It was very easy to find the Game of the Week this week in Colorado’s Big School Prep football ranks.
The game is Class 4A and it pits Colorado Preps No. 1 and No. 2-ranked teams in Pueblo West (9-0) and Montrose (9-0).
The ultra-talented teams will collide in Montrose at 6 p.m., Friday. The winner will likely be the No. 1 team in the 4A bracket when it is released on Sunday and win the Soco League championship.
The Cyclones have been paced all-season by dynamic QB Gavin Ray Lockett. The senior has thrown for 749 yards and 10 TDs. He also has run for 826 yards and 14 TDs.
If Lockett is Batman for the Cyclones, then Robin is junior Zach Duran who has rushed for 696 yards and five TDs. West’s top receiver is Brock Keck who has 404 yards on 24 receptions, and he has four scores.
Last November against Montrose, Lockett was dynamic in a 35-28 loss to the Red Hawks. He rushed for 121 yards and threw for 146 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensively, Clay Conner and Joren Flores lead West with 47 and 42 tackles. The Cyclones have only allowed 95 points this season and have posted three shutouts.
Montrose is a bit of an unknown at least statistically, but one thing is for sure the Red Hawks will utilize smashmouth football to try and get this crucial win.
Montrose has scored 417 points this season, while surrendering just 131 points. If the Red Hawks can contain Lockett that will clear the way to a victory for them.
If Lockett has a highlight reel game West will be sitting pretty come Sunday.
While Pueblo West and Montrose are playing for 4A regular season supremacy plenty of other teams are on the other end of the spectrum. They are on the bubble trying to make it into 16-team playoffs.
Here’s some games worth watching as teams try and punch their tickets to the postseason.
Class 5A
Ralston Valley (8-1) at Arvada West (6-3), 7 p.m., Thursday
Ralston Valley is No. 4 in the power rankings no matter the outcome of this game. The same can’t be said for Arvada West. A-West is No. 15 in the power rankings and in dire need of victory if it wants to continue its season.
Arvada West is coming off a heartbreaking 22-21 loss to Chatfield on Oct. 24. Now it is gut-check time. The Wildcats are paced offensively by QB Logan Duhachek. The junior has thrown for 2,093 yards and 19 TDs. He’s going to need to be on his ‘A’ Game Thursday if the Wildcats want to have any chance of getting the upset.
Duhachek also gets plenty of support from Jaiden Green (707 yards, 7 TDs) and Adrian Symalla (644 yards, 9 TDs).
Class 4A
Sand Creek (7-2) at Grand Junction (8-1), 7 p.m., Thursday
This is a must-win game for both teams. The victor will likely be in the playoffs and the loser will be home for the holidays.
No. 21 SC and No. 16 Grand Junction are tied atop the I25 Conference with 4-0 records. The reason this game is even more important is that the I25 Conference is a developmental conference in which only the conference champion can qualify for the playoffs.
Sand Creek revived its season by riding a 5-game winning streak, and its latest win coming via a 48-30 victory over Centaurus on Oct. 25.
The Scorpions are fueled by running back Achilles Evans. The junior has rushed for 1,029 yards and 13 TDs. Wide receiver Elijah Brotherns has added 423 yards and 10 TDs. Now the Scorpions will now have to try and find a way to contain Grand Junction.
GJ will counter with running back Mathias Martinez (882 yards rushing, 10 TDs) and Noah Watkins (423 yards and 3 TDs).
Class 3A
Green Mountain (5-3) at Conifer (6-2), 4 p.m., Friday
Conifer, which is riding a three-game winning streak, has to get this ‘W’ to keep its postseason dream alive. The Lobos, who are No. 18 in the latest CHSAA power rankings, are led by QB Benson White who has thrown for 1,606 yards and 21 TDs. The rushing attack is put in gear by Carston Wolanske. The senior has rushed for 924 yards and 6 scores. White’s favorite target has been Solomon Washer, who has hauled in 34 receptions for 705 yards and 9 TDs.
If the Lobos can click on offense, they will not only be in a great position to get this upset, but hopefully hear their name called on Playoff Selection Day.
Knocking off Green Mountain will be no easy task. The Rams are aiming to win their third straight league title. Green Mountain is No. 5 in the power rankings and the Rams are led by senior QB Simon Lunsford (1,357 yards passing, 12 TDs) and running back Demarco Villalovas (337 yards rushing and 3 TDs).