MileHigh Prep Report

Class 1A Football Preview – Week Ten

We use the CHSAA Rankings and go thru the top matchups of Week Ten.  The 6 games selected are matchups to watch for Playoff Chances and Seeding.  Good Luck to all teams this week.

#5 Burlington (7-1) at #7 Colorado Springs Christian (8-0), Friday at 7pm (South Central)

Playoff Implications/What is on the Line… One of our Two Games of the Week.  Both teams would host a playoff game currently with the winner staying in excellent position to host a first-round game.  The loser will hope to stay ahead of teams like Monte Vista to host a first round game.

Season Outlook… Burlington enters 7-1 and has averaged 46.0 points per game. The Cougars lean heavily on a rushing attack that averages 305.4 yards per game. RB Scout Humrich leads the offense with 184.5 rushing yards per game and also averages 6.1 tackles defensively. QB Weston Schaal averages 45.4 passing yards per game, and Yandel Ornelas is a leading target. Burlington will look to control the clock and keep the Lions offense off the field.

Colorado Springs Christian enters a perfect 8-0 and averages 38.1 points per game. The Lions are more pass-oriented, averaging 226.1 passing yards per game. QB Fisher Tenpas powers the attack with 226.1 passing yards per game, while WR Silas Lambert averages 93.0 receiving yards. Liam Smith leads the rushing attack at 80.9 yards per game, and Matt Hinderland anchors the defense with 13.8 tackles per game. This should be an interesting clash of offensive styles.

Last Year/Series History… These two teams did not face each other last season.  The last time these two teams meet was in 2015 with Burlington getting the 21-9 win.  Burlington also leads the series over C.S Christian 2-0, since 2004.

#11 Flatirons Academy at #12 Platte Canyon, Saturday at 1pm (Front Range)

Playoff Implications/What is on the Line… A win by either team locks them into the playoffs.  The losing team will see themselves tumble in the rankings.  I think Flatirons Academy will get into the playoffs.  Platte Canyon on the other hand does have me a bit more concerned.  Platte Canyon SOS rating of -7.15 is one of the worst in Class 1A and another loss could see them tumble to around that #16 spot.

Season Outlook… Flatirons Academy averages 322.4 yards of offense per game, with 233.3 rushing and 89.1 passing. QB Caleb Doughty averages 71.9 rushing yards and 86.6 passing yards per game. Jack Joyner is a leading target with 49.4 receiving yards per game. Isaiah Figueroa leads the defense with 8.3 tackles per game.

Platte Canyon is a run-heavy team, averaging 346.6 rushing yards per game compared with only 18.1 passing yards. RB Weston Kool leads the attack with 148.5 rushing yards per game and averages 8.8 tackles defensively. QB Mikey Clark directs the offense, and Gavin Johnson contributes on defense. The Huskies will look to control the line of scrimmage and limit big plays.

Last Year/Series History… Flatirons Academy defeated Platte Canyon last season 28 to 0.  Flatirons Academy also leads the series over Platte Canyon 4 to 3, since 2004.

#15 Rye (4-4) at #14 Buena Vista (5-3), Thursday at 7pm (Southern)

Playoff Implications/What is on the Line… Both teams are currently inside the top 16 of the CHSAA Rankings.  The winner for sure gets into the playoffs but the loser will hold their breath and wait till Sunday.  Buena Vista sits at #14 with Rye at #15.

Season Outlook… Rye enters at 4-4 overall and has averaged 361 yards of total offense per game. The Thunderbolts are powered by their rushing attack, which averages 217 yards per game. RB Jackson Bjorum leads the ground game with 120.5 yards per game, while QB Brady Baumgartner averages 142.1 passing yards per game. WR Wyatt Scheid is the top receiving threat with 52.0 yards per game. Defensively, Nathaniel Gray averages 7.3 tackles per game.

Buena Vista sits at 5-3 overall.  The Demons average 259 yards of offense per game, including 170.8 on the ground. Joe Bearss leads the rushing attack with 56.5 yards per game and is also a key receiving option. Casen Pridemore contributes 76.0 passing yards per game and leads the defense with 7.9 tackles per game. Buena Vista is unbeaten at home at 3-0.

Last Year/Series History… Buena Vista defeated Rye last season 48-7.  Buena Vista leads the overall series 11-0, since 2004.

#18 Olathe (5-3) at #3 North Fork (7-1), Friday at 7pm (Western Slope)

Playoff Implications/What is on the Line… North Fork is a lock for the playoffs but are hoping to keep a top 3 seed.  Olathe on the other hand is on the outside looking in and sit at #18 in the CHSAA Rankings.  Olathe can only challenge for a playoff spot with an upset of North Fork.

Season Outlook… Olathe enters 5-3 and averages 263.9 total yards per game, including 198.9 rushing. RB Bryce Good averages 64.9 yards on the ground and QB Bridger Vincent averages 74.3 yards passing. Colton Snell is a top target, averaging 34.6 receiving yards per game, while Bryson Corn leads the defense with 6.2 tackles per game.

North Fork enters at 7-1 and has allowed just 69 points through eight games. The Miners average 172.1 rushing yards and 52.5 passing yards per game. Tate Carver leads the team in both rushing and passing averages, at 66.6 and 51.1 yards per game, respectively. Trenton Rupe is a leading receiving target, while Bronson Hall averages 10.4 tackles per game and Gunnar Lee averages 1.2 sacks per game.

Last Year/Series History… North Fork defeated Olathe last season 42 to 6.  North Fork leads the series over Olathe 10 to 7, since 2004.

#17 Dayspring Christian Academy at #20 Wray, Friday at 7pm (North Central)

Playoff Implications/What is on the Line… Dayspring Christian and Wray both sit outside the top 16 of the CHSAA Rankings.  Wray would need to upset Dayspring Christian then need some help to jump into the top 16.  Dayspring Christian is also in a similar boat.  Dayspring Christian needs to defeat Wray then hope a team like Platte Canyon, Rye/Buena Vista, or Cedaredge can drop below them in the rankings.

Season Outlook… Dayspring Christian is led by a physical rushing attack averaging 274.6 yards per game.  QB Hawkins Flanagan is the focal point of the offense, averaging 110.4 rushing yards and 68.4 passing yards per game. Owen Crust leads the receiving options at 34.6 yards per game. Luke Martin averages 9.0 tackles per game, and Liam Polk contributes 0.6 sacks per game.

Wray is averaging 238.3 total yards per game, including 126.5 rushing and 111.8 passing. QB Grady Godsey averages 129.0 passing yards per game, while RB Adan Aguilar averages 53.7 yards rushing. Jaiden Depue leads the receiving attack at 49.6 yards per game and Ian Vasquez averages 6.8 tackles. Wray will need to slow the Dayspring rushing attack to give itself a chance.

Last Year/Series History… These two teams did not play each other last season.  This will also be the first ever meeting between these two schools since 2004.

#21 Holyoke (3-5) at #6 Platte Valley (7-1), Friday at 7pm (North Central)

Playoff Implications/What is on the Line… Holyoke needs to upset Platte Valley to have any shot at the playoffs.  They still may need help to jump up into the top 16.  Platte Valley sits at #6 and would win the Big Northern League.  Platte Valley with a win should host a first round game.

Season Outlook… Holyoke enters at 3-5 and averages 182.4 yards of total offense per game. QB Dathyn Dirks leads the passing attack at 137.4 yards per game, while WR Elbin Padilla averages 60.9 receiving yards. RB Jacob Quintana is the leading rusher at 22.8 yards per game and anchors the defense with 14.3 tackles per game. Holyoke must find more production on the ground to keep Platte Valley from focusing on the passing game.

Platte Valley enters 7-1 and has allowed only 65 points this season. The Broncos average 350.6 total yards per game, with 235.8 coming on the ground. RB Logan Vannest averages 72.4 rushing yards per game, QB Jackson Gentry averages 112.5 passing yards, and Jason Harrison averages 45.4 receiving yards. Kaden Tucker leads the defense with 8.8 tackles per game, and Frankie Dardon averages 0.6 sacks.

Last Year/Series History… These two teams did not play each other last season.  Holyoke and Platte Valley have also never faced each other since 2004.