A top five clash between Mead and Roosevelt is the feature bout but a second top 10 battle featuring Discovery Canyon and Lutheran serves as a high quality undercard. Plus there are several other contests on tap that will shape the playoff push over the final month of the regular season.
#1 Mead and #5 Roosevelt were at or near the top of the list of impressive teams from week one. The Mavericks displayed several new starters in their opener but still gained a lopsided 45-10 win over Thompson Valley and Roosevelt bumped off then #5 Frederick 45-10.
Both teams featured balanced attacks in rolling up big offensive numbers. Mead was held scoreless in the first 12 minutes but then exploded for 28 second quarter points. They finished the night 321 yards rushing; spread out over 11 different ballcarriers. Nathan Bailey is the top offensive returnee for the Mavs and he collected 11 yards. Evan Morris added two scores.
QB Gavin Garrettson, who transferred from Evergreen, combined with Porter Eastin to throw three touchdown passes on just four completions.
Roosevelt ran for 157 yards and passed for 189. QB Brig Hartson (37) paced five rushers between 26-37 yards and also threw for three TD’s. Those tosses went to Keaton Kaiser, Tucker Peterson and Jaden Herra. On defense, Cooper Walton and Logan Pool each registered 13 tackles with Clayton Robinson adding 2.5 sacks.
With a win on Friday, Roosevelt moves very close to finishing with the best record in the Northern conference as they would already have victories over Mead and Frederick. Fort Morgan remains on their schedule but they would be heavily favored in their other three contests left on the slate.
#7 Fort Morgan seeks a 2-0 start to the year as they host Frederick on Thursday night. The Mustangs overcame a scoreless first half to push past Mountain View 21-10 last week. Frederick looks to bounce back from last week’s loss to Roosevelt. The Warriors made the semifinals a year ago and missed a championship game visit by just five points but a second straight loss this year puts their playoff hopes in jeopardy.
Frederick’s offense was filled with newcomers last week but they still moved the ball effectively. QB Bryce Conover ran for 108 yards and threw for 82 yards and a score. It was his first varsity start as he takes over the graduated Jake Green.
The defense will be charged with stopping the Fort Morgan running game that featured two players with at least 130 yards in week one. Frank Ortega picked up 143 and QB Briggs Wheatley totaled 132 as the Mustangs overall tallied more than 400 yards.
The game starts a crucial two week stretch for Fort Morgan as they also tangle with Mead next week. Roosevelt is on the slate in week five.
Lopsided wins were the result for both #5 Discovery Canyon and #10 Lutheran last week. The Thunder rolled past Mitchell 48-14 and the Lions slammed Lewis Palmer. Now the winners meet in a key game inside the Colorado where #8 Holy Family also resides. Discovery Canyon meets Holy Family next week so wins this week and next should get them back into the playoff bracket.
The Thunder tallied 20 first quarter points last week and then added two scores in the second for a commanding 34-6 halftime advantage. The defense chipped in for the victory as both Justin Pruitt (95) and Matthew Bigari (50) returned interceptions for a touchdown. Dylan Ruane got the scoring started with a pair of first quarter rushing TD’s.
Lutheran got a big effort from Dorian Pacheco in their win over Lewis Palmer. He was the team’s leading rusher with 95 yards and also paced the defense with 14 tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery. The offense also picked up 65 yards rushing from Clayton Jacobs and 55 from Ryan Kenny. Jacobs also threw for 121 yards and two scores.
The key game in the Western Slope division pits Jeffco rivals #9 Green Mountain and Conifer on the same field. The Lobos will host and they’re coming off a wild 42-34 win over Summit last week. Noah Wagner was huge; rushing for 255 yards and five touchdowns on just 21 touches. QB Gunnar Truby added the sixth rushing score and picked up 99 yards on 16 attempts. He also completed five of eight pass attempts for 83 yards. It was a solid start as he succeeds JR Hart in the position.
Green Mountain used a big special teams play to get past Northridge 21-14. The Grizzlies tied the game at 14 with under three minutes left but then Jose Cedillo returned the ensuing kickoff 80 yards for the game winning score. Northridge had booted the kickoff out of bounds but instead of taking the ball there, the Rams asked for a rekick and it paid off quickly.
Despite the win, the Rams struggled running the football as they gained just 21 yards. Darius Padilla did complete 12 of 19 passes for 162 yards and two TD’s to Austin Peterson. He finished with five receptions. On defense, Allen Ortiz led the way with 12 tackles and Kyler Yarnell had 11.
#2 Pueblo South has another week of quarantine so their scheduled game with Pueblo County has been cancelled. Pueblo County, coming off a nice 27-6 win over Pueblo Central, will instead head to #8 La Junta (2A) on Friday.
#3 Durango was slated to play Pueblo South last week so the Demons’ game with Mitchell this week will be their first taste of action on the season. They will be heavily favored to gain the victory.
#6 Palisade has their home opener with Battle Mountain on Thursday. The Bulldogs ran over Evergreen 24-7 last week; gaining 238 yards rushing on 44 attempts. Jaden Spears topped the Bulldogs with 81 yards, Gabe Harrison added 69 and Franklin Barks 59. The defense was also strong; forcing three turnovers and getting 14 tackles from Kevin Sjogren and 11 apiece from Caleb Hicks and Julio Rodriguez.
Hard to get a read on Battle Mountain entering week two. The Huskies were slated to open with local rival Eagle Valley but changed to face 5A power Ralston Valley when the Devils went into quarantine. Offensive numbers were not big but the Huskies gained valuable experience against a much bigger school and talented program.
#8 Holy Family must avoid looking past Lewis Palmer to next week’s battle with Discovery Canyon. Scoring all their points in the first half, the Tigers downed Niwot 50-14. They scored five touchdowns and gained 210 yards of offense on just 23 overall plays. Justin Trostel was involved in two of the Tigers six forced turnovers and he returned both an interception and fumble for a touchdown.
