Conference positioning continues this week with several teams having a chance to basically lock down titles but maybe the most important games are in non-conference settings this week. We take a look at the matchups and breakdown the importance.
CLASS 1A
Wiley at Genoa Hugo (Thursday)
Cheyenne Wells at McClave (Thursday)
Sierra Grande at Cotopaxi (Friday)
Arickaree/Woodlin at Otis (Friday)
Hotchkiss at North Park (Friday)
Kim/Branson at South Baca (Saturday)
Kit Carson at Haxtun (Saturday)
Fleming at Genoa Hugo (Saturday)
NOTES: The most attractive game on the list is the non-conference meeting between Kit Carson and Haxtun. The Wildcats of course are the two-time defending state champions and favored to land a third straight. Haxtun is one the top contenders and the two square off on Saturday. McClave must beat Cheyenne Wells to remain tied with Kit Carson atop the High Plains. The Tigers are in third just one game back. Arickaree/Woodlin and Otis are both unbeaten in the YWKC so the winner keeps a share of the top spot. Sierra Grande needs a win over Cotopaxi to keep pace with Sangre De Cristo atop the Southern Peaks. South Baca shares the Ark Valley lead with Springfield and will face the Longhorns on the 14th. Kim/Branson is winless in league play (0-2) but a win improves their RPI and district placement. Genoa Hugo has a big week with tough games against Wiley and Fleming. Both are non-conference games but will boost RPI. North Park is tied with De Beque for fifth in the Western Slope with Hotchkiss one game in front of them.
CLASS 2A
Simla at Peyton (Friday)
Hotchkiss at Soroco (Friday)
Rye at Fowler (Friday)
Holly at Swink (Friday)
Dawson at Highland (Friday)
Merino at Yuma (Saturday)
Wiggins at Holyoke (Saturday)
NOTES: Simla and Peyton battle for Black Forest supremacy as they enter the game with a combined 9-0 league mark and at least a two-game advantage over all other conference members. Friday’s winner between Hotchkiss — Soroco takes over second place in the Western Slope and stays one game back of first place Meeker. It’s the same scenario for Dawson-Highland behind Heritage Christian in the Mile High. Both Yuma and Merino (1A) are unbeaten in the Lower Platte so the winner becomes the outright leader. Wiggins looks to move into the top four with a win over Holyoke. Rye can clinch the Santa Fe West title by beating Fowler on the road and Swink can do the same in the Eastern division with a win over Holly.
CLASS 3A
Eaton at Resurrection Christian (Tuesday)
Manitou Springs at St Mary’s (Tuesday)
Middle Park at Academy (Wednesday)
Colorado Academy at Prospect Ridge (Thursday)
Centauri at Pagosa Springs (Friday)
Delta at Moffat County (Friday)
NOTES: Eaton looks to move very close to the Patriot championship if they win at Resurrection Christian. The Reds lead the Cougars and Platte Valley by one game and already own a win over the Broncos. Manitou Springs and St Mary’s play for second place behind Colorado Springs Christian in the Tri Peaks. Both have one league loss. Middle Park and Academy are the last two unbeatens in the Frontier so that winner is the likely champion and top district seed. Four teams sit atop the Metro and two of them collide when Colorado Academy goes to Prospect Ridge. The Mustangs and Miners are tied with Lutheran and Skyview Academy as all four have one league loss. Pagosa Springs looks for a second win over Centauri and need one to stay one game ahead of Alamosa in the IML chase. The Pirates took game one 58-40. Delta and Moffat County close the week with a big one in the Western Slope. The Panthers are 4-0 and Cougars 5-0 and share the top spot. Delta also has a tough test at Cedaredge earlier in the week (Tuesday).
CLASS 4A
Holy Family at Evergreen (Monday)
Sierra at Mesa Ridge (Monday)
Grand Junction at Montrose (Tuesday)
Thompson Valley at Longmont (Tuesday)
Fort Lupton at Skyview (Tuesday)
Sierra at Classical Academy (Wednesday)
D’Evelyn at Green Mountain (Wednesday)
Glenwood Springs at Rifle (Friday)
Skyview at Riverdale Ridge (Friday)
NOTES: Maybe the best battle of the week is Monday as Holy Family goes to Evergreen for a non-conference game. Evergreen is 5th in RPI and Holy Family 8th. Classical Academy and Sierra open the week tied for second and two games back of Mesa Ridge in the CS Metro. Sierra must win at Mesa Ridge on Monday to stay in the race and if not, they will need a win over TCA on Wednesday to stay in second. Grand Junction and Montrose are both unbeaten in early SWL play so the winner takes over the outright lead. Thompson Valley is second behind Greeley Central with Longmont one game back in third in the Northern. An Eagles win keeps them one game out of first place. Skyview (4-0) has a one game lead on four teams in the Colorado 8 and face two of the challengers tonight. Fort Lupton and Riverdale Ridge are tied for second with Weld Central and Conifer. Glenwood Springs and Battle Mountain have the Western Slope lead with Rifle in third one game back. D’Evelyn lost a share of the Jeffco lead with last week’s loss to Evergreen and now must beat Green Mountain this week to stay alone in second.
CLASS 5A
Highlands Ranch at Fossil Ridge (Monday)
ThunderRidge at Highlands Ranch (Thursday) – rivalry
Bear Creek at Valor Christian (Saturday)
Far Northeast at Denver East (Saturday)
NOTES: Not an overly exciting week inside Class 5A as many top conference games are spread out over the next two weeks. Monday’s meeting between Highlands Ranch and Fossil Ridge feature the top two teams in the current RPI standings so the outcome will have a direct bearing on the state tournament bracket. Highlands Ranch is heavily favored against ThunderRidge but we mention the game because of all the tradition and rivalry between the local rivals. Valor Christian (3-0) leads four teams by one game in the Jeffco race with Bear Creek of the four chasing teams. The Bears are 1-1 but must beat Arvada West on Wednesday to stay a game back. Denver East (4-0) sits alone atop the City League with Far Northeast one of four teams just one game off the pace.
