Our Saturday GameDay report focuses on the top matchups that will impact league races and playoff berths. Several teams on the list have a chance to wrap up conference championships with wins today.
Montrose (8-0) at Ponderosa (6-2)
This is the first of two very important first-place showdowns in Class 4A as the winner takes over sole possession of the Metro lead. Both teams are unbeaten against 4A opponents this year with Ponderosa suffering early season losses to 5A rivals Legend and Valor Christian. Montrose lands the league championship with a win. Ponderosa must win today and top Heritage in the final week to claim the top trophy
Grand Junction Central (6-2) at Pine Creek (7-1)
The situation between these two teams in the Southern 1 is exactly the same as Montrose-Ponderosa in the Metro. The winner takes over the outright conference lead and if Grand Junction Central gets the victory, they are the league champions. Pine Creek meets third place Vista Ridge next week and must win both to win the title outright.
Canon City (2-6) at Mitchell (3-5)
Neither team is likely headed to the playoffs but the winner takes over second place in the 3A Southern conference. If that team is Canon City, then Harrison also clinches the league championship.
University (4-4) at Academy (3-5)
With Berthoud’s win over Eaton on Friday, University has a chance to move into a second-place tie with the Spartans and Reds in the 2A Patriot West. The Bulldogs also opened the week 20th in RPI and still have hopes of a playoff berth. Academy can only get to fourth in the league with a win and is 23rd in RPI points.
Manual (3-5) at Platte Canyon (5-3)
Platte Canyon is the Foothills champion with a win and probably gets the only playoff berth from the conference. A loss creates a three-way tie for the top spot with Clear Creek and Jefferson. Comparison scores with third place Clear Creek promote a tight game today as the Huskies edged them 30-28 and Manual lost 31-30 in overtime.
Strasburg (7-1) at Cornerstone Christian (5-3)
Strasburg grabs a third consecutive 1A Northern championship with a win and if that happens Highland also finishes second. Cornerstone sets up a three-way tie with the other two if they spring the upset.
Eight Man & Six Man
League championships have all been decided so RPI points is on the mind of most teams competing today. Some of the games with interest there include:
- 8man: Custer County (5-3) at Calhan (3-5)
- 6man: Arickaree/Woodlin (5-2) at North Park (3-4)
- 6man: Cheyenne Wells (5-2) at Otis (5-3)
- 6man: Edison (4-3) at Cotopaxi (6-2)
