We began the day hoping to project out playoff brackets in both Class 1A and 2A but there is still too much up in the air in almost every conference do so.  Instead, we breakdown each conference race and give you a quick update on what could happen this week.  One team (Centauri) have clinched a league title and a few others could do so this week.  Other need wins and major upsets by others to land the gold.
 

1A CONFERENCE BREAKDOWN

FOOTHILLS

  • If Manual beats Clear Creek this week, then the championship is decided in the final week when the Thunderbolts face Platte Canyon
  • If Clear Creek beats Manual, then a three-way tie is still possible between the two and Platte Canyon
  • RPI: Platte Canyon #14, Clear Creek #25, Manual #27 — league likely only sees the conference champion advance to the playoffs

NORTH CENTRAL

  • Limon can only clinch the championship this week if they beat Wray and Wiggins upsets Holyoke
  • Limon is the league champion with wins over Wray and Holyoke in the final two weeks
  • If Wray beats Limon, then that likely creates a three-way tie for the lead between Limon, Wray and Burlington
  • RPI: Limon #1, Burlington #4, Holyoke #8, Wray #15, Yuma #17 — the league has an outside shot at four playoff teams — the top three are locks with Wray and Yuma on the bubble

NORTH

  • Strasburg is alone in first but only clinch the title this week by beating Estes Park if Pinnacle also upsets Cornerstone Christian.
  • Strasburg and Cornerstone Christian play in the final week and that game most likely determines the order of the top three
  • Highland has already played both Strasburg and Cornerstone and their league fate likely rests with the outcome of their game in the final week
  • RPI: Strasburg #3, Highland #16, Cornerstone Christian #21, Estes Park #28 — Strasburg will be a playoff team and Highland is on the bubble.  Cornerstone and Estes Park likely need to win league title to get a bid.

SANTA FE

  • The winner of the Peyton-Crowley County game this week lands the conference championship and the loser will end up second
  • If Rocky Ford and John Mall both win this week, their matchup in the final week determines third and fourth
  • RPI: Peyton #2, Crowley County #10, Rocky Ford #22 — Peyton and Crowley County are virtual locks to make the playoff bracket and may be the only two teams from the conference to get in.

SOUTHERN PEAKS

  • Centauri has clinched the league championship
  • The winner between Monte Vista and Center this week clinches second
  • RPI: Centauri #5, Monte Vista #19, Center #24 — Centauri is in the bracket as a league champion and Monte Vista is on the bubble.

TRI PEAKS

  • Florence has clinched a top two league finish and Colorado Springs Christian can do the same by beating St Mary’s this week
  • If Colorado Springs Christian wins, then their game with Florence in the final week will determine first and second
  • RPI: Colorado Springs Christian #6, Florence #7, Buena Vista #11, Rye #20, St Mary’s #24 — three teams appear to be in the playoff bracket with Rye still in contention.

WESTERN SLOPE

  • Meeker clinches league championship by beating Olathe this week
  • If Meeker wins, then Paonia can wrap up second place with a home win over Grand Valley
  • RPI: Meeker #9, Paonia #12, Olathe #13, Cedaredge #18, Grand Valley #26 — Meeker seems to be safe for a playoff berth while Paonia, Olathe and Cedaredge all remain strong contenders as the league is in position to get three to four post-season invites.

 

2A CONFERENCE BREAKDOWN

COLORADO

  • Kent Denver and Machebeuf are both 3-0 and play in the final week. If Machebeuf beats Englewood this week then the contest will determine first and second
  • RPI: Kent Denver #10, Machebeuf #25, Englewood #27 — Kent Denver appears in good shape for playoff berth while Machebeuf and Englewood likely have to win a league title to get in

FLATIRONS

  • D’Evelyn and Faith Christian are both 3-0 and play in the final week. If D’Evelyn tops Bennett this week and Faith Christian downs Middle Park then the final game will determine first and second.
  • RPI: Faith Christian #15, D’Evelyn #16, Bennett #19, Middle Park #20 — all four teams are squarely on the bubble and there’s a chance that only the league champion gets a bid.

INTERMOUNAIN

  • Salida and Bayfield share the lead at 2-0 and they play in the final week. Bayfield plays Pagosa Springs this week and Salida faces Montezuma Cortez.  Wins by both sets up the final week showdown to determine first and second
  • RPI: Bayfield #3, Salida #5, Pagosa Springs #11, Montezuma Cortez #17 — Bayfield and Salida will be playoff teams and Pagosa Springs and Cortez have the benefit of playing the first and fifth most difficult schedules.

PATRIOT EAST

  • Platte Valley is 3-0 and sits alone in first. The Broncos only clinch this week with a win if Brush also loses to Weld Central.  Brush is tied for second with Sterling (2-1) and just one game back.  They challenge Platte Valley in the final week.
  • RPI: Platte Valley #4, Sterling #18, Brush #32 — the league is in danger of getting just one bid as Sterling currently sits outside the top 16.  Brush has to win the league championship to get in.

PATRIOT WEST

  • Resurrection Christian (3-0) is alone in first and clinches the league championship by beating Academy this week or Prospect Ridge next week
  • Berthoud and Eaton are both 2-1 and their matchup in the final week likely determines second and third
  • RPI: Resurrection Christian #2, Eaton #7, Berthoud #13, Academy #24 — Resurrection Christian and Eaton should easily make the playoff bracket while Berthoud remains on the bubble.  The Spartans will be aided by playing Eaton which will add to their strength of schedule (15th).

TRI PEAKS

  • La Junta (3-0) leads the division and a win over Classical Academy this week gives them the league championship
  • If that happens, then Elizabeth wraps up second by winning at Woodland Park
  • Wins by Classical Academy and Elizabeth create a three-way tie for the lead entering the final week
  • RPI: La Junta #6, Elizabeth #14, Classical Academy #23 — La Junta will be in the playoffs and Elizabeth is on the bubble.  Classical Academy probably needs to land the league championship to get in.

WESTERN SLOPE

  • Basalt (3-0) has sole possession of the league lead and clinches the championship by beating Rifle this week if Aspen also loses to Coal Ridge
  • If both Basalt and Aspen win this week, then their head-to-head matchup in week ten will determine the championship.
    RPI: Basalt #1, Aspen #8, Delta #9, Rifle #12, Moffat County #21 — Basalt, Aspen and Delta are in great shape to land playoff berths and Rifle will be helped in their strength of schedule (27th) by playing Basalt this week.  The league is in very good position to land four playoff berths.