CLASS 5A – STATE QUARTERFINALS

Friday May 18th

10:00am:  #1 Cherry Creek (19-2) vs #8 Pine Creek (19-2)

12:30pm:  #4 Ralston Valley (15-6) vs #5 Legend (16-4)

10:00am:  #3 Regis (17-4) vs #6 Dakota Ridge (17-3)

12:30pm:  #2 Grandview (19-2) vs #7 Highlands Ranch (15-6)

Second Round

3:00pm:  Cherry Creek/Pine Creek vs Ralston Valley/Legend

3:00pm:  Regis/Dakota Ridge vs Grandview/Highlands Ranch

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CLASS 4A – STATE QUARTERFINALS

Friday May 18^th

10:00am:  #1 Air Academy (19-2) vs #8 Windsor (13-8)

12:30pm:  #4 Cheyenne Mountain (17-4) vs #5 Canon City (17-14)

10:00am:  #3 D’Evelyn (16-5) vs #6 Longmont (15-6)

12:30pm:  #2 Broomfield (17-4) vs #7 Montrose (18-3)

Second Round

3:00pm:  Air Academy/Windsor vs Cheyenne Mountain/Canon City

3:00pm:  D’Evelyn/Longmont vs Broomfield/Montrose

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CLASS 3A – STATE QUARTERFINALS

Friday May 18^th

10:00am:  #1 Faith Christian (20-1) vs #8 Holy Family (16-5)

12:00pm:  #4 Olathe (16-5) vs #5 Trinidad (14-7)

10:00am:  #3 Weld Central (10-11) vs #6 Brush (15-6)

12:00pm:  #2 Eaton (18-3) vs #7 Lamar (11-10)

Second Round

3:00pm:  Faith Christian/Holy Family vs Olathe/Trinidad

3:00pm:  Weld Central/Brush vs Eaton/Lamar

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CLASS 2A – STATE SEMIFINALS

Friday May 18th

12:00pm:  #1 Rye (21-1) vs #5 Byers (14-4)

2:30pm:  #3 Resurrection Christian (18-3) vs #7 Paonia (17-5)

• Winners play for Championship on Saturday at 3:30pm

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CLASS 1A – STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Saturday May 19^th

1:00pm:  Baca County (16-2) vs Stratton (12-4)

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The game honors high school seniors, who have been nominated by an opposing coach or their league, with an opportunity to showcase their talent against the “Best of the Best” of 6-Man and 8-Man football.  The players are divided into two squads, North and South, depending on the league their team plays in.  The Colorado 6/8-Man All-State Game will celebrate the 25^th Annual Game by having three coaching legends from the state participate this year.  Ken Soper (47 years) of Dove Creek, Manuel Gonzales (38 years) of Granada and Chris Brown (31 years) of West Grand are three of the longest tenured coaches in Colorado high school football.  Soper and Gonzales will be coaching the South, while Brown will be coaching the North.

The Colorado 6/8-Man All-State Football Game was originally held at Adams State College in Alamosa for eight years.  In 1995 the game was moved to Sterling and Northeastern Junior College.  This year it returns to Southern Colorado and will again be played in La Junta.

President Jim Rizzuto, Leah Reed, Gary Addington and staff at OJC; Brad Swartz, Pam Denahy, Ron Davis, Mayor Don Rizzuto and the Tourism Board of the City of La Junta; as well as Dan Nuschy and the Athletic Department at La Junta High School have all played an instrumental role in making sure that the 25^th Annual game is the best yet in the history of the Colorado 6/8-Man All-State Football Game.

Game Directors Tom Grasmick and Brad Heinz offered praise to the City of La Junta, La Junta High School and Otero Junior College, “they have really embraced the game and the idea of honoring these small school players who have big time talent” said Grasmick.  Heinz added, “When we decided to relocate the game from Sterling, La Junta and OJC jumped at the chance to host the game and they have been a pleasure to work with.”

Tickets to the game are $5 and can be purchased prior to the game at the ticket booth at Tiger Stadium.

South Roster

North Roster

2012 Coaches

South:

Ken Soper – Dove Creek High School

Manuel Gonzales – Granada High School

Bob Schafer – Hoehne High School

Gabe Dasko – Hoehne High School

Chris Marquez – Hoehne High School

North:

Chris Brown – West Grand High School

Shane Zimmerman – Simla High School

Josh Penderson – West Grand High School

DISTRICT #1

10:00am:  #1 Air Academy (17-2) vs #32 Silver Creek (9-9)

12:30pm:  #16 Discovery Canyon (12-7) vs #17 Pueblo County (12-7)

• Winners play at 3:00pm

DISTRICT #2

10:00am:  #8 Evergreen (14-5) vs #25 Windsor (11-8)

12:30pm:  #9 Palisade (17-2) vs #24 Lewis Palmer (7-12)

• Winners play at 3:00pm

DISTRICT #3

FINAL:  #4 Cheyenne Mountain beat #29 Fort Lupton 11-1

FINAL:  #13 Valor Christian beat #20 Roosevelt 13-1

• CHAMPIONSHIP:  Cheyenne Mountain beat Valor Christian 8-4

DISTRICT #4

FINAL:  #5 Durango beat #28 Delta 17-0

FINAL:  #12 Canon City beat #21 Wheat Ridge 11-1

• CHAMPIONSHIP:  Canon City beat Durango 7-4

DISTRICT #5

FINAL:  #2 Broomfield beat #31 Palmer Ridge 12-2

FINAL:  #15 Green Mountain beat #18 Falcon 10-0

• CHAMPIONSHIP:  Broomfield beat Green Mountain 3-1

DISTRICT #6

FINAL:  #7 Montrose beat #26 Glenwood Springs 6-0

FINAL:  #10 Pueblo West beat #23 Kennedy 15-5

• CHAMPIONSHIP:  Montrose beat Pueblo West 6-5

DISTRICT #7

FINAL:  #3 D’Evelyn beat #30 Widefield 8-1

FINAL:  #19 Thompson Valley beat #14 Thomas Jefferson 10-0

• CHAMPIONSHIP:  D’Evelyn beat Thompson Valley 7-3

DISTRICT #8

FINAL:  #27 Coronado beat #6 Northridge 3-2

FINAL:  #11 Longmont beat #22 Fort Morgan 2-1

• CHAMPIONSHIP:  Longmont beat Coronado 3-2

DISTRICT #1

FINAL:  #1 Faith Christian beat #32 Gunnison 11-1

FINAL:  #17 Cedaredge beat #16 Classical Academy 6-5

• CHAMPIONSHIP:  Faith Christian beat Cedaredge 12-1

DISTRICT #2

FINAL:  #8 Holy Family beat #25 Sheridan 7-3

FINAL:  #9 Bayfield beat #24 Buena Vista 6-4

• CHAMPIONSHIP:  Holy Family beat Bayfield 6-4

DISTRICT #3

FINAL:  #4 Hotchkiss beat #29 Centauri 3-2

FINAL:  #13 Olathe beat #20 Peak to Peak 15-5

• CHAMPIONSHIP:  Olathe beat Hotchkiss 6-2

DISTRICT #4

FINAL:  #5 Florence beat #28 Roaring Fork 3-1

FINAL:  #21 Trinidad beat #12 Platte Canyon 1-0

• CHAMPIONSHIP:  Trinidad beat Florence 6-5

DISTRICT #5

FINAL:  #2 Eaton beat #31 Academy 6-0

FINAL:  #15 Middle Park beat #18 La Junta 4-3

• CHAMPIONSHIP:  Eaton beat Middle Park 15-5

DISTRICT #6

10:00am:  #7 Lamar (14-4) vs #26 Alamosa (8-11)

12:30pm:  #10 Machebeuf (15-4) vs #23 Valley (11-8)

• Winners play at 3:00pm

DISTRICT #7

FINAL:  #30 Weld Central beat #3 Rifle 6-0

FINAL:  #14 University beat #19 Colorado Academy 1-0

• CHAMPIONSHIP:  Weld Central beat University 6-0

DISTRICT #8

FINAL:  #6 Brush beat #27 St Mary’s 7-3

FINAL:  #11 Strasburg beat #22 Bennett 1-0

• CHAMPIONSHIP:  Brush beat Strasburg 5-0

DISTRICT #1

Play in Game:  George Washington vs Westminster (Wednesday May 9^th)

10:00am:  #1 Cherry Creek (17-2) vs GW/Westminster winner

12:30pm:  #16 Monarch (14-5) vs #17 Ponderosa (13-6)

• Winners play at 3:00pm

DISTRICT #2

10:00am:  #8 Pine Creek (17-2) vs #25 Pomona (9-10)

12:30pm:  #9 Mullen (12-7) vs #24 Fort Collins (9-10)

• Winners play at 3:00pm

DISTRICT #3

10:00am:  #4 Columbine (13-5) vs #29 Mountain Range (12-7)

12:30pm:  #13 Ralston Valley (13-6) vs #20 Grand Junction (13-6)

• Winners play at 3:00pm

DISTRICT #4

10:00am:  #5 Legend (14-4) vs #28 Prairie View (11-8)

12:30pm:  #12 Brighton (17-2) vs #21 Douglas County (13-6)

• Winners play at 3:00pm

DISTRICT #5

10:00am:  #2 Grandview (17-2) vs #31 Rangeview (10-9)

12:30pm:  #15 Chaparral (11-7) vs #18 Rocky Mountain (18-7)

• Winners play at 3:00pm

DISTRICT #6

10:00am:  #7 Highlands Ranch (13-6) vs #26 Chatfield (10-9)

12:30pm:  #10 Poudre (12-7) vs #23 Rampart (13-6)

• Winners play at 3:00pm

DISTRICT #7

10:00am:  #3 Regis (15-4) vs #30 Northglenn (10-8)

12:30pm:  #14 Denver East (17-2) vs #19 Liberty (13-6)

• Winners play at 3:00pm

DISTRICT #8

10:00am:  #6 Dakota Ridge (15-3) vs #27 Fruita Monument (11-8)

12:30pm:  #11 Legacy (15-4) vs #22 Cherokee Trail (11-8)

• Winners play at 3:00pm

All games below are listed in bracket order.

CLASS 1A STATE TOURNAMENT

SAT/MAY 12^TH – Thomas Jefferson HS

FINAL:  Elbert beat Dove Creek 7-1

FINAL:  Baca County beat Caliche 7-2

• SEMIFINAL:  Baca County beat Elbert 16-0

SAT/MAY 12^TH – Englewood HS

FINAL:  Stratton beat Granada 10-0

FINAL:  Fleming beat Community Christian 6-4

• SEMIFINAL:  Stratton beat Fleming 8-1

State Championship May 19^th at Englewood High School (1:00pm)

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CLASS 2A REGIONAL TOURNAMENT

SAT/MAY 12^TH – Runyon Complex – Pueblo

FINAL:  #1 Rye beat #16 Center 20-0

FINAL:  #9 Swink beat #8 Limon 4-2

• FINAL:  Rye beat Swink 10-3

SAT/MAY 12^TH – All City Field – Denver

FINAL:  #4 Denver Christian beat #13 Dayspring Christian 14-1 (5)

FINAL:  #5 Byers beat #12 Sedgwick County 9-2

• FINAL:  Byers beat Denver Christian 5-2

SAT/MAY 12^TH – All Star Park – Lakewood

FINAL:  #3 Resurrection Christian beat #14 Rangely 6-2

FINAL:  #6 Lutheran beat #11 Burlington 8-6

• FINAL:  Resurrection Christian bat Lutheran 6-4

SAT/MAY 12^TH – Runyon Complex – Pueblo

FINAL:  #2 Las Animas beat #15 John Mall 6-0

FINAL:  #7 Paonia beat #10 Sargent 5-4

• FINAL:  Paonia beat Las Animas 2-1

Only the third qualifier from the Intermountain conference has yet to be determined as results from the Pagosa Springs – Monte Vista doubleheader are not yet known.  The final berth from the Tri Peaks conference was determined in cross divisional play on Saturday as St Mary’s downed Manitou Springs 14-4 in a battle of fourth place teams.  Florence also blanked Lamar (6-0) to win the overall league championship.

CLASS 3A STATE TOURNAMENT QUALIFIERS

Frontier

1. Middle Park (15-3)
2. Platte Canyon (12-6)
3. Bennett (12-7)
4. Sheridan (13-6)
5. The Academy (9-10)

Intermountain

1. Bayfield (13-6)
2. Alamosa (8-11)
3. Pagosa Springs / Centauri

Metro

1. Faith Christian (17-1)
2. Machebeuf (15-4)
3. Holy Family (12-5)
4. Colorado Academy (12-6)
5. Peak to Peak (12-6)

Patriot

1. Eaton (16-2)
2. Brush (13-6)
3. Strasburg (13-6)
4. University (12-7)
5. Valley (11-8)
6. Weld Central (8-11)

Tri Peaks

1. Florence (11-8)
2. Lamar (14-4)
3. Classical Academy (14-4)
4. La Junta (12-7)
5. Trinidad (12-7)
6. Buena Vista (12-7)
7. St Mary’s (11-7)

Western Slope

1. Rifle (17-2)
2. Hotchkiss (15-2)
3. Olathe (14-5)
4. Cedaredge (12-7)
5. Roaring Fork (9-8)
6. Gunnison (9-10)

CLASS 2A REGIONAL QUALIFIERS

1. Denver Christian (15-6)
2. Lutheran (13-7)
3. Sargent (12-3)
4. Center (10-11)
5. Swink (15-4)
6. Las Animas
7. Resurrection Christian
8. Dayspring Christian
9. Sedgwick County
10. Burlington
11. Rye
12. John Mall (11-8)
13. Limon
14. Byers
15. Paonia
16. Rangely

CLASS 1A STATE TOURNAMENT PAIRINGS

Dove Creek vs Elbert (8-4)

Baca County (14-2) vs Caliche

Stratton (10-4) vs Granada (11-6)

Fleming (14-5) vs Community Christian (16-3)

CLASS 1A

District One (1 team qualifies)

SAT/MAY 5TH – CHAMPIONSHIP:  (Montrose High School)

FINAL:  Dove Creek beat Cotopaxi 23-4

District Two (3 teams qualify)

THURS/MAY 3RD – CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND

FINAL:  Elbert beat Simla 17-7

FINAL:  Stratton beat Community Christian 10-0

FINAL:  Stratton beat Elbert 6-0 (Championship)

FINAL:  Community Christian beat Simla 2-1 (Third Place) – Stratton, Elbert and Community Christian advance

District Three (2 teams qualify)

TUES/MAY 1ST – QUARTERFINALS (Home Sites)

Baca County – Bye

FINAL:  Holly beat Eads 9-8

FINAL:  Cheyenne Wells beat Manzanola 7-4

FINAL:  Granada beat Springfield 13-3

FRI/MAY 4TH – CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND (Rocky Ford HS)

FINAL:  Baca County beat Holly 13-3

FINAL:  Granada beat Cheyenne Wells (final n/a)

FINAL:  Baca County beat Granada 16-6 (Championship) – Baca County & Granada advance to state

District Four (2 teams qualify)

TUES/MAY 1ST – PIGTAIL & QUARTERFINALS (NJC in Sterling)

FINAL:  Peetz beat Prairie 13-3 (Pigtail)

FINAL:  Fleming beat Peetz 14-6

FINAL:  Merino beat Briggsdale 12-5

FINAL:  Haxtun beat Pawnee 4-3

FINAL:  Caliche beat Weldon Valley 11-0

WED/MAY 2ND – CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND

FINAL:  Fleming beat Merino 11-10

FINAL:  Caliche beat Haxtun 1-0 (9)

FINAL:  Fleming beat Caliche 13-3 (Championship) – Fleming and Caliche advance to state

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CLASS 2A (Top 2 teams advance from each district)

District One

FRI/MAY 4TH – CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND (Ortega MS – Alamosa)

FINAL:  Sargent beat Sanford 6-4

FINAL:  Center beat Del Norte 12-3

FINAL:  Sargent beat Center 18-3 (Championship) – Sargent and Center advance to regionals

District Two

SAT/MAY 5TH – CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND (Cortez)

FINAL:  Rangely beat Dolores 7-0 (Denny no-hitter)

FINAL:  Paonia beat Ignacio 14-2 (5)

FINAL:  Paonia beat Rangely 17-4 (5) (Championship)

District Three

TUES/MAY 1ST – QUARTERFINALS (Host Sites)

Limon – Bye

FINAL:  Peyton beat Evangelical Christian 7-1

FINAL:  Kiowa beat Miami Yoder 20-0

FINAL:  Byers beat Calhan 14-3

SAT/MAY 5TH – CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND (Spurgeon Field – Colorado Springs)

FINAL:  Limon beat Peyton 8-1

FINAL:  Byers beat Kiowa 14-3

FINAL:  Byers beat Limon 9-6 (Championship)

District Four

SAT/MAY 5TH – CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND (Resurrection Christian HS)

FINAL:  Resurrection Christian beat Alexander Dawson 3-0 (no-hitter by Aaron Boettger)

FINAL:  Dayspring Christian beat Lyons 4-3

FINAL:  Resurrection Christian beat Dayspring Christian 10-0 (6) (Championship)

District Five

TUES/MAY 1ST: (Host Site)

FINAL:  South Park beat Cripple Creek 20-3

SAT/MAY 5TH – SEMIFINALS (Greenhorn Valley Park – Colorado City)

FINAL:  Rye beat South Park 25-0

FINAL:  John Mall beat Custer County 10-2

FINAL:  Rye beat John Mall 12-0 (Championship)

District Six

TUES/MAY 1ST – QUARTERFINALS

Swink – Bye

FINAL:  Fowler beat Crowley County 5-4

FINAL:  Rocky Ford beat County Line 13-1

Las Animas – Bye

SAT/MAY 5TH – CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND (Swink HS)

FINAL:  Swink beat Fowler 14-3 (5)

FINAL::  Las Animas beat Rocky Ford 11-1

FINAL:  Las Animas beat Swink 4-2 (Championship)

District Seven

FRI/MAY 4TH – QUARTERFINALS (Holyoke High School)

Holyoke – Bye

FINAL:  Sedgwick County beat Akron 12-2

FINAL:  Burlington beat Yuma 7-5 (8)

FINAL:  Wray beat Wiggins 18-4 (5)

SAT/MAY 5TH – SEMIFINALS (Holyoke High School)

FINAL:  Sedgwick County beat Holyoke 5-2

FINAL:  Burlington beat Wray 14-1

FINAL:  Burlington beat Sedgwick County 6-1 (Championship)

District Eight

THURS/MAY 3RD – SEMIFINALS (Highlands Ranch Field)

FINAL:  Denver Christian beat Denver Academy 13-1

FINAL:  Lutheran beat Front Range Christian 5-2

FRIDAY/MAY 4TH – CHAMPIONSHIP (Highlands Ranch Field)

FINAL:  Denver Christian beat Lutheran 9-2 (Championship) – Denver Christian and Lutheran advance to regionals

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Van Heukelem is no stranger to the Denver Christian community serving as a teach and coach with the school for over 30 years.  He has most recently been the head coach at Littleton high school and has served under Coach Katte for 32 years as an assistant.

Van Heukelem has also been head coach for the Crusaders boys and girls soccer teams winning a state championship in 1997.  Recently he was inducted into the Colorado High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame for his numerous contributions as a coach and educator.

Katte ended his career at Denver Christian as the all-time leader in wins for basketball coaches in the state and his 2A state championship was the 8^th of his brilliant career.

WESTERN SLOPE (Top 6 qualify)

Rifle is coming off a very good week where they posted four road wins to stay alone atop the standings.  The Bears (13-1) scored single wins over Roaring Fork and Coal Ridge but also swept Cedaredge 10-7 and 3-1.  Those wins kept Rifle in first place with a one game lead on second place Hotchkiss (10-2) and by three games over Olathe and Cedaredge (both 10-4).  Rifle finishes up at home with two league doubleheaders against Gunnison (this Saturday) and Basalt (next Saturday).  Should they win out, the Bears will not only claim the league championship but likely secures a top four seed as well.

Against Cedaredge, the Bears trailed 7-3 through five innings in game one before plating two runs in the sixth and four more in the seventh for a 10-7 come from behind win.  Hunger Finger had two hits including a home run and three runs batted in.  Danny Bartels also drove in two.  Bartels was far from his best of the season on the mound but still worked seven innings for his state leading ninth win.  In game two, the Bears collected a 3-1 decision as Finger allowed just four hits to post his fourth pitching victory.

Second place Hotchkiss also collected a 3-1 win over Cedaredge last week securing the Bulldogs hold on second place.  They pushed across single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to avenge an earlier season loss to their arch-rivals.  Hotchkiss is at Basalt this Saturday and then hosts Coal Ridge a week from then.

Cedaredge and Olathe should determine third and fourth a week from Saturday when they collide on the Pirates home diamond.  Both teams are expected to post doubleheader sweeps this weekend and if that happens, then each team can finish no worse than fourth and automatically qualify for the post-season.  Cedaredge heads to Grand Valley on Saturday while Olathe entertains Aspen the same day.

Roaring Fork (7-7) currently leads Gunnison (6-8) and Basalt (5-8) in the race for fifth.  The Rams have already swept both the Cowboys and Longhorns so they’re in great shape to land the position.  They’re on the road to Coal Ridge Saturday before closing at Aspen on May 5^th.

Gunnison also picked up two wins over Basalt during the first week of the season so they have the edge for the sixth and final playoff berth from the conference.

FRONTIER (5 qualify)

Bennett’s clutch 4-3 win over Platte Canyon last Tuesday put the Tigers alone in first with a one game edge on the Huskies and Middle Park.  The Tigers have a key game at Middle Park on Thursday and then battle Sheridan away from home next Tuesday and wins in both should give them the top spot.  They’ve won six in a row since an 8-6 non-conference loss to Limon.  In the win over Platte Canyon, Bennett scored all four runs in the first inning with six players gaining at least one hit with three of them driving in a run.

Despite that loss, Platte Canyon remains in good position to end up second.  The Huskies recovered from the Bennett loss to upend Middle Park 6-2 three days later and that gives them the advantage in any possible tie with the Panthers.  If the Huskies drop Denver Science tomorrow (Thursday) and Denver Science next Wednesday, they’ll finish no worse than second.

Zach Boline had two hits to lead Platte Canyon’s offense against Middle Park.  Hunter Bode also scored twice to support the pitching of Brandon McGlynn who struck out 12 without a walk for the win.

Middle Park (3-1) and Sheridan (5-2) should be able to hold onto those spots to grab post-season bids.  The Academy and Bruce Randolph are tied for the final playoff spot but since the Academy routed the Grizzlies 24-8 earlier this season, they have the advantage plus Bruce Randolph still must face Platte Canyon and Bennett before season’s end.

TRI PEAKS (7 qualify)

The top three teams from each division automatically advance to the playoffs and will square on May 5^th to determine post-season seeding.  The fourth place teams from each division also battle that day with only the winner moving on so fourth is the position that all contenders are trying to avoid.

The races are very tight in both divisions and will come down to the final day of the regular season.  In the East, Trinidad (7-1) split two games with second place Lamar (6-2) so they continue to lead the Savages by one game in the standings.  Since they face Trinidad for two games on Saturday, third place La Junta (5-3) is still a factor but the Tigers are also trying to hold off suddenly hot St Mary’s (4-4) for the final guaranteed post-season berth.  The Pirates upset La Junta twice last week to stay in contention for third.

If Trinidad sweeps La Junta, then the Miners are the division champs with Lamar finishing second.  Should that happen, then St Mary’s moves into third by beating Dolores Huerta Prep twice at home on Saturday.  That scenario would then force La Junta into the play-in game on May 5^th.

Lamar, who should post two easy wins over Ellicott, can gain a share of the league championship if Trinidad and La Junta split.  The Savages of course win the title outright with two wins if La Junta sweeps Trinidad.

Over in the West, Classical Academy and Florence now share the top spot (both 6-2).  The Titans were unbeaten and in control of the league chase before dropping two games at Buena Vista last Saturday.  Because of those losses, Florence had a chance to take over sole possession of the lead but split two games with Manitou Springs the same day.  Now the championship will come down to the Saturday doubleheader between the Titans and Huskies in Florence.

Buena Vista (5-3) can still be a factor in the championship race as they begin the final week one game back of the co-leaders.  They close with two games against arch-rival and at least one win will guarantee no worse than a third place and a post-season bid.   A three way tie for the top spot is possible if Buena Vista sweeps Salida and TCA and Florence split two games.  It’s our understanding that Florence would be awarded the top spot on tiebreakers if that scenario occurs.  Of course if either the Titans or Huskies sweep the other this Saturday, that team is the conference champ while the loser would slide to third if Buena Vista grabs two wins.

INTERMOUNTAIN (3 qualify)

Bayfield and Alamosa (both 4-0) each has a three game edge on third place Centauri (3-3) and since the Wolverines and Moose don’t meet until May 5^th, the championship won’t be determined until then.  Bayfield beat Pagosa Springs 1-0 and 17-4 last Saturday and is now prepping for two games with Centauri this weekend.  In the game one shutout, Matt Knickerbocker (6 innings) and Clay Miller (1) combined for the two hit shutout.  Alamosa hammered Centauri 14-40 and 10-0 to stay unbeaten inside the conference.  The Moose face Monte Vista on the road this Saturday.

Bayfield and Alamosa each need just one win this weekend to secure a top two finish and earn a playoff berth.  Centauri also clinches third place if they at least split with Bayfield.  If the Falcons lose both ends of the doubleheader, Pagosa Springs remains alive.  The Pirates are outside the conference this weekend against Piedra Vista NM but are expected to beat Monte Vista in their regular season finale on May 5^th.  If they win out, a tiebreaker will be needed as the Pirates and Falcon split two games earlier this season.

METRO (5 qualify)

Although there are several games remaining, the playoff picture seems very clear.  Faith Christian (12-0) has all but officially clinched the league championship as they’ve already beaten all the top challengers.  Holy Family (5-2) has a very busy closing stretch with the most important taking place on Saturday when they battle Machebeuf (6-3).  Those games should determine the second and third playoff qualifiers.  Both are chasing Lutheran (10-3) for second place but since the Lions are a 2A team, they do not factor into the league 3A playoff entrants.  As we recapped in our 2A report, Lutheran is coming in district play next week for a spot in the 16-team 2A bracket.

Colorado Academy (6-4) and Peak to Peak (6-5) are currently fourth and fifth in the playoff race and since they’ve both beaten sixth place Kent Denver (3-6), the Mustangs and Pumas should be playoff bound.  Kent also has a tough road remaining with contests against Holy Family (Friday) and Faith Christian (next Tuesday).

PATRIOT (6 qualify)

Five teams are within two games of the top spot but the championship is for Eaton to lose.  The Reds (7-0) lead University and Weld Central (both 6-1) by just one game but the Reds have given up only two runs during conference play.  Brush tallied those runs in a 5-2 loss to Eaton last week but the Reds have otherwise posted six shutouts so they remain the heavy favorites.  The Reds though has some work to do as they’ve yet to face several of their top challengers.  After going to Mead on Thursday, Eaton battles University on Saturday and then both Weld Central and Valley next week.  Valley is currently tied with Brush (both 5-2) in fourth place.

The key game on the agenda this week is Thursday as University entertains Valley.  The Bulldogs have won five in a row since a loss to Strasburg and a win over Valley could give them a leg up in the race for second.  They’ve already downed both Brush and Weld Central.  Valley also collides with Brush on Saturday so by weeks end, the race should clear up quite a bit.  Brush rebounded from their loss to Eaton by downing Estes Park (13-3) and Mead (7-3).

Of the top three teams, Weld Central has the most difficult remaining stretch with games against Brush and Eaton next week.  They also visit a very good Strasburg team on Thursday (tomorrow) and losses in all three could see them tumble all the way to sixth.

DISTRICT ONE

Sargent locked up the number one seed with their two game sweep of Del Norte last Saturday.  The Farmers took out the Tigers 8-7 and 15-3 to remain unbeaten in league and district action.  In game one, Sargent built a 7-0 lead and then hung on as the Tigers scored all seven of their runs in their final four at-bats.  Sargent pushed across a single run in the top of the sixth which proved to be the game winner.  Game two was much easier with Sargent scoring nine runs in the top of the first.

Sargent closes the season with a game against Sanford this Saturday.  Another important matchup that day pits Del Norte at home against Center.  Del Norte, Center and Sanford all remain in contention for spots two through four and all want to avoid the fourth spot and a first round district matchup with the top seeded Farmers.  La Veta currently sits in fifth and should post a pair of wins against Antonito this week but the Redskins need help to advance.

The district tournament is set for Ortega Middle School in Alamosa on Friday May 4^th.

DISTRICT TWO

By splitting with Las Animas last Saturday, Swink is in position to land the number one seed and the right to host the district tournament next week.  The loss was the first of the season for Las Animas and also ended their conference schedule at 9-1.  Swink improved to 7-1 in league action so if they sweep Fowler this Saturday, the Lions earn the tiebreaker to get the number one seed and the chance to play at home.  If Swink drops one or both games to the Grizzlies, then the hosting honor and top seed goes back to Las Animas.

Swink scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth to beat Las Animas 6-3 in the opener of the doubleheader last Saturday.  Shane Lovato went two for three at the plate with a double and most importantly three runs batted in.  Aaron Ames worked all seven innings to earn the pitching victory.

Las Animas responded with a resounding 12-1 win in game two scoring five runs in their first at-bat and then adding at least two more runs in three other innings.

Fowler (4-4) is currently third and tied with Rocky Ford in the league standings but the Meloneers have the advantage since they swept the Grizzlies 8-3 and 14-8 on April 14^th.  That means Rocky Ford can take home the third seed by beating Crowley County twice when they host the Chargers on Saturday.

The district tournament opens with the pigtail round next Tuesday May 1^st.  Those two winners join Las Animas and Swink in the championship round on Saturday May 5^th.

DISTRICT THREE

Entering the final week, this race is far from over as three teams currently share the top spot with Limon, Byers and Kiowa all sitting at 4-1 in district action.  Those three squads have a two game edge on fourth Peyton (3-3) so the Badgers, Bulldogs and Indians will take home the top three spots and a tiebreaker will likely be needed since they’ve beaten each other but all three have a game remaining so the standings could change.  Calhan challenges Limon and Kowa goes to Evangelical Christian on Thursday while Byers visits ECA on Saturday

If the higher seeds win those three games then Peyton is locked into the fourth seed with ECA fifth, Calhan sixth and Miami Yoder seventh.  HIgher seeds will host the first round of the district tournament on Tuesday May 1st with the semifinals and championship games set for Spurgeon Field in Colorado SPrings on May 5th (Saturday).  Those games will open at 10:00am with the finals set for 3:00pm.

DISTRICT FIVE

Defending state champion Rye moved past Custer County 8-0 and 19-0 last Saturday to wrap up the number one district seed.  With the two wins, the Thunderbolts also improved to 16-1 on the season ahead of games with Fowler and Trinidad in the final week of the regular season.  Rye will serve as host of the district tournament which will take place on Saturday May 5^th.  Custer County, which fell to 8-5 with the doubleheader loss to Rye, hosts John Mall for two games this Saturday and the first game will determine second and third place in the district.  It matters little as the two teams will still face off in the district semifinals next week.    South Park and Cripple Creek are seeded fourth and fifth.  They’ll play in a pigtail contest with the winner advancing to challenge Rye in the second semifinal.

Rye’s Nick Highberger and Dillon Drury each tossed complete game shutouts in the sweep of Custer County.  Highberger struck out 14 and surrendered only three hits in the 8-0 opening win.  Drury registered five strikeouts but limited the Bobcats to just one hit in the 19-0 nightcap victory.  Highberger improved to 4-1 with Drury staying perfect at 3-0.

DISTRICT EIGHT

The top four seeds and pairings for the district tournament have already been determined.  The games will take place on Thursday May 3^rd and Friday May 4^th at Highlands Ranch Field.  Denver Christian is the number one seed and will meet Denver Academy at 4:00pm and at the same time; the second semifinal pits 2^nd seeded Front Range Christian against 3^rd seeded Lutheran.  Winners play for the district championship the next day at 4:00pm.

We could have a preview of the tournament by Thursday.  Denver Christian blew past Denver Academy 16-4 and they’ll face a rematch in the first round of districts.  Should the Crusaders get another win as expected, they could meet Lutheran in the district finals.  Those two hook up this Thursday in what could be a championship preview.

The Crusaders offer up a very tough tandem offensively in Jacob Monsma (.558) and Tate Kastens (.511).  Monsma has 29 hits and 29 runs scored to go along with 17 runs batted in.  Kastens paces the team with 19 RBI’s and trails on Monsma in hits with 23.  The two have combined for 13 doubles and eight triples as well.

We begin in District One where Tuesday doubleheaders between Cotopaxi-Sierra Grande and Dove Creek-Nucla will determine the two playoff qualifiers.  The District tournament involves just two teams as the first place 1A teams from the Southern Peaks and San Juan conferences square off in a one game playoff to determine which team qualifies for the state quarterfinals.

Only the first game between Sierra Grande and Cotopaxi impacts the playoff picture.  Sierra Grande edged Cotopaxi 3-2 earlier this season so if they beat the Pirates again on Tuesday, they’re in the district tournament.  Cotopaxi gets the nod if they score a win by at least two runs.

Both teams feature great offenses.  Cotopaxi (9-4) is paced by the tandem of Douglas Troutman and Alex Martin.  Troutman leads the team in batting (.613), hits (19), doubles (4) and triples (7) and is tied with Martin with 20 RBI’s apiece.  Martin has blasted four home runs and also paces the squad with 24 runs scored.

Sierra Grande counters with the trio of Adam Gomez (.429), Mason Mizokami (.533) and Lorenzo Cepeda (.467).  Gomez has a team best 10 runs batted in while Mizokami and Cepeda have both crossed home plate 13 times.

Dove Creek won the first game with Nucla (7-3) earlier this month behind three RBI’s from Klancey Krafka and two from Tyler Ebberts.  Another win on Tuesday gives the Bulldogs a spot in the district tournament but they’re just 1-4 since that win.  Nucla has won three straight since falling to Dove Creek including a nice doubleheader sweep of Dolores last Saturday.

Only the top four teams from District Two advance to the post-season and three of those spots have already been determined.  Simla has earned the top seed from the eastern side with defending state champion Stratton gaining the second berth.  The Cubs beat Stratton 2-1 ten days ago to determine the top two positions.  Community Christian (12-2) has nailed down one of the two western berths with the second spot yet to be determined.

The Crusaders (12-2) scored three wins last week including a nice 7-3 win over Elbert last Friday.  They banged out only seven hits in the win with three coming from Chris Eggebrecht.  Bryan Hodge allowed two solo home runs but still went the distance to collect the win and struck out 17 in the process. Noah Shafer and Lance Bickell went deep for the Bulldogs who also fell to Denver Jewish Day two days later (8-6).  Shafer had two hits and one RBI in the loss.

Simla (7-2) beat Deer Trail 15-6 in their only game in the past seven day.  It was their sixth straight win since a loss to 2A Crowley County.  The Cubs scored ten runs in the first inning highlighted by Cody Norris and his three run homer.  Dustin Jenkins also cleared the fence with a two run blast and finished with three runs scored.  Simla finishes up at Kiowa on Tuesday and at Peyton on Thursday.

Stratton picked up shutout wins over Genoa Hugo (14-0) and Deer Trail (12-0) sandwiched around a 3-1 loss to Kiowa last week.  Against Genoa Hugo, the Eagles scored seven runs in the top of the sixth with Jorge Cruz and Cordell Burton each knocking in three runs.  Kyle May had three hits, three runs and two doubles in the win over Deer Trail and knocked in the only run in the loss to Kiowa.  Another tough set of games is on tap this Thursday as the Eagles host Burlington for two non-district contests.

Three of the top four teams from District Two reach the state tournament and those teams will be determined on May 3^rd as all four games will be played in one afternoon.

Three teams open the week with one loss in District Three but Baca County (4-0) has the advantage in the race for the top seed since they’ve already beaten Granada and Manzanola (both 3-1).  The Bombers played just once last week as they handled Cheyenne Wells 10-1.  They go to Eads on Tuesday and then host Springfield on Friday.  A win in either will lock up the number one district position.

Granada and Manzanola collide on Tuesday with the winner moving very close to the number two seed.  Granada split two games with 2A Swink last Tuesday beating the Lions 9-5 in the first game before falling 4-3 in the nightcap.  The Bobcats also face Cheyenne Wells on Friday in their final game of the regular season.

Manzanola stayed alive for a top two seed by besting Eads 14-9 on the road last Thursday.  Even if they beat Granada on Tuesday, the Bobcats still meet a very good Holly club on Friday so they likely need two wins to secure at least a top two seed.  Holly opens the week at 2-2 in district play and still in position to land a top two or three seed.

First round games for District Three will be played Tuesday May 1st at the home sites of the higher seed.  With only seven teams competing this year, the top seed will earn a first round bye into the semifinals.  Those games and the championship battle will take place Friday May 4th in Rocky Ford.

Fleming sits alone atop the North Central league and should finish off a perfect run through the conference when they face Prairie for two games on Thursday.  The Wildcats, who handled Pawnee 10-0 and 13-1 last Monday, have basically been unchallenged by league foes and regardless of how they fare against Prairie, the Wildcats will be the #1 seed from the North Central league.

Haxtun is the favorite to land the top 1A seed from the Lower Platte and to be placed opposite Fleming in the District Four tournament bracket.  Haxtun (9-7) swept Merino 5-0 and 10-0 last Saturday to remain unbeaten against 1A foes on the year including an 11-7 win over Fleming on April 9^th.  Haxtun is off until Saturday when they close the regular season with two games against Caliche.  The Buffs (5-11) have played good baseball at times this year and have the talent to upset the Bulldogs but they dropped four of five games last week.  That includes two losses to the same Merino team that Haxtun swept.

The District Four tournament will be held Tuesday May 1st and Wednesday May 2nd in Sterling.  Other than Fleming, the bracket cannot be finalized until games are conducted later this week.

NOTES:  Schedules and statistics used with permission from MaxPreps.

Going down to defeat on a narrow 35-33 vote was a proposal for Class 4A basketball to return to a district tournament format to determine state tournament qualifiers.  This proposal would have also required the regular season to be trimmed from 23 to 19 games.  Since the proposal was defeated, a selection committee made up of volunteers from throughout the state will continue to select and seed the 48-team tournament.

In Class 2A, the regional tournament round will be moving from a preset bracket to a seeded tournament with geographic consideration.  The eight district champions will be seeded one through eight with teams nine through 24 also seeded and placed in the bracket with some consideration for travel and to avoid district opponent.  Teams seeded 25-32 will be assigned a bracket position simply based on geography.  The eight regional winners will then be reseeded for the state tournament.

In another scheduling change, the 4A and 5A state championship games will now be played on the same date at the CU Events Center in Boulder.  Previously, the girls championship contests were conducted on a Friday with the boy’s finals played out the next day.  As a result, the Final Four for Classes 4A and 5A will be shortened from a four day to three day event saving the organization about $25,000.

At this point of the season, the Jeffco chase is probably the most crowded.  Evergreen and Green Mountain (both unbeaten) currently have a one game edge on three other teams, D’Evelyn, Conifer and Valor Christian (all 2-1).  Green Mountain collected their fourth league win without a loss by pounding Alameda 15-4.  The Rams scored at least two runs in each of the first four innings including six in a decisive fourth inning.  Evergreen was also in action against Conifer on Wednesday needing a win to keep pace but results from the contest are still unknown.

Evergreen’s offense has pushed them to the top of the league standings with five regulars batting at least .400 on the season.  Sam Grise leads the list at .474.  The Cougars also present excellent power with 14 homers as a team.  Nine players have gone deep so far this season led by James Maroney with three.  He’s also one of five players with at least ten runs batted in and paces the team with 16.

Adam Cox is the top hitter for Green Mountain.  He’s leads the team in average (.529), runs (18), hits (18) and is second on the squad with 13 runs batted in.  Cox and his teammates have a huge game at Valor Christian this Saturday.  Valor already dropped a league game to D’Evelyn (7-4) so they can’t afford another league loss and keep serious title considerations.

Air Academy (5-0) took over sole possession of first in the Plains division of the Colorado Springs Metro by beating Palmer Ridge (10-7) on Tuesday.  The loss for the Bears was their first in league play and dropped them into second place where they have a one game edge on Falcon, Coronado and Vista Ridge for that spot.  Curtis Butler and Luke Yeager both drove in three runs for the Kadets and the team had eight doubles in the win.  Kevin Kimbrow added three hits including a home run.

With the win, the Kadets all but secured the league title as they have now posted wins over their top four challengers.  They’re off for the rest of the week and will face Mitchell and Sierra next week.  The Marauders and Stallions are a combined 1-7 in conference play.

Over in the Mountain division, Cheyenne Mountain (5-0) owns a one game advantage on Lewis Palmer and Woodland Park (both 4-1).  The Indians have already beaten Lewis Palmer so they can wrap up the league championship with a win over Woodland Park.  Those two collide in Colorado Springs next Tuesday.

Cheyenne Mountain blanked Discovery Canyon 4-0 on Tuesday to stay alone in first.  Despite scoring only four runs in the win, the Indians feature a very strong offense.  The team is batting. 332 and is averaging ten runs a game.  Jack Stimple is putting together a Player of the Year type of season.  The senior is batting .548 (23 of 42) with eight doubles and two triples.  He leads the team in several offensive categories including hits, doubles, triples and runs batted in (20).

Palisade may be the first team to clinch a conference championship.  The Bulldogs (5-0) own a two game on Eagle Valley (3-2) and since they’ve swept the Devils head-to-head, they’re almost a lock to win the Western Slope crown.  Palisade blew past Glenwood Springs (13-0 and 7-6) on Tuesday and now preps for a road trip to Craig for two games with Moffat County on Saturday.  Two wins there will clinch the league championship.

Cole Cummins (.636) and Caden Woods (.447) headline a powerful Palisade offense.  Cummins racked up five hits and six ribbies against Glenwood Springs.  He scored three runs in both ends of the doubleheader marking the fourth and fifth time this season Cummins totaled that number in a contest.  Woods leads the team with 19 runs batted in and knocked in six against Glenwood Springs while going 4 for 7 in the doubleheader.  He has eight extra base hits for the season.

Longmont trails Broomfield by one game in the Northern standings so the Trojans job over the next three days is to stay there ahead of two huge games with the Eagles next week.  The Trojans face Mountain View today (Thursday) and Saturday before challenging the first place team next Tuesday and Thursday.  Longmont was stunned in an 8-1 loss to Centaurus last Saturday or otherwise they would be unbeaten in league play and tied with Broomfield atop the standings.  All other league members have at least four losses.

Broomfield moved to 9-0 inside the conference with a narrow 2-1 win over Greeley Central on Tuesday.  The two rivals meet again this afternoon (Thursday).  Jackson Lockwood collected his fifth win on the season.  He allowed the Tigers a run in the top of the first inning but held them hitless the rest of the way while striking out 12.

Northridge (5-1) enters the weekend with a one game edge on second place Fort Morgan (7-2) in the Tri Valley.  The Grizzlies have already beaten the Mustangs twice and split with third place Roosevelt (6-3) so they’re in great shape to land the championship.  They’ve won five straight against in-state opponents including a blistering 15-0 shutout of Skyline on Tuesday.  The Grizzlies and Falcons square off again this afternoon (Thursday).

Offense is the key to Northridge’s success.  Batting .400 for the season, the Grizzlies have scored 84 runs in seven games against Colorado opponents and have been held under ten runs only twice in that span.  Roosevelt beat them 13-3 in early March and the Grizzlies posted a 6-2 win over Arvada West last week.

Fort Morgan stretched their winning streak to five by hammering Sterling 11-1 on Tuesday.  The two hook up again on Thursday.  In game one, the Mustangs scored all 11 runs over the first four innings and picked up three RBI from Mike Fitzsimmons.  Matt Godo had a team best three hits on the afternoon and joined Cole Frisbee and Aaron Anderson with two RBI’s apiece.  David Mendez went the first four innings for the victory.  He’s now 5-1 on the season.

Roosevelt has dropped two straight in league play and three overall.  They face Erie on Thursday after falling to the Tigers 3-2 on Tuesday.  The Roughriders have two key games with Windsor on tap next (Saturday and Monday) and those games could decide third and fourth.

There’s also a great race brewing in the South Central.  Through the first round of league play, Canon City and Pueblo County managed to win five of six games to share the top spot.  The second half of league action gets underway this weekend.  Pueblo County has the tiebreaker at this point as they banged out 14 hits in a 10-4 win over Canon City last Saturday.  It was their second straight win since a wild 13-12 loss to Pueblo South.  The Hornets are averaging 11 runs in league action.

Canon City recovered from the loss to Pueblo County by pounding Pueblo Central 9-3 on Tuesday.  They’re off until Saturday when they host Pueblo East.  Pueblo South (4-2) sits in third place and is still very much in contention.  They face Canon City again on the 26^th and then go Pueblo County on the 28^th so next week is a very important stretch for the Colts.

NOTES:  All individual stats and team records provided by MaxPreps and used with permission.