Maybe the most difficult classification to predict playoff teams in the preseason is Class 3A. As we indicated in the preview, the division features a whole slew of teams looking to fill key losses to graduation. And because the regular season is only six weeks this year, programs will much less room for error as they develop new faces in new roles.
Before we get to the selections, we want to quickly review the playoff format. It’s much smaller this year as only eight teams, and not the normal 16, will advance to the playoffs. And where league champions of the past received an automatic berth, that’s no longer the case. Playoff teams will be selected based on a formula that combines RPI with polls from Packard, MaxPreps and CHSAA.
League alignment is also different as the teams have been altered to create four seven-team conferences. It’s a good bet the top two teams from each division advance since there are so few cross-over games on the slate.
As the season gets ready to kick off on October 8th, we feel there are just two teams in Class 3A that are solid choices to land a playoff berth:
- Durango
- Pueblo South
Ironically, these two teams square off to open this season this Friday and we hope the 2020 version is as good as the two matchups in 2019, both won by Pueblo South by but a combined total of only eight points.
Durango is probably our favorite to be the top team in Class 3A. They return talented QB Jordan Woolverton and many weapons around him. Pueblo South gets back RB George Longoria, who helped lead the Colts to the 3A state championship game last December. But the Colts must get solid play from a new quarterback and receivers on the outside.
After these two, it gets very interesting as we could go several different routes in selecting the remaining six teams. Most clubs in Class 3A are very even talent-wise on paper this year and those that adapt quickly to new faces should move forward.
Very few teams welcome back a quarterback so that’s a factor in our decision and as mentioned, the lack of cross over games probably means the top two teams in each division will advance and that’s the strategy we employ in making our remaining six picks:
- Discovery Canyon
- Evergreen
- Fort Morgan
- Holy Family
- Palisade
- Roosevelt
We expect Fort Morgan & Roosevelt to finish 1-2 in the Northern division. They collide on November 6th in Johnstown. Neither Palisade nor Evergreen return a starting QB but each has quite a bit of experience across the roster so they could go 1-2 in the West. They meet in week one as well (Saturday) at Trailblazer Stadium. Holy Family meets Discovery Canyon in week three (October 23rd) and that game could decide the top of that division.
Of the eight playoff teams, Discovery Canyon may be the most surprising selection. The Thunder lost almost every starter from a year ago and will display a new roster this season. But other than Holy Family, the rest of the Colorado division is also rebuilding and DC has great tradition of putting together a solid club every year. That’s why we went with them.
Now there is a LONG list of teams that could easily break into the bracket. Mead and Frederick both had great seasons in 2019 and will be tough outs for Fort Morgan & Roosevelt in the North. Lutheran is a returning playoff team and will challenge Holy Family & Discovery Canyon in the Colorado. Pueblo East, Pueblo Centennial, Pueblo Central and Pueblo County will make the South Central interesting for Durango and Pueblo South while Conifer & Green Mountain will factor into the Western Slope chase.
In closing, Class 3A could be filled with unexpected results from week one to week six and because of that, our playoff selections should change often throughout the season. and that will result in many. As we mentioned, it’s a very important week one with games between Durango-Pueblo South and Palisade-Evergreen so the fun gets going rather quickly. Two other games to watch in week one are Roosevelt-Frederick & Pueblo Central-Pueblo County.
