By Kevin Shaffer, ColoradoPreps.com
Special to MaxPreps.com
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League Unbeatens Clash to Determine Front Range Lead
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Friday's matchup between third-ranked Fort Collins and fellow league unbeaten Legacy should decide the Front Range championship.ÿ
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The Lambkins have used a smallish but speedy defense in rolling to a 5-0 mark.ÿ That unit has allowed only 22 points in three league victories. Offensively, the backfield is loaded with the likes of quarterback Matt Yemm, running back Garrett Houts, and fullback Zach Donaldson.
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Legacy has featured a run dominated offense in years past, but quarterback Nick Edwards has allowed the Lightning to threaten defenses through the air. He has thrown for 569 yards on 40 completions.ÿ Joey Applehans, with 811 yards in five games, is considered one of the top running backs in the state.
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Sorting Out the 4A Mountain Plains
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Wheat Ridge sits atop the Mountain Plains Conference with six teams one-game back at 1-1.ÿ
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Those six teams collide this week, so there will be some separation after this week.ÿ If Wheat Ridge wins as expected, then the losers of those three games will be two games off the pace and likely out of the championship picture. The best of those three games is a rematch of the 2004 state title game between Dakota Ridge and ThunderRidge.
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The Grizzlies responded from their first loss in 27 games two weeks ago with a hard fought, 14-7 win over then third-ranked Ralston Valley. They host a Dakota Ridge team missing of one of their top offensive threats in wide receiver Josh Kormann.ÿ He's out at least two weeks with an injured foot, so look for the ThunderRidge defense to key on quarterback Eric Cain.
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Class 3A Features Great Matchups
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Sterling lost at Berthoud, 28-27, in overtime in what many consider the game of the year thus far in 3A.ÿ
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After a roughing the kicker penalty against Berthoud, Sterling decided to go for the win but failed on a two-point conversion try. With the loss, the Tigers dropped into third place behind Berthoud and Frederick. Now they must beat Frederick this Friday to have any league championship hopes.
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Frederick, along with Battle Mountain, is considered the top two surprises in Class 3A. The Warriors have not made the playoffs since bumping up to the 3A ranks three years ago. A home victory over Sterling on Friday should put them in the postseason. Despite the perfect start, Frederick has not been tested. Their five victories have come against teams with a combined six wins.ÿ
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Entering the season, Battle Mountain had won just four of their past 30 games under Coach Pat Engle. Engle and the 2006 team have already matched that win total with a 4-1 start. They are part of a three-way tie for second place in the Western Slope but can move into first place by beating Rifle (3-0) on Friday. It's part of a brutal second half schedule for the Huskies. In addition to the two time state finalist Bears, Battle Mountain must also face top ten members Palisade, Summit, and Steamboat Springs, along with arch-rival Eagle Valley.
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Top Five Teams Clash to Determine 2A Patriot Lead
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Brush and Platte Valley are ranked second and third in the state and are a combined 10-0 so far this year. That will change this Friday when the two Patriot league rivals collide in Brush.ÿ
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The winner has the inside track to gaining the top overall seed in the 2A playoff bracket, while the loser could actually be on the road in the first round.
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Platte Valley has not reached the playoffs since 1993, but they are well on their way behind talented quarterback Ty Tschacher. He has combined for 864 yards of total offense through the first five games. Brush prefers to pound the football with running backs Dustin Bass (680 yards) and Aaron Quinlin (516) leading the charge.
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Both defenses have been very stingy. Platte Valley has allowed just 34 points in five and Brush only 38. The Beetdiggers were also boosted last week by the addition of Rafael Munoz. After sitting out the required four games after transferring to Brush, the linebacker was in on 15 tackles in the win over Weld Central.
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Mean Moose in Search of State Scoring Record
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Through the first five weeks, no team has produced more points than Alamosa. The Mean Moose are averaging 55 points a game and have surrendered only 22 points all season.ÿ
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But they have a long way to go to set the record for most points in a season. That mark belongs to the 1930 Hugo squad which scored 748 points, including a 176-point effort against Vona. Only two other teams have scored at least 700 points in a season (Limon 1968 / Woodlin 2005). To set a new record, Alamosa would have to average 53.4 points a game and reach the state finals.
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Limon Eyeing Consecutive Wins Mark
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Three-time state champion Limon extended its winning streak to 44 by moving past conference rival Burlington 27-13 in week five.ÿ
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The Badgers must now win their final four games of the regular and a first round playoff game to break the record of 48-straight wins set by Stratton in the mid-1980's.
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Burlington, with All-State running back Brian Hendricks, was considered the last threat to halting the streak. Limon limited Hendricks to just 49 yards and the Badgers then put the game away late in the fourth quarter, scoring a touchdown on a fake field goal attempt.
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Limon meets Cripple Creek on Saturday and with a victory can break the state record for most consecutive wins by an 11-man squad.
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Holy Family the Favorite in 2A Despite Loss?
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Great battles are the norm when Class 2A powers Faith Christian and Holy Family face off, and last week was no different.ÿ
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Faith Christian overcame four turnovers and won the contest between the last two state champions 34-14.ÿ
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But despite the loss, Holy Family may now be considered the team to beat in Class 2A.ÿ Each of the last two years, the team that lost the regular season battle went to win the state championship and along the way beat the other in a playoff rematch.