Class 4A football presents thirteen teams with something to say about the final standings in six leagues, so pull up a tray and peal open some Lunchables. Time for a grand finale, homey!
Applying the art of creative geometric spacing, we asked our CPN team managers to fit seven important match-ups on the Week Ten marquee:
Thursday, November 1: Golden at Dakota Ridge (JEFFCO)
Hang in there for the full ride, right? Dakota Ridge (5-4, 3-1) won just one of their first four non-league games to start the season, yet here they are in position to earn a league championship and a first playoff berth in three seasons. The Eagles arrive with a 3-game win streak including the 17-0 win over Wheat Ridge last Friday. They have played Golden four times this decade — winning all four by a combined total of 152—26.
Golden (5-4, 1-3) has Top 5 pass production totals in Class 4A. The Demons are seeking a second consecutive season finishing over .500.
Thursday, November 1: Vista Ridge at #2 Pine Creek (SOUTHERN)
2nd-ranked Pine Creek (8-1, 4-0) is seeking their sixth consecutive undefeated league championship and are also positioning themselves within the Top 4 spots in the RPI geek-o-metrics that impact the upcoming playoff seedings. In four games played since their loss at Valor in Week Four, the Eagles defense has allowed a total of 30 points — which includes the 47-14 victory over Grand Junction Central last week.
The complex story of Vista Ridge (5-4, 3-1) includes a 2-4 start with a 16-13 loss to Grand Junction Central to open up Southern League play. By blasting their last three league opponents by 50-plus point margins, the Wolves have played themselves into an opportunity to activate league tiebreaker(s).
This is the seventh consecutive season these two programs meet. Pine Creek has won five in-a-row.
Friday, November 2: #10 Rampart at #8 Pueblo West (PIKES PEAK)
Circle ‘round these two as they battle for the summit of the Pikes Peak League.
8th-ranked Pueblo West (7-2, 4-0) ranks second in Class 4A in points allowed and has consistently outscored their league opponents, 187-35, in total. The Cyclones will play for their first league title since 2012.
Rampart (7-2, 4-0) just regained the attention of CHSAA poll voters this past week after a 49-0 victory over Air Academy. The Rams employ the most productive rushing attack in Class 4A and rank third in team scoring average. Meanwhile, their defense has allowed only two touchdowns during their four league games so far and has collected 15 total turnovers in 2018. Rampart currently sits on the cusp within the RPI list. Data would have a softer impact if they capture their third consecutive undefeated league championship.
This is the first time in five seasons these two football programs will meet.
Friday, November 2: #5 Ponderosa at #9 Heritage (METRO)
High entertainment expectations with this finale in the Metro League. 5th-ranked Ponderosa (7-2, 4-0) is holdin’ the best cards in conference. After the two early growing losses versus 5A squads, the defense of the Mustangs has allowed only 10.8 points per game to their seven Class 4A opponents. Three of their four league foes were held to single-digit scoring and that includes the 21-9 win over #4 Montrose this past Saturday. A victory would earn Pondo’ a second conference championship in three years.
This 9th-ranked Heritage (8-1, 4-0) team suffered their only defeat of 2018 to Montrose back in the first week of league play. Only three other squads in the classification have scored more TDs than the Eagles — who can force a co-championship pending tiebreakers.
Although the two programs have shared off-field and off-season connections in recent years, the Mustangs and Eagles have not played an official football game against each other since 2006.
Watch the live broadcast from Littleton on FOX31 HS Gameday:Â This clash off South Broadway will be presented on FOX31 HS Gameday coverage.
Friday, November 2: Skyline at #1 Loveland (LONGS PEAK)
The most top-heavy league in Class 4A has scheduled itself into a one-game finale for who takes the undisputed crown. The whole state has a clue about who the favorite is, but it is football folks up North who have directly observed why top-ranked Loveland (9-0, 4-0) remains the team to beat in the Longs Peak League and anywhere else. The Indians have yielded just 34 points in 2018 — including four shutouts. Ralston Valley — a 6-seed in the 5A playoffs — is the only team to eclipse double-digits versus Loveland. They play offense, too — more points and more total yards collected than any other squad in 4A.
Skyline (7-2, 4-0) scores 38.0 points per contest, ranks right behind Loveland in total yardage, and leads their classification in passing yards. The 4-game win streak the Falcons have fused together during league play has created this opportunity to earn a first league championship this century.
The most recent meeting between these programs was back in 2009.
Watch the free online broadcast here
Friday, November 2: Bear Creek at Chatfield (JEFFCO)
The significance of this game will be determined the previous night at Jefferson County Stadium.
In order to earn a Jeffco championship, Chatfield (6-3, 3-1) needs Dakota Ridge to suffer a loss to Golden on Thursday night and then speed past their ole’ West side rival in this regular season finale.
Fearless non-conference scheduling yielded a 0-4 start to the season for Bear Creek (4-5, 3-1). The Bears discovered ways to flip their season around during a 7-game stretch in which the average scoring differential was 5.8 points per game. Now they control their postseason options. Win this finale, they’re in as league champs. A loss would end their season.
Friday, November 2: #7 Fruita Monument at Vista PEAK (PIONEER)
The deliberate pouncing through the Pioneer League has been noticeable. After beating Standley Lake in Grand Junction, 49-12, last Friday, 7th-ranked Fruita Monument (7-2, 2-0) is looking to complete an undefeated league season and secure a slot as a first round host in the postseason. To date, the Wildcats have outscored league opponents 204-61.
The defensive efforts of Vista PEAK (7-2, 3-1) have allowed just 11.2 points per game — which ranks among the top three in Class 4A. A 30-0 shutout of Thornton last week has presented this opportunity for the Bison to claim a league title if they can outrun their visitors from the other side of the box state. The contest features two offenses that rank in the top five rushing yardage totals in their classification.
This will be the first-ever meeting between the two football programs.
Agenda for the remaining Top 10 and those with postseason potential:
Thursday, November 1: #3 Greeley West at Mountain View (NORTHERN)Â
Thursday, November 1: Centaurus at Standley Lake (PIONEER)Â
Friday, November 2: Longmont at #6 Broomfield (NORTHERN)
Friday, November 2: Aurora Central at #4 Montrose (METRO)
Friday, November 2: Mesa Ridge at Grand Junction Central (SOUTHERN)
Friday, November 2: Greeley Central at Monarch (LONGS PEAK)