With three weeks remaining in the Class 3A regular season and only two in all other classes, conference races are starting to wind down.  A few teams have already clinched their league championship and a playoff berth and quite a few others can join that list with wins in week nine.  Ahead of the matchups for week nine, Colorado Preps takes a look at each conference race in each classification and previews the possible scenarios.

 

SIX-MAN

  • CENTRAL:  Genoa Hugo has clinched the league championship and has two non-league games remaining against Cheraw and Flagler.
  • EAST:  Stratton has clinched the league championship with Arickaree/Woodlin and Idalia to face off in the final week to determine second and third.  Stratton has a good matchup with Briggsdale next week before finishing the regular season at Walsh.
  • NORTH:  Fleming secured the conference crown by edging Prairie 52-51 on Friday night.  The Wildcats finished the conference slate at 6-0 with Prairie ending up second at 5-1.  Briggsdale wrapped up third place with their Saturday win over North Park.  Fleming goes to Idalia in week nine and hosts Cheraw in their finale.
  • SOUTH CENTRAL:  Kim/Branson easily rolled past both Primero and Miami Yoder to earn the championship.  The Bears meet Flagler and Sierra Grande in their final two games and have both at home on their new turf facility.
  • SOUTHEAST:  Cheyenne Wells has been the most dominant team in the classification this year and has already wrapped up the league championship.  They have one game left at Prairie on the 22nd.  Granada is second and Cheraw third in a very good league
  • SOUTHWEST:  Sierra Grande has locked up the league crown and scored an important non-league win over Arickaree/Woodlin on Saturday.  They were ranked sixth and seventh in RPI going in.  The Panthers still have non-league test with Kim/Branson in week 10.

EIGHT-MAN

  • ARK VALLEY:  Holly (5-0) is alone in first with a one game edge on Crowley County and Fowler (both 4-1).  The Wildcats meet Fowler in week nine and close with Crowley County so the race is far from home.  Holly though has both games at home.  Crowley County has the tiebreaker over Fowler as they beat Grizzlies on Friday (26-6).
  • CENTRAL:  Byers (4-0) has clinched the league championship.  They have just one game remaining against Justice but have already beaten second place Front Range Christian.  Front Range Christian will finish second.
  • MOUNTAIN:  Mancos has beaten Dove Creek and Sanford over the past three weeks to win the league championship.  They have just one conference game remaining with Sargent in week 10 as Norwood has ended their season.  The Bluejays were scheduled to face Norwood in week nine but has replaced them with Dolores Huerta.  Sanford and Dove Creek meet in week 10 to determine second and third.
  • NORTHWEST:  Vail Christian and Rangely are both 4-0 and share the lead.  They lead in week nine to break the tie.  Hayden (4-1) is in third.  Vail Christian has already beaten Hayden so they clinch the title by beating Rangely.  The Panthers cannot clinch as they have a game with Hayden in week 10.
  • PLAINS:  Haxtun (4-0) leads Dayspring Christian (4-1) by one game.  The Bulldogs topped the Eagles earlier this year so they only need to beat either Denver Christian or Akron in their final two games to secure the championship.  Dayspring Christian has beaten both Akron and Sedgwick County (tied for 3rd) so they cannot drop farther than second.
  • SOUTHERN:  Swink (3-1), Calhan (3-1) and Pikes Peak Christian (2-1) each own a share of first place with Simla (3-2) a game back.  Calhan seems to have the best chance at winning the championship as they’ve already played the other with wins coming against Pikes Peak Christian and Swink.  PPC and Swink play next week and regardless of who wins, Calhan will have the tiebreaker.  That means if the Bulldogs get by Custer County and Dolores Huerta as expected, they will win the championship.  There are several possibilities for spots two through four but Swink takes a major step to get there by beating Pikes Peak Christian.  They’ve also beaten Simla.

CLASS 1A

  • FOOTHILLS:  Platte Canyon and Bennett are both 3-0 in league play and share the lead.  They face off in week nine with the winner taking sole possession of the lead.  Bennett wraps up the title with a win while Platte Canyon cannot clinch with a win unless Manual (2-1) is upset by Clear Creek.  Platte Canyon and Manual meet in week ten.
  • NORTH CENTRAL:  Limon grabbed sole possession of the lead by blanking Wray on Friday.  That win moved the Badgers to 3-0 and they have a one game edge on Wray and Holyoke (both 2-1).  Limon visits Holyoke in week nine and a win gives them the league championship.  If Holyoke earns the victory and Wray also downs Yuma, then the Dragons, Badgers and Eagles will share first place entering the final week.
  • NORTHERN:  Strasburg (2-0) is alone in first with Highland and Flatirons Academy tied for second (2-1).  Strasburg has beaten Highland and will play Flatirons Academy in the regular season finale.  Highland has the edge for second as they won the head-to-head matchup with Flatirons.
  • SANTA FE:  Only two conference games have been played thus far with Banning Lewis and Peyton both beating Rocky Ford.  Banning Lewis hosts Peyton in week nine and the winner should land the league championship and automatic playoff berth.
  • SOUTHERN PEAKS:  Monte Vista (2-0) and Centauri (1-0) are the last two unbeatens and meet in week ten.  As expected in the preseason, that outcome should determine the top two spots in the conference.
  • TRI PEAKS:  A huge game is set for week nine between Florence and Buena Vista.  Both are unbeaten in league play and overall with the winner landing the championship and likely top three seed.  The loser should also be at home in round one of the playoffs.
  • WESTERN SLOPE:  Meeker clinched the championship by beating Gunnison on the road last Friday.  The Cowboys also toppled North Fork the week before.  North Fork and Gunnison meet in week ten and that game will determine second and third with the winner also getting an automatic playoff berth.

CLASS 2A

  • COLORADO:  Kenver (3-0) and Elizabeth (2-0) have clinched the top two places so the winner of their matchup in week ten will determine the champion and runner-up.
  • FLATIRONS:  Northfield (2-0) is alone in first and has a wins over both Faith Christian and Arvada.  Those two clubs share second place at 2-1 and play in week ten.  Northfield wraps up the championship by beating either Middle Park or D’Evelyn in the final two weeks.  Both games are on the road.
  • PATRIOT EAST:  Brush (3-0) is alone in first and has wins over both second place teams Platte Valley and Valley (both 2-1).  That means the Beetdiggers can win the championship by beating either Fort Lupton in week nine or Weld Central in week ten.  Platte Valley and Valley collide in the final game of the regular season.
  • PATRIOT WEST:  Eaton (3-0) is alone atop the standings with a one game lead on Severance and Resurrection Christian (both 2-1).  The Reads have beaten Resurrection Christian (10-6) and will host Severance in week nine.  A win there gives them the championship.  Severance creates a three-way tie for the lead if they upset the Reds.  Severance lost to Resurrection Christian last week.
  • SOUTHWEST:  Bayfield (2-0) leads Alamosa (2-1) and Montezuma Cortez (1-1) by one game in the standings.  The Wolverines beat Alamosa two weeks ago and a win at Montezuma Cortez this week gives them the championship.  A Panthers win leaves the three clubs sharing first place.
  • TRI PEAKS:  Classical Academy (3-0) is alone in first with wins over La Junta, Lamar and Woodland Park.  La Junta and Woodland Park have one league loss and both fell to TCA.  Manitou Springs also has just one league loss and they host the Titans in week ten.  The Mustangs though must get by Woodland Park this week as a loss gives the championship to Classical Academy.
  • WESTERN SLOPE:  Moffat County and Delta (both 3-0) have earned a two-game lead on all other teams so their head-to-head meeting in week nine will decide the top two spots.  Both remain in contention to play at home in round one of the playoffs.

CLASS 3A

  • CENTRAL WEST:  Steamboat Springs and Palisade (both 2-0) share the lead with three weeks to play.  They meet in week nine so the winner gains the slight edge.  It’s a tight conference from top to bottom as the three games last week were decided by a total of five points.
  • DENVER PREP:   Thomas Jefferson and George Washington both earned wins over the weekend and improved to 2-0 in conference play.  They meet in week nine and the winner will be alone first and become the favorite to win the crown.
  • NORTH CENTRAL 1:  Lutheran and Green Mountain are off to 2-0 starts and share the conference lead.  Their meeting doesn’t come until week 11 so the two will try to keep winning until then.  Lutheran has Conifer up next and then Lewis Palmer.  Green Mountain meets Littleton and Conifer in their next two.
  • NORTH CENTRAL 2:  Holy Family’s win over Frederick last Friday moved them to 2-0 and into a first place tie with Mead (1-0).  The two leaders meet in week nine and a Holy Family moves them to within one win of clinching the championship.  Mead has a date with Frederick in week 11 left on the schedule as well.
  • NORTH CENTRAL 3:  Fort Morgan (2-0) and Roosevelt (1-0) both sit atop the standings and they meet in week nine to break that tie.  Roosevelt is coming off a win over Northridge last Friday so a win over the Mustangs puts them in complete control of the race.  Fort Morgan and Northridge collide in week ten.
  • SOUTHERN 1:  While it did not officially clinch the championship, Durango most likely won the crown with their win over Discovery Canyon last Friday.  Other than the Thunder, the remaining four teams have just six combined wins so the Demons will be heavily favored in their three remaining league games.  DCC, Sand Creek, Sierra and Harrison all head into week nine at 1-1 in league play.
  • SOUTHERN 2:  Pueblo South and Pueblo East (both 2-0) appear headed to a showdown to determine the league championship.  Their meeting comes up this Friday and the winner takes over sole possession of the lead.

CLASS 4A

  • I-25:  Under the current playoff format, only the league champion can earn a spot in the postseason and Cheyenne Mountain and Falcon are battling for that spot.  Both teams are 3-0 in league play and share the lead.  The tie will be broken when they meet in Falcon in week nine.  Widefield (2-1) is still in contention but last week’s loss to Falcon hurt their chances.  They play Cheyenne Mountain in week ten.
  • METRO 1:  Dakota Ridge (3-0) is alone in first with Golden, Bear Creek an Chatfield (all 2-1) one game back.  There is still quite a bit of football to be played as Dakota Ridge goes to Golden this week and then meets Chatfield in their finale.  Bear Creek and Golden also meet in week ten so several scenarios remain.
  • METRO 2:  Aurora Central and Denver South both won over the weekend so they continue sharing the lead with identical 3-0 records.  They meet in week nine.  Aurora Central has already beaten third place Vista Peak (2-1) so the Trojans wrap up the championship with a win.  Denver South also meets Vista Peak in week ten and likely needs two wins to secure the championship.  Vista Peak goes to Gateway this week.
  • NORTHERN 1:  Erie and Broomfield (both 3-0) share first place with a one-game edge on Windsor.  The Tigers and Eagles get together in week nine with the winner taking over sole possession of first.  If that winner is Broomfield, then the Eagles clinch the championship as they’ve also beaten Windsor.  Erie can only wrap up the title with a win if Windsor is also beaten by Brighton.  Windsor and Erie clash in week ten.
  • NORTHERN 2:  Loveland (3-0) gained the conference lead by downing Longmont (2-1) on Saturday.  That result leaves the Trojans tied with Skyline and Grand Junction Central (both 2-1) in second.  Loveland meets Greeley Central this week and clinches the title if Skyline also beats Grand Junction Central.  Central and Loveland face off in week ten.
  • SOUTHERN 1:  Montrose continues to sit alone in first (3-0) after beating Vista Ridge (2-1) on Saturday.  With the loss, the Bears fall into a second place tie with Ponderosa and Palmer Ridge (both 2-1).  Ponderosa and Vista Ridge meet in week nine and if Vista Ridge grabs the win, then Montrose becomes league champion by beating Air Academy.  If Ponderosa wins, then the Mustangs remain in contention for the title as they battle Montrose in their finale.
  • SOUTHERN 2:  Fruita Monument’s win over Pueblo West on Thursday left Fountain Fort Carson (3-0) alone in first.  West and Fruita now share second (2-1).  FFC has beaten Fruita Monument so a home win over Pueblo West this week gives them the championship.  A Cyclones win creates a three-way tie with Fruita in first provided the Wildcats also win at Coronado.

CLASS 5A

  • CENTENNIAL:  Arapahoe’s 13-10 win over Cherry Creek last Friday gave the Warriors the outright lead (3-0).  Cherry Creek and Grandview (2-1) now share second place with the Bruins holding the tiebreaker based on their win over the Wolves in week seven.  Arapahoe and Grandview get together in week ten so the race is not over.  The Warriors also have a tough test with Smoky Hill in week nine.
  • DOUGLAS COUNTY:  Valor Christian and ThunderRidge have both won their first three league games and share the top spot.  They meet in week ten and if Valor gets by Rock Canyon this week as expected, then their game with ThunderRidge will determine first and second regardless of how the Grizzlies fare at Highlands Ranch on Friday.  Rock Canyon (2-1) sits third.
  • JEFFCO:  Pomona’s 42-14 win over Arvada West last Friday pushed the Panthers into the conference lead (3-0).  They have a one game lead on Ralston Valley, Columbine and Arvada West.  Pomona has also beaten Ralston Valley but they have a game with Columbine in week ten left on the schedule.  Columbine and Ralston Valley also meet this week so many scenarios remain.
  • METRO 1:  Only the conference champion can earn a playoff berth and right now Fort Collins sits alone in first (3-0).  They lead Westminster and Boulder (both 2-1) by one game but have beaten both.  That means the Lambkins clinch the title by beating Adams City this week or Mountain Range in their final game.  Boulder and Westminster square off in the final week.
  • METRO 2:  This is another league where only the champion will get invited into the postseason and entering the final two weeks of the season, four teams share the lead at 2-1.  The four-team logjam was created when Rangeview beat Far Northeast on Saturday (28-10).  The Raiders and Warriors are now tied with Denver East and Overland in first.  Rangeview and Overland collide this week while Denver East and Far Northeast get together in week ten.
  • NORTH:  Legacy (3-0) sits in first place by one game over Fairview and Fossil Ridge (both 2-1).  The Lightning have the tiebreaker over Fairview since they beat the Knights 38-8 in their conference opener.  They have Fossil Ridge on the schedule in week ten.  Legacy can clinch by beating Horizon this week if Fossil Ridge falls at Rocky Mountain.
  • SOUTH:  Legend (3-0) is alone in first and is one game up on both Pine Creek and Regis (both 2-1).  Since the Titans have wins over both, they become the league champions by beating winless Doherty in their next game.  Regis and Pine Creek meet this week and that winner most likely ends up second.  Please note that Pine Creek drops into Class 4A for the postseason.