Finally, we get to talk football that will take place on the field as the abbreviated 2020 campaign gets started on Thursday. Opening games this year carry much more importance as the regular season is just six weeks and there is little room for error for any team seeking a playoff berth.
Each week of the season, Colorado Preps will tease the top games in each class and then look at all the key matchups in a weekly preview. Since we provided in-depth season previews this week, our report in week one combines the top pairings in Classes 5A and 4A. We limit the list to our top five picks in each classification and will offer similar reports on the remaining divisions.
We will recap the week one action as our Scoreboard Show gets going for a 18th year. It airs from 9:30-11:00pm each Friday of the regular season and we will again run through all scores and visit with coaches who post the most important or most surprising victories.
CLASS 5A
Lakewood at Highlands Ranch: Couple of teams that will have a tough road to the playoff bracket but two that could use a non-conference win to help build their case. Both teams won five games last year with Lakewood gaining a playoff win over Doherty. QB is a question mark for both clubs. Lakewood had three players see time at that spot last year and all three return. Jason Duong got the most passing attempts (70) and also finished with the most yards (491). Highlands Ranch lost standout Jake Rubley to an out-of-state transfer after he attempted all but six passes for the Falcons a year ago. If a new QB steps up, there is quality on the outside with returnees Jade Arroyo (25 catches), Josh Lindahl (23), Jarral Trahan (13), Jake McBride (11) and Tanner Ludwig (11).
Pine Creek at Ralston Valley: Here’s a great matchup to get 2020 started on the big school level as Pine Creek is the defending 4A state champion and Ralston Valley was a final four club in Class 5A. Both teams suffered massive graduation losses and will feature many new faces in key roles but tradition and talent should keep both in the state championship hunt in their respective class. Beau Freyler led the Eagles in tackles last year and is the top returnee for the returning champs. Ralston Valley also returns their top tackler (Will Lester) and could get a boost on offense with Wheat Ridge transfer Rocco Tate, who gained 694 yards rushing for the Farmers last season.
Cherokee Trail at Eaglecrest: The Centennial league often gets five or even all six teams in the playoff bracket but with the new format and reduced field of just eight qualifiers this year, two might be the magic number in 2020. That makes this week one clash extremely important. The Raptors have been to the final eight four consecutive seasons but must replace Max Marsh at QB. He produced nearly 37-hundred yards of offense and attempted all 284 passes for the Raptors a year ago. Ty Robinson, with 35 catches in 2019, is a big threat on the outside. Cherokee Trail won eight games last year including an exciting 36-32 win over Eaglecrest in the regular season finale. Jayden Lavigne threw for 223 yards and 4 TD’s in that win and returns at QB for the Cougars. Samuel Hart caught three of those scoring strikes and is also back for the Cherokee Trail offense.
Smoky Hill at Cherry Creek: After two perfect runs through the Metro 10 developmental league, Smoky Hill has rebuilt their program and has been placed back in their old Centennial league home. First up on the return is a huge challenge with the defending state champions. Two very QB’s will be featured as Julian Hammond (2,354 yards – 28 TD’s passing) returns for the defending champs and Leslie Richardson is back to direct the Smoky Hill offense (2,858 yards – 28 TD’s passing). The Bruins also return other major skill talent in James Walker (874 yards rushing – 36 catches), Chase Penry (53 catches) and Gunnar Helm (25).
Fairview at Poudre (SAT): With Aidan Atkinson at the controls the last two years, Fairview won all 10 games against traditional Front League opponents. With his graduation, a new era in Boulder begins as the Knights likely turn to Liam O’Brien to keep their high powered offense in full gear. O’Brien is likely up to the task as he completed 18 of 35 attempts for 285 yards and 4 TD’s in a playoff loss to Cherry Creek last November. Poudre looks to rebuild a bit after winning just three games in 2019 but did slam Fossil Ridge 41-0 in their regular season finale.
CLASS 4A
Loveland at Heritage (THURS): The first of a few important week one matchups in this division pitting returning playoff teams against one another. Loveland returns leaders on both sides of the ball with QB Zac Ratowksy accounting for 27 TD’s a year ago and Ian Loomis topping the team in tackles (113) including 17.5 behind the line of scrimmage. Many other top defenders also return including Jadyn Tafoya, Bradon Coladonato and Tyson Williams. Heritage must replace dual-threat QB Connor Cummiskey but the new starter has a solid group of receivers in Terrance Ferguson (54 catches), Erik Olsen (28) and Caden Downs (26). Chris Worthing is back defensively after picking up 72 tackles and four sacks in 2019.
Chatfield at Montrose: A very important early season game for two teams that reached the state quarterfinals a year ago and both should be in the playoff chase at the end of the regular season. The Indians averaged 378 yards a game on the ground in 2019 and will again look to move the football in that manner. Trent Blundell (850) and Eli Evans (467) were third and fourth in rushing yards a year ago but should become the top two options this season. QB Keagan Goodwin also returns. Chatfield’s lineup on both sides of the ball will include many new names and faces. Ethan Delfino is the likely starter at QB after throwing for 538 yards and six scores in a backup role last season. His main target could be Mason Lowe who caught 25 passes as a freshman. Aiden Kempen (91 tackles) is the top returning defender.
Longmont at Brighton: The Trojans edged Brighton 20-14 in a regular season matchup last year and several key players from that game are back on the field this season. Longmont QB Keegan Patterson combined for 291 yards and four scores in the win including 109 yards on 34 carries. He’s back for his junior year and hopes to lead the Trojans back into the playoffs. They were eliminated in round one last year. Jeff Giger had a very good first year in charge of the Bulldogs program as he led them to six wins and a playoff berth. Vershon Brooks ran for a team-best 68 yards in last year’s loss and finished with 653 yards for the season. James Thomas was also third on the team with 12 tackles vs Longmont and totaled 67 for the season.
Silver Creek at Skyline: A good Longmont rivalry to get the 2020 season started at Everly Montgomery Stadium. We were somewhat surprised that Skyline was not included in the pre-season top 10 coaches poll released on Monday. The Falcons were a playoff team a year ago and returns standout QB Chase Silva. He threw for 2,283 yards and 32 TD’s last season and over the past two years, has compiled 5,112 yards and 61 scores. He also gets back his top two targets, Grayden Bridwell (51) and Nick Peterson (32), who combined for 83 receptions, 1,253 yards and 15 scores. Silver Creek gave up 52 points in the loss to Skyline last year but still put together a very good 5-5 campaign. Bryan Silver (69) is the top returning tackler and will lead a defense charged with slowing down Silva and the Falcons offense.
Broomfield at Monarch: Regular playoff entrants collide in what should be a very physical season opener for both clubs. Broomfield downed the Coyotes 34-14 last year as part of their 13-game winning streak to open the 2019 campaign but they must replace a top quarterback (Zac Kapushion) and running back (Caden Peters). Kapushion moved to Georgia to play his senior season and Peters finished this season year with 26-hundred yards rushing. Both are major holes to fill for Coach Blair Hubbard. The Eagles also lost five of their top six tacklers to graduation but returns a top defender in Hall Edmonds (95 tackles). Monarch won their final three games last season but still missed the post-season. They are a threat to get there this year behind the return of Kieran Singh (1,303 yards rushing) and Kyle Gordon (512 yards passing). Jackson Petite (73) is the only returnee among the top ten tacklers from last season.
