Class 2A Football Preview-Week Five
We once again see big changes in the rankings. Two teams fall out of the ranking, plus Brush moves up a spot to #6. Resurrection Christian hold onto the top 10 this week. Kent Denver & Delta rejoin the rankings this week after falling out the past few weeks. Lamar & Basalt drop out of the rankings this week. I will probably switch to using the CHSAA Seeding Index next week to pick the top games!
#1 Wellington (3-0) vs 3A Timnath (3-1), Friday at 7:30pm
Last Week…Wellington improved to 3-0 on the season. Wellington is coming off a 67 to 0 win over 3A Mountain View. Wellington dominated the matchup scoring 42 points in the first quarter. Offensively Wellington had over 300 yards of total offense and were powered by their rushing attack. RB Brayton Meglen led all rushers with 79 yards and 2 TDs. RB Eli Lavelle & RB Loyal Scott also added a pair of TDs as well. QB Tanner Gray did not have to do much thru the air passing for 37 yards and 2 TDs while rushing for 49 yards and 2 TDs. Defensively Wellington held Mountain View to just 39 yards of total offense. Wellington forced 4 turnovers with a pair of fumble recoveries by Ezra Batjargal, 2 block punts by Kaden Bennett, and 6 sacks as a team with a pair of sacks to Ezra Batjargal.
Timnath improved to 3-1on the season coming off back to back wins. Timnath defeated Hinkley last week 77 to 0. Timnath is in Class 3A and ranked #15 in the CHSAA Seeding Index. On the season Timnath is balanced in their offensive attack. QB Drew Raymond leads the passing attack with 461 yards, 4 TDs, and just 1 INT. Raymond top target is Carter Gaines who has 8 catches for 200 yards and 3 TDs. The rushing attack has accumulated 552 yards as a team and is powered by RB Mitchell Deangelis who has 229 yards rushing and 3 TDs. Defensively Timnath is led by Dylan Mock (28 tackles & 8 TFL) and Jack Knackstedt (26 tackles).
Last year…Last season Wellington pulled off a barnburner defeating Timnath 15 to 14.
Series history… Wellington leads the series 3-0 over Timnath since, 2004
#3 Strasburg (4-0) at 1A Wiggins (1-2), Friday at 7pm
Last Week…Strasburg improved to 4-0 on the season getting a 49 to 13 win over The Academy. Strasburg has scored over 45 points in its past 3 games. Strasburg offensively had over 400 yards of total offense against The Academy. QB Brody Hopwood continued his hot start to the season passing for 226 yards and 3 TDs. WR Jayden Miller was Hopwood top target catching 4 passes for 110 yards and 2 TDs. RB Cade Hemphill continues to lead the rushing attack rushing for 176 yards and 3 TDs while catching 3 passes for 46 yards and 1 TD. Defensively Strasburg forced 4 turnovers in the game, 3 coming by INT and 1 fumble recovery. Ethan Freeman (8 tackles) and Cade Hemphill (7 tackles & 1 INT) powered the Strasburg defense.
Wiggins is coming off a bye last week. Wiggins are currently 1-2 on the season and they are coming off a hard-fought loss to Highland 47 to 20. This was a much closer game than the score indicated and was 19 to 14 at halftime. On the season Wiggins is powered by their rushing attack. Wiggins on the season has rushed for 563 yards & 6 TDs. RB Julien Towers leads all rushers with 180 yards and 1 TD. QB Isaac Flores leads the passing attack with 177 yards, 2 TDs, and 2 INTS. WR Michael Adamson is the top target of Flores catching 8 passes for 138 yards and 1 TD. Defensively Cyrus Barkdoll (29 tackles) and Mark Walker (27 tackles) power the Tiger Defense.
Last year…Strasburg defeated Wiggins 21 to 0.
Series history… Strasburg leads the series 3-0 over Wiggins, since 2004
#4 Eaton (2-1) vs 3A Fort Morgan (1-3), Friday at 7pm
Last Week…. Eaton is coming off a bye. Eaton is currently 2-1 on the season and they have won back-to-back games defeating Pueblo Central (18-14) & Platte Valley (40-7). Eaton on the season has been a run first offense. Eaton has racked up over 670 yards of rushing to 369 yards of passing. QB Andrew Loyd leads both the rushing category and passing category. Loyd has 360 yards passing, 5 TDs, and 2 INTs while rushing for 343 yards and 2 TDs. WR Max Blaskowski is the top target of Loyd catching 8 passes for 187 yards and 2 TDs. RB Jackson Savona leads the ground attack with 225 yards and 3 TDs. Defensively Vinnie Juarez (15 tackles), Cameron Southard (12 tackles), and Austin Bright (12 tackles) lead the Eaton defense.
Fort Morgan is 1-3 on the season. Fort Morgan just snapped their 3-game slide defeating Skyview 20 to 12. Fort Morgan plays in Class 3A, and their losses are Pueblo East, Brush, and Lutheran. On the season Fort Morgan is balanced in their offensive attack. QB JJ Marquez leads the passing attack with 666 yards, 6 TDs, and 2 INTs while rushing for 175 yards and 2 TDs. WR Frankie Urias is the top target in the receiving core catching 11 passes for 237 yards and 3 TDs. RB Ben Fritzler is the top RB with 205 yards and 1 TD. Defensively Aiden Meraz-Chavez and Juan Sanchez-Calvillo lead the Fort Morgan defense.
Last Year… Eaton won in a fantastic contest last year defeating Fort Morgan 14 to 12.
Series history… Eaton leads the series 1-0 over Fort Morgan, since 2004
3A Coronado (3-2) defeats #5 Berthoud, 40 to 22
3A Coronado got the victory over Berthoud, 40 to 22
#7 Kent Denver (3-0) at Aspen (1-2), Friday at 7pm
Last Week…Kent Denver improved to 3-0 on the season defeating 1A #3 Forge Christian 40 to 33. This was a great game with plenty of offense. Offensively Kent Denver had a huge day racking up over 450 yards of total offense. QB Yianni Balafas had a huge day passing for 234 yards, 3 TDs, and 0 INTs while rushing for 111 yards. Balafas top target was WR Clayton Leger who caught 5 passes for 101 yards and 1 TD. RB Seb Meyers also pitched in on offense with 95 yards and 1 TD. Defensively Kent Denver forced 2 sacks by Caleb Fay. Fay also had 10 tackles and Vedder Yates & Cornell Brooks pitched in with another 9 tackles for the Kent Denver defense.
Aspen is currently 1-2 on the season and coming off back-to-back loses to 3A Steamboat & 3A Summit. Aspen will look to break the slide against a top 10 opponent. On the season Aspen is powered by their rushing attack. RB Dylan Mika leads the rushing attack with 450 yards and 2 TDs. QB Mickey Marolt powers the passing attack with 198 yards, 3 TDs, and 2 INTs. WR Tenn Wesner looks to be the main target catching 6 passes for 113 yards. Defensively Dylan Mika (18 tackles) and Beckett Deyarmond (17 tackles) lead the Skiers defense.
Last Year…Aspen defeated Kent Denver last season 34 to 13.
Series history… Aspen & Kent Denver are currently tied in the series at 1-1, since 2004
#8 Delta (3-1) at Alamosa (2-1), Friday at 7pm Game of the Week
Last Week… Delta improved to 3-1 on the season coming off back-to-back shutouts of Rifle (41-0) & Rawlins WY (58-0). Delta on the season has been explosive offensively but looks to be powered by the rushing attack which has racked up over 750 yards and the passing attack with 490 yards. QB Jhett Ryan leads the offense with 463 yards passing, 10 TDs, and 3 INTs while rushing for 244 yards and 2 TDs. WR Deacon Shean looks to be the main target, catching 17 passes for 362 yards and 7 TDs. The rushing attack is powered by RB Cole Morlan who has 154 yards rushing and 4 TDs. Defensively Mack Lockhart (23 tackles), Jordyn Zavala (20 tackles), and Alex McKenna (20 tackles) power the Panther defense.
Alamosa is coming off a bye. Alamosa is currently 2-1 on the season and coming off a 21 to 14 loss to 3A Pueblo Central. In the game it was the rushing attack that led the way. QB Tony Griego threw for 117 yards and a TD while also rushing for 142 yards. RB AJ Baker rushed for 71 yards and a TD. WR Brennon Maez (55 yards) and WR Victor Zepeda (43 yards & 1 TD) were the top targets in the passing attack. No defensive stats were input for the Pueblo Central Game.
Last Year… Delta defeated Alamosa 41 to 12.
Series history…Delta leads the series 6-0 over Alamosa, since 2014
#9 Elizabeth (3-1) vs Pagosa Springs (1-2), Friday at 7pm
Last Week… Elizabeth improved to 3-1 on the season with a 48 to 12 win over Weld Central last week. Elizabeth took control early in that game scoring 21 points in the first half and never looking back. The rushing attack lead the way for the offense rushing for 379 yards and 7 TDs. RB Andrew Martinez led the way with 119 yards and 1 TD and RB Tristan McCray also pitched in with another 97 yards and 2 TDs. QB Griffin Widhalm also contributed to the offensive production throwing for 79 yards and rushing for a TD. Defensively Elizabeth limited a good rushing attack to just 78 yards of rushing. Coalten Crowner led all tacklers with 11 tackles. Calvin Moore contributed on defense with a sack while Brody Aldridge had an INT.
Pagosa Springs comes into the contest at 1-2 overall and comes off back-to-back losses with the latest coming to Monte Vista 42 to 21. Pagosa Springs will look to bounce back and get the ship right. Pagosa Springs on the season is a run first offense. The rushing attack has accumulated 698 yards and 10 TDs. RB Colten Lucero leads the way with 313 yards and 4 TDs and RB Alex Pacheco is #2 in rushing with 258 yards and 4 TDs. QB Creede Dozier has 103 yards passing, 1 TD, and 2 INTs. Defensively look for Pagosa springs to make improvement this week against the run. Pagosa springs tackle leaders are Zander Lefthandbull (28 tackles) and Jayton Ross (21 tackles).
Last Year… Pagosa Springs defeated Elizabeth 33 to 10.
Series history…Pagosa Springs leads the series 1 to 0 over Elizabeth, since 2004
1A Rye (3-1) at Woodland Park (2-1), Friday at 7pm
Last Week… Woodland Park is coming off a bye. Woodland Park is currently 2-1 on the season and coming off a 41 to 8 loss to C.S Christian. On the season Woodland Park is balanced in their offensive attack. Woodland Park passing attack is led by QB Brandon Lewis who has 316 yards passing, 4 TDs, and 4 INTs. Lewis top target so far is WR Alex Stotts who has 8 catches for 127 yards and a TD. The rushing attack so far this season has racked up 464 yards and is led by RB Saie Soto who has 176 yards rushing and 1 TD. Defensively Woodland Park is led by Bryce Bischoff (16 tackles) and Chance Hancock (14 tackles & 3 TFL).
Rye improved to 3-1 on the season with a 49 to 12 win over Salida. Rye looks for back-to-back wins over 2A opponents. Rye on the season has been balanced in their offensive attack. QB Brady Baumgartner leads the passing attack with 591 yards, 6 TDs, and 3 INTs. WR Wyatt Scheid is the top target so far this season with 10 catches for 168 yards and 3 TDs. The rushing attack has accumulated 807 yards on the season with 11 TDs. RB Jackson Bjorum has 489 yards rushing and 6 TDs on the season. Defensively Rye is led by Beau Hicks (36 tackles) and Anthony Adams (23 tackles)
Last Year… Woodland Park defeated Rye 50 to 0.
Series history…Woodland Park leads the series 1-0 over Rye, since 2004
Other Games to Note:
#10 Resurrection Christian (1-2) at Grand Valley (0-4), Friday at 7pm
Arvada (1-2) at D’Evelyn (1-3), Friday at 4pm
University (2-1) at Rifle (0-5), Friday at 6pm
The Academy (1-2) at Skyview (2-2), Friday at 7pm
1A North Fork (2-2) at Gunnison (0-3), Friday at 7pm
MileHigh Prep Report 