Heading into the final week of the 8-man football regular season, five teams do not have a loss to their name. And all five have a chance to end the regular season with a perfect record intact.
As games get rolling on Thursday, the entire field of teams are jockeying for playoff positioning and a chance to establish themselves as top-level teams heading into the postseason.
(1) Haxtun at Merino
Merino had spent a lot of time in the top 10 this season but officially fell out after last week’s loss to Akron. Haxtun has looked dominant all season and last week was no different in a 56-6 win over Sedgwick County. Kalin Kelley led the rushing attack with 152 yards and four touchdowns. Michael Gerk added another 111 yards and a rushing touchdown. A win gives the Bulldogs a 9-0 record in the regular season.
(2) Dove Creek at Sargent
A win on Friday gives Dove Creek and undefeated regular season and recent trends suggest that a win is very likely. Last week against Dolores, Gage Buffington and Kendall Gardner each rushed for two touchdowns and Dove Creek rolled to a 63-0 win. The team also combined for eight sacks and four turnovers, two of which were interceptions that were returned for touchdowns.
St. Mary’s at (3) Simla
The Cubs have put together a solid 2022 campaign and can end the regular season undefeated with a win over St. Mary’s. In last week’s 54-0 win over South Park, five different players scored rushing touchdown and Brayden Glover led the overall rushing effort with 81 yards and two scores.
Belleview Christian at (5) Lyons (Thursday)
Lyons has climbed the top-10 rankings all year and is one win away from an undefeated regular season. Mile Dumbauld threw for 196 yards and two scores while Malik Sigg-Brown rushed for 143 yards and a touchdown as the Lions got a 52-16 win over Front Range Christian last week.
(6) Crowley County at John Mall
The Chargers are the fifth team that has a chance to end the regular season with a perfect record which could set up a fun postseason bracket. Last week against Hoehne, Skeeter Baker rushed for two touchdowns and CJ Acord recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown. In the eight wins this year, the Chargers have won each of them by at least two scores.
(7) Akron at Caliche
Merino fell out of the top 10 last week after getting beat by Akron. Ivan Losa rushed for 188 yards and three touchdowns and Anderson Filla added 163 yards and a score. The Rams want to keep their momentum rolling ahead of the postseason bracket getting released this weekend.
(8) Holly at Swink
Andre Salgado had himself a day in last week’s win over Wiley. He rushed for 136 yards and two touchdowns and also threw for 257 yards and two scores. The Wildcats are No. 12 in the CHSAA Selection and Seeding Index and need to get a win to try and climb a bit and get a more favorable matchup in the first round of the playoffs.
Rangely at (9) Vail Christian
The Saints are riding a five-game winning streak heading into the final clash of the regular season. They jumped out to a big lead over West Grand last week behind a solid passing game from Taylor Shull. He went 14-for-14 for 266 yards and four touchdowns. A win in the final week of the season could help Vail Christian open the playoffs with a home game.
Dolores at Sanford
A two-point loss to Mancos didn’t drop the Mustangs out of the 8-man ranking but it did give them the need for a bounce back game to close out the regular season. They’ll finish the regular season at home against Dolores to try and end the regular season with a 6-3 record.
