This week is a case of Trick or Treat in Class 5A, 4A and 3A in the Colorado prep football ranks.
The trick is that teams can get big wins they need to position themselves to get in their respective state playoffs fields.
The 5A and 4A teams will compete for state supremacy in 24-field tournaments. In 3A, it is a 16-team bracket with a state championship on the line.
The treat is what teams can pull off upsets to gain much-needed momentum to make that memorable state title.
Here are some games that should move the dial this late in the season
Class 5A
No. 4 Arvada West (9-0) at No. 3 Ralston Valley (9-0), 7:30 p.m., Friday
This is a huge game in the 5A landscape. Both teams are in the Top 5 in the latest ColoradoPreps.com poll.
In the all-important CHSAA Selection & Seeding Index, Cherry Creek (9-0) is on top followed by Ralston Valley, Mountain Vista and Arvada West.
Ralston is coming off a 48-7 trouncing of Denver East last week. The Mustangs are powered by senior QB Zeke Andrews (2,017 yards passing, and 22 TDs and 520 yards rushing, 9 TDs).
Andrews’ top target has been Ethan Shirazi. The senior has 37 receptions for 781 yards and 9 TDs. Senior Nico Benallo has also added 59 catches for 653 yards and eight scores.
AW is coming off a dramatic 28-27 win over Chatfield last week. The Wildcats counter with senior QB Logan Duhachek (2,124 passing, and 26 TDs). Senior Jaiden Green has 473 yards rushing for 8 TDs.
No matter who wins this game, it is likely a preview of a matchup in the upcoming postseason.
Class 4A
No. 1 Montrose (9-0) at No. 8 Pueblo West (7-2), 6 p.m., Friday
The ColoradoPreps.com poll is important, but the ranking that matters is the CHSAA Selection & Seeding Index.
In those rankings, Montrose is No. 3 behind Dakota Ridge (9-0) and Palmer Ridge (9-0). A year ago, Broomfield edged Montrose 35-28 to capture the 4A state title.
Montrose advanced to the state championship by defeating Pueblo West 18-7 in the semifinals. Montrose and West have developed a rivalry in recent years and this once again should be a bitter battle.
Montrose’s individual stats are a mystery because they are not posted on maxpreps.com. One thing for sure is the Red Hawks can score points and lots of them. They have outscored their opponents 437-82. Montrose has scored at least 50 points three times and more than 60 points once. The ground attack is powered by Elijah Womack and Chase Mehan. Junior QB Cade Saunders can also utilize his legs to get into the end zone.
West, which was upset by Mesa Ridge 22-15 on Sept. 9, has bounced back to blank Widefield (51-0) and Falcon (37-0).
The Cyclones’ offense is paced by sophomore QB Chase Harrison (555 yards passing and 6 TDs and 344 yards rushing and 5 TDs). Senior Zach Duran has a team-best 602 yards rushing and 4 TDs. Sophomore RB Chance Chamberlain has punched in a team-best 8 TDs.
This game will certainly be a smashmouth special. Whatever team can keep the other offense in check will likely walk away the winner.
Class 3A
No. 5 Mead (7-1) at No. 1 Windsor (8-0), 7 p.m., Friday
In terms of 3A this is as good as it gets for a late season battle. In the Selection & Seeding Index, Windsor is No. 1, and Mead is No. 2.
Mead’s lone loss this season was 27-21 to Holy Family Oct. 3 and in the state playoffs last season the Mavericks made it all the way to the state finals before losing 16-14 to Thompson Valley.
This season Mead has been powered by junior RB Noah Chapala who has 845 yards and 8 TDs. Senior receiver Eli Davis has 19 catches for 465 yards and 8 TDs.
Windsor’s top offensive threats have been running backs seniors Mason Moore (521 yards and 7 TDs) and Adrian Czyszczon (897 yards rushing and 13 TDs).
These are two outstanding teams. This may be a preview of the state championship. The team that wins this game will certainly be a huge confidence boost.
