With week one not completed until Fowler picked up a eight man win over Caliche two days ago, football fans make a quick turn to week two which opens tonight. Several important games are on the schedule but we narrow the schedule to five games we feel are the most important to the playoff picture.
You can easily track games on our Free Daily Scoreboard. In progress and final results will be posted there Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Scores can be sent to Colorado Preps by text to 970.380.7737, by email to [email protected] or by clicking on the report score button found below each game on the scoreboard.
Alamosa at Pagosa Springs: The Class 2A Southwest is loaded with good teams as the Moose and Pirates are battling Lamar, La Junta and Bayfield for playoff berths. Of the two teams involved tonight, Alamosa may be playing with more pressure as a loss drops them to 0-2 and facing a long climb back into the post-season picture. Pagosa Springs blew past Middle Park in week one but tonight’s game will serve as a stronger test and begins a tough stretch where they face Bayfield, Lamar and La Junta over the following three weeks.
Frederick at Fort Morgan: Mead and Roosevelt collide tomorrow and that’s headliner in the 3A Northern but the Warriors and Mustangs are a very good undercard. Frederick is in the same boat as Alamosa in 2A where they need a win to avoid going winless through two weeks. They’re a returning state semifinalist but the lineup features many new faces. A Fort Morgan win puts them in the favorites role along with the Mead-Roosevelt winner. The Mustangs also face Mead next week so it’s an important two week run for them.
Monarch at Longmont: Difficult to say a week two game could be an elimination game but these teams may be treating it in that manner. Monarch fell to Broomfield and Longmont to Brighton in week one so one of them will end week two at 0-2. With quite a few good clubs in 4A and only 22 percent of the teams getting a playoff berth, tonight’s loser could be in rough shape for a post-season bid. Tempo will be important. Monarch wants to run the football and Longmont tries to spread out the defense.
Mullen at Ralston Valley: We may get to see first-hand the difference between playing a game in week one and not playing. Ralston Valley worked through three opponents last week before settling on matchup with 3A Battle Mountain. The Mustangs won that game with ease but at least they got in a game. Mullen will present a much stronger test but the Mustangs have some rust to knock off after not playing week one. They’re also starting with a new system as first year coach Jeremy Bennett takes over. Both teams also have Columbine and Pomona left on their schedule so a win in this one, playoff wise, is critical.
Eaglecrest at Grandview: It took a few days for Eaglecrest to come down from their wild 62-50 win over Cherokee Trail last week but now the Raptors must focus on a very good Grandview team that rolled past Arapahoe in week one. Regardless of how this game ends up, both teams will remain in the playoff chase. But with Cherry Creek looming in the future for both clubs, a win tonight could be the difference between a 5-1 season and a playoff lock and a 4-2 mark and on the playoff bubble.
