ALAMOSA, Colo. — Teams have begun grinding all over the valley and in a couple cases, the CHSAA’s polled rankings have sat up and taken notice.  

FOOTBALL
In Valley football things seem rather static as Centauri (4) and Monte Vista (10) both on byes weren’t punished for their lack of activity. The Falcons will open their season at Paonia August 31st. Monte Vista’s season starts at home when they host 2A’s Alamosa the same night.

However, 8-man saw a new addition when Sanford bashed their way into the top ten with Friday’s 46-18 beating of last years 16th seed, McClave. Sanford will look to keep things going when they travel to Swink Sept. 7th for their second game of the year.

Also in the top ten rankings in 8-man Sargent (9) will have a prime opportunity to climb the rankings when they open their schedule by hosting Fowler (6) Friday night. Fowler was the second victim of eventual champion Sedgwick County during their reign of terror last year. Over a four game post-season campaign Sedgwick County averaged 39-point deficits in all their blowout wins.  

Also in action this weekend will be Del Norte and Center. The Tigers will go on the road to face Southpark on Friday at 7 p.m. Southpark’s Burros are looking to rebound from a 60-38 shootout loss to Soroco last weekend. And Center will see their first action since 2016 when they open 2018 with a meeting at home against Lake County on Friday at 7 p.m.

VOLLEYBALL
Valley volleyball saw a little shake up with Del Norte and Centauri. The Centauri Falcons (10) took one on the chin at the hands of league rival Alamosa last week falling 3-0. Though they were able to register a notch in the ‘W’ column with Saturday’s visit to Sargent the Falcons still fell in the polls from number 6 to number ten. Up next for the Falcons will be a road match against Hoehne on Sept. 6th.

3A’s Alamosa meanwhile has taken a little tour through the 2A class with two straight wins over Del Norte and Hoehne. The Moose will open the Glenwood Springs Tournament against Peak to Peak on Friday.

In 2A, Del Norte (8) has been busy and is already four games into their season tallying three wins among them. Those three wins have catapulted Tigers into the polls ranked at number 8. Del Norte will look to continue building this Friday with a visit to Sargent at 3 p.m.

Representing 1A volleyball, Sangre de Cristo has picked up three solid wins. Unfortunately their recent loss to John Mall seems to have lost them favor with the pollers. The Thunderbirds have dropped out of the top ten since having been ranked number nine to begin with. Sangre de Cristo will travel to Manzanola on Sept. 1 with a 4 p.m start time.