Class 2A Football Preview-Week Four
We use the MileHigh Prep Report Coaches/Media Poll and go through the top matchups of Week Two. The 6 games selected seem to be the big matchups of the Second Week of the Season!
Strasburg (2-1) at #3 Wellington (2-1), Friday at 6:30pm
Last Week…Wellington dropped their first game of the season falling to 3A Timnath 27 to 26. Wellington took an early 20 to 7 lead but couldn’t hold on to fall by 1. Offensively, Wellington was balanced in their offensive attack. QB Eli Lavelle got the passing attack going throwing for 127 yards and 3 TDs and his top target was RB/WR Brayton Meglen who had 4 catches for 98 yards and 2 TDs. The rushing attack racked up 183 yards and 1 TD and was led by RB Cyle Kisner who had 83 yards rushing. Defensively, Wellington gave up over 400 yards of total offense with 252 through the air. Wellington did force 1 sack, 1 turnover, and 3 TFL in the game. Teagen Greiman (14 tackles) and Ethan Thurnes (8 tackles) led the Eagles defense.
Strasburg improved to 2-1 on the season and won back-to-back games with a 47 to 21 win over 1A Dayspring Christian. Strasburg had a massive day offensively, racking up 434 yards of total offense with 340 coming through the air. QB Brody Hopwood had a big day going 12 of 12 for 272 yards and 3 TDs and back-up QB Brayden Giger also threw for 68 yards and 1 TD. Top targets of the passing attack was WR Ayden Dodge (94 yards and 2 TDs) and WR Jayden Miller (77 yards and 1 TD). Defensively, Strasburg held Dayspring Christian to under 250 yards of total offense while forcing 1 turnover, 1 sack, and 2 TFL. Nic Gutierrez (7 tackles) and Brayden Patterson (5 tackles) led the Strasburg defense.
Series history… Wellington leads the series 1-0 over Strasburg, since 2004. They last faced each other in 2024 with Wellington getting the 17-0 victory.
Pagosa Springs (2-2) at #4 Delta (4-0), Friday at 7pm (Western Slope League)
Last Week…Delta improved to 4-0 on the season with a 42-0 win over Aspen. The win was the first league win for the Panthers and the second straight game of 40+ points. Delta had a big day offensively, racking up 372 yards of total offense. The rushing attack led the way with RB Mack Lockhart having a career day rushing for 211 yards and 3 TDs. QB Cole Morlan also contributed to the offensive attack throwing for 40 yards and rushing for another 32 yards. Defensively, Delta limited the Aspen offense to just 203 yards of total offense. Ben Morfitt (14 tackles), Mack Lockhart (10 tackles), and Cole Ballard (10 tackles) led the Panthers defense.
Pagosa Springs improved to 2-2 on the season with their first league win over Montezuma-Cortez 47 to 27. Offensively, it was the rushing attack that powered the Pirates to the win, racking up 321 yards rushing and 75 yards passing. RB Hudson Mazur had a career day rushing for 224 yards and 3 TDs while catching 1 pass for 60 yards and another TD. QB Kasen Limebrook also had a solid day throwing for 75 yards and 2 TDs while rushing for 76 yards and 1 TD. Defensively, Pagosa Springs flew around holding Montezuma-Cortez to 240 yards of total offense and forcing 4 turnovers in the game. Reese Jenkins (8 tackles) and Jimmy Elledge (7 tackles) led Pagosa defense.
Series history… Delta leads the series 8-1 over Pagosa Springs, since 2004. They last meet in 2023 with Delta getting the 14-7 win.
#6 La Junta (4-0) at Alamosa (2-2), Friday at 7pm
Last Week…La Junta improved to 4-0 on the season with a 46-0 win over Manitou Springs. That was the first league win for the Tigers and the third game of La Junta breaking 35+ points. Defensively, La Junta pitched the shutout and held Manitou Springs to just 22 yards of total offense. Eban Morales (4 tackles) and Bret Coates (4 tackles) led the Tiger defense to the win. Offensively, La Junta had a big day racking up 433 yards of total offense. The passing attack was led by QB Gavin Denahy who threw for 114 yards and 1 TD. The rushing attack was powered by RB Chris Barela who had 138 yards rushing and 3 TDs while RB Raif Robinson also contributed with 62 yards and 1 TD.
Alamosa snapped a two-game losing streak last week and picked up their first league win of the season with a 42 to 21 win over Florence. A massive 21-point 4th quarter proved to be the difference in the win for Alamosa. Offensively, Alamosa had a huge day racking up 438 yards of total offense and 6 TDs. RB Jordan Gamez had a breakout game for the Moose rushing for 198 yards and 4 TDs. QB Evan Anderson also continued to play well passing for 154 yards and 1 TD with his top target being WR Anthony Montoya who had 2 catches for 69 yards and 1 TD. Defensively, Alamosa kept Florence off the board in the 4th quarter that helped secure the win. Alamosa forced 3 sacks, 1 turnover, and had 4 TFL. Mason Pintor (12 tackles) and Keenon Woodward (10 tackles) led the Alamosa defense.
Series history… La Junta leads the series over Alamosa 10-5, since 2004. They last faced each other in 2023 with La Junta getting the 35-18 win.
#8 University (3-0) at Denver West (3-0), Friday at 7pm
Last Week…University is currently 3-0 on the season and are coming off a bye week. The last game University played was a 16-0 win over #10 Lamar. On the season University has leaned on their rushing attack to lead the way racking up 613 yards of rushing and 13 TDs. RB Preston Schiller leads all rushers with 129 yards and 3 TDs. QB Max Davis is the leader of the offense with 238 yards passing, 3 TDs, and 1 INT while rushing for 115 yards and 1 TD. Davis top target is WR Dominic Chacon who has 4 catches for 84 yards and 1 TD. Defensively, University has forced 8 turnovers on the season along with 11 sacks, and 21 TFL. Anwar Al-Rashed (11 tackles) and Amir Al-Rashed (11 tackles) lead the University defense.
Denver West improved to 3-0 on the season following a 42-0 win over 3A Battle Mountain. Denver West so far has broken the 40-point mark in all three games but will face their first opponent with a win this season. Offensively, Denver West has leaned on the rushing attack this year racking up 611 rushing yards and 14 TDs. RB Abu Hussein leads all rushers with 277 yards and 8 TDs while RB Alan Estrada has pitched in with another 96 yards and 3 TDs. QB Marcelo Ortiz leads the passing attack with 328 yards, 6 TDs, and 0 INTs. Defensively, Denver West has forced 5 turnovers, 7.5 sacks, and 42.5 TFL. Jov Flores (29 tackles) and Pedro Jaramillo (26 tackles) lead the Denver West defense.
Series history… These two teams have not played each other since 2004.
#2 Elizabeth (3-0) at Resurrection Christian (0-3), Friday at 7pm
Last Week…Elizabeth is currently 3-0 on the season and are coming off a bye week. Elizabeth last game was a 59-0 win over Banning Lewis. On the season, Elizabeth has racked up over 800 yards of rushing and 14 TDs. RB Ryker Atkins leads all rushers with 240 yards and 5 TDs and RB Talyn Douglas also has contributed another 225 yards and 3 TDs. QB Joaquin Aviles leads the passing attack with 158 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 INT while rushing for another TD. Defensively, Elizabeth has forced 7 turnovers, 6 sacks, and 20 TFL. Cash Buron (25 tackles) and Finn Quinby (19 tackles) lead the Elizabeth defense.
Resurrection Christian is currently 0-3 on the season and have played arguably one of the toughest schedules in Class 2A. Resurrection Christian currently has losses to 3A Palisade, 3A Pueblo East, and #1 Classical Academy. On the season, Resurrection Christian has leaned on the rushing attack which was racked up 448 yards and 4 TDs. QB Camden Davis leads the offense with 283 yards passing, 265 yards rushing, and 4 Total TDs. RB Ryan Gooch (91 yards rushing) and WR Carson Klein (85 yard receiving) also contribute to the offensive attack. Defensively, Resurrection Christian has forced 7 turnovers, 3 sacks, and 8 TFL. Carson Klein (25 tackles) and Cooper Fast (21 tackles) lead the Cougar Defense.
Series history… These two teams have not meet since 2004
Banning Lewis (2-1) at Woodland Park (1-3), Friday at 7pm (Tri-Peaks League)
Last Week…Woodland Park dropped to 1-3 on the season following a 42-10 loss to Lamar last week. Woodland Park also dropped to 0-1 in league play. Offensively, Woodland park was balanced in their offensive attack last week. QB Bryce Bischoff led the passing attack with 116 yards and his top target was WR Alexander Stotts who had 5 catches for 88 yards. The rushing attack was led by RB Saie Soto who had 20 carries for 105 yards and 1 TD. Defensively, Woodland Park will look to improve after giving up over 350 yards of total offense. Dax Widtfelt (14 tackles) and Bryce Bischoff (9 tackles) will look to lead the defense this week.
Banning Lewis is currently 2-1 on the season and coming off a bye week. Banning Lewis last game was a 59-0 loss to Elizabeth. On the season, Banning Lewis has leaned heavy on QB Sam Early to lead the way. Early has 109 yards passing, 3 TDs, 4 INTs, while rushing for 128 yards and 2 TDs. Other offensive contributors are RB Rico Pacheco (79 yards rushing and 1 TD) and WR Calvin Harding (36 yards receiving and 1 TD). Defensively, Banning Lewis has forced 13 turnovers, 10 sacks, and 24.5 TFL. Sam Early (16 tackles) and Aidan Dorsh (14 tackles) lead the Stallions defense.
Series history… The series is tied at 1-1, since 2004. They played last year with Banning Lewis getting the 27-13 win.