Class 1A Football Preview-Week One
We use the MileHigh Prep Report Coaches/Media Poll and go thru the top matchups of Week One. The 8 games selected seem to be the big matchups of the Opening Week of the Season!
#6 Wray (0-0) at #4 Burlington (0-0), Friday at 7pm
Neither team played in Zero Week and instead of this game being in the second half of the season we see these two teams change leagues and this become a critical non-league matchup.
Burlington comes into the matchup looking to stay healthy for the season and they will look to ride QB Weston Schaal and RB Scout Humrich. Schaal has not played since his sophomore season where he threw for 666 yards, 5 TDs and 2 INTs while rushing for an additional 174 yards and 4 TDs. Scout Humrich was the second leading rusher on a powerful rushing attack that racked up over 2500 yards of total rushing. Humrich contributed 758 yards and 16 rushing TDs a season ago. Humrich will also lead the defense making 60 tackles last year but also look for Garrett Rogers (33 tackles, 6 TFL) and Samuel Korber (31 tackles) to step into bigger roles.
Wray comes into the matchup with a lot of new players looking to step into bigger roles this season. Wray lost a good graduating class and look for the new group of players to step up. The offensive line for Wray will be a strong point returning at least two starters. Wray will also turn to Grady Godsey, Eric Lords, and Jaiden Depue to step up this season. Defensively does have solid leadership back in Lance Buoy and Benjamin Riggleman.
Last Year…Wray defeated Burlington Twice, 28 to 18 (Regular Season) and 50 to 14 (Playoffs).
Series history… Wray lead the series over Burlington 15 to 13, since 2004
#10 Rye (0-0) at #1 Limon (1-0), Friday at 7pm
Last Week…Limon improved to 1-0 on the season with a 34 to 0 win over Wiggins in Zero Week. Limon had a solid offensive attack racking up 294 yards of total offense and 4 offensive TDs. QB Joe White made his varsity debut and it was a solid one passing for 110 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 INT. The rushing attack was solid for the Badgers racking up 184 yards and led by RB Liam Yoder (12 carries for 66 yards) and RB Camdyn Tacha (12 carries for 44 yards and 1 TD). Defensively, Limon posted the shutout and held Wiggins to 185 yards of total offense. Limon forced 4 turnovers and 1 sack in the win with one of the Interceptions going for a pick six by Camdyn Tacha. Liam Yoder (7 Tackles) and Parker Harris (7 Tackles) led the way on defense.
Rye did not play in Zero Week and will instead get their first taste of the season against the #1 team in the State. Rye comes into the matchup loaded with talent on the offensive side of the ball. QB Brady Baumgartner returns for his sophomore year after throwing for over 1000 yards his freshman year. RB Jackson Bjorum (1000-yard rusher) and WR Wyatt Scheid (WR1) also return for the Thunderbolts. The offensive line did take a small hit, losing possibly 3 starters. Defensively, will lose their top 3 tacklers from a year ago but look for Grant Clennin and Tyson Boisvert to step into leadership roles.
Last Year…Did not Play Each other last year and last meet in 2019 with Limon defeating Rye.
Series history… Limon leads the Series 4-0 over Rye, since 2004
2A Florence (0-1) at #5 Monte Vista, Friday at 6pm
Last Week…Monte Vista did not play in Zero Week and will get their first taste of the season facing a 2A opponent in Florence. Monte Vista returns a talented roster including 4 of their 5 starters on the offense line. QB Manny Jiron returns for the pirates after starting as a sophomore and throwing for 937 yards, 11 TDs, and 4 INTs. Jiron will have solid weapons back in RB Judah Howe (500-yards rusher) and WR/RB Jeremiah McComas and RB/WR Nehemias Sandoval. Defensively, Monte Vista could have a top unit returning key leadership in Mason Mondragon, Lucas Pino, and JohnJake Naranjo.
Florence opened their season for Zero Week and hit the road to face the runners up from last season and falling to Elizabeth 51 to 7. Florence found some success offensively racking up 191 yards of total offense. QB Ryan Robinson led the way for the Huskies with 42 yards passing, 90 yards rushing and 1 TD. WR/RB Marcus Robinson (52 yards passing) and WR JJ Baker (87 yards receiving) also contributed offensively. Defensively, Florence gave up some big plays, and they will look to fix that this week. Calvin Carter (6 tackles), Brynnen Lambert (5 tackles), and Damon Shaffer (5 tackles) led the way for the Huskies.
Last Year…These two teams did not play each other least year, they last played in 2021 with Florence winning 23-0.
Series history…Florence leads the series 5-0 over Monte Vista, since 2004
2A #4 Delta (1-0) at #3 Meeker (1-0), Friday at 7pm
Last Week… Delta kicked off their season with a 13-7 win over 3A Eagle Valley for Zero Week. Delta played a great defensive game posting the shutout and holding Eagle Valley to 227 yards of total offense. Delta also forced 2 turnovers and 5 sacks. Mack Lockhart (6 tackles), Scott Floyd (5 tackles), and Ben Morfitt (5 tackles) led the way for the Panther defense. Offensively, Delta did just enough to get the win. Delta did rack up 338 yards in total but had 2 turnovers in the process. QB Cole Morlan made his first varsity start throwing for 148 yards, 1 TD, and 2 INTs. RB Mack Lockhart had an excellent game rushing for 90 yards, and a TD and WR Alex Ryan were the top target catching 5 passes for 64 yards.
Meeker kicked off their 2026 campaign with a 6-hour road trip to Yuma. Meeker was able to hit the road and come away with a 30 to 15 win. Meeker found success on the offensive side of the ball racking up over 300 yards of total offense. RB Said Rodriguez led the way for Meeker with 89 yards rushing and 2 TDs while RB Tucker Chinn contributed another 80 yards. QB Cade Mills also had a solid day with 52 yards passing and 1 TD and another 68 yards rushing. Defensively, Meeker played well holding Yuma to 15 points but did give up around 293 yards of total offense. Meeker did force 2 turnovers in the contest which helped get the win. Wesley Thompson (11 tackles) and Jonah Christenson (9 tackles) led the way for the Cowboy defense.
Last Year…These Two Teams did not play each other last year.
Series history… These two teams have not played each other since 2004.
Holyoke (0-0) at #7 C.S Christian (0-0), Friday at 7pm
C.S Christian did not open their season for zero week. C.S Christian comes into the matchup returning a high-flying offense from a season ago. C.S Christian main holes could be on the offensive line with 5 senior offensive/defensive linemen graduating. C.S Christian will return QB Fisher Tenpas who had a breakout season throwing for 2068 yards, 23 TDs, and 7 INTs. Tenpas will look for WR Silas Lambert (417 yards receiving) and WR Dom Gillin (206 yards receiving) to breakout this year. Defensively, C.S Christian could also sport a top unit returning 4 of their top 5 tacklers and key leaders like Liam Smith (99 tackles) and Matt Hinderland (84 tackles) coming back.
Holyoke did not open their season for Zero Week and instead kick things off on the road at a top 10 opponent. Holyoke offensively, lose some key pieces from a season ago in QB1 and RB1 taking over 2300 yards of offense. Holyoke does return RB Jacob Quintana (331 yards rushing) and WR Elbin Padilla (666 yards receiving), and they will look for QB Dathyn Dirks to quickly jump in at QB. Defensively Holyoke does return their top two tacklers in Quintana and Padilla, but they will look for new players like Brandon Adler (39 tackles) and Kaden Herman (36 tackles) to step up this year.
Last Year…C.S Christian defeated Holyoke last year 36 to 19.
Series history… Holyoke leads the series 2-1 over C.S Christian, since 2004
Byers (0-0) at Highland (0-0), Friday at 7pm
Byers made the move to jump into Class 1A this year and will play their first game of 11-man Football since the 2017 season where they went 1-8. Byers brings back a loaded roster for their first year of 11-man Football and should be competitive right away. QB James Maes will lead the offense and is coming off a 1400 yards season. RB Gabe Price (945 yards), WR Benjamin McPherson (554 yards), and WR Caleb Eastwood (550 yards) all return for the Bulldogs. The main question will be how does their line mesh together. Defensively Byers will have to also adjust to the 11-man game but look for new players like Devin Mohatt (39 tackles) and Wesley Butterfield (32 tackles) to step into bigger roles.
Highland did not open the season for Zero Week. Highland comes into the matchup looking for new leaders across the board, possibly looking for 4 or 5 starters on the offensive line plus a new QB, RB1, RB2, and WR1. Highland will turn to players like Jason Batka, Brighton Morrow, and Acey Elder to step into bigger roles offensively. Highland will look for Arturo Montes (47 tackles) to lead the defense but also look for Wyatt Enz to step into a big spot.
Last Year…These two teams did not play each other last year; they last played each other in 2017 with Highland getting a 56 to 20 win.
Series history… Highland leads the series 4-2, since 2004
2A Aspen (0-0) at North Fork (0-0), Friday at 7pm
North Fork did not kick things off in Zero Week and instead open league against 2A Aspen. North Fork offensively, will have a few key holes to fill possibly losing 3 or 4 starters on the offensive line plus losing their QB1 and RB1. North Fork will have leadership back returning RB Alex Csere (641 yards & 6 TDs) plus look for new players like Tate Fister and Bronson Hall to step into bigger roles. Defensively, North Fork will also have some leadership to fill but players like Payson Miller (62 tackles) and Colter Scriver (40 tackles) should fill that role.
Aspen did not participate in Week Zero and open against a team that made the playoffs last year. Aspen offensively will lose a key piece in their RB1 and possibly 3 or 4 starters on the offensive line. Aspen will return other key pieces to make their offense explosive. QB Mickey Marolt (779 yards passing), WR Malcolm Berg (443 yards) and WR Tenn Wesner (113 yards) all return to lead the offense. Defensively, Aspen will lose their top three tacklers but will turn to Blake Contreras (34 tackles) and Bode Lentz (28 tackles) to fill those holes.
Last Year…These two teams did not play each other last year and last meet in 2023 with Meeker winning 42 to 21.
Series history… Meeker leads the series 3 to 1 over Aspen, since 2004
Flatirons Academy (0-0) at Dayspring Christian (0-0), Saturday at 1pm
Flatirons Academy did not open play in Zero Week. Flatirons Academy is coming off a playoff trip and are hoping to make another run this season. Flatirons Academy returns a talented roster including 3 starters on the offensive line. QB Caleb Doughty (752 passing yards, 748 rushing yards) returns to lead the offense along with RB Zeke Friedman (878 yards) and WR Jack Joyner (321 yards). Defensively, Flatirons Academy does lose their top two tacklers and will turn to players like Isaiah Figueroa (38 tackles) and Gabe Noteboom (23 tackles) to step into those roles.
Dayspring Christian did not play in Zero Week and will kick off their first season ever in 11-Man Football. Dayspring Christian will have a lot of weapons back to try and compete right away in Class 1A. QB Hawkins Flanagan (940 passing yards, 872 rushing yards) returns to lead the offense, and he has some weapons back in RB Luke Martin (168 yards), WR Owen Crust (385 yards), and WR Max Krehbiel (314 yards). The offensive line will be a work in progress moving to the 11-man ranks. Defensively, Dayspring Christian will lose some key depth pieces, but Martin and Flanagan return to lead that unit, new players like Micah Rutz and Liam Polk will be tasked with stepping into bigger roles.
Last Year…These two teams have not played each other.
Series history… These two teams have not played each other since 2004
Other Games to Note:
2A Middle Park (0-0) at Platte Valley (1-0), Friday at 6pm
Olathe (0-0) at Peyton (1-0), Friday at 7pm
3A Steamboat Springs (1-0) at Moffat County (0-0), Friday at 7pm
3A Mitchell (0-1) at Bennett (0-0), Friday at 7pm
2A Montezuma-Cortez (1-0) at Cedaredge (0-0), Friday at 7pm
2A Manitou Springs (0-1) at Valley (0-1), Friday at 7pm
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