The down side of the regular season has begun for Colorado big-schoolers.
League play is here for Week 6, a veritable Phase II of the season.
For the next five rounds, there will be shifting in what is now the second year of a two-year outlay – and with another on the way for the 2020 and 2021 seasons – although qualifying for the RPI format remains the thing.
There is plenty of time for a move and plenty of games marked below for your viewing pleasure:
Best bets
Pomona (2-3) vs. Lakewood (4-1), Thursday, 7 p.m.
It’s Week 1 in the Metro West. … Pomona’s points are down. The Panthers have totaled only 122 through five weeks, a very low total for an ordinarily skilled and imaginative program. … But don’t be fooled – Pomona’s losses have been to Regis Jesuit, Valor Christian and Cherry Creek, a combined 14-1 entering Week 6. … There’s another Pospisil for the Panthers – Jack, a junior, who has 25 receptions for 343 yards and five TDs. … Pomona has won nine of the past 10 meetings, including the last five in succession. … The Tigers and head coach Jeff Braun won their first four games by eight-or-fewer points, then were knocked off by Cherokee Trail 31-14 last week. … Lakewood senior WR Keondre Beauty (awesome name) has hauled in 15 catches for 241 yards and three TDs.
Grandview (5-0) vs. Eaglecrest (5-0), Thursday, 7 p.m., Legacy Stadium
It’s one of what should be a bunch of good ones in the Metro East. … They played twice last year with Eaglecrest winning the regular-season meeting 36-35 and Grandview taking the quarterfinal by 26-22. … The Wolves rolled to 303 yards rushing last week in dropping Mullen 42-12 and were topped once again by junior Noah Schmidt, who heads all Colorado rushers with 1,009 yards and 13 TDs. He rolled to 253 and three last week. … Eaglecrest, sixth in big-school scoring (179 points), is coming off a season –high against Arvada West, winning 55-30. … The Raptors rolled to 205 yards rushing and QB Max Marsh was 10-of-17 for 201 yards and three TDs.
Arapahoe (4-1) vs. Cherokee Trail (4-1), Friday, 7 p.m., Legacy Stadium
It will be in the Metro East. … For a team that has won four times in five outings, Arapahoe has fairly modest totals of 85 points scored and 62 permitted. … The Warriors are 9-7 since head coach Rod Sherman came over from Valor Christian to start the 2018 season. … Cherokee Trail won last year;’ meeting by 34-10. … The Cougars won their first three games by four, 10 and seven points, lost by seven to Poudre (in overtime), then handled previously undefeated Lakewood by 17 last week.
Castle View (4-1) vs. Valor Christian (4-1), Friday, 7 p.m., Valor Christian
It’s in the Metro South. … Valor won last season’s game by 35-0. … Castle View also headed into league play 4-1 a year ago on the way to a playoff appearance. … Rushing remains the SaberCats’ bread and butter (1,508 yards), but junior QB John Colombi has thrown for 409 yards and a couple of TDs. … The defending state champion Eagles are 18-1 under head coach Ed McCaffrey. … Sophomore RB Gavin Sawchuck has 611 yards rushing and seven TDs, including an 80-yarder. … Valor is averaging 13 yards per reception.
Also keep an eye on …
Mountain Vista (2-3) vs. ThunderRidge (3-2), Thursday, 7 p.m., Shea Stadium
Heading into the Metro South, the host Grizzlies and senior QB Brent Huber (390 yards passing, 433 rushing) seem to have righted their ship with two straight victories following a two-game losing skid.
Cherry Creek (5-0) vs. Overland (3-2), Friday, 7 p.m., Stutler Bowl
The host Trailblazers have lost 11 consecutive games to their district-rival Bruins. First-year DaVaughn Thornton, in a Metro East matchup, hopes to join the last Overland coach to down Cherry Creek, the very popular Tony Manfredi.
Columbine (5-0) vs. Mullen (2-3), Friday, 7 p.m., Brother Barnard Kinneavy Field at De La Salle Stadium
Jefferson County’s Rebels were taxed last week in a 24-21 victory at Olathe North, Kan., and enter Metro West play having beaten the Mustangs five of the past six times. Very heavy, very good sidebar in a Metro West opener: Columbine tackle Andrew Gentry (6-foot-8, 310 pounds, committed to BYU) against Mullen NG Aidan Keanaaina (6-3, 305, committed to Notre Dame).
Fairview (4-1) vs. Legacy (0-5), Friday, 7 p.m., Adams 12 North Stadium
The two are nearby, one’s up and one’s down, and ready to open Front Range play. And in case you were wondering, yes, Knights QB Aidan Atkinson still heads Colorado with 1,611 yards passing and 17 TDs.
Fountain-Fort Carson (1-4) vs. Legend (5-0), Friday, 7 p.m., EchoPark Stadium
Quick, raise your hand if you thought the Titans would be undefeated at midseason. Thought so … plus, Legend and senior RB Blake Rarog (717 yards rushing, 12 TDs) are coming off a nice knockdown of Castle View.
Ralston Valley (5-0) vs. Arvada West (0-5), Friday, 7 p.m., NAAC
The undefeated Mustangs, who had alum Andrew Wingard play in Jacksonville’s victory at the Broncos on Sunday, are led in their Metro West opener by senior QB Walker Brickle’s 1,006 yards passing and 13 TDs. Remember, first there was A-West, then Ralston Valley …
Chaparral (0-5) vs. Regis Jesuit (5-0), Friday, 7 p.m., Lou Kellogg Stadium
In a South opener, the Raiders hope to keep it going and are getting sound defense headed by junior lineman Matthew Baer, who has 17 tackles for losses.
Westminster (2-3) vs. Denver East (4-1), Saturday, 11 a.m., All-City Stadium
Now 4-0 in the Metro 10, a fifth consecutive victory would be a boost for the Angels and head coach Spencer Colter.
