The regular season starts its second half this week, and many teams are fighting to get into the final eight. COVID-19 continues to cause problems with scheduling, but programs keep figuring out ways to make sure their players get to compete. PHOTO COURTESY OF SANFORD SCHOOLS
This week’s headliner takes place on Friday inside the Mountain division, as two unbeatens clash in Sanford. The third-ranked Indians (3-0) will host #6 Dove Creek (3-0) with the winner staying alive in the chase for the league title.
Dove Creek enters the game having topped the 50-point mark in two of its first three contests. That includes a 51-8 victory over Sangre de Cristo (0-3) last week. Seniors Gage Bailey (186 yards) and Gauge Thompson (113 yards) combined for just under 300 yards in the win over the Thunderbirds. Hayden Gray led the defensive effort with eight tackles.
Sanford also hit the 50-point plateau for the second time in three games, in a 50-14 beating of Norwood (0-2) last Friday. The Indians’ defense picked off three passes in that victory, giving them five interceptions so far this season. Their defense was key in last year’s 64-12 win over the Bulldogs, as they held Dove Creek to just 35 yards of total offense. Kelton Gartrell led the Indians with eight tackles, including 1.5 sacks, and also supplied 204 yards and three rushing scores. Sanford holds a slim 6-4 edge over the Bulldogs in the last 10 meetings.
While it’s not a first place fight, Friday also has a key match-up inside the Southern division, as Simla (2-1) visits Calhan (1-1). Each team has a narrow loss to league-leading Pikes Peak Christian, so this game is essentially to stay in the race for second place. Both programs are highly ranked in the RPI, with Calhan entering the contest second and Simla, third. Pikes Peak Christian leads that metric.
Simla scored the only points of the first half in last week’s game against PPC, but could not muster any sustained offense in the second half. The 6-0 lead was wiped out by a pair of second half touchdowns from Andrew Harris, and the Cubs fell 12-6. In three games, Simla has only allowed a total of 31 points.
Calhan was leading Byers 14-0 late in the first half last week when the game was called late in the first half by the officiating crew due to low wind chill temperatures. That game will be completed on Monday. Calhan had dropped a 40-28 decision to Pikes Peak Christian the week before, as they were also unable to make a halftime advantage hold up. Calhan was outscored 28-0 in the fourth quarter of that loss. The Bulldogs won last year’s meeting with Simla 22-20, thanks to a 16-6 second half. Ryan Campbell ran for 172 yards and two scores in that victory.
Thursday night will have a contest featuring two of the three leaders in the Central division, as Lyons (2-1) hosts Byers (1-1). Elbert (2-1) is also part of that lead pack. After dropping their first game as an 8-man program, the Lions have romped to two straight wins. The latter of which was a 46-6 decision on the road against South Park (0-3). Sean Stevelinck powered the Lions in that victory, running for 176 yards and four scores, and tossing another TD. The senior QB has rushed for 397 yards and six touchdowns in the last two games for Lyons.
In its last completed contest, Byers had slapped a 54-0 defeat on South Park two weeks ago. Brody Despard piled up 221 yards on the ground, and reached paydirt four times for the Bulldogs. Braidyn Thompson added two TDs on the ground, and Dean Kerns chipped in two touchdowns, one rushing and one passing.
Byers and Calhan will meet up on Monday to complete their game that was officially suspended last Friday. That is a non-league contest.
It’s been awhile since tenth-ranked Holly (1-0) last saw action. That delay comes to an end on Thursday night when the Wildcats visit Wiley (1-2) in Ark Valley league play. In their only other contest this season, the Wildcats picked up a wild 48-44 victory over Haxtun (1-2) in week one. Dakota Eaton threw for 221 yards and three touchdowns in that game, and Holly also got two rushing scores apiece from Eli Ramos and Donovan Pecina. Holly had its week three game with #7 Crowley County (2-0) scheduled for this Wednesday and then moved to early next week, declared a no contest due to COVID issues at Crowley County.
Wiley is riding the high of its first win since Oct. 6, 2017. The Panthers had dropped 22 straight games before pulling out an 18-6 victory over rival McClave (0-3) last Friday. Cade Zordel ran for 125 yards and two scores, and Aiden Michael added 102 yards and another touchdown in the rushing attack. Wiley has dropped four straight against Holly, and the Wildcats have won 12 of the last 13 overall against the Panthers.
Crowley County will see its quarantine come to an end in time for the Chargers to take on Springfield (0-3) on Monday. The Chargers will need a win to keep pace with league-leading Fowler, who will be a heavy favorite against McClave on Friday.
Friday night will see top-ranked Sedgwick County (3-0) look to extend its winning streak to 21 games when the Cougars host Caliche (0-3) in the Plains league. Sedgwick County defeated Haxtun 60-14 last week, while Caliche fell to Akron 32-14.
Eighth-ranked Rangely (3-0) picked up a tough 14-12 win over West Grand last Saturday, behind a pair of Keihlin Myers’ touchdown passes. In the process, the Panthers became the favorite in the Northwest division. They host 0-3 Hayden on Friday.
Mancos (3-0) takes its #4 ranking on the road to face Sangre de Cristo (0-3) in Mountain league play on Friday. The Bluejays have won five straight games over Sangre, and will remain tied atop the division with the winner of Dove Creek and Sanford if they can make it six in a row over the T-Birds.
Fifth-ranked Merino (3-0) rolled up close to 400 rushing yards in last Saturday’s 44-30 win over Dayspring Christian. This week, the Rams need a win over Haxtun to retain at least a share of the Plains lead.
