Four weeks into a six-game regular season, the spring football playoff picture is starting to take some shape.  It should round into even more form after this week especially in Class 5A where the top four clubs in the first composite rankings of the season clash.

Topping the schedule is the Saturday matchup between top ranked Vista Peak and #2 Denver South which is preceded by the Friday meeting of #3 Fort Collins and #4 Boulder.  All four clubs are unbeaten on the season so the list of 5A teams perfect on the season will also be cut in half.  Winners become the favorite to land the top two seeds in the eight-man playoff bracket.

Vista Peak has outscored opponents 143-30 on the season but they were pushed quite a bit last week before nipping Far Northeast 13-10.  The Bison exploded for 13 first quarter points but could not dent the scoreboard the rest of the game as they held on for the three-point win.  Ja’derris Carr was held to a season low 58 yards rushing on 21 attempts but Bryson Torrie found even space for 87 yards on 10 carries.  He also scored a touchdown.  The second score came on a pass from Jordy Ruiz to Kyshaun Green.  Vista Peaks’ defense was also very solid as they limited the Warriors to just 62 yards overall.

Denver South also has a narrow win over Far Northeast (29-21) from week two.  Since that win, they’ve moved past Denver East (35-21) and Rangeview (27-17).  The Ravens managed 220 yards of offense against Rangeview with Daniel Jiple scoring twice on the ground.  Joseph Capra also connected with Rashad Caldwell on a touchdown pass.  Capra also scored in the run game.

UPDATE:  Boulder vs Fort Collins is cancelled as Lambkins are in quarantine.

Fort Collins easily rolled to 3-0 by downing Denver East, Adams City and Northglenn by a combined 125 points.  Last week’s win though was far from easy as they survived Mountain Range 14-7.  The offense sputtered most of the day as the Lambkins did not reached the end zone until scoring twice in the fourth quarter.  Andrew Seest completed just 8 of 23 passes for 77 yards and three interceptions, but he also tossed touchdown passes to Dorion McGarity and Dylan Crosby in the fourth quarter comeback.  Aaron Van Metre (13) and Joe Conner (12) combined for 25 tackles; leading a defense that forced four turnovers.

Boulder’s season has been the opposite.  After battling past Mountain Range and Westminster by a combined 13 points, the Panthers opened it up a bit last week in blanking Northglenn 31-0.  Alvin Rodriguez was solid through the air; connecting on 14 of 20 attempts for 211 yards and two scores.  The running game also generated 153 yards to provide balance with Declan Culberson and Parker Patchett each crossing the goal line.

Senior receiver Trenton Koser has helped Thomas Jefferson to a 3-0 start and top billing in the Colorado Preps composite rankings this week.

Thomas Jefferson (3-0) sits atop the 4A composite rankings.  They were off last week when the highly anticipated matchup with George Washington (3-0) was postponed due to COVID issues in the Patriots camp.  The game was originally rescheduled for last Monday but has since been moved to a “no-contest”.

The Spartans face city-league rivals Kennedy this week and Denver North to close next week.  Both could be tight games but wins in both should earn TJ the top overall playoff seed.  Avery Shunneson (287 yards), Jaden Hill (224) and Austin Lindegren (212) provide balance in the running game and have combined for nine touchdowns.

Kennedy (3-1) is fifth in composite rankings so a win over Thomas Jefferson puts them in position to host a state quarterfinal.  The Commanders dropped a 20-17 decision to George Washington in week two but has since moved past Denver North and Centaurus by 21 points apiece.  Defense was the key against Centaurus as they blanked the Warriors; holding them to 79 yards rushing and 122 through the air.  The Commanders picked off two passes and picked up nine tackles from Alec Sisneros and eight from Carlos Serrano.

Harrison and Falcon are second and third behind Thomas Jefferson in the 4A composite standings and the Panthers and Falcons play what could be a very big game next week.  Both are now charged with not looking ahead to that matchup.  It will be easier for Harrison as the Panthers scheduled game with Skyview this week has been postponed.  Falcon (3-1) meantime plays host to Gateway (2-2).

It won’t be easy as the Olys are seventh in composite rankings and considered on the playoff bubble.  They had won two straight before falling to Harrison (34-18) last week.  Falcon has posted two consecutive shutouts; blanking Skyview and Sierra over the past two weeks.

Glenwood Springs scored the biggest win in Class 3A last week as the Demons scored in the final seconds to knock off Basalt 21-14.  The victory pushed the Demons to the top of the 3A composite standings where they’re battling Classical Academy for the top overall seed.  They are the last two unbeaten teams in a very good division.

The Demons cannot rest easy this week as they take on long-time local rival Rifle.  The Bears are 4th in composite rankings with a lone blemish to Basalt in week three (38-7).  A win could assure Rifle of a home game in round one while a loss may put them on the road for the playoff opener.

Both clubs want to run the football.  Glenwood Springs averages 343 yards rushing per game and Rifle 360.  The Demons, with 331 yards, nearly reached their average against Basalt.  Blake Nieslanik ran for 173 yards and Garrett Dollahan 100 with both scoring a touchdown.  The third score came on a pass from freshman QB Jose Sandoval to Wheatly Nieslanik.  The defense also limited Basalt to just 140 yards of offense.

Rifle went for a season low 178 yards rushing against Basalt but returned to stride with 403 yards and seven scores on the ground against Basalt.  Toto Fletchall scored five times and ended the game with 182 yards.  Embrey Maratino added 122 yards and a score on just six attempts.

Classical Academy seeks a fourth straight win at Kent Denver.  Both clubs are accustomed to playoff football and while the Titans are virtually assured of a berth this year, the Sun Devils have some ground to make up.  They’re 11th in standings and climbing with two consecutive shutouts of Denver West (21-0) and Littleton (51-0).  Losses are against Academy (19-13) and Faith Christian (10-0).  Classical Academy by comparison beat Academy 41-12 last week and will be favored over Kent this week.

Basalt looks to rebound from last week’s loss as they visit traditional rival Aspen.  The Longhorns are third in composite rankings and will be a playoff team.  A win this week will help their chances to host a first-round game.  Aspen opened 0-2 but has beaten Montezuma Cortez and Steamboat Springs at home this week.  Those wins have moved the Skiers up to seventh in the rankings and very much alive for a playoff berth.

Another key game in 3A this week features Academy against Faith Christian.  As mentioned, Academy lost to TCA last week which was their first loss of the season.  They’re 5th in composite rankings and hoping to climb at least one spot higher to play at home in round one.  Faith Christian is 9th this week so they may need to win their final two to find a spot in the bracket.  They have Littleton on the schedule in the final week and will be favored there so this week is their key contest.

Flatirons Academy and Buena Vista are in a tight race for the highest playoff seed in Class 2A.  There is a large gap in the numbers between those two and Estes Park in the standings so it appears the Bison and Demons will grab the top two seeds.  The last two weeks will determine that order.

The Bison go to Grand Valley (2-2) this week and then close with Ellicott in week six.  After narrowly getting past Estes Park (27-26) in week one, they’ve dusted off Manual and Clear Creek by a combined 95 points.

Buena Vista has surrendered only 13 points all season and has this week off.  They close with a road trip to Estes Park which will be a very important contest if the Bobcats get by winless Roaring Fork as expected.  Collin Reetz threw for 299 yards and three scores last week in leading Estes Park past Manual (26-6).  He now has 1,540 yards and 14 scores through four games.

Right now, it’s difficult to see how Hoehne will not be the number one seed for the eight-man playoffs.  The Farmers are ranked number one in the composite poll this week and they have wins over #2 Front Range Christian and #3 John Mall.  Those victories have come in the last two games and by a combined 68 points.  The Farmers host Justice (1-2) on Saturday and finish with #4 Las Animas in the final week.

Seed number two should be decided when Front Range Christian goes to John Mall next Tuesday.  That game has been pushed back a few days as we understand the Panthers are in quarantine.  Front Range responded to their loss to Hoehne by handling Custer County 54-0.  John Mall will be seeing their first action since falling to the Farmers.

Front Range generated 664 yards of offense and 64 points against Hoehne but also gave up 706 yards and 100 points.  John Mall ran for 214 yards and three scores but also surrendered 435 yards and nine TDs on the ground to the Farmers.

Based on those numbers, expect plenty of points between the Falcons and Panthers this week with the winning team stepping up a bit on defense.