The latest round of RPI standings have been published by CHSAA and we list the top 24 teams in Class 4A and the top 30 in Class 5A.  More teams are listed in the biggest school ranks because their playoff format has been expanded to 24 clubs with the top eight ranked teams earning first round byes.
Montrose has used a clean sweep of Western Slope rivals to reach the number one spot in Class 4A.  the Indians toppled Fruita Monument last week and have previous wins over Durango, Palisade, Grand Junction and Grand Junction Central.  Another biggie awaits the Indians in their conference opener this week as they meet Heritage in a battle of unbeatens.  The Eagles are 5th in RPI this week.  That game could determine the Metro division title but Ponderosa (15th) is also lurking there.
As in the past, league champions earn automatic playoff bids but a new wrinkle this year indicates a champion must finish in the top 16 to get the guarantee of a first round game at home.  That new aspect could come into play in the Jeffco 1 division where Golden (14th) is the highest ranked team.  Chatfield is 16th and Dakota Ridge 20th so the eventual champion could sit on the bubble concerning a home game in round one.
In Class 5A, the strength of the old Centennial conference (Metro East) is shining through.  Valor Christian and Columbine hold down spots 1-2 but the next four teams in the rankings all come from the Metro East division.  The four teams are a combined 23-1 overall with the lone loss against one another in last Friday’s thriller between Eaglecrest and Grandview.
The Metro West, formerly known as the Jeffco, is also well represented as in addition to Columbine sits Ralston Valley (7th) and Pomona (8th).  Arvada West is also 11th and Mullen 12th.
Also, inside the top 10 are Denver East and Smoky Hill.  Both are 5-0 in the Metro 10 conference and they collide this Friday to likely determine that championship.  Westminster (17th) dropped out of first with a loss to Denver East last week and still has a game with Smoky Hill in week 10 so they remain in contention but likely must win out to make that game important to the title chase.
Complete RPI standings can be seen here.
 
CLASS 4A

  1. Montrose
  2. Loveland
  3. Pine Creek
  4. Greeley West
  5. Heritage
  6. Broomfield
  7. Fruita Monument
  8. Grand Junction Central
  9. Longmont
  10. Skyline
  11. Pueblo West
  12. Air Academy
  13. Standley Lake
  14. Golden
  15. Ponderosa
  16. Chatfield
  17. Brighton
  18. Mountain View
  19. Vista Peak
  20. Dakota Ridge
  21. Hinkley
  22. Rampart
  23. Monarch
  24. Grand Junction

CLASS 5A

  1. Valor Christian
  2. Columbine
  3. Eaglecrest
  4. Cherry Creek
  5. Cherokee Trail
  6. Grandview
  7. Ralston Valley
  8. Pomona
  9. Denver East
  10. Smoky Hill
  11. Arvada West
  12. Mullen
  13. Castle View
  14. ThunderRidge
  15. Fountain Fort Carson
  16. Fairview
  17. Westminster
  18. Arapahoe
  19. Highlands Ranch
  20. Doherty
  21. Boulder
  22. Far Northeast
  23. Legend
  24. Lakewood
  25. Horizon
  26. Poudre
  27. Fossil Ridge
  28. Northglenn
  29. Mountain Vista
  30. Prairie View