The more things change, the more they stay the same.
It’s certainly the case for Class 5A football. With two weeks of the regular season to go, the same programs from the same areas occupy pretty much the same spots.
For example, there are four teams in the 40-school outlay that remain undefeated at 8-0 — Cherry Creek, Columbine, Smoky Hill and Valor Christian. Smoky Hill, of course, was placed in the Metro 10, a group of struggling programs that were to primarily play each other. And the Buffaloes certainly qualified as they hadn’t had a winning record since 1990.
However, the other three have combined to win 10 big-school titles — or more than half — since 1999 and accounted for 13 finalists since 1998.
In addition, teams from the old Centennial and Jefferson County leagues occupy eight of the top 10 records in the class and should easily earn most — if not all — of the eight byes in the new 24-team playoff bracket.
So the rest of the upper crust of big schools has its work simplified. While the league champions and playoff qualifiers will be determined, preparing to take out the elite of the class will be longer-term goals.
As such, the top matchups of Week 9 are listed below for your viewing pleasure as Colorado inches closer to elimination football.
Enjoy:
Best bets …
Regis Jesuit (4-4) vs. Fountain-Fort Carson (5-3), Thursday, 6 p.m., Guy Barickman Stadium
The visiting Raiders can clinch the South with a victory; if the Trojans win, they also will need a Legend victory over Doherty. Both are 3-0 in league. … Almost sounds like the tiebreaking possibilities on the final NFL weekend, doesn’t it? … Plus, this league could have a champion at 5-5 overall. … Regis Jesuit has won its past three games by a combined 112-21. In a 41-14 spanking of Doherty, KIahn Martinez ran for 115 yards and two TDs, and freshman QB Nicco Marchiol threw for 259 yards and three TDs. … Ebb and flow? Fountain-Fort Carson dropped its first four games, but has won its past four.
Valor Christian (8-0) vs. ThunderRidge (7-1), Friday, 7 p.m., Shea Stadium
Valor can clinch the South Metro by defeating the Grizzlies. The league crown can belong to ThunderRidge if it beats the Eagles and Castle View falls to Rock Canyon. Both are 3-0 in league. … It’s arguably the most-important matchup in the south-metro area in years. … For all of Valor’s attention and stars and McCaffreys, the fact it leads 5A in fewest points can’t be under-estimated. The Eagles have four shutouts and no foe has scored more than seven points. Valor’s leading tackler is Ethan Zemla (61, including 17.5 for loss) and he has two interceptions, one of six Eagles with a pick. … The Grizzlies have lost only to Doherty and it was by 28-27. … Spencer Lambert rushed for 200 yards and two TDs, and QB Ryan Gil more threw for two TDs in ThunderRidge’s 52-7 spanking of Rock Canyon last week. … Oddly enough, the two programs have played once — the Eagles won 49-3 in 2012.
Cherokee Trail (7-1) vs. Cherry Creek (8-0), Friday, 7 p.m., Stutler Bowl
Cherry Creek (3-0) can clinch the Metro East with a victory and if Grandview loses to Eaglecrest. A Bruins victory also clinches a tie. The Cougars (2-1) have lost to Grandview and will get Eaglecrest (2-1) in Week 10. … A week after getting shut out by Grandview, Cherokee Trail took down Overland by 36-24. … Cherokee Trail has dropped five-of-nine games against the Bruins and this season has won its most games since 2013, when it was 10-3 and made the semifinals. … Having gotten past Eaglecrest the past week, Cherry Creek now has two one-point victories. The Bruins also beat Pomona 35-34 in overtime. They may come in handy for experience once the playoffs begin. … Alex Padilla passed for a TD and Jayle Stacks ran for another in the Ealecrest victory.
Pomona (6-2) vs. Columbine (8-0), Friday, 7 p.m., Jefferson County Stadium
The host Rebels (3-0) can clinch the Metro West with a victory. The Panthers can take the league crown with a victory and a Ralston Valley loss to Lakewood. … Pomona handled Mullen by 48-20 the past week and continues to battle trough injuries that have affected them up front, in the backfield and on the perimeter. … Ace receiver Billy Pospisil opened the scoring with a 68-yard catch-and-run and Dominic Bettini rushed for three TDs. … Columbine is coming off a 29-14 decision of Ralston Valley. The Rebels led 22-0 at halftime and didn’t give up any points until the fourth quarter. Junior Tanner Hollens rushed 16 times for 120 yards and two TDs. … Â Other juniors Braeden Hogan added 80 yards and Adam Harrington 77 and a TD as the Rebels ran for 336 yards.
Arapahoe (4-4) vs. Eaglecrest (7-1), Thursday, 7 p.m., Legacy Stadium
A Metro East matchup with ramifications as well as teams with issues — the visiting Warriors are facing the meat of their schedule while trying to move forward from recent student deaths and the Raptors, who had their first-year coach quit between Weeks 1 and 2, recently had their principal and athletic director put on leave, as they had to forfeit two games from 2017 over acknowledged use of an ineligible player. … Arapahoe lost 42-14 to Grandview the past week, a round after the school accepted a forfeit against Cherry Creek. The Warriors were hit for a 28-point second quarter against the Wolves. … The Raptors had more total plays, less penalties and dominated in time of possession last week against Cherry Creek, and led 13-0 at halftime, yet fell 14-13.
Also keep an eye on …
Castle View (6-2) vs. Rock Canyon (1-7), Thursday, 7 p.m., EchoPark Stadium
The SaberCats and RB Cole Oster still have a shot at runner-up in the Metro South. This week its against the Jaguars. Week 10 will have a matchup against ThunderRidge.
Mullen (3-5) vs. Arvada West (5-3), Thursday, 7 p.m., North Area Athletic Complex
The Mustangs have dropped four straight games and been outscored 191-36, but may still host a first-round playoff game. So can the Wildcats (senior WR Chris McEahern 59 catches, 957 yards, 13 TDs), who will end next week against Columbine.
Fairview (7-1) vs. Poudre (3-5), Thursday, 6 p.m., French Field
A Knights victory means the Front Range title belongs to them. Fairview heads 5A scoring (377 points) and junior QB Aidan Atkinson has a ridiculous 45 TD tosses.
Overland (1-7) vs. Grandview (7-1), Friday, 7 p.m., Legacy Stadium
Mathematically, the host Wolves remain in the thick of the Metro East as workhorse RB Jordan Billingsley has piled up 206 carries for 1,248 yards and 15 TDs.
Smoky Hill (8-0) vs. Mountain Range (3-5), Friday, 7 p.m., Adams 12 North Stadium
The Metro 10 title will be a welcomed addition to the Buffaloes (see above) if they handle the Mustangs and Rangeview beats Westminster.
Ralston Valley (6-2) vs. Lakewood (3-5), Saturday, 3:30 p.m., Jeffco Stadium
RV (junior QB Walker Brickle, 12 TD passes) is still in Metro West contention, but can’t get caught napping against the Tigers. Pomona awaits in Week 10.
