It’s here. Colorado 99th football season begins this week with an assortment of offerings throughout the seven classifications.
From the city to the suburbs, the mountains to the high plains, football on the prep level remains the No. 1 sport in a decidedly football state.
Here’s a peek into Week 1 for your viewing pleasure that includes no Saturday games in the big school ranks of Classes 5A and 4A.
 

CLASS 5A

Boulder vs. Fairview, Thursday, 5:30 p.m.
It will be the 57th meeting in the city series. Fairview holds a 36-20 edge and has won the past 11 get-togethers. … Head coach Tom McCartney is in his 27th season in command of the host Knights. … The first meeting between the two programs was in 1964, when Boulder won 28-0. The Panthers also won the second game, by 48-0. … All eyes will be on Knights senior QB Aidan Atkinson, who was leading the nation in passing a year ago before suffering a season-ending hand injury in the final game of the regular season. The Northwestern commit also had 55 touchdown passes, a Colorado single-season record.
 
Overland vs. Smoky Hill, Thursday, 7 p.m.
It’s a Cherry Creek District game, and one could conceivably walk from one school to another in Aurora, but, of course, it’s nonleague. … The two also are operating under mixed directions. Overland will be playing under former Denver East star DaVaughn Thornton, who takes over for former Denver Bronco Steve Sewell. And Smoky Hill will be in Year II under Tom Thenell, who led the Buffaloes to a 10-0 regular-season mark in a league (Metro 10) designed for struggling programs. As it was, the Buffaloes earned their first winning season since 1990. … A year ago, the Buffaloes’ Obasanjo Sanni, now a senior, ran for 2,000 yards on 286 carries.
 
Mullen vs. Far Northeast, Thursday, 7 p.m.
Mullen will be playing under its third head coach in three years. In late May, former Mustangs running back Vincent White opted to return to Pennsylvania, leaving former assistant Stanley Richardson in command. … The game will be historic – it will be the first night game at Evie Dennis Stadium, which added lights in the off-season. … Richardson and Warriors head coach Tony Lindsay were teammates as youths in Northeast Denver. … The Mustangs have won the past five meetings, including by 48-10 a year ago. … Mullen DL Aidan Keanaaina has committed to Notre Dame.
 
Pomona vs. Regis Jesuit, Friday, 7 p.m.
The visiting Panthers have won four of the past five meetings, including by 24-7 in the 2016 semifinals. … Pomona was 7-5 a year ago after playing in three consecutive title games. … Regis Jesuit, also 7-5 in 2018, began 1-4, yet made the 5A playoffs. The Raiders lost 44-6 to eventual champion and regular big-school power Valor Christian. … The Raiders remain excited about QB Nicco Marichol, who threw for 1,651 yards and 16 TDs as a freshman.
 
Also watch for …

  • Ponderosa vs. Legend, Thursday, 7 p.m.
  • Broomfield vs. Legacy, Friday, 7 p.m.
  • Rocky Mountain vs. Fort Collins, Friday, 7 p.m.

 

CLASS 4A

Dakota Ridge vs. Rampart, Thursday, 6 p.m.
Under head coach Ron Woitalewicz, the visiting Eagles have had seven consecutive winning seasons, including 6-5 in 2018. … Rampart won last year’s meeting, by 45-17. … The Eagles are replacing their starting QB, and top RB and WR from a year ago. … Troy Ward is the Rams’ fourth head coach in the 2010s. … Rampart is looking north, at least in the first part of the season. It will take on the Denver area’s Chatfield, Monarch and Bear Creek over the next three weeks. … Rampart’s Chris Yoo rushed for 1,317 yards and TDs last year as a junior.
 
 Central (G.J.) vs. Montrose, Friday, 7 p.m.
The host Indians have won 10 of the past 13 meetings, most recently a 21-3 Montrose victory, that date back to the Southwestern League. … Montrose hasn’t had a losing season since head coach Todd Casebier left after the 2014 season. … The Indians’ Emmert Kastendieck is their top returning rusher. He had 916 yards and nine TDs in 2018. … The Warriors start anew with head coach Brandon Milholland coming over from 1A Cedaredge.  He succeeds Shawn Marsh who took over the Eaglecrest program this past summer.  With him went returning starting QB Max Marsh who threw for almost 23-hundred yards and 20 TD’s in 2018.
 
Rio Rancho, N.M. at Pine Creek, Friday, 7 p.m.
The host Eagles have won at least 10 games in every season but one since 2008. They were 4-6 in 2012. … For his career, Pine Creek senior David Moore has 5,025 yards rushing and 58 TDs. … Rio Rancho was 4-7 in 2018 and had just its second losing season since David Howes took over in 2009. … The Rams are coming off a wild 54-53 setback in overtime to its state’s Centennial.
 
Also watch for …

  • Prairie View vs. Brighton, Friday, 7 p.m.
  • Pueblo West vs. Fruita Monument, Friday, 7 p.m.