With the close of the regular season in several classes this week, league champions will be crowned and playoff berths finalized. In Classes 3A and 4A, the season extends into next week but a few teams can secure conference titles this week. And the playoffs begin in six man.
Our Friday GameDay report gets you ready for all the action as we quickly breakdown the top games and tell you what happens based on results. One playoff note from Thursday came in Class 1A as Manual earned their first playoff berth since 1997 with a 24-0 win over Platte Canyon. The win handed the Thunderbolts the Foothills league championship.
Colorado Preps will wrap up the night with our Scoreboard Show as it airs from 9:30-11:00pm on 30 radio affiliates across the state. You can see the list here. If a station is not available in your area, we also have it available on Alexa Devices – simply ask your device to play the Colorado Preps Network. And it’s available through our mobile app which can be downloaded here.
And our final invitation involves our Daily Scoreboard where we provide updates on nearly every game each night of the season.
Please note the games on the list for Friday only as we’ll include Saturday action in a separate rundown.
CLASS 5A
Grandview at Cherry Creek: The winner is the Metro East champion and a Creek win keeps them line for a top overall seed. Both teams will likely receive first round byes.
Pomona at Ralston Valley: Both clubs are unbeaten in the Metro West so the winner is the league champion. Ralston Valley is also 9-0 overall and in position for the top playoff seed.
Valor Christian at Highlands Ranch: Valor is the third team battling for the #1 playoff seed and they also need a win to officially secure the Metro South title. Highlands Ranch was 0-5 in non-league play but an upset leaves them 5-0 in the league.
Cherokee Trail at Eaglecrest: Third place in the rugged Metro East is on the line and a first round playoff bye could go to the winner.
Far Northeast at Prairie View: The Metro 10 receives just one guaranteed berth and that will go to league champion Smoky Hill. But the football committee can add a second team so Prairie View can stay in line for that spot with a win. They’re alone in a second behind Smoky Hill and will stay there with a victory.
CLASS 4A
Ponderosa at Montrose: Both are unbeaten in the Metro so the winner takes over sole possession of first. Montrose can clinch the title with a win while Ponderosa also needs to beat Heritage in the final week to finish on top.
Fruita Monument at Standley Lake: Vista Peak was a winner on Thursday so Fruita Monument must win to keep pace with the Bison. The Gators are one game back in the race and still alive.
Pine Creek at Grand Junction Central: The winner takes over the top spot in the South with Central wrapping up the championship with a win. Pine Creek must also get by Vista Ridge next week to claim the crown.
Wheat Ridge at Dakota Ridge: The Eagles need a win to stay alone atop the Jeffco. They cannot clinch since Golden was a winner on Thursday.
Brighton at Broomfield: Broomfield sits alone atop the Northern conference and stays there with a win. A Brighton win, coupled with expected wins by Longmont and Windsor would leave all four teams tied for first at 3-1.
CLASS 3A
Conifer at Evergreen: It’s the annual Mountain Bowl and Conifer can clinch the league title with a win. Evergreen is tied with Green Mountain in second but lost to the Rams last week.
Pueblo Central at Pueblo East: Both teams are 2-1 in the South Central and tied with Durango for second behind Pueblo South. More importantly, they’re 16th and 17th in the RPI so each needs a win to boost their standings there.
Lutheran at Discovery Canyon: Important game in many aspects as both are in the Top 10 and in position to play at home in round one of the playoffs. Discovery Canyon also shares first place with Palmer Ridge in the Central with Lutheran a game back.
Glenwood Springs at Summit: Both clubs are below 500 overall but the winner takes over second in the Western Slope. And Summit stays alive for the Western Slope title with a win as they face Palisade in the final week.
CLASS 2A
Alamosa at Pagosa Springs: The Pirates took control of the IML chase with their shutout of Bayfield last week and can now clinch the title with another win this week. That’s important as it’s likely only the conference champ gets into the playoff bracket. An Alamosa win leaves the race in a three-team tie between the Moose, Pirates and Bayfield.
D’Evelyn at Faith Christian: The Eagles can clinch the Flatirons championship and a playoff berth with a win. The Jags are coming off a loss to Bennett and must win to create a three-way tie for the top spot. A win also boosts their wildcard chances as they would not be in the playoff bracket at this point. They’re 20th in RPI.
Lamar at Elizabeth: Classical Academy has clinched the Tri Peaks title but the winner here ends up second. And for Lamar, the Savages may wrap up a home playoff game with a win.
Basalt at Aspen: The winner is third in the Western Slope behind Rifle and Delta. Basalt will be in the playoffs but Aspen is #16 in RPI and would not be in this week since two conference champs may finish outside the RPI Top 16.
Weld Central at Sterling: The Tigers are favored to get the win and should they do so, they officially wrap up the Patriot East championship. They’re also in contention for the top overall seed.
CLASS 1A
Colorado Springs Christian at Florence: The winner is the Tri Peaks champion as both are 3-0 in conference play.
Hotchkiss at Meeker: The winner lands the Western Slope champion and Meeker goes for the sweep of two games this year. They beat the Bulldogs 28-7 in the season opener for both earlier this year.
Limon at Holyoke: The winner is the North Central champion and for Holyoke, a win could get them to the number one seed in the playoff bracket.
Flatirons Academy at Strasburg: Strasburg has never lost a conference game since moving to Class 1A and another gives them a fourth consecutive North title.
Ignacio at Centauri: The Falcons are heavily favored but a win officially gives them the Southern Peaks championship.
EIGHT MAN
Sargent at Sanford: Sanford is alone atop the Mountain conference and a win gives them the outright championship. Sargent is tied with Mancos a game back so they can earn a piece of the crown with a road win.
Mancos at Dove Creek: As mentioned, the Bluejays have a lot to play for and will watch the Sargent-Sanford game with great interest. Mancos is also pushing for a home game in round one of the playoffs while Dove Creek can use a win just to get into the bracket.
Merino at Sedgwick County: Sedgwick County locks up a fifth straight league championship with a win. The Cougars are also in the discussion for the top overall playoff seed.
Caliche at Haxtun: The winner gets fourth in the Plains conference but the team that survives may also get into the playoff bracket. Caliche is currently there as they sit 13th in RPI. Haxtun is 19th.
SIX MAN
#11 North Park at #6 Granada: Granada has made the playoffs each of their first two years in six man football. North Park has just one playoff victory in school history. It came two years ago against Sierra Grande. This is an early game with kickoff set for 1:00pm.
#13 Deer Trail at #4 Fleming: Another early start with the game to open at 1:30pm. Fleming has won their last eight first round games. Deer Trail is in the bracket for the first time since 2012.
#16 Peetz at #1 Kit Carson: The Wildcats are the top overall seed but have never won a state championship. They reached the state finals last season. Peetz is the champion from two years ago but placed fifth in the North this year.