Every Sunday of the regular season, Colorado Preps will look ahead to the following and provide a quick preview of the top games in each classification. A more in-depth preview of these games and many others will be provided later in week as we look at classification every week.
Below is our list for week two. All games are set for Friday unless otherwise noted. Photo is provided by Lance Wendt.
CLASS 5A
Eaglecrest at Grandview (THURS)
Cherry Creek at Cherokee Trail
Rocky Mountain at Fairview
Castle View at ThunderRidge (SAT)
NOTES: After their wild come from behind win over Cherokee Trail in week one, the Raptors have just six days to prep for another huge Centennial league showdown with Grandview. A Raptors win puts them in great shape to land a playoff berth as they would have two high quality wins through the first two weeks of the season. Likewise for Grandview as they also moved past Arapahoe last week and a win gets them to 2-0 in a very good conference. Defending state champion Cherry Creek remains the favorite from the Centennial but they will face a fired up Cherokee Trail club that must spring the upset to avoid an 0-2 start. The Cougars won eight games a year ago. Fairview and Rocky Mountain were week one winners inside the Front Range so both remain in that title chase. The winner could battle Legacy for the top spot. The Lightning earned a hard fought win over Overland in week one. Castle View will see their first action of the season against ThunderRidge. The Sabercats were in quarantine to open the season so did not play in week one. ThunderRidge did play but was without 16 starters in a surprising loss to Arvada West.
CLASS 4A
Monarch at Longmont (THURS)
Broomfield at Brighton
Montrose at Fruita Monument
Fountain Fort Carson at Vista Ridge
Heritage at Windsor
NOTES: With only a six week regular season, the Thursday matchup between Monarch-Longmont could turn into an early elimination game. The loser falls to 0-2 and will face tough odds in getting back into the playoff chase. Monarch lost to Broomfield and Longmont fell to Brighton and the winners of those two games now collide in week two. Last year’s contest was a slugfest as the Eagles edged the Bulldogs 7-0. Montrose and Fruita Monument renew their rivalry and the winner gets to 2-0. The Indians rolled up over 500 yards in a quality win over Chatfield while Fruita got past Wheat Ridge (42-10) easily. Fountain Fort Carson and Vista Ridge were both explosive in week one; combining for 120 points in wins over Coronado and Palmer respectively. Despite a loss to Loveland last Thursday, Heritage can remain in the playoff chase by beating Windsor on the road. A loss though drops the Eagles into a difficult 0-2 start. Windsor dropped Greeley Central without issue (51-8) in week one.
CLASS 3A
Mead at Roosevelt
Green Mountain at Conifer
Discovery Canyon at Lutheran
NOTES: Mead and Roosevelt were among the most impressive teams in 3A last week and now they meet in week two to see which club gets to 2-0. With nearly a completely new lineup from a year ago, Mead easily moved past Thompson Valley in week one while Roosevelt upended Frederick (45-10) in a top 10 clash. Green Mountain and Conifer are both coming off late wins in openers. The Rams were tied with Northridge at 14 when they returned a kickoff for TD and that play turned out to be the game winning score. Conifer gave up 34 points and trailed Summit much of the game but responded in the quarter to gain the 42-34 decision. Neither Discovery Canyon nor Lutheran were pushed in week one. The Thunder spotted Mitchell an early score but won easily (48-14) while Lutheran rolled Lewis Palmer (45-3).
CLASS 2A
Alamosa at Pagosa Springs (THURS)
Eaton at Sterling
University at Berthoud
Bayfield at Lamar (SAT)
NOTES: Following week one losses, Alamosa and Bayfield look to even out their records but do so must beat a quality team on the road. The Moose challenge long-time rival Pagosa Springs and look to bounce back from an opening 21-14 setback to Woodland Park. Pagosa Springs is coming off a shutout of Middle Park and will be playing their home opener. Bayfield played well in a 32-16 loss to defending state runner-up Delta on Saturday. Lamar turned it over four times but still topped Elizabeth 41-20 behind Zane Rankin who threw and ran for a touchdown on offense and then returned an interception for a score on defense. As expected, Eaton and Sterling are 1-0 heading into week two. The defending state champion overcame a slow start to upend Brush (25-7) and Eaton rolled Weld Central (49-6) behind three combined TD’s from QB Scott Grable. The winner of University-Berthoud opens 2-0. University limited Fort Lupton to less than 150 yards of offense in a 48-16; Berthoud rolled Alameda (47-0) as Tristan Youngblood tossed four scoring passes.
CLASS 1A
Peyton at Rye
Wray at Wiggins
Limon at Highland (SAT)
Cedaredge at Olathe (SAT)
NOTES: Through the first week, Florence and Colorado Springs Christian remain the top clubs in the Tri Peaks but the Peyton-Rye winner will move to 2-0 and into the top challengers role. Neither team gave up a point in week one as Peyton blanked Center (26-0) and Rye did the same to Paonia (13-0). Wiggins recorded the only top 10 upset in week one as they bounced Bennett (21-6). The defense stood up well to Bennett’s running game but now faces a more balanced Wray offense that threw for 252 yards and ran for 144. QB Tyler Collins did most of the game; ending with 252 yards passing and 140 on the ground. Highland is coming off a frustrating overtime loss to Holyoke (22-20) where they gave up an early two touchdown lead. Now they face the two-time defending state champions and needing a win to avoid an 0-2 start. As we published this article on Sunday, Limon had yet to see game one action as they’re slated to face Yuma on Monday. The Badgers face five returning playoff teams during their six-week regular season. Cedaredge and Olathe both posted shutouts in week one over Del Norte and Trinidad respectively. The winner steps up as the main threat to Meeker and Hotchkiss out west.
EIGHT MAN
Dayspring Christian at Haxtun
Holly at Springfield
Dove Creek at Sargent
Simla at Swink
Calhan at Pikes Peak Christian (SAT)
NOTES: Dayspring Christian and Holly both collected quality wins in season openers and now they trade opponents for week two. Both games were played on Saturday as Dayspring Christian outscored Springfield 56-32 and Holly edged Haxtun 48-44. Because of the losses, more pressure may be on the Longhorns and Bulldogs as they battle to avoid a second straight setback. Dove Creek and Sargent both seek a 2-0 start. Dove Creek was more explosive on offense in week one as they tallied 52 in a win over Vail Christian while Sargent settled for 22 in their win at Gilpin County. Sargent narrowly won last year’s battle 26-24. Between Simla & Swink, the Lions had a more difficult time in week one as they edged Byers 22-20. Simla made quick of Denver Christian in a 52-7 decision. Calhan and Pikes Peak Christian is another battle of week one winners. PPC dominated the Bulldogs a year ago (58-0).
SIX MAN
Prairie at Briggsdale
Eads at Stratton/Liberty
Cheyenne Wells at Hi Plains (SAT)
Cotopaxi at Cheraw (SAT)
North Park at Fleming (SAT)
NOTES: All five matchups feature week one winners so the list of unbeatens in six man will be reduced quite a bit. All ten clubs were explosive offensively as they combined for 598 points last week including two teams that broke the 70 point mark (Prairie & North Park). All others netted at least 50 points. The combined margin of victory (453 points) was also impressive. All teams won by at least 40 points except for Cotopaxi (Beat Manzanola 44-33) and Prairie (outscored Idalia 76-41)
