2A FOOTBALL – WEEK 10

It sets up to be an unusual final week in 2A football this week as there’s a strong chance that two conference champions will finish outside the RPI Top 16.  Those scenarios will play out this week in the Colorado and Intermountain but regardless of which teams come out, they will still earn automatic playoff berths as league champs.  That also means teams that finish #15 and #16 in the RPI will likely get bumped from the field.  Academy and Aspen are the two clubs that hold down those spots so they remain very much on the playoff bubble; along with several other clubs.
As a result, the list of games that impact league races and playoff berths is a long one this week.  Rifle, Resurrection Christian and Classical Academy are the only three teams that have secured league crowns.  Four more will be crowned this Friday and Saturday.
 

Top Five Games

Englewood (6-2) at Ridgeview Academy (3-5)
The winner of this game is the Colorado league champion and gets into the playoff bracket regardless of where they stand in RPI.  Entering the game, the Pirates are 19th and still have a slight shot as a wildcard with a loss but Ridgeview Academy is 33rd and must win to qualify.  The Rams have been to the playoffs just once before (2013) while Englewood seeks their first playoff trip since 2010.
The Pirates were unbeaten in league play before suffering an upset loss to Machebeuf 26-12 last week.  Englewood actually led 12-6 after three but surrendered 20 fourth quarter points.  Mason Robertson threw for 152 yards and a TD but was sacked five times.  The offense also lost a fumble.  Machebeuf ran for 145 yards and passed for 184 in gaining the win.
Ridgeview opened conference play with a 16-14 loss to Kent Denver but since have beaten Alameda, Machebeuf and Riverdale Ridge while giving up only 26 points over that stretch.

D’Evelyn (5-3) at Faith Christian (7-1)
Faith Christian can make the Flatirons race much easier with a win as they clinch the league championship by doing so.  If that happens, then Bennett gets to second place and likely into the playoffs by beating Denver West as expected.  A D’Evelyn win likely creates a three-way tie for the top spot and then RPI will be used to determine the league champion.  Right now, Faith Christian is #8, Bennett #12 and D’Evelyn #20 so the Eagles again have the advantage there.
D’Evelyn looks to rebound from a tough 20-7 loss to Bennett last week which ended a five-game winning streak.  The Jags defense could not get off the field as they allowed 343 yards rushing and nearly seven yards per carry to teh Tigers.  D’Evelyn threw for 197 yards and ran for 59 yards but their offense didn’t get enough chances overall.
Faith Christian took out Bennett 32-12 two weeks ago and gave up just 107 yards and three yards per carry on the ground.  They followed up with another tough defensive effort in a 28-0 road shutout at Middle Park.  They’ve won seven straight and a win assures them of a 17th consecutive trip to the playoffs.  Their last absence was in 2002.
Alamosa (6-2) at Pagosa Springs (4-4)
There’s also the possibility of a three-way tie inside the Intermountain but Pagosa Springs still controls the race.  A home win over Alamosa earns them the conference champions and likely makes them the only playoff team from the conference.  Should Alamosa pick up the win and Bayfield also downs Salida as expected; then Pagosa, Bayfield and Alamosa share the top spot.  RPI is again the tool to break three-way ties and that’s also a close race as Alamosa is #21, Pagosa Springs #23 and Bayfield #24.
Pagosa Springs got into position for the league championship by scoring their first win over Bayfield since 2008.  They dominated the Wolverines 42-0 to end a ten-game losing streak to their rivals.  And they also prevented the Wolverines from locking up the league championship.
Paden Bailey ran for 103 yards and scored three times.  Grant Aucoin hit on all six pass attempts for 196 yards and two scores.  Mitch Lewis caught both TD passes and also returned an interception for a third touchdown.
Alamosa lost back-to-back games to Lamar (48-25) and Bayfield (28-10) in mid-season but has responded with three straight wins.  They were given playoff life with Pagosa’s win over Bayfield and now can probably get in the bracket by beating the Pirates.  QB Brendan Madril will be crucial.  He’s thrown for 14 TD’s and rushed for nine.  The defense could also come up with a big play as the Moose have created 23 turnovers and 21 sacks.  Madrill and Hayden Shawcroft each have three fumble recoveries and Roman Salinas has three interceptions.
Weld Central (4-4) at Sterling (7-1)
The Tigers are heavily favored to get the win and can secure the Patriot East title with a win.  Weld Central though kept their league title and playoff hopes alive with last week’s 21-14 win over Brush.  An upset of Sterling puts them in a likely three-way tie with the Tigers and Platte Valley.
For Sterling, 2019 has resulted in a huge turnaround.  They missed the playoffs entirely in 2018 but are now in contention for the number one overall playoff seed.  A win this week keeps them in a tight battle with Rifle for that top spot.  Resurrection Christian is the highest ranked team in RPI but we believe the committee would move Sterling ahead of the Cougars based on a head-to-head win early in the season.
Weld Central ran for 198 yards against Brush last week.  Levi Gerken led the way with 99 yards and he reached the end zone twice.  The Rebels defense though allowed 225 yards on the ground and must be more effective against Sterling this week.
The Rebels have just one playoff berth since 2009 (2016).  They’re 17th in RPI and even with a loss remain in playoff contention.  But teams seeking wildcard spots in 2A likely need to finish in the top 14 as spots 15 and 16 will likely get bumped by league champions from the Colorado and IML.

Elizabeth (6-2) at Lamar (6-2)
Second place behind Classical Academy in the Tri Peaks and playoff seeding are both on the line here.  Each team is 3-1 in the conference and each suffered their only loss to the Titans but they came in different fashions.  Elizabeth lost on a last second field goal in a one point game (10-9).  Lamar came up short in a high scoring affair 48-27 where they fell behind 21-0 very early.
In the bracket, Lamar is in position to host a first round game as they’re 6th in RPI.  Elizabeth has the same overall record but is only 11th so the Cards will probably travel in the quarterfinals.  The difference is schedule.  Lamar’s opponents have won nearly 62 percent of their games compared to just 51 percent for Elizabeth.
The Savages are more explosive on offense as they’ve tallied 306 points compared to just 206 for Elizabeth.  The Cards though are much better on the other side.  They’ve given up just 95 points on the season with Lamar surrendering 176.
 

Others to Watch

Basalt (6-2) at Aspen (4-4)
This outcome will decide third place in the rugged Western Slope.  Rifle has clinched the title with Delta already wrapping up second.  Both clubs are 2-2 in the conference with losses coming to the Bears and Panthers.  Basalt is 7th in RPI so they’re in the playoffs as a wildcard regardless of their outcome but they’re still pushing for a home game in round.  Aspen is 16th and normally would be in the bracket but as mentioned, they need to climb into the top 14 to secure their spot.
Academy (5-3) at University (4-4)
Another third place battle between a pair of clubs on the playoff bubble.  The Wildcats and Bulldogs are both 2-2 in the Patriot West and will finish behind league champion Resurrection Christian and runner-up Eaton.  Academy is 15th in RPI and University 18th.