As crazy as it seems, the prep football season in Class 5A, 4A and 3A is nearing the midway point.

With that in mind, the theme for this week is real. As in will the real teams, please stand up, please stand up.

This is the point in the season when contenders start separating from pretenders and start making statements that they are for real.

That’s definitely what’s at stake in some key matchups this week across the 5A, 4A, and 3A landscape.

Class 5A

No. 2 Valor Christian (4-0) at No. 5 Ralston Valley (4-0), 7 p.m., Sept. 26

The grudge match is set and something has to give. Both teams are undefeated and have proved they are a couple of the top two teams in 5A.

Valor has captured wins over Pine Creek (36-14), Regis Jesuit (41-15), Faith Lutheran (49-21) and Mullen (42-14).

The Eagles’ offense is powered by senior running backs Chase Hanosh (36 carries, 266 yards and 4 TDs) and Channing Fox (45 carries, 226 yards and 1 TD). Senior receiver Cash Spence (15 catches, 205 yards and 1 TD) and junior wideout Jackson Coleman (14 catches, 275 yards and 4 TDs) also have packed plenty of punch for Valor.

Ralston enters this battle with wins over Erie (34-21), Grandview (42-21), Mullen (20-7), and ThunderRidge (41-21).

RV offense is fueled by dynamic senior QB Zeke Andrews (1,071 passing and 12 TDs and 254 yards rushing, 3 TDs).

Senior receivers Ethan Shirazi (20 catches, 461 yards and 5 TDs) and Nico Benallo (25 catches, 241 yards and 2 TDs).

This game will come down to star power and who makes the least mistakes.

Class 4A

No. 5 Vista Ridge (4-0) at No. 7 Pueblo West (3-1), 7 p.m., Sept. 26

Vista Ridge will carry an unbeaten record into this key match-up. The Wolves have wins over Columbine (24-14), Montbello (50-20), Evanston (52-0) and Denver South (29-20).

Senior QB Colton Camba (625 yards and 7 TDs) and running backs Deron Tiggett (43 carries, 316 yards, and 4 TDs) and Micah Nocita (31 carries, 270 yards, 2 TDs) are key figures for Vista’s offense.

Pueblo West has reloaded this year and has wins over Loveland (17-7), Pueblo County (39-34), and Lutheran (10-7). The Cyclones only loss is to Class 3A’s No. 5-ranked Pomona (17-7).

Senior Zach Duran leads West with 343 yards and one score.

This is a good mid-term for both teams and an even better measuring stick for the postseason.

Class 3A

No. 3 Roosevelt (3-1) at No. 1 Windsor (4-0), 7 p.m. Sept. 26

As early-season matchups go, this is an epic battle in the making.

Roosevelt, after getting upended by Holy Family (41-26 on Sept. 5), the Roughriders rebounded with resounding victories over Ponderosa (40-22) and Rifle (48-0).

Rossevelt’s top offense threat this season has been Milo Pascual. The senior RB has 427 yards rushing and 4 TDs.

Windsor counters with wins over Green Mountain (55-0), Longmont (55-7), Montbello (23-0) and Severance (14-3).

The Wizards’ offense has been working magic this season with running backs Adrian Czyszczon (81 carries, 433 yards and 7 TDs) and Mason Moore (21 carries, 229 yards, and 3 TDs). Both are seniors.

This game will not make or break either of these teams’ seasons, but a win will go a long way in the confidence department for the second part of the season.