first quarter then adding 22 in the second quarter. Offensively Burlington racked up an impressive 505 yards of total offense, with the rushing attack leading the way with 435 yards. RB Jason Saucedo led all rushing with 144 yards and 1 TD. RB Anthony Estrada pitched in with another 94 yards and 2 TDs. QB Scout Humrich also had a good day throwing the ball going 3 for 3 for 70 yards and a TD while also rushing for 112 yards and 2 TDs. Defensively Burlington flew around keeping Lamar off the board until the 4th quarter. Burlington forced 3 fumbles in the game and a pair of sacks by Darian McDonought. The Cougar defense was led in tackles by Charly Favela (7 tackles), Brayden Erker (6 tackles), and Scout Humrich (6 tackles).
Denver Christian dropped to 1-3 on the season last week falling to Highland 53 to 13. Denver Christian will be looking to bounce back against a top 10 opponent yet again. On the season Denver Christian has been powered by their rushing attack which has racked up 650 yards on the season. RB Quinn Barkema leads all rushers with 221 yards and 4 TDs. The passing attack is led by QB Cole McCabe who has thrown for 191 yards, 4 TDs, and 4 INTs. McCabe top target is WR Austin Fitzgerald who has 4 catches for 146 yards and 2 TDs. Defensively Quinn Barkema (30 tackles) and Cale McCabe (18 tackles) lead the Denver Christian defense.
Last Year…Burlington defeated Denver Christian 47 to 12.
Series history… Burlington leads the series 1-0 over Denver Christian, since 2004
#4 Centauri (2-1) at Bayfield (3-0), Friday at 7pm
Last Week… Centauri is coming off a bye week. Centauri dropped their first game of the season two weeks ago, falling in a tough contest to Buena Vista 37 to 27. Centauri will look to get back into the win column this week. On the season Centauri offensively has been balanced in their attack. QB Sean Jarvies lead the passing attack throwing for 291 yards, 5 TDs, and 3 INTs. RB Leland Chacon leads all rushers with 115 yards and 1 TD. WR Carson Shawcroft (148 yards & 4 TDs) & WR Dallyn King (112 yards & 1 TD) are the top pass catchers for the Falcons. Defensively Caden Ruggles (25 tackles) & Spencer Smith (22 tackles) lead the Falcon defense.
Bayfield improved to 3-0 on the season last week, defeating Ignacio 23 to 18. Bayfield used a strong first half jumping out to a 23 to 6 lead and then hung on for the victory. Bayfield was balanced in their offensive attack last week. QB Cole McWhirter had a solid day passing for 132 yards and 1 TD. WR James Sandoval lead all pass catchers with 71 yards. RB Estevan Gonzalez lead all rushers with 25 yards and 1 TD while catching 1 pass for 40 yards and a TD. Defensively Bayfield was able to hold on for the win. Bayfield forced 1 turnover and 3 sacks in the game, 2 by Kole Domingos. Kaiden Witte (19 tackles) and Carter Connon (11 tackles) lead the wolverine defense.
Last Year…Centauri defeated Bayfield 41 to 0.
Series history… Centauri leads the series 6-5 over Bayfield, since 2004
#5 Forge Christian (3-1) vs 2A Manitou Springs (0-3), Friday at 7pm
Last Week… Forge Christian dropped their first game of the season falling to Kent Denver in an exciting contest 40 to 33. Forge Christian dug a small whole and nearly came back falling just short in the contest. Offensively Forge Christian racked up over 300 yards of total offense and it was balanced in their offensive attack. QB Jack Widdifield continues to play well for the Fury throwing for 177 yards and a TD. WR Treysen Eye was the top target for Widdifield catching 3 passes for 73 yards and a TD. RB/WR Quentin Torres also had a big impact in the game rushing for 64 yards and a TD while also catching 4 passes for 64 yards. Defensively Forge Christian did give up some yardage giving up over 400 yards of total offense. The fury will look to improve on that this week and will look for D’angelo Marin (10 tackles) and Treysen Eye (9 tackles) to set up this coming week.
Manitou Springs dropped to 0-3 on the season falling to Valley 43 to 22. Manitou Springs will look to bounce back and collect a key win against Forge Christian. On the season Manitou Springs has been balanced in their offensive attack. QB Kaden Bunker leads the passing attack with 286 yards, 2 TDs, and 5 INTs. Bunker top target is WR Xavier House who was 5 catches for 110 yards. The rushing attack is led by RB Layton Little who has 175 yards rushing and 1 TD. Defensively Layton Little (24 tackles) and Blake Briggs (20 tackles) lead the Manitou Springs defense.
Last Year…Forge Christian defeated Manitou Springs 49 to 0.
Series history… Forge Christian leads the series 6-1, since 2004
#6 Yuma (3-0) vs 2A #6 Brush (3-0), Friday at 7pm
Last Week… Yuma defeated Torrington WY in a tight contest 28 to 27. The game came down to a two-point conversion by Yuma in the 4th quarter to capture the 1-point win over Torrington WY. Yuma offensively ran the ball at will racking up 462 yards of rushing. RB Christian Thomson led all rushers with 146 yards and 1 TD and RB Daden Beauprez also pitched in with 109 yards and a TD. QB Iann Duran also had a solid day throwing for 27 yards but rushing for 113 yards and a TD. Defensively Yuma was led by David Covarrubias (7 tackles) and Marvin Duarte (5 tackles).
Brush improved to 3-0 on the season picking up another key win. Brush defeated then ranked #3 Wray 36 to 14. Brush offensively ran the ball effectively rushing for 339 yards and 0 yards of passing. RB Ritchie Bruno led the way for Brush racking up 139 yards and 2 TDs in the game. RB Cassius Middlemist also was solid for the Beetdiggers rushing for 110 yards and 1 TD. Defensively Brush played well holding Wray to just 60 yards of rushing while forcing 2 turnovers in the game. Andrew Herrera (11 tackles & 1 Sack), Ritchie Bruno (11 tackles), and Cassius Middlemist (8 tackles) led the Brush defense.
Last Year…Yuma won a hard fought game over Brush 27 to 24 in OT.
Series history… Brush leads the series 5-2 over Yuma, since 2004
#8 Highland (3-1) vs 2A Bennett (0-4), Friday at 7pm
Last Week… Highland improved to 3-1 on the season with a 53 to 13 win over Denver Christian. Highland had a big day offensively racking up 388 yards of total offense in the win. QB Tyler Varra had a solid day passing, throwing for 133 yards and 3 TDs. WR Daryan Shaw led all WR with 3 catches for 82 yards and 2 TDs. The rushing attack also had a big day racking up 255 yards. RB Elijah Elder led all rushers with 120 yards and 2 TDs and RB Wyatt Chase also pitched in with 84 yards and a TD. Defensively Highland had a solid day forcing 2 sacks and 3 turnovers in the game. Brogan Palmer had a big day defensively recovering 2 fumbles while making 8 tackles and 3 TFL. Wyatt Chase leads all tacklers for the Huskies with 14 tackles.
Bennett dropped to 0-4 on the season falling to Limon 45 to 0. Bennett has only scored 9 points in 4 games so far this season and will look to get things going this week. Bennett will look for their rushing attack to get them going. RB Tommy Cearns (245 yards) & RB Ethan Jordan (51 yards) will look to power the rushing attack. QB Kenny Jordan will also look to get going this week. Defensively Bennett will look to limit the Highland offense and will look for Isaac Adams (19 tackles) and Mormon Jordan (15 tackles) to lead the Cougar defense.
Last Year…Highland secured a tight 33 to 30 victory over Bennett.
Series history… Highland & Bennett are tied at 2-2 for the series, since 2004
#9 Flatirons Academy (3-1) at Manual (2-1), Friday at 7pm
Last Week… Flatirons Academy improved to 3-1 on the season with a big 48-7 win over Estes Park. Flatirons Academy had a huge offensive day racking up over 400 yards of total offense. QB Caleb Doughty continues to play well for the Bison throwing for 212 yards and 2 TDs while rushing for another 109 yards and 2 TDs. WR Jack Joyner was the top target for Doughty catching 7 passes for 97 yards and 2 TDs. The rushing attack was led by RB Zeke Friedman who rushed for 78 yards and 1 TD. Defensively Ryker Clubb (6 tackles) and Isaiah Figueroa (4 tackles) led the Bison defense.
Manual improved to 2-1 on the season last week defeating Mitchell 30 to 0. So far on the season Manual has been balanced in their offensive attack. Manual passing attack is powered by QB Marcus Keller. Keller has thrown for 511 yards, 4 TDs and just 2 INTs while rushing for another 246 yards and 2 TDs. WR Kearre Watson (208 yards & 3 TDs) and WR Jeremiah Myles (141 yards) are the top WRs for the Thunderbolts. Defensively Kearre Watson (29 tackles) and Tyree Toliver (27 tackles & 10 TFL) lead the Manual defense.
Last Year…Flatirons Academy secured the 24-0 victory over Manual.
Series history… Flatirons Academy leads the series 4-0 over Manual, since 2004
Cedaredge (2-1) at Ellicott (4-0), Friday at 7pm
Last Week… Cedaredge had a bye last week. Cedaredge currently sits at 2-1 on the season and come off a 61-0 win over Center two weeks ago, the other win Cedaredge has is over Ignacio 50 to 22 back in week 1. Cedaredge only loss this season is to 2A Coal Ridge 42 to 6. No stats have been input for Cedaredge on the season.
Ellicott is currently 4-0 on the season and they are coming off a 36 to 0 win over Center last week. Ellicott is having their most successful season since 2016 when they went 5-5 and made the playoffs. On the season Ellicott has been a run first team racking up over 370 yards of rushing to 114 yards of passing. The rushing attack is led by RB Jairus Martin who has 240 yards rushing on the season and 3 TDs. RB Xavier Hoyle is #2 in carries with 15 carries for 67 yards. QB Jacob Nikulski is having a decent season passing for 114 yards, 2 TDs, and 2 INTs. Defensively Ellicott does not have any tackle stats. Ellicott has forced 5 INTs on the season with Jairus Martin & Julian Diaz each snagging a pair of INTs.
Last Year…These two teams did not meet last season and this is a big early season game for the CHSAA Seeding Index.
Series history… Have never played each other since 2004
Other Games to Note:
Pinnacle (3-1) at Prospect Ridge (2-1), Friday at 7pm
2A Moffat County (1-3) at Meeker (2-2), Friday at 7pm
Estes Park (1-2) at Peyton (2-2), Friday at 7pm
C.S Christian (2-2) at Platte Canyon (0-3), Saturday at 1pm
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