Week nine is upon us and Colorado Preps get things underway with the release of their newest football polls.  With most of the top 10 teams grabbing wins this past week, changes are minimal.  We also did not include six man as that division is the first to get their playoffs started later this week.

CLASS 5A

  1. Valor Christian (8-0)
  2. Eaglecrest (8-0)
  3. Pomona (6-2)
  4. Regis (7-1)
  5. Columbine (7-1)
  6. Cherry Creek (6-2)
  7. Grandview (6-2)
  8. Fairview (7-1)
  9. Ralston Valley (6-2)
  10. Highlands Ranch (6-2)

OTHERS:  Far Northeast (6-2), Chaparral (6-2), Lakewood (6-2), Mullen (3-5)
NOTES:  Mullen and Highlands Ranch were two clubs that came up short against top 10 opponents last week.  Mullen was beaten on a last second field by Fairview while Highlands Ranch lost to Valor Christian handily.  Even though Mullen was ranked higher than Highlands Ranch last week, we kept the Falcons in the rankings as they have a much better overall record.  Mullen is now two games below five hundred and injuries have hurt their chances down the stretch.  The Mustangs were replaced by Ralston Valley who has won five straight going into their huge matchup at Eaglecrest.
 

CLASS 4A

  1. Ponderosa (8-0)
  2. Pine Creek (7-1)
  3. Windsor (7-1)
  4. Chatfield (7-1)
  5. Fruita Monument (8-0)
  6. Loveland (8-0)
  7. Pueblo West (7-1)
  8. Pueblo South (7-1)
  9. Monarch (7-1)
  10. Rampart (6-2)

OTHERS:  Brighton (6-2), Standley Lake (6-2), Skyline (7-1), Montrose (5-3), Vista Ridge (5-3), Dakota Ridge (6-3)
NOTES:  The 4A poll is solid again this week as all ten ranked teams were winners in week eight.  Each team stays in the same place as a week ago.  There is depth in the division as Brighton, Standley Lake and Skyline are three other teams that could easily be included in the top 10 this week.
 

CLASS 3A

  1. Mead (8-0)
  2. Palmer Ridge (8-0)
  3. Roosevelt (6-2)
  4. Erie (7-1)
  5. Longmont (5-3)
  6. Harrison (8-0)
  7. Evergreen (7-1)
  8. Palisade (6-2)
  9. Canon City (7-1)
  10. Rifle (7-1)

OTHERS:  Skyview (7-1), Frederick (6-2), Berthoud (5-3), Discovery Canyon (4-4), Pueblo East (3-5), Fort Morgan (5-3), Thomas Jefferson (6-2)
NOTES:  Erie’s two-point loss to Roosevelt marked the only negative decision for a top 10 club last week.  And such a narrow loss caused only a minor change in the Colorado Preps rankings as the Riders and Tigers simply exchanged the third and fourth position this week.  All other teams stayed put with wins during the week.
 

CLASS 2A

  1. Kent Denver (8-0)
  2. Bayfield (8-0)
  3. Platte Valley (8-0)
  4. La Junta (7-1)
  5. Classical Academy (7-1)
  6. Faith Christian (7-1)
  7. Basalt (7-1)
  8. Sterling (6-2)
  9. Aspen (7-1)
  10. Eaton (6-2)

OTHERS:  Salida (6-2), Machebeuf (7-1), D’Evelyn (4-4), Pagosa Springs (5-3), Valley (5-3), Resurrection Christian (5-3)
NOTES:  The only changes from last week are found in the final two spots as Aspen and Eaton jump into the rankings to replace Salida and Machebeuf.  Both the Spartans and Buffs lost to higher ranked opponents but strong pushes of late by Aspen and Eaton knocked them out of the rankings.  Both the Skiers and Reds are back in the rankings this week after brief appearances earlier in the season.
 

CLASS 1A

  1. Bennett (8-0)
  2. Meeker (8-0)
  3. Strasburg (7-1)
  4. Centauri (8-0)
  5. Limon (7-1)
  6. Crowley County (7-1)
  7. Paonia (6-2)
  8. Burlington (6-2)
  9. Clear Creek (7-1)
  10. Platte Canyon (7-1)

OTHERS:  Colorado Springs Christian (6-2), Highland (5-3), Cornerstone Christian (5-3), Monte Vista (5-3), Hotchkiss (5-3)
NOTES:  Paonia and Platte Canyon suffered losses in week seven and while both stayed in the rankings, each lost ground.  Since Paonia fell short against higher ranked Meeker, the Eagles dropped just two spots.  Platte Canyon lost to a team ranked behind them (Clear Creek) and it cost the Huskies three spots this week.  They’re now 10th.  The top four remain unchanged but Limon and Crowley County both moved up with the loss by Paonia.  Burlington and Clear Creek also bumped up one spot.
 

EIGHT MAN

  1. Sedgwick County (7-0)
  2. West Grand (8-0)
  3. Holly (6-1)
  4. Hoehne (7-1)
  5. Merino (7-1)
  6. Gilpin County (7-1)
  7. Fowler (7-1)
  8. Sargent (5-3)
  9. Mancos (7-1)
  10. Haxtun (6-2)

OTHERS:  Rocky Mountain Lutheran (6-2), Hayden (6-2), Soroco (5-3), Dayspring Christian (4-4), Springfield (5-3), McClave (6-2), Norwood (5-2)
NOTES:  Haxtun took a tumble this week as the two-point loss to unranked Akron dropped the Bulldogs from fifth to tenth this week.  Only the strength of the Plains conference kept the Bulldogs in the rankings.  They can still finish second in the league by beating Merino on Friday and a win there will have them again moving up in the polls.  Otherwise the poll is intact from last week.  The top four teams are in the same order while Merino, Gilpin County, Fowler, Sargent and Mancos all moved up one.