It was an important week of football across the state as several teams took over the top spot in their respective conference and in a few cases, clinched the championship.  We went through all the results and came up with three teams in each class that posted the best wins.
 

CLASS 5A

  • Ralston Valley:  Mustangs used a touchdown and two point conversion in the final minute to stun Columbine 24-23.  Both teams entered the game unbeaten but with the win, the Mustangs stay tied with Pomona atop the Metro West and also jump all the way to second in RPI.
  • Highlands Ranch:  Their impressive 35-13 win over Castle View kept the Falcons in a first place tie with Valor Christian in the Metro South.  It was just their third win of the season but all have come in league play.
  • Rocky Mountain:  The Lobos outscored Legacy 56-31 to remain perfect in the Front Range.  They share the top spot with Fairview and will meet the Knights in the final week.

CLASS 4A

  • Brighton:  The Bulldogs improved to 6-1 on the season with a defensive minded 7-0 shutout at Greeley West.  The win keeps the Bulldogs tied with Broomfield atop the Northern race and also pushed them to 3rd in RPI.
  • Standley Lake:  The Gators scored late to hand Hinkley a second straight loss (32-27).  The win kept Standley Lake tied with Vista Peak and Fruita Monument in first place in the Pioneer.  They remain outside the top 16 in RPI however (#22).
  • Skyline:  The Falcons flew past Monarch 28-14 to keep a share of first place with Loveland in the Longs Peak.  The Falcons lost to Loveland in the state finals a year.  Skyline also bumped to seventh in RPI.

CLASS 3A

  • Durango:  For the first time in four games, the Demons did not score 50 points.  They totaled “only 49” in a key conference win over Pueblo Central.  The win sets up a showdown with fellow league unbeaten Pueblo South next week.
  • Lutheran:  The Lions held off a late rally to edge Lewis Palmer 25-22.  It was a good bounce back win for the Lions who lost a tough one to Palmer Ridge the week before.  They’re also eighth in RPI.
  • Discovery Canyon:  The Thunder kept rolling with a 37-7 win over Thomas Jefferson inside the Central.  It kept them tied with Palmer Ridge in first place.

CLASS 2A

  • Sterling:  The Tigers likely wrapped up the Patriot East title by winning at Platte Valley 24-6.  They entered the game ranked #1 in RPI and kept that place with the impressive road victory.
  • Classical Academy:  A field goal with no time remaining rallied the Titans past Elizabeth 10-9 and into sole possession of the Tri Peaks lead.  A win over La Junta next week clinches the championship.
  • Resurrection Christian:  It was a wild finish for the Cougars who entered the fourth quarter leading Eaton 20-6.  The Reds scored a TD with just over five minutes left and then recovered a fumble on the kickoff to set up a game tying score in the final two minutes.  The Cougars then returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown to score a 27-20 decision.  The win pushed them to the top of the Patriot West standings.

CLASS 1A

  • Platte Canyon:  The Huskies handled Sheridan 38-8 to take the outright lead in the Foothills.  It’s highly probable that only the league champion will make the playoffs so the Huskies moved one step closer to that goal as well.
  • Rocky Ford:  The Meloneers have not been to the post-season since 2010 but they took a major step in that direction by edging Peyton 19-12.  The win gave Rocky sole possession of first in the Santa Fe and they can clinch the crown by beating Trinidad next week.
  • Highland:  The Huskies likely wrapped up another playoff berth with a solid 33-20 win over Flatirons Academy.  The win leaves both teams at 2-1 and tied for second in the Northern conference but of course the Huskies now have the tiebreak.  Plus Flatirons still has a game left with top ranked Strasburg.

EIGHT MAN

  • Sargent:  The Farmers kept both their league title and playoff hopes alive by edging Dove Creek 26-24.  They now sit tied with Mancos and Dove Creek in second place in the Mountain; one game back of first place Sanford.  They tangle with the Indians in the final week.
  • Soroco:  The Rams outscored Rangely 48-34 to remain in a second place tie with West Grand in the Northwest.  Vail Christian has clinched the league title but the Rams and Mustangs will meet in the final week to determine second.
  • Fowler:  The Grizzlies rolled McClave 58-6 in a battle of Ark Valley league unbeatens.  They now sit alone in first place and can clinch the crown with one more win.  They’re also in position for no worse than a top two playoff seed.

SIX MAN

  • Fleming:  The Wildcats won the North conference outright by downing Briggsdale 63-14.  The win also kept the Wildcats perfect on the season.
  • Kit Carson:  The Wildcats also moved to 8-0 and wrapped up the Southeast crown with a high scoring 56-40 win over Granada.  The game was the regular season finale for the Wildcats who could be the top overall seed in the playoffs.
  • Otis:  The Bulldogs beat Idalia for just their second win of the season but it kept them alive for one of the last playoff bids in the division.  They’re 19th in the RPI and will play #15 Arickaree/Woodlin next week.