Six games on the Saturday schedule grab our attention as games to watch.  The list is below and the games are selected based on importance to the respective league races and playoff picture.  One team in fact has a chance to clinch a playoff berth later today.
 

  • Faith Christian (5-1) at D’Evelyn (3-3)
  • Palmer Ridge (6-0) at Denver North (6-0)
  • Manual (4-2) at Platte Canyon (5-0)
  • Hayden (5-1) at Gilpin County (5-1)
  • Akron (2-4) at Dayspring Christian (3-3)
  • Prairie (6-0) at North Park (4-1)

 
The top game on our list should determine the 2A Flatirons championship as the remaining four teams in the conference have just six combined wins and four are against each other.  D’Evelyn is also 16th in the RPI so a win could be necessary for the Jags to reach the playoffs.  They’re a bubble team with a loss.
Palmer Ridge and Denver North play for the conference lead in the 3A East Metro.  The winner likely will be tied with Thomas Jefferson provided the Spartans get by Lincoln as expected.  Palmer Ridge and T-J meet up next week.
Platte Canyon needs a win to keep pace with Bennett in the 1A Colorado.  The Huskies are also 7th in RPI so another win could push them higher up those standings.  Manual already has a league loss to Clear Creek and sit 19th in RPI so it could be an elimination game for the Thunderbolts.
The race atop the 8-Man Northwest is crowded but could gain some separation today if Gilpin County beats Hayden.  That scenario puts the Tigers in a first-place tie with 2nd ranked West Grand and leaves Soroco in third place.  If Hayden ends up on top, then they’re part of a three-way tie with Soroco and Gilpin County in second; all one game back of West Grand.
Somewhat weird to debate on whether to list Akron vs Dayspring Christian as one of the top games across the state but neither of the traditional powers are in the Top 10 this week and they both share last place in the powerful 8-Man Plains conference.  Dayspring Christian is 18th in the RPI and Akron 24th so neither club would be playoff bound if the post-season opened this week.  Dayspring downed Akron 44-6 in non-league action earlier this season.
Coming off a huge win over Peetz last week, Prairie can clinch the 6-Man Northern conference championship and a playoff berth by winning in Walden this afternoon.  The Mustangs lead North Park and Peetz by one game in the standings.  North Park creates a three-way tie if they can nab the victory.