This week, the Hanover Hornets have the opportunity to show they are ready for the big stage.
Will they rise to the occasion as they look to sting the Cheyenne Wells Tigers on Saturday afternoon?
At 7-1, the Hornets have one of the top records in all of Colorado 6-man football, as only eight teams have less than two losses on the season. They’ve already earned a league title and a No. 7 ranking in the latest Colorado Preps 6-man football rankings.
But, the team’s seven wins have all come against opponents with records of .500 or worse (16-37 combined overall record), and their only loss was to Idalia (6-2) by a 46-15 score. There’s no doubt the matchup against the Tigers will be the biggest challenge yet this season.
Albeit by just a handful of points, Hanover is in fact the highest-scoring team in the classification with 456 points, suggesting its offense is capable of going on a tear at any given time. Senior Tyler Decker has not thrown an interception yet this season while compiling 861 passing yards and 15 touchdowns, and the combo of seniors David Byers and Junior Diaz has 29 rushing scores and more than 1,100 yards. Junior Tanner Lindsey has been on the receiving end of eight Decker TD tosses.
Decker has also been dominant on the defensive side of things, securing a pair of interceptions, two fumble recoveries and seven sacks. And according to MaxPreps, the Hornets have an impressive 10 defensive touchdowns.
It may come down to a couple of special plays like that to beat the 7-0 Tigers on Saturday.
No looking ahead
As was the case last year, Monte Vista and Centauri appear destined to be playing for the 1A South Central League championship next week. But for the Pirates, looking ahead and past Ignacio — who they play this Friday night on the road — could be costly.
Monte Vista (5-2 overall, 3-0 league) hasn’t gotten to play a game since Oct. 4, netting two straight wins by unfortunate forfeits. While that means they have been able to rest up, certainly there’s a re-acquaintance to the speed of live game play in store when it comes to facing the Bobcats (3-4 overall, 2-1 league).
Ignacio has won two games in a row, allowing just six points. It is one of the more tough-luck teams in 1A, currently sitting 22nd in the CHSAA Selection & Seeding Index because of a couple of narrow losses.
A win against Ignacio wouldn’t guarantee a playoff spot for Monte Vista, but it would certainly boost their chances. Right now, the Pirates are No. 15 in the Index, and only 16 teams make the field.
Digging it
Clear Creek also has an important pair of Thursday games the next two weeks as it looks to make the postseason for the first time since 2017 (the 2021 spring COVID postseason notwithstanding, of course). While this week’s home game against winless Justice will likely result in victory and the outright Central League championship, it also likely won’t help in the Golddiggers’ standing in the 8-man Index, where they are currently No. 15. The ‘Diggers play Front Range Christian on Halloween night to close out the regular season.
Top billing
Plateau Valley at Rangely, Thursday at 7 p.m.: Two teams that are on the back half of the top 16 in the 8-man Index, the Cowboys and Panthers both know what a win would mean. Rangley has dominated the past six meetings between the teams, more or less, but last year’s game resulted in 102 points on the scoreboard (RHS won 62-40).
University at Berthoud, Thursday at 7 p.m.: Both teams are 5-2. University had scored just seven points combined in losses against Wellington and Eaton to begin October but got back on track with a 34-0 home shutout of Valley. Berthoud is still in the mix for the 2A North championship but lost to Resurrection Christian last week, and the Spartans also end the season against Eaton on the road.
