Already to week seven of the football season so the games gain even more attention this week. Some teams look for wins to stay atop their respective conference and others need victories to boost their playoff chances. Here’s a quick list of the most important games on the schedule tonight.
We limit the number of games selected for each division up to five and they’re selected based on importance to league races and the playoff bracket. We’ll recap all the action during the Scoreboard Show which airs tonight from 9:30-11:00pm on the Colorado Preps Radio Network. Its presented by Colorado Farm Bureau Insurance.
CLASS 5A
Westminster (1-5) at Bear Creek (2-4)
Fountain Fort Carson (4-2) at Highlands Ranch (5-1)
Valor Christian (6-0) at Lakewood (5-1)
Ralston Valley (3-3) at Arvada West (5-1)
Mountain Range (3-3) at Northglenn (5-1)
Might be surprised to see the Westminster-Bear Creek on our list but both teams are 1-0 in league play and the winner stays tied with Regis (6-1) atop the Antero conference. Regardless of record, league champions automatically qualify for the playoffs. The winner between Fountain Fort Carson — Highlands Ranch should stay tied with Valor Christian in the Lincoln division; provided the Eagles beat Lakewood. Win or lose, Lakewood will be boosted in RPI by playing Valor and the Tigers are 12th this week. Ralston Valley and Arvada West begin the night tied with Eaglecrest atop the Wilson. The Raptors should get by Rangeview to keep a share of first with the winner. Northglenn is 16th in RPI points going into the weekend and would be a playoff team. A win gives them a very important game with Columbine next week.
CLASS 4A
Broomfield (2-4) at Greeley West (4-2)
Monarch (6-0) at Windsor (5-1)
Montrose (4-2) at Rampart (4-2)
Air Academy (4-2) at Widefield (4-2)
Greeley West has a share of the Longs Peak lead and currently sits 14th in RPI so they’re right in the middle of the playoff chase. Broomfield lost their league opener to Loveland last week and need a win to stay in the post-season picture. The defending state runners-up is 23rd in the RPI standings. Monarch beat Skyline last week so another win at Windsor this week likely gives them the Northern crown. The Coyotes are also first in the RPI and Windsor is sixth. The winner between Montrose & Rampart will have at least share of the Pikes Peak lead and could in sole possession of first if Vista Ridge also gets by Coronado. Widefield and Air Academy are 18th and 21st in RPI points so their contest could be an elimination game. Both lost their league openers last week.
CLASS 3A
Silver Creek (4-2) at Fort Morgan (3-3)
Pueblo East (1-5) at Pueblo County (2-4)
Berthoud (5-1) at Roosevelt (4-2)
Evergreen (5-1) at Lutheran (3-3)
Summit (3-3) at Rifle (5-1)
Longmont moved to 2-0 in the Northern conference by slamming Centaurus on Thursday so the winner between Silver Creek and Fort Morgan keeps pace with the Trojans. Both clubs ended losing streaks last week. Silver Creek snapped a two-game skid with their win over Northridge and Fort Morgan stopped a three-game slide with their win over Centaurus. Pueblo East is 28th and Pueblo County 32nd in RPI points so the best path to the playoffs is a league championship. Both won their first game in the South Central last week and the winner becomes the top challenger to Harrison. Berthoud and Roosevelt are both coming off lopsided losses in conference openers last week but despite the decisions, they remain in the top 12 of the RPI. The winner boosts their playoff chances a bit more. Skyview is favored to beat Green Mountain and if that happens, then the Evergreen-Lutheran winner is the West Metro leader. Both Summit and Rifle were week one conference winners and the survivor tonight keeps pace with Palisade in the Western Slope.
