There are big wins and then there are wins like this one. Rifle and Delta squared off Friday at Bears Stadium for a match-up of the #1 and #2 ranked teams in Colorado’s 2A football classification.  Rifle was ranked #1 and the Delta Panthers came into the game ranked #2 in the state by the CHSAA Coaches poll.

But many people in the know across Colorado had Delta at #1.

It is hard to argue with their assessment.

The Panthers possessed a defense that up until the match-up with the Bears had allowed just one touchdown over the course of their five games in 2019.  The Panthers offense has been remarkable as well, averaging 46 points per contest over the course of the first five games.  

Rifle has been no pushover though, averaging 41 points per game on offense and giving up only 8 points per game defensively. The #1 ranked Bears came out strong, dominating the first half on the way to a 47-29 win.

Rifle is now 6-0 on the year. The Bears remain #1 in the eyes of the coaches, but the various computer polls rank the Bears anywhere between 3rd and 4th with three regular-season games left to play. Rifle travels to Aspen tomorrow to take on the 3-3 Skiers. Don’t let the Skiers’ record fool you, a rash of early-season injuries contributed heavily to Aspen’s 0-2 start. The team looks healthy once again and will provide a strong challenge to Rifle’s League Champion aspirations.

Here is the press round-up for the game:

Photo Essay: Battle of the unbeaten, Rifle Bears take down the Delta Panthers – Rifle Citizen Telegram
Rifle blows past Delta, 47-29, in battle of top 2 2A teams – Glenwood Springs Post Independent
Run game carries Rifle past Delta – Grand Junction Daily Sentinel
Football roundup: Rifle wins No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup over Delta; top-10 games all around – CHSAANOW.com

KKCO Friday Night Blitz

WesternSlopeNow.com Friday Night Frenzy Player of the Week: Levi Warfel

WesternSlopeNow.com Friday Night Frenzy Week 7:

Coloradopreps.com does an excellent piece each week examing the various polls in the state. Here is how things stand this week:

CONSENSUS FOOTBALL RANKINGS (1A-2A) – Coloradopreps.com

A look ahead at this week’s football action locally and across the state:

TOP-10 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE AND SCOREBOARD FOR 2019’S WEEK 8 GAMES – CHSAANOW.com
PREPSCAST – WESTERN SLOPE REPORT – Coloradopreps.com
2A FOOTBALL – WEEK 8 – Coloradopreps.com