One thing is certain about Rifle’s position in the current Class 3A state football polls.

With a bye week, going into Week 7 of the 2002 season, the undefeated Bears (3-0 in conference, 7-0 overall) are going to be the No. 1 team of the classification for the next two weeks.

Rifle’s 21-6 win over Moffat County last Friday, a slighty lesser margin of victory than usual, did not faze the voters of both the 9News/Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News prep polls, who kept the Bears No. 1 for the fifth straight week in a row.

The voters have, however, have taken note of the rest of the Western Slope Conference and have placed two other teams from the WSL on one Top 10 list.

Steamboat Springs, Rifle’s next opponent, is the 3A’s No. 10 team, according to the Rocky Mountain News. Palisade is ranked No. 6 by the News and No. 7 by the Post.

Co-2A WSL leader Roaring Fork (3-0, 5-1) retained its No. 9 position in the 9News/Denver Post poll with a 42-6 demolishing of Gunnison at Western State College last Friday.

After this Friday’s home game with Aspen, the Rams are heading to a showdown with unbeaten Eagle Valley (third in the 9 News and fourth in the Rocky Mountain News) the following week.

In other state prep polls released by the Rocky Mountain News on Monday, Glenwood Springs has held its No. 3 spot in the 4A boys’ cross country polls for the third week.

Additionally, Alpine Christian continues its reign as the No. 2 team in the state among Class 3A girls cross country teams.

After dropping two positions following a loss to No. 5 Steamboat two weeks ago, the Demon volleyball team has rebounded with victories against Palisade, Delta and Moffat County and is the No. 7 team in that sport’s Class 4A state rankings.

In boys soccer, the Basalt Longhorns, despite an upset loss to league rival Roaring Fork early last week, are No. 7 in the 3A soccer poll.