One week removed from its first loss of the season – and after scoring a combined 16 points in its previous two games – Northridge’s football team needs a statement game.

Who better for the Grizzlies to attempt that against than a Thompson Valley squad that currently shares first place in Class 3A League 7 with top-ranked Roosevelt, the same team that shut down Northridge 36-7 last Thursday?

Thompson Valley (5-2, 2-0) dropped both of its games this season to ranked opponents. The Eagles lost to current 3A No. 10 Summit by six points in the season opener, and couldn’t keep up with 4A’s No. 3 Loveland two weeks later. But Thompson Valley has won four in a row since that point, allowing just more than six points a game during that stretch.

It’s a crucial game for both team’s playoff hopes. Northridge (6-1, 1-1) is currently sixth in RPI and Thompson Valley is eighth, with home games against No. 1 Roosevelt and No. 6 Resurrection Christian remaining.

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Severance at (1) Roosevelt (Saturday)

Roosevelt (7-0, 2-0 in League 7) continues to roll, taking down a ranked opponent for the second consecutive week. Xavier Ramirez rushed for 126 yards and two scores, and Bronco Hartson rushed for two touchdowns and threw for a third. Elizar Valencia had three of the Roughriders’ six sacks on the night.
Severance (2-5, 0-2) gave No. 6 Resurrection Christian a battle before falling 28-22. Jaden Hoffman threw three touchdown passes in the loss.

(2) Durango at Eagle Valley

Durango’s offense has been prolific all season, and the Demons put up a season-high in points in a 57-14 victory over Glenwood Springs last Friday. Durango (6-1, 2-0 in League 3) which is averaging more than 52 points a game in its six victories, was paced by Zachary Haber’s 119 yards and three rushing touchdowns, and Tyler Harms added two touchdowns through the air. Luke Wesley had two of the team’s four interceptions.

Eagle Valley (1-5, 1-1) couldn’t keep up with Palisade in a 50-16 loss two weeks ago.

Wheat Ridge at (3) Green Mountain

Only two unbeaten teams remaining in 3A, with Green Mountain running its record to 7-0 (2-0 in League 4) with a 36-0 blanking of Conifer. The Rams, who have four shutouts on the season, rushed for 264 yards with 10 different rushers. Colton Brown scored a touchdown on each of his two carries.

Wheat Ridge (2-5, 0-2) dropped its third in a row with a 48-7 loss to Skyview.

Northfield at (4) Lutheran

Lutheran topped the 50-point mark for the third this season last Friday, taking care of Lincoln 61-0. Junior Ryken Daugaard had 302 yards through the air and four touchdowns on only nine completions, with Joe Ciccio catching four passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns. The Lions (5-2, 2-0 in League 5) also intercepted three passes.

Northfield (4-3, 0-2) lost its third in a row. The Nighthawks were bounced 48-6 by No. 8 Holy Family.

Thompson Valley at (5) Northridge

Northridge is coming off its aforementioned first loss to Roosevelt, 36-7. The Grizzlies managed only 17 yards on the ground and allowed six sacks. The team’s only score came on a touchdown pass from Cooper Rose to Jayden Marquez.

Thompson Valley limited city rival Mountain View to only 143 yards of total offense in a 38-6 victory last Friday. The Eagles rushed for 274 yards as a team, paced by Jack Maki’s 97 yards and a score.

(6) Resurrection Christian at Mountain View (Thursday)

After Roosevelt handed Resurrection Christian its first loss two weeks ago, the Cougars bounced back with a 28-22 victory over Severance. Resurrection Christian (6-1, 1-1) finishes the regular season with Northridge and Thompson Valley.

Mountain View (1-6, 0-2) was roughed up by Thompson Valley, falling 38-6.

(7) Evergreen at Skyview

Evergreen responded to its first league loss by matching a season-high in points with a resounding 56-0 victory over Littleton last Saturday. Senior Tommy Poholsky had a huge game for the Cougars (5-2, 1-1 in League 4), going 17-of-21 for 260 yards and five touchdowns. Gabe Zimmerer rushed for two scores and caught a third, and the defense had three sacks and forced two turnovers.

Skyview (3-4, 1-1) snapped a four-game losing streak with a 48-7 victory over Wheat Ridge. Omar Loza rushed for 171 yards and four touchdowns.

Fort Morgan at (8) Holy Family (Thursday)

Holy Family is looking to put together its first winning streak of the season, hosting defending state champion Fort Morgan on Thursday night in Broomfield. The Tigers (4-3, 1-1 in League 5) handled Northfield 48-6 last Saturday, with Rylan Cooney throwing for 349 yards and four touchdowns, and rushing for another score. Ashton Erickson caught three of those TD passes and finished with seven catches for 113 yards. Holy Family’s defense forced five turnovers.

Fort Morgan (3-4, 2-0) held off Kennedy 40-32 last Thursday. David Keller rushed for 225 yards and scored three touchdowns.

(9) Pueblo East at Mitchell

Pueblo East upped its winning streak to three games, shutting out Canon City 35-0 last Saturday. The Eagles (6-1, 2-0 in League 2) got a big game from quarterback Zayden Stevens, who threw for 290 yards and three touchdowns. Izaiah Trujillo caught two touchdowns, and Rocco Rowell caught three passes for 106 yards and another score. Pueblo East’s defense tallied four sacks.

Mitchell (0-7, 0-2) lost to Sand Creek 59-12.

Glenwood Springs at (10) Summit

One week after being humbled by No. 2 Durango, the team’s first loss of the season, Summit put together a hard-fought 28-18 victory over Palisade. Quarterback Jack Schierholz had 270 yards of total offense and three touchdowns, rushing for 142 yards and two scores.

Glenwood Springs (4-3, 1-1) lost to Durango 57-14.