Facing perhaps the biggest scare of the season, Cherry Creek reminded everyone why it is the top-ranked team in the state.

The Bruins trailed Arapahoe by a touchdown at halftime, but put together a strong defensive performance in the final 24 minutes. Between that, and Brady Vodicka’s rushing touchdown with eight minutes left in the game, Colorado Preps No. 1 Creek went home happy with a 17-14 over No. 3 Arapahoe at Stutler Bowl.

The Bruins took an early 7-0 lead before the Warriors scored a pair of touchdowns to jump in front. It was a Michael Moynihan pass to Charlie Eckhardt that got the Warriors out in front, but that was the last offensive surge for the Warriors.

A field goal near the end of the third quarter and then rushing touchdowns by Vodicka and Jordan Herron in the second half sealed the deal for defending Class 5A state champions. Harron finished the night with 198 rushing yards and two touchdowns according to the FanVū broadcast.

“I’m really proud of my kids for toughing it out,” coach Dave Logan said on the Colorado Preps Scoreboard Show. “I think Arapahoe is someone to be reckoned with moving forward.”

Cherry Creek remains undefeated and is now in line to win the Centennial League title. Arapahoe moves to 7-2 but will likely hang on to a first-round bye in the 5A playoffs with a win next week.

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Barnett has record breaking night

Erie’s Blake Barnett acknowledges the crowd after passing Christian McCaffrey’s 11-man Colorado touchdown record Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Brent W. New/BoCoPreps.com)

Erie quarterback Blake Barnett has supplanted one of the most significant names in Colorado high school football history. He accounted for touchdowns on a rush, a pass and on defense to bring his career total to 142 which tops Valor Christian great Christian McCaffrey.

The 142nd touchdown came on a pass to Kaveh Meredith.

The Tigers had more to celebrate as they rolled to a 57-13 win over Longmont.

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Montrose dominant in big league test

Two touchdowns late in the second quarter sparked a big Montrose run as the Red Hawks rolled to a 43-12 win over No. 6 Mesa Ridge.

Gage Wareham found Alonzo Trujillo on a long pass to setup a Blake Griffin touchdown then a quick stop another touchdown put Montrose up by three scores and the Hawks never looked back. A big reason for that was the effort the defense gave from the opening kick to the final whistle.

“This is the best I’ve seen them play against a quality opponent in a while,” coach Brett Mertens said. “We were super physical and stopped the run which we had to do.”

The Grizzlies put their defensive effort on slowing the Red Hawks running game and Mertens praised Wareham for his effort, specifically through the air. He accounted for over 100 passing yards and a passing touchdown which is an unorthodox offensive state for the Hawks.

They head to Pueblo West next week with a chance to claim the Southern league title.

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Pueblo Central gains league edge over Lewis-Palmer

Lewis-Palmer has been climbing the ranks in the Colorado Preps Select Media Poll, but that climb might be over as Pueblo Central got a 29-22 win over Rangers to take control of the 3A Southern 2 League.

The Wildcats will have a chance to clinch the league title in two weeks when they take on Pueblo South. If the Colts can get a win in that one, it will create a three-way tie with L-P, Pueblo South and Pueblo Central all siting atop the league standings.

**

Merino upsets Akron

Merino is starting to play good football at just the right time. The Rams put together a solid Friday effort to get a 46-32 win over Akron.

Neither team will claim a league title, however, as Haxtun has already beaten Akron and plays Merino next week. The Bulldogs wrapped up the league crown with a 52-26 win over Sedgwick County.

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Wellington claims league title

With a 26-7 win over Platte Valley, Wellington football has made more history. The win gets the Eagles the 2A Patriot Central League championship in just their second year of competition.

“Our kids are ecstatic,” coach Travis Peeples said on the Scoreboard Show. “They worked their butts off tonight and we went into a hostile environment and came out with a win.”

Wellington wraps up regular season play next week against Bennett.

**

Notable scores:

Class 5A

  • Cherokee Trail 23, (7) Grandview 21
  • Valor Christian 41, ThunderRidge 7

Class 4A

  • (5) Broomfield 21, (9) Fruita Monument 6
  • Windsor 28, (8) Loveland 10

Class 3A

  • (3) Roosevelt 28, Severance 27
  • (5) Lutheran 32, (9) Northfield 20

Class 2A

  • (8) University 30, Brush 15
  • Woodland Park 49, Lamar 13

Class 1A

  • (3) Gunnison 35, (10) North Fork 21
  • (4) Banning Lewis 46, Rye 6

8-man

  • (4) Mancos 58, (10) Sanford 0
  • (9) Calhan 41, St. Mary’s 18

6-man

  • Briggsdale 39, FLeming 35
  • (1) Stratton 59, (6) Arickaree 6