Last week featured a pair of powerful running backs trying to give their teams a respective edge. Pine Creek won the battle to remain undefeated on the season.
There were other standout performances across the Class 5A, 4A and 3A landscape and there are several key games to watch as Week 7 approaches.
Coar Values: In a battle between elite running backs last week – Fountain-Fort Carson’s Mathias Price and Pine Creek’s Jonathan Coar – it was Coar who stepped into the spotlight. Coar had 192 yards rushing and scored three times, leading the Eagles to a convincing 40-10 win over the Trojans in a battle of unbeaten teams.
Coar, a 5-foot-10, 185-pound junior has 635 yards rushing and six TDs on the season. He’s averaging 127 yards per game on the ground. Coar and his mates will have to rise to the occasion again as the Colorado Preps No. 2-ranked Eagles visit a talented No. 7-ranked Regis Jesuit squad, which has a 3-3 record, at 6:30 p.m. Friday.
No Fly Zone: Perennial-power Valor Christian came into its game against Castle View last week reeling with a 1-4 record. The Eagles got well, thanks to strong defensive performance, which included two interceptions from Moises Freeman. Valor and Freeman handed the Sabercats their first loss of the season.
Truly Golden: Golden is in the midst of an outstanding season and that trend continued last week as the Demons came away with 32-21 victory over Bear Creek. Running back Luc Chevalier scored four times and upped his season total to 481 yards rushing. He will try and increase that total when his team visits Standley Lake (4-2) at 4 p.m. Friday.
On the Week 7 Docket:
Class 5A
No. 3 Columbine (6-0) at No. 4 Ralston Valley (5-1), (Fri., 7:30 p.m.)
This is a huge match-up of 5A heavy hitters. Columbine comes into this game fresh of a 42-7 drubbing of Pomona last week. The Rebels will have to respond Friday against a tough Ralston Valley squad and expect them to go to their ground and pound attack. Mason Moreno had 148 yards last week in Columbine’s win and has 513 yards on the season, while Josh Snyder leads the team with 643 yards rushing and nine touchdowns. QB Logan Madden stirs the drink for the Mustangs. He has 1,274 yards passing for eight scores and another 131 yards rushing and three TDs. RV’s only loss was 35-9 defeat to top-ranked Cherry Creek, Aug. 25.
Class 4A
No. 8 Pueblo West (4-2) at Palmer Ridge (6-0), (7 p.m., Friday)
The Bears have put their opponents into hibernation all season as they are undefeated. After winning a nailbiter in their season opener over Montrose (28-27), Palmer Ridge has been on cruise control. The Bears’ closest game since Week 1 was 43-20 drubbing of Mesa Ridge in Week 2. QB Derek Hester is the real deal for Palmer Ridge. The senior has 832 yards passing for 11 TDs and he also has run for another 524 yards and seven scores. Avier Elvira (483 yards rushing and three TDs) and receiver James “Jimmer” Weir (490 yards receiving nine TDs) are also a potent duo you must respect for Palmer Ridge. Pueblo West comes into the game reeling after a tough last-second loss to Mesa Ridge (36-34). There’s no question the Bears are focused on stopping dynamic Cyclones QB Gavin Lockett. The junior has 766 yards passing and 644 yards rushing and he’s responsible for 14 TDs.
Class 3A
No. 3 Lutheran (4-1) at No. 4 Holy Family (4-1), (Fri., 7 p.m.)
Lutheran returns to action after a bye week. The Lions last game saw them drop a 36-14 decision to Montrose, which is the No. 3 team in the Colorado Preps 4A poll. The Lions have the 1-2 punch of QB Ryken Daugaard (1,045 yards passing and 13 TDs and 155 yards rushing, 1 TD) and junior receiver Ben Herbek (30 receptions, 432 yards and seven TDs). That duo has to click to help the Lions get a win against this tough foe.
Holy Family, after suffering a tough 34-26 defeat to Roosevelt, which is No. 2 in the Colorado Preps latest 3A poll, Sept. 22, bounced back last week with a 41-6 decision over Conifer. Senior QB Rylan Cooney fuels the Holy Family attack through the air (1,008 yards and seven TDs and the ground, 313 yards rushing and nine scores). His partner in slaying defenses is senior running back Dominic Gabriel, who has 602 yards rushing and six scores.