Chatfield of Dreams: Last week, Chatfield needed a big performance from quarterback Jake Jones against Class 4A No. 5 ranked Ralston Valley – and he delivered to lead his team to a 45-21 win.
Jones completed 18-of-25 passes for 384 yards and three touchdowns and he also rushed in for two short scores.
For the season, Jones is 56-of-106 passing for 915 yards and eight touchdowns. The Chargers have a 4-1 record on the season and Jones and his teammates will try and keep their momentum going at Arvada West (3-2) at 7 p.m. Friday. Chatfield’s lone loss came at the hands of 5A’s top-ranked team Cherry Creek 34-17 on Sept. 8.
Castle View has been defensive – literally: A couple of games a season doesn’t make, but now Castle View’s defense has a strong sample size and it is not a fluke. For the season, the Sabercats ‘D’ has been stout giving up just 31 points, including just seven in last week’s 23-7 victory over Cherokee Trail. The Sabercats’ defense will have to stand up tall again this week when they host Valor Christian at 6 p.m. Thursday. The Eagles have an un-Valor-like 1-4 record, but that includes out of state defeats against strong teams and a 22-21 loss to No. 4-ranked Ralston Valley last week.
Pueblo West’s Gavin Lockett living up to hype: Pueblo West (4-1) had high expectations for junior QB Gavin Lockett and he’s reaching those heights. Lockett had one touchdown through the air and one on the ground in the Cyclones’ 14-0 victory over Far Northeast. Lockett has completed 51-of-87 passes for 688 yards and seven touchdowns. He’s added a team-high 499 yards rushing and found the end zone 10 times. Up next is a home game at 7 p.m. Friday against a pesky Mesa Ridge (3-2) squad.
Class 5A
No. 7 Fountain-Fort Carson (5-0) at No. 1 Pine Creek (5-0), (Thurs., 6 p.m.)
Colorado Springs is going to be a hot stop for football Thursday night when Pine Creek hosts FFC. Pine Creek, a perennial power, is unbeaten and in its last three wins over Vista Ridge, Denver East and Mullen the Eagles have given up just seven points – two shutouts of Denver East and Mullen. Offensively, the Eagles have a two-prong rushing attack of junior Jonathan Coar (443 yards); and senior Mason Miller (275 yards); and then add in Elijah Roy’s 302 yards receiving and it is easy to see the potent force of Pine Creek. Fountain-Fort Carson counters with standout running backs senior Mathias Price (850 yards and 14 TDs) and Terence Morris (475 yards and 6 TDs). This definitely be a game worth watching.
Class 4A
No. 8 Dakota Ridge (3-2) at No. 5 Broomfield (3-2), (Sat., noon)
This has all the makings of a great football game. Dakota Ridge is smarting after a 45-21 to 5A Chatfield last week. Broomfield, meanwhile, came up with a huge fourth-quarter drive to edge Brighton (28-22) a week ago. The question is who will step up this week and lead the way to victory? Dakota Ridge QB Blake Palladino (623 yards passing and six TDs) and receivers Landon Kalsbeck (14 catches, 204 yards) and Stephen Price (16 catches, 94 yards) are in the conversation. Broomfield needs running back Joseph Larsen (541 yards, four TDs) and QB CT Worley (507 yards passing and 295 yards rushing) to set the pace.
Class 3A
No. 2 Green Mountain (4-0) at Mead (1-3) (Thurs., 7 p.m.)
There’s no question Green Mountain has been dominant this season. The Rams have outscored their opponents by a whopping 163-6 margin, including a 50-0 drubbing of Pueblo South, Sept. 14. The Rams had last week off and should be more than ready for Mead. Green Mountain QB Blake Weslin (337 yards passing and 203 yards rushing) stirs the drink for the Rams. Mead has talent, but it doesn’t show in its won-loss record. The Mavericks, who dropped a 30-16 decision to Durango last weekend, will try to get on track with help from junior QB Christian Hiner (831 yards passing).
