So, you can’t decide which Class 5A softball region to check out Saturday? We’ll make it easy for you. Head over to the Barnes Complex in Loveland.
No, it’s not only because top-seeded Legacy and Shelby Babcock will be there as the Region 1 favorite. The complex actually is hosting two regions, as Ralston Valley-led Region 4 also is at the site. These two highlight the eight regions around the state, of which two state qualifiers will emerge from each.
While Legacy not surprisingly was the only unbeaten team (16-0-1) in the classification – the Lightning’s district includes Westminster, Fort Collins and Arvada West – Ralston Valley had to win its final 10 games to regain its status as one of the premier squads. The Mustangs began a shaky 5-3, with lopsided losses to Legacy and Broken Arrow, Okla., but since have captured a groove and made a clean sweep through the Jefferson County League.
“This was one of our goals,” Ralston Valley shortstop Kelley Reeves said. “We worked hard to get where we are, and I think we deserve it. I think we’ve learned to work more as a team now after losing some of our seniors last year.”
Interestingly, Ralston Valley met Arvada West last week in a contest that appeared to be for the league title. Not only did Arvada West lose that one, but the Wildcats also fell to Standley Lake later in the week. The Wildcats plummeted all the way to a No. 17 seed and will open with Fort Collins. Don’t be surprised if the Wildcats are among the state qualifiers, though.
Also of note, Canyon View fields in Grand Junction also will play host to two districts, Grand Junction Central-led District 8 and Fruita-Monument-hosted District 2. Grand Junction Central (18-1) earned the No. 2 overall seed, the highest in recent memory for a Western Slope school.
Also serving as region hosts are third-seeded Chaparral (17-1), which is enjoying its finest ever season, Eaglecrest, Mountain Vista and Liberty.
Class 4A to be competitive
While top-seeded Wheat Ridge still is the favorite in 4A, it is anything but a shoo-in for the Farmers. Seeds Nos. 2 through 5 – Windsor, D’Evelyn, Niwot and Mullen, which played a 5A schedule – all have the goods to be hoisting the title hardware on Oct. 24.
Of that group, Niwot (16-3) is the lone surprise squad. Led by pitcher Kali Haas, the Cougars distinguished themselves in the 17-team Northern League, a league in which gaining an identity is difficult with several contenders boasting similar records.
Filling out the bracket as region hosts are Colorado Springs Metro League squads Lewis-Palmer and Castle View and South Central champion Pueblo Central.
Class 3A still going
The 3A circuit does things a bit differently with regular-season games still going this week and a few league races undecided before district play.
Erie and Holy Family have met in the past four title games, and that seemed not to be in the offing this season when Holy Family fell back to the pack a bit. But the Tigers (13-5) overthrew Faith Christian for the league title last week and look to be in the championship mix once again.
“We’re not at the same point where we’ve been the past few years record-wise, but that doesn’t matter to us,” Holy Family pitcher Rachel Boothe said. “We’re feeling really good, we’ve worked on a lot of things, and I’m excited to get to postseason to show what we got.”
Boys Soccer
It's obvious that the coaches who vote in the weekly Colorado High School Coaches Association/MaxPreps poll saw this one coming at some point. For the past three weeks, despite being undefeated and the defending Class 5A state champion, Denver East has seen its support in the polls drop, and this week the margin was only one point over Cherry Creek.
The Angels are certain to take a hit again next week after dropping a 2-1 decision to Denver South on Monday night. The Rebels have played a solid schedule, which included top 5A teams in Air Academy and Eaglecrest, as well as Golden (4A) and Colorado Academy (3A), but there is little doubt the outcome could be termed the biggest surprise of the season.
The Denver East figures to make it a wide-open chase for the top seed in Class 5A come the postseason. Cherry Creek, the Centennial League leader, and the winner of the four-team chase in the spirited Front Range League between Boulder, Fairview, Rocky Mountain and Fort Collins, figure to have the inside track at the No. 1 seed with a little more than a week to play. Ponderosa (10-1-1), which leads the Continental League, could state its case if it wins out, as could one of three teams that emerges in the Colorado Springs Metro League (Air Academy, Pine Creek, Liberty).
Broomfield continues to outpace the field in the Class 4A rankings, and the Eagles will be able to all but clinch the Northern League title and the top seed in the postseason with a win against Fossil Ridge on Thursday. Broomfield is unbeaten in league play, with Fossil Ridge just a game back (pending the outcome of its game against Niwot on Tuesday). The Sabercats have won nine in a row and have allowed only six goals this season.
Colorado Springs Christian is the front-runner in 3A and appears headed for an undefeated regular season and the top seed in the upcoming tournament. The Lions, whose final top regular-season challenge figures to come from Evangelical Christian, has quality wins against Air Academy and established Metro League powers Denver Christian and Kent Denver on its resume. Peak to Peak is making its move, though, as the Pumas have won 11 in a row after a season-opening loss to Silver Creek.
MaxPreps Colorado editor Gerry Valerio contributed to this report.