It has been a month of Class 5A football and just a week remains before big-schoolers embark on yet another two-year outlay of new leagues across the board.
So what have we learned?
Mostly more of the same-old. Then again, you probably knew that.
For starters, Cherry Creek is quite good and on both sides of the ball. The Bruins are fresh from a 35-34 overtime victory on the road against defending 5A state champion Pomona.
Valor Christian also has performed nicely to date in the first year of new head coach Ed McCaffrey.
Pomona may be 2-2, but the Panthers’ other loss was to Valor Christian. Don’t forget about them.
And count Columbine among the elite. The Rebels recently welcomed back very important quarterback Logan DeArment after missing a couple of weeks because of minor surgery, according to Jefferson County communications.
Nine of the 40 teams remain undefeated, including suddenly not-so-lowly Smoky Hill, which continues to bid for its first winning season in 28 years.
Now, it’s up to a half-dozen or more to try and crack the upper end, and it won’t be easy. The middle of 5A is full and contains at least 20 teams bidding to stay within the mix.
At the other end, eight continue winless, including Doherty of Colorado Springs that has faced a considerable schedule — the Spartans were rolled by Cherry Creek, lost in three overtimes at Mullen, fell to 4A power Pine Creek and were rocked at Fairview in Boulder.
With just this weekend to play in nonleague (save for the Metro 10, the group of struggling programs that began in Week 2) and Coloradans staring at the halfway point of the 2018 season, the following matchups are marked for your viewing pleasure:
Best bets …
Chaparral (1-3) vs. Cherry Creek (4-0), Thursday, 7 p.m., Stutler Bowl
The Wolverines, under first-year coach Jeff Ketron, have been able to manage only six offensive touchdowns. Four have come on the ground by senior Dylan Smithwick, who also has 450 yards rushing. … Chaparral has completed only 29 percent of its passes. … Junior Jake Kiland has 13 receptions for 124 yards. … Bruins senior QB Alex Padilla, who had 40 TD tosses a year ago, currently is 61-of-91 for 747 yards, eight TDs and zero interceptions. … Padilla, junior Jayle Stacks and sophomore Seamus Henderson each have rushed for three TDs. … Someone will have to cover Marcus Miller. The speedy, quick senior has 25 receptions for 388 yards (1 15.5 average) and four TDs.
Olathe North, Kan. (3-0) vs. Columbine (4-0), Friday, 7 p.m., Jefferson County Stadium
The out-of-state Eagles have some credentials — they have won eight Kansas championships since 1996. … The host Rebels are the only non-Sunflower District foe on their schedule. … Sophomore Arland Bruce IV and senior Daymonn Sanchez have combined for 884 yards rushing and 16 TDs for Olathe East. … In a 41-16 thumping of Highlands Ranch last week, Columbine had 11 different Rebels attempt a rush, headed by Tanner Hollens’ nine attempts for 103 yards and two TDs. … DeArment returned and was 5-of-10 for 126 yards for a TD. … Junior Adam Harrington caught the scoring pass, which went for 10 yards. … Hollens had 295 all-purpose yards, topped by 125 on punt returns.
Arvada West (4-0) vs. Eaglecrest (4-0), Friday, 7 p.m., Legacy Stadium
Something has to give for a couple of teams that have had their ways so far. … Coach Brad Pyatt has let QB Johnny Krutsch go, and go he has — he’s 76-of-119 for 1,196 yards, 16 TDs and two interceptions. … A-West’s top rusher is Oliver Petelo with 321 yards, although Tony Cass tops the team with four rushing TDs. Petelo has two. … The ‘Cats are coming off a 40-0 whipping of 4A Wheat Ridge. … Technically, Eaglecrest, which was 5A runner-up a year ago, has had three head coaches over its past five games, but it hasn’t seemed to matter. The Raptors lead big schools in points (183), have won 24 consecutive regular-season games and 17 of their past 18 overall. … Senior QB Dylan James is 26-of-28 for 557 yards and three TDs passing, and has rushed for 602 yards and 10 TDs.
Grandview (4-0) at Mullen (3-1), Friday, 7 p.m., Brother Bernard Kinneavy Field at de La Salle Stadium
Save for a 28-21 victory over Highlands Ranch, the historically strong-on-defense Wolves have permitted only one TD in each of their other victories. Grandview stands fourth in points allowed (41). … Senior Jordan Billingsley heads the team with a very workman-like 107 carries for 630 yards and six TDs. … Sophomore Noah Schmidt has three rushing TDs. … Mullen survived another matchup with longtime parochial-rival Regis Jesuit last week, using two late goal-line stands for a 28-21 home victory. … Junior Damien Cearns, the Mustangs’ first rushing choice, ran for two TDs, and junior WR Isaac White, son of head coach Vincent White, grabbed seven receptions for 100 yards. … The matchup will be televised by Altitude.
Menlo-Atherton, Calif. (2-1) at Valor Christian (4-0), Friday, 7 p.m., Valor Christian
The visiting Bears are fresh from a 26-20 overtime setback to Palma of Salinas, Calif. … They are in the Peninsula-Bay grouping. … Menlo-Atherton was 7-5 a year ago, losing in the second round of the playoffs, and will be Valor’s second out-of-state opponent in five weeks. The Eagles opened with Faith Lutheran of Las Vegas, Nev. … In a 28-7 home decision of 4A Pine  Creek last week, senior QB Luke McCaffrey was 20-of-37 for 270 yards, one TD and one interception. The Nebraska pledge also rushed for 95 yards and two TDs. … Junior Kaiden Keefe had eight receptions for 151 yards. … Freshman Gavin Sawchuk had the scoring catch, a 29-yarder.
Also keep an eye on …
Fossil Ridge (2-2) vs. Ralston Valley (3-1), Friday, 4 p.m., NAAC
Coach Zak Bigelow and the visiting SaberCats have dropped two higher-scoring games and won two of the lower-point variety; the  Mustangs are ornery after losing to 4A Loveland.
Denver East (3-1) vs. Mountain Range (3-1), Friday, 7 p.m., Adams 12 North Stadium
How much would you have wagered that the Angels and senior WR Elijah Ewing (17 catches, 268 yards two TDs) and/or the Mustangs and senior RB Demarques Ortega (234 yards rushing) would be playing for a 4-1 mark at the midway point of the regular season? Thought so …
Legend (3-1) vs. Castle View (3-1), Friday, 7 p.m. Douglas County Stadium
This is a recording. Both groups of guys are positively giddy about being 3-1. Blake Rarog has 391 yards rushing and four TDs for the Titans; Cole Oster has 527 rushing yards and nine TDs for the SaberCats.
ThunderRidge (4-0) vs. Doherty (0-4), Friday, 7 p.m., Garry Berry Stadium
The Grizzlies’ Ryan Gilmore is a very efficient 31-of-48 for 661 yards and 11 TDs with just one interception; the Spartans are simply looking for a victory.
Lakewood (3-1) vs. Cherokee Trail (4-0), Friday, 7 p.m., Legacy Stadium
Again, prior to league play, the Tigers and Cougars are among the many programs with very nice numbers. And there is opportunity to grab more.
Far Northeast (2-2) vs. Smoky Hill (4-0), Saturday, 7 p.m., Stutler Bowl
The Warriors will take their Metro 10 shot at the very warm Buffaloes, who also lead 5A in points permitted (only six).
