Hard to believe but week three marks the midway point of the 2020 campaign. Several matchups of 2-0 teams are on our list of Top Games for week three and results of those will structure the playoff race for the second half of the season.
Photo is provided by Lance Wendt.
CLASS 5A
Fairview at Fossil Ridge (Thurs)
Grandview at Cherry Creek (Thurs)
Ralston Valley at Pomona
Legend at Regis
NOTES: Good list of games this week including two that could decide the best records in their respective leagues. Fairview and Fossil Ridge are both out of the gate at 2-0 and the winner is probably challenged by Legacy for the overall top spot in the North. Legend and Regis are each 2-0 and atop the South. The winner should end up as the top playoff threat from the division. Ralston Valley-Pomona is the first of at least three huge games in the Jeffco. That result along with those against Columbine will determine the pecking order at seasons end. All three teams are strong playoff clubs. Grandview lost a tough one to Eaglecrest (43-42) last week and now must contend with defending state champion Cherry Creek. The Bruins have won 16 straight games.
CLASS 4A
Standley Lake at Dakota Ridge (Thurs)
Windsor at Erie
Longmont at Skyline
Fruita Monument at Ponderosa (Sat)
Vista Ridge at Rampart (Sat)
NOTES: Standley Lake and Dakota Ridge are both 2-0 but the Eagles are considered heavy favorites. Pace will be very important. Standley Lake has scored 22 points in their two wins; Dakota Ridge 113. Windsor-Erie is a battle of 2-0 clubs with the winner improving their playoff chances. The line of scrimmage may determine this one as both teams want to run the football and control time of possession. The remaining three games pit a 1-1 team needing an upset of a 2-0 opponent to remain relevant in the playoff picture. Longmont is coming off a much needed win over Monarch and now faces in-city rival Skyline. Fruita took a tough double overtime loss to Montrose last week (28-27) but must quickly bounce back against undefeated Ponderosa. Vista Ridge was beaten by Fountain Fort Carson last Friday but will be a tough out for a Rampart team that is quietly 2-0.
CLASS 3A
Fort Morgan at Mead
Holy Family at Discovery Canyon
Durango at Pueblo County
NOTES: All three games have serious playoff implications. Fort Morgan and Mead are battling with Roosevelt in the Northern conference. Mead lost to Roosevelt in overtime last week and a second loss will damage the Mavericks playoff hopes. Fort Morgan hopes to be unbeaten when they face the Riders in week five. They’re coming off a strong second half performance in a 41-21 win over Frederick in week two. The Holy Family-Discovery Canyon game was our pre-season pick to determine the Colorado crown but Lutheran threw a wrench in that prediction. Because of last week’s 57-17 loss to the Lions, Discovery Canyon may be in a must win situation this week to stay in the post-season discussion. With wins over Niwot and Lewis Palmer, Holy Family is 2-0 but this is a step up in competition level. Durango was dynamic in their season opening 63-0 win over Mitchell. They get back on the road this week to face a Pueblo County team that is 2-0 and wanting a playoff berth. Two very good dual threat quarterbacks in this one in Jordan Woolverton (Durango) and Chase Hartman (Pueblo County).
CLASS 2A
Severance at University (Thurs)
Sterling at Platte Valley
La Junta at Lamar
Delta at Woodland Park
NOTES: The annual clash between Sterling-Platte Valley is always important and that’s the case again this year. The Tigers are coming off a 14-10 win over Eaton so we believe a win this week will secure a playoff berth as the defending champs will be favored in their remaining three games. Platte Valley will still have Eaton remaining on their slate but a win this week also puts them in good shape for another post-season invite. Delta and Woodland Park appear to be the best teams in the Western Slope chase. The winner likely finishes the year unbeaten and in the playoffs. Both clubs are 2-0 going in. The Whistle game trophy is on the line when La Junta heads to Lamar on Friday. Coming off a tough home loss to 3A Pueblo County, the Tigers (1-1) may need a win to stay in playoff consideration. Lamar (2-0) has a huge game with Pagosa Springs in week four but won’t have an issue looking past their long-time rivals this week. Severance (2-0) looks to continue their strong start. With a third win, the Silver Knights could become the top challenger to Resurrection Christian in the Patriot West. It won’t be easy. University is 1-1 but has played a stronger schedule including a tough 31-21 road loss at Delta last Friday.
CLASS 1A
Florence at Peyton (Thurs)
Hotchkiss at Meeker
Wiggins at Holyoke
Banning Lewis at Strasburg (Sat)
NOTES: We kind of wish Hotchkiss-Meeker was later in the year as it’s a huge game on the Western Slope. More than likely the winner ends up with the best record in the conference and also moves very close to securing a playoff bid. Both clubs are 2-0 and have not been pushed through their first eight quarters of play. Meeker beat the Bulldogs twice in 2019. Florence-Peyton is another clash of 2-0 clubs and a lot is on the line in the Tri Peaks. Peyton has outscored their first two opponents 69-0 but will face a very good ground game from the Huskies. The Huskies have beaten Gunnison and Rocky Ford by a combined 66 points. Following their 2-0 start, there’s a ton of excitement in the Banning Lewis camp but a trip to Strasburg will be far their toughest test as a varsity program. The Indians have been to the 1A state finals four consecutive years including state championships in 2016 & 17. They’ve beaten Platte Canyon (41-0) and Prospect Ridge (60-0) soundly this year. Wiggins was taken out by Wray on Friday so the Tigers (1-1) must rebound to remain a playoff contender. Holyoke will be fresh. They’ve played just one game (beat Highland) as last week’s scheduled contest with Burlington was cancelled.
EIGHT MAN
Sedgwick County at Haxtun
Pikes Peak Christian at Simla
Rangely at West Grand
Merino at Dayspring Christian (Sat)
Crowley County at Holly (Sat)
NOTES: Huge win for Haxtun in week two as they downed #3 Dayspring Christian and the reward is a game with #1 Sedgwick County. The Cougars of course are the five-time defending state champions in eight man and will be favored on the road. Dayspring Christian looks to rebound from the loss with another tough assignment against Merino. The Rams are 2-0 after downing rival Caliche with ease on Saturday. Pikes Peak Christian-Simla should determine the best team in the South. Both took out tough opponents in week two as PPC held off Calhan (40-28) and Simla downed Swink (26-12). Rangely-West Grand are two of the best teams in the Northwest so their game could determine the top spot there. Gilpin County’s win at Springfield on Saturday though makes them a contender. West Grand will be playing their second game in five days as the Mustangs are also set to face Hayden on Tuesday. We list the Crowley County-Holly contest but at this point we’re not sure the game will be played. Holly, at the last minute, cancelled their game with Springfield last Friday due to possible quarantine concerns. It’s still not been announced if the Wildcats will miss a second game or if they will resume their schedule with Crowley County as planned. Its a crucial game if played as the winner is likely the biggest threat to Fowler in that region.
SIX MAN
Hi Plains at Eads
Cheraw at Walsh
Cotopaxi at Sierra Grande
Fleming at Prairie / Briggsdale at Peetz
Kit Carson at Cheyenne Wells (Sat)
NOTES: In a normal season, Hi Plains and Eads would easily make the playoffs but with an only eight team bracket, the matchup is this week is quite important. Both are coming off quality losses to Cheyenne Wells and Stratton/Liberty respectively. So one team will be 1-2 entering the second half of the season and in a tougher playoff position. Conversely, Cheraw and Walsh have momentum from impressive wins in week two. Cheraw blanked Cotopaxi and gained valuable RPI points against the Pirates. Walsh upset #10 Kim/Branson so the winner this week stays in the playoff picture. Cotopaxi and Sierra Grande play for the likely top spot in the Southwest but that may not be enough to grab a playoff berth this year. Both are 1-1. Kit Carson and Cheyenne Wells are both 2-0 and will play for a share of the top spot in the East. They currently sit tied with top ranked Stratton/Liberty at 2-0. Cheyenne Wells is coming off a solid win over Hi Plains and Kit Carson took out Kiowa. We list the Fleming-Prairie and Briggsdale-Peetz games together because the scenario for both will be determined by the outcome of a game on Monday. Prairie meets Briggsdale that night. The winner moves to 2-0 and sets up an unbeaten showdown with either Fleming or Peetz in week three.
