Rivalry games can be found all over the place and several matchups feature long-time successful programs squaring off. And we have a state championship pairing that headlines our list of top football games for week two. ]
Colorado Preps will preview these games and many more throughout the week. New rankings will be published on Monday and our network will also review week one with a new podcast.
Photo is provided by Jon Yunt / Holy Family HS
POMONA AT CHERRY CREEK: Two of the top tradition rich programs collide in Class 5A and the game could be very important to the Panthers. They’re coming off a tough one point loss to Grandview (30-29) where they gave up a touchdown in the closing seconds and another setback leaves them at 0-2 two weeks in. Cherry Creek made quick work of Doherty in week one so this will be their first major test of the young season. They’re the two-time defending champions in Class 5A.
DAKOTA RIDGE AT VISTA RIGE: Both clubs scored very impressive wins in the opening week as the Eagles held off a quality Florida opponent 23-20 and Vista Ridge rallied from 17-0 down to stun Windsor 26-20. Both teams should end up with winning records at the end of the season so the winner also gains valuable RPI points in addition to a 2-0 start.
FRUITA MONUMENT AT MONTROSE: A very good rivalry on the Western Slope with the winner jumping to a 2-0 start. Both clubs picked up easy wins in week one with the Wildcats taking out Highlands Ranch and the Indians downing Grand Junction Central. Interior line play will be crucial as both teams want to establish the run.
BROOMFIELD AT LONGMONT: With an expanded 24-team playoff bracket in 4A, an 0-2 start is not as dangerous as past year but one of these well-known programs will have that record after this game is complete. Broomfield was stunned by Golden in week one (29-22) while the Trojans came up short in a wild 49-43 affair with Chatfield. In that game, the Trojans had the ball with a chance to win in the final two minutes but suffered a costly turnover.
ROOSEVELT AT HOLY FAMILY: Roosevelt opened the season ranked atop the 3A polls and Holy Family was fourth. The Riders have not played as their bye came in week one so they may be a bit behind the Tigers who scored a great win at Pueblo South last Friday. It was the first-ever win at Dutch Clark for Tigers boss Mike Gabriel. Playoff seeding also important in this one as it matches up a pair of clubs that reached the final four (Holy Family) and final two (Roosevelt) last year.
BRUSH AT FORT MORGAN: Excellent rivalry contest that routinely occurs in week five. Fort Morgan has dominated the series of late but the Beetdiggers are improved this year and based on their convincing win over George Washington last week, they could push the Mustangs this year. Fort Morgan is coming off that strange trip to Scottsbluff where the game ended in a 7-7 tie. Weather hit at halftime and the two teams waited for almost three hours before calling it off. At the time, we wrote these notes, the situation of whether it’s a win, a loss, a shared result or a no-contest was still unknown for Fort Morgan. That decision must be made as it will factor into RPI numbers at the end of the year.
GLENWOOD SPRINGS AT RIFLE: Another traditional rivalry between two teams separated by a short distance and this one could be filled with a bit more excitement than normal. They actually played twice during season C with the Demons grabbing the regular season win and the Bears returning the favor in a wild playoff game. Rifle, after losing to Palisade in the season opener, is playing a second straight former 3A Western Slope rival. Glenwood Springs is 1-0 after beating Harrison.
MONTE VISTA AT ALAMOSA: Staying in the rivalry mode, we make a trip down to the San Luis Valley for this battle of county rivals. They’re separated by about 20 miles and face off in virtually every sport. Monte Vista played well in an opening win over Rocky Ford and a win gives them a very good non-league win. Alamosa lost to #3 Classical Academy in their opener but still moved the ball well on offense and will score some points this year.
LIMON AT MEEKER: Somewhat of an unusual meeting on Saturday in that it’s week two but both will be playing their season openers as both sat out week one with byes. Limon is the preseason number one club in Class 1A and is the three-time defending state champion in that classification. Meeker is a regular member of the top 10 as well and sees their first action since a tough quarterfinal loss to Strasburg last Fall. They expect to battle North Fork for the Western Slope league title.
YUMA AT STRASBURG: Yuma is one of those teams that several coaches have told Colorado Preps to keep an eye as they should be improved over the recent past. Strasburg has played five years in Class 1A and reached the state championship game each year with two championships. Even though the Indians lost to 2A ranked Platte Valley in week one, they are still a good barometer for Yuma on how they may fare this season.
HOEHNE AT SEDGWICK COUNTY: Because COVID caused two seasons of football to be played last year, we have a very unusual rematch of state champions inside the same class but that’s what we have here. Sedgwick County won their sixth straight championship last Fall (Season A) while Hoehne rolled to an unbeaten season and the Season C title last May. The Cougars ended a 26-game winning streak in a loss to Dundy County NE last week while Hoehne downed John Mall again last week after beating the Panthers in the Season C state finals.
SANFORD AT DAYSPRING CHRISTIAN: Really good matchup in week two between the Indians and Eagles. Dayspring Christian has great tradition as they captured three state titles from 2008-13 and also reached the state semifinals two years ago. Sanford is trying to reach those levels. They made the state championship game last year and because of Sedgwick County’s loss, should be the number one team in eight man when the polls come out on Monday.
CHEYENNE WELLS AT STRATTON: A non-conference game in week two that carries a TON of importance to the playoff bracket. Cheyenne Wells was ranked second to open the season and gave a strong case for that ranking in a quick blowout of Hi Plains. Stratton was fourth in the same polls and solidified that spot with an impressive win over #5 Prairie on opening night. Not a stretch to say the winner could end up with a top two playoff seed at years end, with Granada and Fleming two of the many others having the same goal.
PAWNEE AT BRIGGSDALE: This is a renewal of a great rivalry up in Weld County and it possibly could be the first game for Pawnee since the 2016 season. Numbers since then have prevented the Coyotes from having their own program since but they’re back at it in 2021. They were slated to open the new run with Deer Trail last week but that game was postponed. So we say maybe this is their first game back but the Deer Trail contest could be rescheduled and played before they line up against the heavily favored Falcons.
