The perennial powerhouse that is Cherry Creek has had a weird season which has included a handful of out-of-state games

Last week the mighty Bruins knocked off Texas powerhouse Highland Park 51-39.

Now, Creek, ranked No. 1 in Class 5A by ColoradoPreps.com, returns home to Colorado to face No. 9 Pine Creek at 7 p.m. Friday at the Stutler Bowl.

Creek seems to have found a star in junior Jayden Fox. The running back ran for 223 yards and two TDs in the 51-39 win over Highland last week.

These powerhouses met two years ago with Creek winning 41-21.

Junior QB Brady Vodicka is helping fuel the Creek offense with 901 passing and five TDs. This season, Fox has rushed for a team-best 409 yards and four TDs for the 3-1 Bruins.

Pine Creek (3-1) has won three straight since a Week 0 loss to Valor Christian, scoring 131 points in the process.

Pine Creek is led by senior QB Cameron Cooper, who has thrown for 645 yards and six TDs and also has rushed for 161 yards.

THE BELL GAME IS ON TAP: Pueblo Central and Pueblo Centennial will do battle in the annual Bell Game at 7 p.m. Friday at Dutch Clark Stadium in a 3A battle.

There should be around 10,000 spectators at Dutch Clark for this rivalry game. It is the longest running rivalry west of the Mississippi River has been one-sided in recent years, with Pueblo Central winning each of the last five meetings over Pueblo Centennial.

Centennial, which was a state championship power in the late 1980s and early 1990s, has hit on some hard time and will have its hands full with a standout Central squad.

CASTLE VIEW AIMS TO PROVE ITS WORTH: For the last several years Castle View has trying to prove its worth as a 5A state championship contender. Well, the Sabercats took a small step in proving their worth by defeating rival Douglas County 37-16 a week ago.

Castle View, which is unranked in 5A, will face another big test when it takes on No. 5 Legend (3-1). Legend is paced by running back Jaden Lawrence. The senior has 245 yards rushing and three TDs. Legend will counter with running back Aaron Perry, who has 518 yards rushing and 6 TDs.

Class 5A

No. 4 Valor Christian (4-0) vs. No. 6 Ralston Valley (4-0), 7 p.m., Friday at Valor Stadium

These two 5A power clubs have established a rivalry in recent years. A year ago, Ralston was the victor in this drama-filled game 22-21. Valor will try and even the score this week as it will unveil weapons like junior receiver Cash Spence who is averaging 111 yards per game. RV has junior QB Zeke Andrews in the fold. Andrews has thrown for 991 yards and seven TDs.

Class 4A

No. 1 Palmer Ridge (4-0) vs. No. 6 Mesa Ridge (3-1), 7 p.m., Friday, Don Breese Stadium

Palmer Ridge is a state championship winner and contender every year. The Bears are growling again with their undefeated record.

Palmer Ridge is led by a slew of running backs Avier Elvira (264 yards, 3 TDs), Jackson Mabe (226 yards, 7 TDs); and Isaac Burks (225 yards, 3 TDs). Mesa Ridge, which is seemingly always trying to prove its worth will have senior receiver Sonny Rogers, who is averaging nearly 100 yards per game. Other stalwarts include running back Trevon Salas, who is averaging nearly 100 yards per game.

Broomfield survived an upset bid against 5A Legacy last week, 14-13 and will have its work cut out for it against an Erie attack that’s averaging 34.3 points and 362.5 yards per game.

Class 3A

No. 1 Roosevelt (4-0) vs. No. 5 Windsor (3-1), 7 p.m., Friday at Roosevelt

A year ago, Windsor muscled past Windsor 25-12.

Roosevelt has been rolling as evident by its record and its wins over Northfield, and Ponderosa) and the defending 3A champion Holy Family.

Windsor faces another stern test ahead of its bye week. A matchup against a Roosevelt offense that can air it out with junior QB Jasiah Ramirez (457 yards, 4 TDs) or pound the rock with senior RB Luc Vigil (508 yards, 3 TDs) should be tasty. Windsor will counter with senior running back Tripp Thurman, who has a team-best nine TDs.