It’s the final weekend of October, which also means it is the final week of the Class 5A regular season.
A number of league titles can be clinched outright this weekend ahead of next week’s first round of the postseason. With only 24 postseason spots up for grabs, the CHSAA RPI points race is telling – Arvada West is currently sitting 24th with .480 points, just ahead of Mullen (.478) and Doherty (.477).
The biggest game of the final weekend comes in the Centennial League, with top-ranked Cherry Creek hosting No. 6 Grandview on Friday night. The Bruins are looking to close it out with the league title, though Grandview could generate a tie at the top with a victory over the Bruins.
The top eight seeds in the postseason will receive a first-round bye.
(6) Grandview at (1) Cherry Creek
Cherry Creek (8-1, 4-0) hasn’t lost a game to an in-state opponent this season, and is coming off a big 42-7 triumph over an Arapahoe team currently seventh in RPI. The Bruins forced three turnovers and freshman Brady Vodicka tossed three touchdown passes to three different receivers.
The sixth-ranked Wolves (7-2, 3-1) posted their first shutout of the season, downing Cherokee Trail 28-0 last Friday. Liam Szarka was 27-of-40 passing for 328 yards and three touchdowns, with senior Simon Kibbee catching 11 passes for 152 yards and two scores. Grandview intercepted three passes.
(2) Valor Christian at Mountain Vista
Valor Christian isn’t just looking to lock up the League 5 crown this weekend against a good Mountain Vista program. The Eagles (7-2, 4-0) are currently first in RPI and looking to lock up the top overall seed in the 5A playoffs. Valor knocked off previously undefeated ThunderRidge 19-7 last Friday, rushing for 239 yards as a team. Quarterback Asher Weiner scored both touchdowns, with a safety and a field goal generating the other points.
Mountain Vista (7-2, 3-1) has won three in a row since an overtime loss to ThunderRidge, including last Thursday’s 21-17 win over Highlands Ranch. Austyn Modrzewski threw for 266 yards and a touchdown and rushed for another score.
Arvada West at (3) Ralston Valley
Ralston Valley has already defeated the two teams trailing it in the Jeffco League standings, but the Mustangs can claim a clean sweep of league against the Wildcats. Ralston Valley (7-2, 4-0), which is fifth in RPI, defeated Chatfield 27-20 last Friday. Logan Madden tossed three touchdowns to Josh Rillos, who caught six passes for 153 yards.
Arvada West (4-5, 2-2) picked up its second league victory by defeating Pomona 42-14. Freshman Adrian Symalla rushed for three touchdowns.
(4) Columbine at Chatfield
Columbine (8-1, 3-1) is currently 10th in RPI despite having only one loss. The Rebels face area rival and defending 4A champion Chatfield to close out the regular season. Columbine ran away from winless Lakewood 56-7, rushing for 314 yards. Marquane Taylor scored three touchdowns on the ground and James Basinger added two more.
Chatfield (4-5, 3-1) fell 27-20 to Ralston Valley. The Chargers are currently 22nd in RPI.
Fountain-Fort Carson at (5) Regis Jesuit (Saturday)
Like Ralston Valley, Regis Jesuit has already clinched its league by virtue of a win over second-place Pine Creek. The Raiders (6-3, 4-0 in League 6) close out with the Trojans, and are currently fourth in RPI thanks to two victories over teams in the top three. Albert Medina rushed for two touchdowns in a 26-11 victory over Legend last Friday. Jace Fillerman had 2.5 of the team’s five sacks.
The Trojans (6-3, 2-2) defeated Chaparral 46-9, rushing for 236 yards. Fountain-Fort Carson is 18th in RPI.
(7) ThunderRidge at Rock Canyon
Another great game to close out the regular season pits ThunderRidge (ninth in RPI) against Rock Canyon (11th in RPI) in Continental League play. Grizzlies (8-1, 3-1) were handed their first loss last week by Valor Christian, a 19-7 setback. ThunderRidge only allowed two touchdowns, but managed only 193 yards of total offense.
Rock Canyon (7-2, 2-2) snapped a two-game losing streak with a 28-3 victory over Castle View. Luke Wennogle rushed for three touchdowns.
Chaparral at (8) Pine Creek (Saturday)
Pine Creek is looking to keep pace behind the Raiders in the league standings, though the Eagles (7-2, 3-1) are ahead of Regis Jesuit in RPI. Pine Creek knocked off Douglas County 38-13 last Thursday, with sophomore Cameron Cooper tossing two touchdown passes. Mason Miller and Jonathan Coar each topped 100 yards on the ground.
Chaparral (1-8) lost to Fountain-Fort Carson 46-9.
(9) Legacy at Brighton
Make it seven wins in a row now for Legacy (7-2, 4-0 in League 2) after a 42-13 victory over Horizon last Friday. The Lightning, currently 14th in RPI, was paced by Kullen Lerma’s three touchdown passes and a 317-yard effort on the ground.
Brighton (1-8, 1-3) fell to Rangeview 39-35 last Saturday.
(10) Fairview at Rocky Mountain (Thursday)
With only one week remaining, Fairview can clinch League 3 outright with a victory over the Lobos. The Knights (8-1, 4-0) cracked the Top 10 with an impressive 42-26 victory over then-No. 10 Fossil Ridge last Friday. Senior Zach Lewis rushed for 129 yards and three touchdowns, part of a 295-yard, five-touchdown night on the ground from Fairview, which is currently eighth in RPI.
Rocky Mountain (5-4, 2-2) defeated Boulder 42-3 behind 200 yards rushing and two touchdowns from Abraham Chatila.