Players are having big performances and there are so notable matchups this week when it comes to Class 5A-3A football.
Top quarterback performances: Westminster quarterback Mason Kiewiet has had quite the season so far. In three games, the junior has thrown for 861 yards and 10 touchdowns and just one interception. The Wolves have won back-to-back games and scored 85 points in those wins, including the 35-23 decision over Rangeview on Sept. 1.
Kiewet has added five rushing touchdowns and 339 yards rushing as well.
Kiewiet and his teammates will try and keeping lighting up the scoreboard when they meet Standley Lake at 7 p.m. Thursday.
Mountain Vista’s Austin Modrzewski is second in 5A with behind Kiewiet with 754 yards passing, followed by Grandview’s Liam Szarka (528 yards).
Ponderosa’s Marcus Price in leading his 4A squad with 607 yards passing for seven scores. He led Ponderosa to a 42-14 trouncing of Chaparral last weekend.
In 3A, signal-caller No. 2 Lutheran’s Ryken Daugaard has looked sharp early, throwing for 428 yards and six touchdowns and no interceptions. Daugaard leads his 2-0 team against an always feisty Discovery Canyon (1-1) on the road.
Top rushing performer: Fountain-Fort Carson’s Mathias Price is having himself a season so far – rushing for 417 yards in two games and two touchdowns.
In 4A, Russell Patton of Far Northeast has compiled 433 yards rushing in two tough defeats, including 27-14 to Vista Ridge.
In 3A, Glenwood Springs’ Marcus Markovich leads the with 349 yards and four scores.
Receiver Props: Joining the spotlight is Hunter Emgarten. The senior leads 5A with 495 yards.
In 4A, receiver Ponderosa’s Max Mervin has 19 receptions for three scores on 340 yards.
Class 5A
No. 5 Grandview (2-0) at No. 9 Ralston Valley (1-1), (Fri. 7:30 p.m.)
Grandview quarterback Liam Szarka tossed a pair of touchdown passes to help the Wolves defeat Fossil Ridge 38-13 last week. Things will get much tougher for Grandview when it takes on a talented Ralston Valley team that has played a brutal early-season schedule and had a week off to get prepared for Grandview.
No. 3 Regis Jesuit (2-0) at No. 6 Arapahoe (2-0), (Fri. 7 p.m.)
Regis Jesuit is rolling beating Valor Christian (31-14) and then going out of state to edge stout Kennedy Catholic (Burien, Wash.), 36-33. Running back Albert Medina paced the Raiders with four touchdowns. Araphoe will find out if its talent is for real when it clashes with Regis. Arapahoe is coming off a strong showing in beating Heritage (28-7) last week. Charlie Eckhardt was the star of the game for Arapahoe.
Class 4A
No. 3 Erie (1-1) at No. 6 Montrose (1-1), (Fri. 7 p.m.)
Erie put the hammer down on Mullen last week claiming a 56-26 victory. Blake Barnett stepped into the spotlight for the Tigers throwing three touchdown passes. Erie’s defense also added two interceptions it ran back for touchdowns. Montrose is hoping a trip to the Western Slope will not end well for Erie. Montrose tuned up for its big game Friday with a 58-15 trouncing of Fruita Monument. Blake Griffin starred for the Red Hawks scoring five touchdowns.
Fountain-Fort Carson (2-0) at No. 7 Pueblo West (3-0), (Fri. 7 p.m.)
Fountain-Fort Carson has always had team speed and have standout running back in Mathias Price to lead the Trojans’ charge. FFC has scored 114 points in two wins over Falcon and Highlands Ranch. The biggest question is whether West star quarterback Gavin Lockett can answer the bell again for the Cyclones. A week ago, Lockett ran for three scores and threw for another as West smashed rival Pueblo County 35-7 in the Pigskin Classic.
Class 3A
No. 1 Roosevelt (2-0) at Fort Morgan (0-2), (Fri. 7 p.m.)
Roosevelt has looked unstoppable this season crushing Palisade (49-6) and Kennedy (54-0). Xavier Ramirez leads Roosevelt with seven touchdowns this season. Fort Morgan has suffered two tough losses to Conifer (18-7) and Brush (20-17). The Mustangs will try to pull off the miracle at home against Roosevelt.
Heritage (0-2) at No. 8 Pueblo Central (2-0), (Thurs. 7 p.m.)
Heritage started the season with high hopes as a ranked team in 4A, but has back-to-back losses, including a 28-7 defeat to Arapahoe last week scoring only on a TD pass reception by Tanner Terch. Can Heritage get on track this week? Well, it will depend if Heritage can upend upstart Pueblo Central. The Wildcats defeated ranked Pueblo East (20-14) last week and will look to have another big game from running back Amari Brown, who has scored seven touchdowns and is rushing for 179 yards a game.