For the first time this season, all seven classes of football teams were involved in conference play and thus the games become very important to the playoff race.  We’ve looked at all the results and come up with the three teams in each division that earned the most quality wins.
 

SIX MAN

  • Deer Trail:  The Eagles clinched the Central championship and a playoff bid by beating Hanover 47-28
  • Fleming:  The Wildcats stayed alone atop the North division and stayed perfect overall by moving past North Park.  The game was tied at six at halftime before the Wildcats used a strong second half to score the victory
  • Cotopaxi:  The Pirates earned an automatic trip to the playoffs by beating Sierra Grande to land the Southwest league championship.

EIGHT MAN

  • Sanford:  The Indians won at Mancos 52-24 in a battle of Mountain league unbeatens.  The win kept the Indians tied with Dove Creek atop the conference standings.
  • Elbert:  The Bulldogs earned sole possession of the Central division lead by beating Front Range Christian.  They can clinch the title by beating either South Park or Justice in their final two conference games.
  • Vail Christian:  The Saints won a battle of undefeated teams against Soroco.  The win pushed them to the outright lead in the Northwest and can grab the championship with a win over Gilpin County next week.

CLASS 1A

  • Olathe:  Their fourth quarter rally against Paonia kept the Pirates unbeaten at 2-0 in the Western Slope.  They’re tied with Hotchkiss and Meeker for the top spot and will challenge the Bulldogs in week eight.
  • Platte Canyon:  The win over Jefferson could get the Huskies into the playoffs as it kept them unbeaten in the Central division.  Because of RPI, it’s likely only the league champion gets in and Platte Canyon is in the best shape because they’ve already beaten both the Saints and Clear Creek.
  • Strasburg:  The Indians topped Highland 35-14 in a game that has determined first and second in the North each of the past three years.  The win also kept the Indians’ streak of not losing a conference game since the 2016 season intact.

CLASS 2A

  • Englewood:  The Pirates knocked off Kent Denver to take control of the Colorado league chase.  They also handed the Sun Devils their first league loss since 2013.
  • Rifle:  The one versus two battle with Delta went the way of the Bears who remained tied for the Western Slope lead with Basalt.
  • Elizabeth:  The Cards picked up a huge win at La Junta to stay tied with Classical Academy for the Tri Peaks lead.  The Cards and Titans tangle this week.

CLASS 3A

  • Conifer:  The Lobos rallied twice from a 14-point first half deficit to knock off Green Mountain.  The win moved the Lobos to 6-0 on the season and in a great position to land the Mt Metro crown.
  • Erie:  The defending North Valley league champs had the worst non-league record in the conference but scored a nice victory over Northridge in the conference opener.  The Grizzlies were 4-1 and owners of the best non-league mark in the North Valley.
  • Pueblo Central:  The Wildcats were 4-1 in non-conference play last year and then suffered five straight losses in league action.  They broke that trend this year by beating Pueblo County in the conference opener.  It moved them to 17th in RPI.

CLASS 4A

  • Montrose:  The Indians started the Metro conference run by beating Heritage 49-27.  Both clubs entered the contest ranked in the top seven of the statewide rankings.
  • Vista Peak:  In a battle of unbeaten teams from Aurora, Vista Peak used a late touchdown to rally past Hinkley 27-24.  It was an early important league win for the Bison who have a great chance to earn their first ever post-season bid.
  • Chatfield:  The Chargers won a good conference pairing with Wheat Ridge to begin the Jeffco slate.  The clubs were two of the four that entered the league schedule with 4-1 records.

CLASS 5A

  • Regis:  The Raiders topped Legend 39-21 in a battle of unbeaten clubs.  The win also allows the Raiders to take control of the South division chase as no other league team has more than two wins on the season.
  • Smoky Hill:  The Buffs downed Denver East and they now have complete control of the Metro 10 chase.  Only the league champion is guaranteed a playoff spot and the Buffs now have a two game lead with just three to play.
  • Cherokee Trail:  The Cougars stayed in the Metro East chase by handing Grandview their first loss of the season.  Both teams are now 1-1 in league action and the win also gave Cherry Creek sole possession of first place.