Games have not begun but it’s already been an interesting week in Class 5A as #3 Columbine, #5 Eaglecrest and Douglas County are off the schedule due to COVID. Despite having to cancel games, Columbine and Eaglecrest are still likely playoff teams. The games go into the record as no contests instead of forfeits meaning they will remain unbeaten through week five.
The absence of Columbine and Eaglecrest leaves big school football fans without two of the most anticipated matchups of the regular season. The Rebels were scheduled to face #8 Ralston Valley in the feature matchup of the week but that game is now off the schedule. Columbine’s regular season finale with Pomona is still scheduled as a decision on that contest won’t be made until next week.
Eaglecrest will not play against Prairie View as scheduled on Thursday and since the Raptors are in a two-week quarantine, their week six clash with Cherry Creek is also removed from the slate. Sitting at 4-0, the Raptors are a playoff team and the missed gameS should not impact their place in the bracket.
The change in week six also leaves Cherry Creek with a choice for next week. They can work through the bye and enter the playoffs at 5-0 or trying to find an opponent to replace Eaglecrest.
Ralston Valley though is left searching for a new opponent for the second time this season. They were in the same situation back in week one and settled for a road game against 3A Battle Mountain. The Mustangs though have more time and more options on a replacement game. First calls may be made to Prairie View or Chaparral. As mentioned, the Thunderhawks were the opponent for Eaglecrest and the Wolverines were on the schedule for Douglas County.
So, looking at games remaining on the field this week, the major matchups now seem to be #9 Grandview at Cherokee Trail and #7 Legend at home against 4A #3 Pine Creek.
Grandview and Cherokee Trail both sit at 2-2 and are ranked 9th and 10th in the most recent RPI standings. The winner stays alive for a playoff berth while the loser may have to look forward to the 2021 season for their next post-season run. The Centennial rivals have had similar schedules this year; each has beaten Smoky Hill and lost to both Eaglecrest and Cherry Creek.
The Wolves ran for 350 yards in their 49-21 win over Smoky Hill last week including 282 and two scores from Mossah Alsaffar. QB Jonathan Broadhus ran for two scores and threw for a third. Cherokee Trail has not posted offensive statistics to MaxPreps this season.
Based on their 24-point win over Regis in week three, Legend is in good shape to land a playoff berth and a win over Pine Creek should make it official. The Titans have outscored opponents 171-7 on the season but other than Regis, they’ve not faced a team that has posted a win this season. The remaining three victories are against Mesa Ridge, Doherty and Chaparral who enter this week a combined 0-12. Because of that schedule, the Titans actually trail Regis by one spot in RPI but remain ahead of them in the Colorado Preps consensus rankings based on stronger showings in the coaches poll, MaxPreps and Packard.
Defensively, the Titans have been strong this year; creating 15 turnovers in four games including four interceptions from Jaxon Muma. He also leads the team with 23 tackles. Next in line are Melo Castro and Caleb Bouldin with 20 apiece and Braden Domer with 18. The offense has totaled 22 touchdowns this season; averaging 233 yards on the ground and 160 through the air.
Like Legend, Pine Creek has not been tested this season beating Chaparral 17-7 and Doherty 59-14; two opponents who as mentioned have yet to post a win between them. The Eagles also face Regis in week six so they enter their toughest stretch of their quick regular season. Coach Todd Miller’s club has generated eight rushing touchdowns in two games; including two apiece from Beau Freyler, Brason Vanaman and Zion Hill. Josiah Roy, with an interception and fumble recovery, is a big play defensive threat. Kael Reeves-Dunbard (18) and Gavin Whetzal (17) are the top two tacklers.
Top ranked Cherry Creek will meet Arapahoe on Friday. The Warriors played well in a 23-13 loss to Eaglecrest and actually led the Raptors 13-12 at intermission. The Bruins rolled Overland 45-0; scoring 28 third quarter points to blow it open.
Gavin Sawchuk scored five touchdowns to lead #2 Valor Christian past Castle View 63-21 last week. He now has 14 TD’s on the season and the game marked the second time he’s reached the end zone at least five times. The Eagles should continue on their roll against winless ThunderRidge this week.
#4 Pomona hosts Mullen this week. The Panthers are coming off a 334-yard rushing effort in a win over Arvada West. Chase Muller was the main ballcarrier; finishing with 188 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged almost 12 yards per carry. Mullen (1-2) looks to bounce back from a 34-3 loss to Columbine.
#6 Fairview moved to #2 in RPI and probably clinched their spot in the playoff bracket with the 43-32 win over Legacy last week. Liam O’Brien threw for 267 yards, ran for 134 and combined for three touchdowns. He was involved in either throwing or running the football on 55 of the Knights 67 offensive snaps. Grant Page also caught 10 passes for 82 yards. This week, the Knights visit Horizon. The Hawks have momentum from their first win of the season as they toppled Prairie View in week four.
#10 Regis may need some help to break into the playoff bracket. The Raiders upped their record to 3-1 by handling Douglas County 42-0 last week and will get a boost in schedule strength when they face Pine Creek in week six. This week, the Raiders are favored at home against Doherty. David Dody and Andrew Kulick both ran for two scores last week. The Raiders ran for 253 yards in the win and QB Exander Carroll hit 12 of 18 passes for 143 yards.
Outside the rankings, there’s also a nice battle of one loss teams as Castle View (2-1) heads to Highlands Ranch (3-1). Castle View likely missed their chance at a playoff berth with last week’s loss to Valor Christian. The Falcons have some slim hopes but it would take a win this week and another against Valor in week six.
