After losing a good chunk of its offensive line to graduation, there was reason to believe that Montrose wasn’t going to be as strong offensively as it was a year ago.

The joke’s on everyone else.

For the last several years, an emphasis on system over personnel has led to massive success for the Red Hawks. After Broomfield was stunned late in last week’s loss to Erie, it is now Montrose sitting on top of the Class 4A Colorado Preps rankings. The Red Hawks seem poised to run back to the 4A state title game at Canvas Stadium.

Run is the key word.

The Double-Wing T offensive implored by coach Brett Mertens is running right on schedule, even if he knows there is still room for growth.

The 49-8 win over Fruita Monument last week began with a 72-yard touchdown run from Elijah Womack, the first of his three rushing scores on the day. Cade Saunders threw for a touchdown and ran one in and the Red Hawks even added a score on the defensive side of the ball. With league play beginning this week, Montrose still wants to make improvements each week so that the team is at its peak when the playoffs begin next month.

“We have a long way to go,” Mertens said. “If this is our most successful moment of the season then we really didn’t accomplish the goals that we set out to accomplish.”

One of those goals is another league championship. The Red Hawks host Falcon with kick scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday.

And across the 5A, 4A and 3A schedule, there are big games to keep an eye on.

Class 5A

No. 3 Mountain Vista (5-0) at No. 5 Valor Christian (4-1), 7 p.m., Friday

This game has the make-up to be a grudge match. Mountain Vista is rolling with an undefeated record. The Golden Eagles also trounced Valor a year ago 62-21.

Couple these factors in with Valor’s 38-14 loss to Ralston Valley a week ago and it is no wonder this is such a big game. Revenge and winning have to be at the forefront for Valor.

MV’s offense is directed by Marquise Reese. The junior has thrown for 1,164 yards and 19 TDs. His top receivers are Brooklyn Bailey (20 catches, 504 yards and 11 TDs) and Ja’Pree Jennings (22 catches, 281 yards and 2 TDs).

Valor counters with senior running backs Chase Hanosh (50 carries, 354 yards and 4 TDs) and Channing Fox (53 carries, 261 yards and 2 TD). Senior receiver Cash Spence (22 catches, 314 yards and 3 TD). The Eagles will look to get their offense back on track after getting shutout in the second half by Ralston Valley.

This game will go a long way in determining if Mountain Vista is for real. And, if Valor can restore its power and prestige and bounce with a much-needed win.

Class 4A

No. 8 Heritage (3-2) at Golden (5-0), 7 p.m., Thursday

Heritage has had a brutal schedule so far claiming wins over Severance, Northfield and Mesa Ridge and losing to Arapahoe and Columbine.

Well, things will not get any easier for the Eagles this week as they square off against the unbeaten Demons.

Heritage, which lost to Columbine (14-13) last week, will try and regroup with an offense paced by senior QB Jamison Seese (1,077 yards passing and 6 TDs). Senior running back Mo Thenell (83 carries, 566 yards and 7 TDs) also is having an outstanding season especially since he has a team-best 19 receptions for 310 yards and 2 TDs.

Golden, which beat Lakewood 41-7 last week, is out to prove it is a legitimate Class 4A contender and not a pretender.

The Demons schedule hasn’t been the toughest so far, but Heritage will provide them with a much-needed test.

Golden has an offense that’s gas tanked is filled by junior QB Thatcher Matthews (746 yards passing and 11 TDs). Matthews has added 382 yards rushing and 5 TDs. Colin Meier (58 carries, 245 yards and 1 TD) also has provided a boost to Golden’s rushing attack.

Golden’s Ethan Bonafede (26 catches, 329 yards and 4 TDs) has been the Demons’ top target through the air.

Class 3A

No. 7 Holy Family (3-1) at No. 2 Mead (4-0), 7 p.m., Friday

Speaking of mysterious, that describes the Holy Family very well. The Tigers have a win over No. 5 Roosevelt (41-26) and then were upset by a previously reeling No. 10 Pueblo East squad (35-14) at Dutch Clark Stadium in Pueblo.

The key for this week for Holy Family is which team shows up. The Tigers have QB Kaden Hopkin (982 yards through the air and 7 TDs) and running back Browen Mills (50 carries, 265 yards and 1 TD). Kai Osburn leads the team with 15 receptions for 238 yards and 3 TDs.

Mead answers back with QB Ethan Elmore. The senior has 535 yards passing and 8 TDs. He also added 259 yards rushing and 3 TDs. Junior RB Noah Chapala has 339 yards rushing and 5 TDs.

This game will have a couple of layers. Will Holy Family be able to answer the physicality of Mead or will Mead thrust its will and ground game into the spotlight and grind out a big win.