Across the state, pep rallies are being held, concession stands are being stocked and game plans are being finalized. It’s finally Friday and there is no shortage of great football games to be found across Colorado.
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Class 5A
Chatfield at (1) Cherry Creek:
The Bruins suffered their first loss of the season as they traveled to Ohio to take on St. Edward. They’ll look to rebound against last year’s 4A state champion. Chatfield is off to a rough start to the season as it sits at 0-2.
(8) Ralston Valley at (2) Grandview:
The Wolves are looking to keep their hot start to the season alive. Liam Szarka has been a dual-threat nightmare for opposing teams as he has rushed for 199 yards and four touchdowns to go with 435 passing yards and five passing touchdowns. After dropping a close one to Cherry Creek, Ralston Valley went to Florida to get its first win of the year. Quarterback Logan Madden is completing 82 percent of his passes and has thrown for 166 yards per game.
(9) Arapahoe at (3) Regis Jesuit:
After taking down Valor Christian in overtime, Regis Jesuit ventured to California and lost a tight one to Oak Christian. Both Exander Carroll and Albert Medina have rushed for over 110 yards and Carroll has thrown for 356 yards and four touchdowns. Arapahoe is off to a 2-0 start and have played consistent football to start the year. Junior Carter Nealy leads the rushing attack with 131 yards and a score.
(4) Valor Christian at Fairview:
The Eagles bounced back from their season-opening loss to Regis and pulled away from Pine Creek after a two-hour lightning delay. Valor’s defense has forced five turnovers in two games and Jackson Oriol is responsible for an interception and a fumble recovery in that effort. The Eagles will have to overcome the air attack of quarterback Rowan Risner who has thrown for 707 yards and nine touchdowns.
Castle View at (6) Legend:
Legend has had no problem scoring points to get out to a 2-0 start. The Titans hope that trend continues against Castle View. Alex Martinez is rushing for 144 yards per game and has scored two touchdowns. Castle View started the season with a win over Doherty but fell to Poudre last week.
(4A 8) Vista Ridge at (10) Pine Creek:
The Eagles finally get a game in District 20 Stadium after being on the road for the first two weeks of the year. They’ll focus on a strong defensive effort to slow down Wolves quarterback Brayden Dorman and try to work effectively on offense. Mason Miller has been a sold running, rushing for 8.2 yards per carry through two games this year. Dorman leads all quarterbacks in the state with 707 passing yards. He has thrown for eight touchdowns already and is hoping to put on a show against the Eagles.
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Class 4A
Golden at (1) Ponderosa (Saturday):
The newly-minted top team in the 4A will surely get the Demons’ best shot on Saturday. Zach Stryker has provided plenty of offense for the Mustangs, throwing for 232 yards and five touchdowns while running for 200 yards and scoring three rushing touchdowns. A dominant win over Silver Creek last week could be the confidence boost that Golden needs to battle with Ponderosa.
(2) Palmer Ridge at Lewis-Palmer:
This district rivalry game will be played at Don Breeze Stadium with Palmer Ridge looking to improve to 3-0 on the year. Orlando Arande has been consistent on the running attack as he has totaled 216 yards and four touchdowns. Derek Hester has been good throwing the ball when he has, but the Bears haven’t needed to pass a lot early in teh year. He’s averaging 20.1 yards per completion and has a rating of 111.2.
(3) Pueblo West at Fountain-Fort Carson:
This is an interesting game to watch this week. The Cyclones have looked impressive with wins over Dakota Ridge and Pueblo County. Jacob Trader is averaging 88 rushing yards per game and has scored six total touchdowns. He’ll have to contend with a tough Division I linebacker in Tai Faavae.
Montrose at (4) Erie:
Montrose hasn’t started 0-3 in the MaxPreps era (which dates back to 2004) and is in danger of doing so. Erie rebounded from its Week 1 loss to Ponderosa with a 54-34 win over Mullen. Blake Barnett threw for 310 yards and a touchdown in the win.
(6)Fruita Monument at Skyline:
The Wildcats take their effective running attack on the road looking to improve to 3-0. Kaison Stegelmeier leads the team with 194 rushing yards. He has also scored a rushing touchdown.
(7) Loveland at Pomona:
Through two games this year, Garrett Harstad has averaged 193 rushing yards per game and scored seven touchdowns. If he can be that effective again, the Red Wolves could grab a win over a 5A opponent in Pomona.
Longmont at (9) Denver South:
Joseph Capra likes throwing the ball to Rashad Caldwell. They’ve connected for 150 yards and four touchdowns. Capra also likes running the ball as he has totaled 302 yards and six touchdowns. The Ravens have a chance to start the season 3-0 if they get a win over the Trojans.
Mesa Ridge at Dakota Ridge:
The Eagles are still hunting for their first win of the season after falling to Pueblo West and Columbine. Noah Triplett has been steady, averaging almost 72 rushing yards per game and will likely have to carry the offensive load if Dakota Ridge is going to topple the Grizzlies.
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Class 3A
Fort Morgan at (1) Roosevelt:
It’s the top-ranked team against the defending 3A champion. Roosevelt has looked impressive with wins over Palisade and Kennedy. Xavier Ramirez leads the offensive attack with 269 total rushing yards and four touchdowns. Losses to Conifer and Brush have dropped the Mustangs out of the top 10.
(3) Durango at Aztec (NM):
The Demons close out their out-of-state series against Aztec and are looking to rebound from last week’s loss. Both Jeric Baruch and Zach Haber have rushed for over 140 total yards on the season. Haber has scored a team-high three rushing touchdowns.
(4) Mead at Severance:
The Mavericks on a short week after finishing a postponed game against Lutheran on Monday. They’ll utilize the ground game powered by Danny Brewington (302 yards, three touchdowns) to try and rebound from the loss to the Lions and get back in the win column.
Greeley Central at (6) Northridge:
The Grizzlies have looked good in their first two games of the year and will only build on their status as a 3A contender with each additional win. The defensive effort has been a big reason for this. Both Jayden Marquez and Isaac Kness have hauled two interceptions already this season.
Buffalo (WY) at (7) Resurrection Christian:
This is the second of three straight out-of-state opponents for the Cougars. They sit at 2-0 on the year and have gotten great rushing efforts from Hunter Hanson and Will Reeves.
(8) Frederick at Scottsbluff (NE):
After suffering a one-point loss to Holy Family, the Golden Eagles got a one-point win over Monarch last week. They head to Nebraska looking to climb over .500 on the season.
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Class 2A
(1) TCA at Alamosa:
The Titans have knocked off defending 2A state champion Eaton then rolled 3A’s Harrison to get to 2-0. And they did it by throwing 17 combined passes. Ethan Aragundi has rushed for 226 yesterday yards and three touchdowns and Evan Lapoure connected on four field goals in the win over Eaton. TCA wants to keep the wins coming and to keep making statements in the process.
(4) Platte Valley at (3) Eaton (Saturday):
After a dominant win over University last week, Eaton has a chance to completely silence the naysayers by beating Platte Valley. Walker Martin has been efficient at quarterback, throwing for 344 yards and five touchdowns to just one interception. Wins over Kent Denver and Weld Central have certainly made the Broncos a team worth paying attention to. Quarterback Howdy Johnson has rushed for 309 yards and three scores and thrown for 250 yards and two touchdowns this season. The dual between Martin and Johnson will be a treat for fans in attendance.
The Academy at (5) Elizabeth:
Both teams are sitting where most expected them to be at this early stage of the season. Someone will suffer their first loss of the season and as Elizabeth aims to compete with the top teams in the classification it will lean on Ethan Stone to control the ball (and the clock) to keep Academy quarterback Isaiah Eliot off the field.
(6) Basalt at Roaring Fork:
After two impressive wins, Basalt looks to improve to 3-0 on the year. Cooper Crawford is averaging over 100 rushing yards per game and is looking to put together another strong performance for the Longhorns.
(7) La Junta at Pueblo East:
The Tigers roll into Dutch Clark Stadium hoping to control the clock and grab a signature win for the season. Jeremiah Martinez will be crucial in that effort as he runs for 130 yards and four touchdowns.
Pagosa Springs at (9) Florence:
A convincing win over Centauri is exactly what the Huskies needed as they turn their attention to 2A opponents for the remainder of the year.
(10) Berthoud at Thompson Valley
After getting a big win over Valley, Berthoud checked into the top 10 for the first time this season.
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Class 1A
(1) Limon at (3) Strasburg (Saturday):
These teams are no strangers to each other and have even clashed in the state championship game a few times in the last several seasons. This one could shape the top of the 1A playoff bracket later this year.
Scott City (KS) at (2) Wray:
The Eagles host some out of town guests in a bid to improve to 3-0 on the year. Brady Collins has rushed for 150 yards and two touchdowns and will be a big piece of the offensive game plan.
Rocky Ford at (4) Wiggins:
Cole Kerr and Julio Flores combined to rush for 190 yards yards as the Tigers lost by a point to Strasburg last week.
(6) Centauri at (5) Buena Vista:
In one of the bigger showdowns of the week, this matchup could set the tone for the top few teams in all of 1A. The Demons got a 26-16 over Salida in Week 1 and Centauri is coming off a 29-7 loss to Florence, a team that moved up to 2A this season.
(7) Monte Vista at Gunnison:
The Pirates have looked dominant in two games this year and they’ll try to continue that trend against a 1-1 Gunnison.
Aspen at (9) Meeker:
Losing to Limon shouldn’t be a huge step back for the Cowboys as they return home to face Aspen. This could be the start of a little winning streak for them as they head to an OCt. 7 showdown with Buena Vista.
(10) North Fork at Grand Valley:
After dropping its season opener to Meeker and having a bye in Week 2, the Miners are back on the field looking for their first win of the season.
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8-Man
(1) Haxtun at (8) Holly:
After beating Holyoke in an 11-man game last week, the defending 8-man champions are back to their own style of play. They have a top-10 showdown with Holly, who is coming off a big win over Custer County.
(2) Mancos at (6) Merino (Saturday):
Something will have to give as these two undefeated, ranked team square off. Mancos won last year’s regular season clash 49-8.
(3) Akron at Flower:
Akron has two big wins under its belt already and is looking to stay near the top of the 8-man rankings if it can improve to 3-0.
(7) Simla at (4) Sanford:
Both teams enter this game at 2-0 and both have looked good in their wins. Sanford won the 2021 meeting 74-50.
Melrose (NM) at (5) Dove Creek:
The Bulldogs have given up just two points this season and the defense is looking to have another big game, this time against an out-of-state opponent.
(9) Crowley County at Sedgwick County:
The Chargers have outscored their opponents 80-24 this season and will try and improve to 3-0.
Belleview Christian at (10) West Grand:
Win over Calhan pushed the Mustangs into the top 10 and a win over Belleview Christian should keep them there next week.
6-Man
(10) Cheraw at (1) Stratton:
The top-ranked Eagles take on their third consecutive ranked opponent in Cheraw. They already have wins over Cheyenne Wells and Granada. The Wolverines are coming off a 21-20 loss to Branson/Kim and would love avoid dropping a second consecutive game.
(3) Granada at (2)Fleming (Saturday):
The Wildcats get a chance to solidify their status as the No. 2 team in 6-man if they can beat Granada. The Bobcats are surely looking to take out some frustration after their loss to Stratton last week.
Flagler at (5) Genoa-Hugo:
The Pirates have dominated the area teams around them, beating Eads and Kit Carson. They turn their attention to Flagler to get a 3-0 start.
Hi-Plains at (6) Otis:
Taste Smith could have another big game for the Bulldogs after running for 167 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Briggsdale last week.
(7) Cheyenne Wells 62, Peetz 8
In a 1 p.m. kick, Cheyenne Wells jumped out to an early lead and never looked back.
(8) Branson/Kim 38, Sierra Grande 22
The Bearcats improved to 2-1 on the year after getting a Friday afternoon win over Sierra Grande.
(9) Deer Trail at Bethune:
The Eagles have two big wins under their belt already and seek a third in a 4 p.m. showdown with 1-1 Bethune.
