Saturday
Platte Valley (6-0, 8-1) at Weld Central (5-1, 7-2), 1 p.m.
If Platte Valley wins, it claims the 2A Patriot League title outright for the first time. If Weld Central wins, it earns a share of the title with the Broncos and possibly Brush.
The Broncos have won six straight league games since dropping a nonleague game to Colorado Preps' top-ranked team, Faith Christian, 16-13 in overtime on Sept. 18. During that stretch Platte Valley has recorded five shutouts, including four straight, outscoring its opponents by an average of 34.7-1.2 points per game. The Broncos still haven't surrendered a touchdown on defense in league play.
Platte Valley senior linebacker Aaron Olson leads the defense with 108 total tackles, an average of 12 per game. Of those, 21 are for losses and three are sacks. Senior quarterback Jordan Smith leads a balanced Broncos offense with 945 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns on 119 carries and 699 passing yards on 51-of-103, with six touchdowns and four interceptions.
Weld Central has similar balance to its offense. Junior quarterback JJ Sirios has 560 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions on 37-of-59 passing. He has 351 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 69 carries. Senior running back Edgar Castro leads the Rebels with 783 yards and nine touchdowns on 127 carries.
Weld Central has won two straight with its only league loss coming against Brush 22-15 on Oct. 16. In league, the Rebels have outscored opponents an average of 36.7-23.8.
Samuel G. Mustari and Bobby Fernandez |
