It’s a good list of games across the state on Saturday as we found 10 contests that will affect conference championships and/or important RPI standings.
We of course will track all the action inside our Daily Scoreboard. Click here to see in-game updates and final scores.
Boulder (2-3) at Smoky Hill (5-0)
It’s the only Class 5A game on the Saturday schedule but it’s very important to the Metro 10 conference chase. Smoky Hill opens the game needing a win to keep pace with Denver East who stayed unbeaten in league play with their win over Westminster on Friday. A Buffs win sets up a huge league showdown with the Angels next week
Vista Ridge (2-2) at Ponderosa (2-2)
A couple of pre-season top 10 clubs who have had win their last two games to reach the five hundred mark following 0-2 starts. Vista Ridge is only 34th in RPI points so they need all the wins they can get before starting league play next week. Ponderosa is unbeaten against 4A clubs with losses to 5A’s Valor Christian and Legend.
Basalt (4-0) at Moffat County (2-2)
The 2A Western Slope has some depth to it this year and the Longhorns are one of at least three teams expected to challenge for the title. The other two, Rifle and Delta, picked up conference opening wins on Friday. Basalt’s defense has given up only six points all season. Moffat County opened 2-0 but is back to five hundred with losses to 3A clubs Battle Mountain and Pagosa Springs in their last two.
Clear Creek (2-2) at Platte Canyon (1-3)
Neither has a glittering overall record but the outcome could play a major role in a Class 1A playoff bid later next month. Jefferson has the better record than both teams (3-1) but the winner of this one could easily end up with the Foothills crown. And since none of the three competitors are in the top 20 of RPI, the champion may be the only team that gets invited to the 16-team bracket. The game is also a contrast of styles as the host Huskies want to run the football and take time off the clock while the Golddiggers are a much more wide-open set and will throw it often.
St Marys (2-2) at Buena Vista (2-2)
We consider the Tri Peaks to be wide open so the winner of this one puts them in position for a championship run. Florence beat Rye on Friday to win their league opener and fourth straight overall so the winner of this grabs a share of the very early league lead.
Custer County (3-1) at Sanford (4-0)
It’s a non-conference game and both teams still remain in the running for their respective league championship but this is one of those games that will impact RPI and possibly a wildcard bid in the eight- man playoffs. Sanford is 5th in RPI and has league challenges with Mancos and Sargent ahead of them. Custer County is 13th overall and faces a very important Southern conference game against Pikes Peak Christian next week. PPC clipped Simla on Friday to take over the league’s top spot.
Stratton/Liberty (4-0) at Idalia (3-1)
Arickaree/Woodlin (2-2) at Flagler/Hi Plains (2-2)
We list the games together because both will have a big effect on the six-man East Central standings. The winner between Stratton/Liberty and Flagler/Hi Plains will be 2-0 and have at least a share of the conference lead. They will be alone in first if Flagler/Hi Plains beats Arickaree/Woodlin. Otis (4-1) is the fifth member of the conference and they sit 1-1 in league with a loss to top ranked Stratton/Liberty.
Manzanola (4-0) at Fleming (1-3)
Do not let the records fool you as Fleming may enter the game as the slight favorite over the unbeaten Bobcats.  The teams are separated by just five slots in the RPI with Manzanola 15th and Fleming 20th. The reason is strength of schedule. Each of the wins by Manzanola are against teams with winless records while Fleming has already battled and lost to Top 10 rivals Arickaree/Woodlin, Peetz and Prairie.
Peetz (2-2) at Briggsdale (2-2)
Peetz needs a win to keep pace with Prairie atop the North race. The Mustangs are 3-0 and Peetz enters today’s game at 2-0. Briggsdale lost to Prairie 56-40 earlier this season but a win today keeps them in-line for a top two finish and a better playoff seed.
