8-Man Football Playoff Projections Week 8
This year to reach the playoffs is simple. Either win your league title or be inside the top 16 of the CHSAA Seeding Index. After they select the 16 teams that make the playoffs, they use the CHSAA Seeding Index to seed the playoffs. This week I will be giving my predictions on who makes the playoffs, but I will also look at if the season ended today who would make the playoffs at the end. Updated at 11pm, At the end I added only seeding and selecting using the MaxPreps Rankings which is how it will be done in 2026.
Playoff Projections & Predictions
8-Man Playoff Predictions (Who I think make the playoffs)
This is who I think make the playoffs and who win the leagues. In 8-Man League champions are guaranteed a berth. The rest will be selected by CHSAA Seeding Index. Seeding is determined by CHSAA Seeding Index. I am picking my 9 At-Large teams via non-league schedules, remaining schedules, and how I think teams will do. Expect changes week to week especially making these projections/predictions so early. League Champions are posted first then the At-Large Teams.
https://chsaanow.com/sports/2022/7/20/chsaa-postseason-seeding-index.aspx
League Champion Predictions
Ark Valley: McClave
Black Forest: Elbert
Central: Clear Creek
Mountains: Sanford
Northwest: West Grand
Plains: Akron
Six County: Fowler
At Large Teams
Las Animas (Ark Valley)
Byers (Black Forest)
Mancos (Mountain)
Norwood (Mountain)
Dayspring Christian (Plains)
Haxtun (Plains)
Sedgwick County (Plains)
Hayden (Northwest)
Plateau Valley (Northwest)
Playoff Hunt for Final Spots & Bubble Breakdown
Dolores, Springfield, Simla, Merino, Calhan, Gilpin County, Dove Creek, Crowley County
Right now, I believe Plateau Valley, Dolores, Springfield, Hayden, and Simla are the main contenders for the final two spots, but all it takes is one upset to change this. I believe the main question mark will be Plateau Valley. They are 5-2 with both losses coming in League. Plateau Valley first must win out then it will come down to the math but Hayden who beat them has a much tougher schedule including playing West Grand and without winning out they are not guaranteed to get into the playoffs especially how close things are. Of the 5 teams Plateau Valley has the easiest schedule why I have them in. I am also giving Hayden the edge over Dolores, Springfield, and Simla. I am leaning Hayden just over Simla but after this week things can change! Every game will matter down the stretch!
Remaining Schedules
Plateau Valley (Rangely, Soroco)
Dolores (Dove Creek, Sanford, Norwood)
Springfield (Holly, Swink, McClave)
Hayden (Soroco, Vail Christian, West Grand)
Simla (St. Mary’s, Elbert, South Park)
Merino (Sedgwick County, Akron)
Calhan (South Park, Byers)
Seeded Playoff Bracket using my predictions and the CHSAA Seeding Index (10/15)
#1 Akron vs #16 Fowler
#8 Clear Creek vs #9 Elbert
#4 McClave vs #13 West Grand
#5 Mancos vs #12 Byers
#2 Haxtun vs #15 Hayden
#7 Sedgwick County vs #10 Norwood
#3 Dayspring Christian vs #14 Plateau Valley
#6 Sanford vs #11 Las Animas
8-Man Playoff Projections (IF the Season Ended Today)
This is if the season ended today 10/15/2025. Using the CHSAA Seeding Index I will come up with the Playoff field. League Champions selected with my Predictions. I will seed & select the bracket with the CHSAA Seeding Index. Remember this is still very early and things will change. The league champions I selected are at the top with the at-large berths following.
League Champion Predictions ()=CHSAA Seeding Index
Ark Valley: McClave (4)
Black Forest: Elbert (9)
Central: Clear Creek (8)
Mountains: Sanford (6)
Northwest: West Grand (13)
Plains: Akron (1)
Six County: Fowler (19)
At Large Teams (Selected using 10/15 Seeding Index)
#8 Haxtun (2)
#9 Dayspring Christian (3)
#10 Mancos (5)
#11 Sedgwick County (7)
#12 Norwood (10)
#13 Las Animas (11)
#14 Byers (12)
#15 Plateau Valley (14)
#16 Dolores (15)
First Four Out
Springfield (16), Hayden (17), Simla (18), Merino (20)
Playoff Bracket Seeded using Seeding Index
#1 Akron vs #16 Fowler
#8 Clear Creek vs #9 Elbert
#4 McClave vs #13 Byers
#5 Mancos vs #12 West Grand
#2 Haxtun vs #15 Dolores
#7 Sedgwick County vs #10 Norwood
#3 Dayspring Christian vs #14 Plateau Valley
#6 Sanford vs #11 Las Animas
MaxPreps Rankings Only
This is how they will seed and select the 16 teams in 2026 which is using the MaxPreps Rankings Only! Remember to use the link below and not the MaxPreps Website.
https://chsaanow.com/sports/2023/9/8/maxpreps-rankings.aspx
#1 Akron vs #16 Fowler
#8 Clear Creek vs #9 Sedgwick County
#4 McClave vs #13 Norwood
#5 Mancos vs #12 West Grand
#2 Haxtun vs #15 Springfield
#7 Elbert vs #10 Las Animas
#3 Dayspring Christian vs #14 Dolores
#6 Sanford vs #11 Byers
MileHigh Prep Report 