We can spin all week. We still would not affect the reality that there is not much product on the top shelf this week in Class 4A football. However, our lens looks at the fields with the bleachers half-full so here are three Week Eight league contests and some reasons to take a peek:
 
Friday, October 12: #5 Greeley West Spartans at Brighton Bulldogs (NORTHERN)
After opening with a loss in Florida, 5th-ranked Greeley West (5-1, 1-0) has stacked five consecutive victories –including non-league wins over notable 4A programs, Chatfield and Monarch, and then delivering a strong opening statement in the Northern League by racking up Longmont, 42-18. Another win here would likely set up a clean league match-up with #4 Broomfield next week.
Brighton (4-2, 1-0) endured back-to-back non-league losses to Chatfield and Skyline in September yet have regained momentum with victories over Greeley Central and Mountain View.
These two programs started making scheduling connections in 2015. They split the previous two seasons with the Bulldogs winning last October.
 
Friday, October 12: #2 Pine Creek Eagles at Mesa Ridge Grizzlies (SOUTHERN)
This is a chance to see what winning confidence might do for the underdog and what unexpected idle time does to the obvious favorite.
After losing at #2 Valor (5A) two weeks ago, 2nd-ranked Pine Creek (5-1, 1-0) rallied very impressively with a 21-9 victory over #8 Pueblo West. Then… the Eagles got stood up. Their 2018 league run began with no live reps and a forfeit victory. They face a struggling Palmer program next week before their October 27th date with Grand Junction Central — a team that just received a Top 10 welcome by CHSAA voters.
Mesa Ridge (4-2, 1-0) began Southern League play by running over Palmer 68-6 last week. That was the fourth consecutive victory for the Grizzlies.
These two programs from opposite sides of Colorado Springs have a thin history together. However, they have played the last two seasons. Pine Creek has won both by combined score of 76-14.
 
Friday, October 12: Chatfield Chargers at Golden Demons (JEFFCO)
This might be the game of the week. The Jeffco League is looking like it may provide a fun balance of entertainment the rest of the way and that includes these two locking lids at the NAAC.
Chatfield (4-2, 1-0) has dealt with some good football drama in five consecutive games decided by 10 points or less against an aggressive non-league schedule and then the one-point win over Wheat Ridge in their league opener last week.
The improving program at Golden (4-2, 0-1) enjoyed a 4-1 non-league run until dropping their league opener to Grand Junction the previous Friday, 18-13.
Even though they share an easy geographic connection, these two teams just started building their 4A rivalry two years ago when Chatfield reclassified. The Chargers have banked wins by 50-plus victory margins without yielding a point to the Demons in 2016 and 2015.
Other games with reasons to track:
 
Thursday, October 11: Hinkley Thunderbirds at Standley Lake Gators (PIONEER)
Thursday, October 11: #8 Pueblo West Cyclones at Coronado Cougars (PIKES PEAK)
Thursday, October 11: Gateway Olympians at #6 Ponderosa Mustangs (METRO)
Friday, October 12: Thornton Trojans at #7 Fruita Monument Wildcats (PIONEER) 
Friday, October 12: Mountain View Mountain Lions at #4 Broomfield Eagles (NORTHERN)
Friday, October 12: #9 Heritage Eagles at Aurora Central Trojans (METRO)
Friday, October 12: Denver South Rebels at #3 Montrose Indians (METRO)
Friday, October 12: Monarch Coyotes at Skyline Falcons (LONGS PEAK)
Friday, October 12: Fort Collins Lambkins at #1 Loveland Indians (LONGS PEAK)
Friday, October 12: #10 Grand Junction Central Warriors at Palmer Terrors (SOUTHERN)