MileHigh Prep Report

Class 1A Football Preview-Week Eight

We use the MileHigh Prep Report Coaches/Media Poll and go thru the top matchups of Week Eight.  The 6 games selected seem to be the big matchups of the 7^th week of the Season.  Three weeks are all that remain and it’s playoff hunting time.

#2 Meeker (5-1) at #3 North Fork (6-0), Friday at 7pm (Western Slope)

Playoff Implications/What is on the Line…Winner of this game will probably win the Western Slope League Title. Also winner probably locks up the #1 or #2 overall seed.

Last Week…Meeker improved to 5-1 on the season following a 47-14 win over Olathe.  Meeker scored 40 unanswered points in the first and second quarter to walk away with the win.  Offensively, it was all rushing attack for the Cowboys.  Meeker racked up 297 yards of rushing and another 46 through the air.  RB Jonah Lee led all rusher with 81 yards and 3 TDs while RB Gael Rodriguez also contributed with another 58 yards and 1 TD.  QB Cade Mills led the passing attack with 46 yards and 1 TD and contributed another 46 yards rushing and 1 TD.  Defensively, Meeker forced two turnovers during the game with 1 TFL.  Bryant Turner (5 tackles) and Liam Thomson (5 tackles) led the Meeker defense.

North Fork currently sits at 6-0 overall and 3-0 in league.  North Fork received a forfeit win last week over Roaring Fork.  On the season, North Fork is a run first team with 928 yards rushing to 380 yards passing.  RB Alex Csere leads the rushing attack with 315 yards rushing and 4 TDs and RB Brenley Farmer has also contributed another 233 yards and 5 TDs.  QB Tate Carver powers the passing attack with 318 yards, 5 TDs, and 3 INTs while also rushing for 239 yards and 3 TDs.  Defensively, North Fork has forced 9 turnovers on the season along with 17 sacks and 38 TFL.  Bronson Hall (50 tackles) and Colter Scriver (39 tackles) lead the Miners defense.

Last Year…Meeker defeated North Fork last year 46 to 34.

Series history… Meeker leads the series over North fork 12 to 7, since 2004

#7 Denver Christian (6-0) at Flatirons Academy (5-1), Friday at 6:30pm (Front Range)

Playoff Implications/What is on the Line…Winner of this game will take over possession of the Front Range League. Denver Christian also hopes to keep possession of a top 4 spot. Flatirons Academy is hoping to move into a host spot with a win as well.

Last Week…Denver Christian currently sits at 6-0 overall and are coming off a bye week.  Their last win was a dominate 40-0 win over previously unbeaten Platte Canyon.  Offensively, Denver Christian is powered by their rushing attack which has racked up 1963 yards, 33 TDs, and average 7.7 yards per carry.  RB Quinn Barkema leads all rushers with 672 yards and 13 TDs while RB Elijah Whitfield is the #2 rusher with 222 yards and 4 TDs.  QB Cole McCabe leads the passing attack with 304 yards, 1 TD, and 2 INTs while also rushing for 279 yards and 4 TDs. Defensively, Denver Christian has forced 39 TFL along with 9 sacks and 10 turnovers.  Quinn Barkema (32 tackles) and Tobin Delle Donne (31 tackles) lead the Thunder defense.

Flatirons Academy improved to 5-1 overall with a 48-0 win over Valley last week.  Flatirons Academy used a 27-point first quarter to pull away and never look back.  Flatirons Academy was powered by their rushing attack last week racking up 361 yards and 6 TDs also while throwing for 67 yards and 1 TD.  QB Caleb Doughty led the offensive attack with 49 yards passing, 176 yards rushing, and 3 Total TDs.  WR Jack Joyner was the top target catching 1 pass for 34 yards and 1 TD.  RB Zeke Friedman powered the rushing attack with 67 yards and 1 TD.  Defensively Flatirons Academy pitched the shutout but did not post any stats.

Last Year…Denver Christian defeated Flatirons Academy 49 to 22

Series history… Flatirons Academy & Denver Christian are currently tied at 3-3, since 2004

#6 Centauri (4-2) vs Rye (4-2), Saturday at 1pm (Southern)

Playoff Implications/What is on the Line…Winner of this game takes over sole possession of first place. Centauri with a win will be one win away from winning the league title and more than likely with a win will host a playoff game. Rye with a win takes over the top spot in league but still have games against MV and BV.

Last Week…Centauri currently sits at 4-2 overall and 3-0 in league play.  Centauri had a bye last week and are coming off a 32-8 win over Buena Vista two weeks ago.  A win for Centauri puts them in sole passion of the Southern League.  On the season Centauri has been led by their rushing attack which has racked up 1031 yards, 12 TDs, and average 6.4 yards per carry.  RB Caden Ruggles leads the rushing attack with 521 yards and 4 TDs.  QB Grayson Hunzeker leads the passing attack with 524 yards, 8 TDs, and 3 INTs while also rushing for another 3 TDs.  WR Dallyn King is the top target with 5 receptions for 163 yards and 3 TDs while also rushing for 315 yards and 4 TDs.  Defensively, Centauri has forced 16 turnovers on the season along with 8 sacks and 38.5 TFL.  Caden Ruggles (63 tackles) and Noah Weyers (55 tackles) lead the Falcon defense.

Rye improved to 4-2 overall last week with a 55-8 win over Ignacio last week.  Rye has stretched their winning streak to 3 and look for a key win.  On the season Rye is nearly balanced in their offensive attack with 867 yards passing and 1432 yards rushing.  QB Brady Baumgartner leads the passing attack with 854 yards, 9 TDs, and 2 INTs while also rushing for 236 yards and 3 TDs.  WR Wyatt Scheid is the top target with 18 catches for 328 yards and 3 TDs.  RB Jackson Bjorum leads the rushing attack with 798 yards, 10 TDs, while averaging 6.8 yards per carry.  Defensively, Rye has forced 9 turnovers on the season along with 5 sacks and 33 TFL.  Nathaniel Gray (36 tackles) and Casen Mittlestadt (22 tackles) lead the Thunderbolt Defense.

Last Year…These two teams did not play each other last year and last met in 2017 with Centauri getting the 40-0 win.

Series history…Rye leads the series over Centauri 4 to 2, since 2004

#10 Platte Valley (5-1) vs Dayspring Christian (3-3), Friday at 7pm (Big Northern League)

Playoff Implications/What is on the Line…Winner of this game will keep the tie with Yuma and Wiggins for the Big Northern League. Platte Valley with a win keeps them in host position. Dayspring Christian is currently outside the top 16 and need a win to try and move into playoff position.

Last Week… Platte Valley is currently 5-1 on the season and are coming off a bye week.  Platte Valley last game was a 24-0 win over Wray.  Platte Valley and Dayspring Christian will go a long way to deciding the league title winner.  On the season, Platte Valley is nearly balanced in their offensive attack with 725 yards of passing and 1361 yards rushing.  QB Jackson Gentry leads the passing attack with 725 yards passing, 12 TDs, and 1 INT.  WR Jason Harrison is the top target for Gentry with 19 receptions for 254 yards and 5 TDs.  RB Logan Vannest leads the rushing attack with 432 yards, 2 TDs, while averaging 10.5 yards per carry.  Defensively, Platte Valley has forced 62 TFL along with 17 sacks and have forced 11 turnovers on the season.  Jason Harrison (53 tackles) and Kaden Tucker (52 tackles) lead the Broncos defense.

Dayspring Christian improved to 3-3 on the season when they defeated Holyoke last week 21-7.  The win last week helped Dayspring Christian playoffs hopes.  A 14-point first quarter proved to be the difference in the game.  Last week, Dayspring Christian leaned heavily on their rushing attack which racked up 337 yards, 2 TDs, and averaged 8.6 yards per carry.  QB Hawkins Flanagan powered the offensive attack with 26 yards passing and 122 yards rushing.  RB Micah Rutz led all rushers with 132 yards and RB Owen Crust also contributed with 67 yards and 2 TDs.  Defensively, Dayspring Christian forced 7 TFL, 4 Sacks, and forced 2 turnovers in the win.  Hawkins Flanagan (10 tackles) and Liam Polk (7 tackles) led the Eagles defense.

Last Year…Did not play each other last year

Series history… Have never played each other, since 2004.

Cedaredge (3-4) at Olathe (5-2), Friday at 7pm (Western Slope)

Playoff Implications/What is on the Line…Cedaredge is currently outside the top 16 and need a big win to jump in. Cedaredge needs this game to probably make the playoffs. Olathe is #15 and a win helps them keep a playoff spot. Olathe with a loss will fall outside the top 16 and probably not make the playoffs without a win in their final game.

Last Week…Cedaredge improved to 3-4 on the season with a 24-21 win over 2A Salida.  Cedaredge has won back-to-back games for the first time this year.  Cedaredge used a 17-point first half to snag the win over Salida and held on late to get the win.  Offensively, it was the rushing attack that led the way for Cedaredge racking up 237 yards and 2 TDs and the passing attack contributed another 101 yards.  QB Logan Sanders led the Bruins offense with 101 yards passing and 1 TD while also rushing for 120 yards.  WR Dane Brown caught the lone TD pass while also racking up 39 yards receiving.  RB Makai Salazar led all RBs with 70 yards and 1 TD.  Defensively, Cedaredge forced three turnovers in the win along with 1 sack and 1 TFL.  Shane Smothers (8 tackles) and Jackson Dunbar (7 tackles) led the Cedaredge defense.

Olathe dropped to 5-2 on the season with a 47-14 loss to Meeker.  Olathe struggled to get much going until the fourth quarter and saw running clock start before halftime.  Olathe on the season has leaned heavily on their rushing attack which has racked up 1307 yards, 13 TDs, and averaged 5.9 yards per carry.  RB Bryce Good leads all RBs with 390 yards and 2 TDs and RB Hunter Lynch also has contributed with 373 yards and 2 TDs.  QB Bridger Vincent leads the passing attack with 411 yards, 5 TDs, and 1 INT while also rushing for 292 yards and 5 TDs.  Defensively, Olathe has forced 7 turnovers on the year.  Bryson Corn (31 tackles) and Hunter Lynch (26 tackles) lead the Pirates defense.

Last Year…Cedaredge defeated Olathe last year 49 to 13.

Series history… Olathe leads the series over Cedaredge 11 to 10, since 2004

2A Bayfield (2-5) at Buena Vista (4-3), Friday at 6pm (Southern)

Playoff Implications/What is on the Line…For Buena Vista this is a must win game. They cannot drop this game and get in the playoffs without help and a win in their final game. Bayfield also needs a big win and this would qualify as that.

Last Week…Buena Vista dropped to 4-3 on the season following a 32 to 6 loss to Monte Vista last week.  Buena Vista is looking to snap a two-game slide and keep their playoff hopes alive this week.  Offensively, Buena Vista did struggle to get much going last week racking up just 93 yards of total offense.  QB Casen Pridemore led the offensive attack with 42 yards passing, 0 TDS, and 3 INTs while also rushing for 32 yards.  WR Joe Bearss was the top target catching 5 passes for 42 yards and also returned a kickoff for a TD.  Defensively, Buena Vista did forced 3 turnovers in the game along with 1 sack and 3 TFL.  Casen Pridemore (8 tackles), Joe Bearrss (7 tackles), and Gavin Erchul (4 tackles) led the Demon defense. 

Bayfield improved to 2-5 on the season following a 40-16 win over Trinidad.  The win moved Bayfield closer to the bubble in Class 2A and now they look for a key win.  On the season Bayfield is a pass heavy team with 1463 yards passing to just 407 yards rushing.  QB Cole McWhirter leads the offensive attack with 1407 yards, 12 TDs, and 10 INTS.  WR Harrison Williams is the top pass catcher with 32 receptions for 621 yards and 7 TDs.  RB Kole Domingos leads the rushing attack with 232 yards.  Bayfield does not have any defensive stats.

Last Year…These two teams did not play last year and last meet in 2011 with Bayfield getting the 28-3 win.

Series history… The series is currently tied at 3-3 between Bayfield & Buena Vista, since 2004

Other Games to Note:

#1 C.S Christian (7-0) vs 2A Salida (2-5), Friday at 7pm

#4 Burlington (5-1) at Bennett (1-5), Friday at 7pm

Wray (2-5) at Yuma (4-3), Friday at 7pm

Pinnacle (3-3) at Valley (2-4), Friday at 7pm

Highland (2-4) at Holyoke (2-4), Friday at 7pm