With only eight playoff berths compared to the normal 24, it’s basically three times as difficult to make the postseason field in Class 5A this year. And two games on tap this week involving four unbeaten teams drives that fact home. Castle View goes to Valor Christian and Legacy heads to Fairview. In a normal year, all four teams would be easy picks to make the 24-team field. But this season, maybe only the winners get a chance to play past the regular season.
Castle View missed week one while dealing with COVID but they’ve responded with solid wins over ThunderRidge (42-28) and Rock Canyon (48-14). Despite those two double-digit wins, the Sabercats realize they have to step up their game even more to knock off the second ranked Eagles. Valor has not allowed a point this year in outscoring Doherty, Rock Canyon and Mountain Vista by 146 points.
Because of their great tradition and playoff success, Valor Christian is still a strong playoff candidate even if they fall short this week. But Castle View, despite not being ranked again this week, would make a major jump up the various rankings if they upset the Eagles. The game will also give the Sabercats a chance to evaluate how far the program has come in three years under Coach Todd Casebier. The program went 1-9 in 2017 but won 14 games over the first two years with Casebier and is off to the 2-0 start this season.
Running the football is what they do well. They enter week four collecting 279 yards per game with Zane Wodark (256 yards) and Noah Jamero (232) doing most of the damage. QB Johnni Colombi offers some balance with 421 yards and five TD’s passing. He’s also been accurate; hitting 16 of 24 attempts through two games.
That trio, behind the guys up front will have a tough challenge in moving the sticks against the stingy Valor defense. The Eagles, on that side of the ball, have 17 tackles behind the line of scrimmage on the season but have forced just four turnovers in 12 quarters. Jordan Norwood, with 19, is the top tackler.
The Valor offense is led by Gavin Sawchuk. He’s rushed for 582 yards on just 48 attempts (12 per carry) with nine touchdowns.
#6 Fairview and Legacy have both won their first three games and the team that gets to 4-0 should also land the Front Range championship. The Knights, because of their high ranking, will remain in the playoff chase regardless of the result but the game probably makes or breaks the postseason hopes of Legacy. Even with a 3-0 start, the Lightning did not crack the top 10 and a loss likely takes them out of the discussion.
After two tight wins over Overland (13-10) and Horizon (21-20), the Lightning finally had a breather in downing Prairie View 47-6 last week. Braelon Tate is their top threat as he leads the team in rushing (393 yards) and receptions (10). Cole Walker is next in receiving with nine catches for 123 yards. QB Jaiden Peterson is a nice dual threat. He tops Legacy in passing with 245 yards and a touchdown while adding 190 and a score in the run game.
Fairview not has been pushed in rolling past by Poudre, Rocky Mountain and Fossil Ridge by a combined 85 points. The defense seems vastly improved. They’ve allowed just seven points all season. Last year, opponents scored at least 14 points in nine of 12 games. Big plays have been the difference as the Knights have 26 tackles for loss and have created 12 turnovers including three interceptions from Jay Barry and two from Grant Page. Page is also a top offensive threat; topping the Knights in catches (15), receiving yardage (227) and touchdowns (3). Liam O’Brien averages nearly 300 yards per game throwing the football and has tossed eight TD’s.
#3 Columbine looks to avoid a trap game with improving Mullen. The Rebels (3-0) have games with Ralston Valley and Pomona waiting in the final two weeks but still must focus on the opponent in front of them. Mullen picked up their first win of the season last week; edging Arvada West 20-17. Columbine topped the Wildcats 34-10 in week two so they remain favored based on comparative scores.
The Rebels averaging 298 yards per game on the ground with Seth Cromwell leading the charge. He’s at 327 yards for the season but three others are in triple figures in yardage as well.
CJ Smith (134) and Kyle Krebs (112) both went over the century for Mullen last week. They also held Arvada West to just 53 yards rushing but did surrender 185 through the air.
With top ranked Cherry Creek heavily favored at Overland, #5 Eaglecrest needs a win at Arapahoe to keep pace. It won’t be easy as the Warriors have won their last two games. The key for Arapahoe is finding a way to slow down a highly explosive Eaglecrest offense averaging nearly 53 points a game. They’ve not been held under 43 in any of their first three games. Arapahoe lost to Grandview 38-7 in their opener but have since taken out Overland (31-12) and Horizon (28-17).
Cherry Creek has outscored opponents 121-21 and will add to the margin of victory against Overland. It’s been a tough year for the Blazers. Slated to play in the developmental league again this year, the realignment with the short season placed them back against traditional Centennial league rivals. The results have been losses to Arapahoe and Eaglecrest along with Legacy. Smoky Hill and Cherokee Trail are also on their remaining schedule.
Another game of note inside the Centennial finds Smoky Hill at Grandview. Both teams are 1-2 but each cling to playoff hopes. Grandview is in better shape. The Wolves remained in the coaches poll this week (9th) despite a 37-0 loss to Cherry Creek last week. Smoky Hill is 14th in the same rankings so they likely need a win to stay in the playoff chase.
Their key is QB Leslie Richardson. The senior has 950 yards and 10 scores through the air. Grandview averages 146 yards on the ground and 103 passing.
Elsewhere #4 Pomona goes to Arvada West. The Mustangs are coming off that big last second win over Ralston Valley last week (17-14). Joevannie Rosales was the hero as he booted through the game winner from 41 yards as time expired. Jack Pospisil led the Panthers with 131 yards rushing as they totaled 291 for the game. He also completed five of 10 passes for 78 yards. Deion Maes led the defense with seven tackles and Chase Muller six. Muller also picked off a pass.
#7 Legend jumped three spots in the rankings and solidified their playoff chances with an impressive 31-7 win over Regis. The teams actually traded spots in the coaches this week as the Raiders dropped three to #10. Connor Eise ran for 126 yards and two touchdowns and Kalen Shoemaker had 180 yards of combined offense with two scores.
The win moved the Titans to 3-0. They’ll seek a fourth win at home against Chaparral this week but Coach Monte Thelen’s club must avoid looking ahead to next week’s clash with defending 4A state champion Pine Creek.
Regis looks to rebound as they visit Douglas County. The loss critically hurt the Raiders playoff chances as it’s difficult to see two teams from the conference getting into the reduced eight team bracket. Regis has not played a close game this season as all three games have been decided by at least 24 points.
#8 Ralston Valley is home to Lakewood this week. The Mustangs have a huge game with Columbine next week but can’t look past the Tigers. Lakewood is winless (0-3) but pushed Columbine a bit before falling 38-22. They ran for 193 yards in the loss including 69 from Connor Ladd, 56 from Jason Duong and 54 from Robert Martinez. Ralston gave up 291 yards on the ground in the loss to Pomona but remain the favorite this week.
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