CLASS 5A
Legend (5-1) vs. Fountain-Fort Carson (5-1)
When/where: 6 p.m. Thursday at Fountain-Fort Carson Stadium
Last meeting: Legend 43, vs. FFC 24, Oct. 7, 2022
A week after getting shut down in a 40-10 loss at second-ranked Pine Creek, Fountain-Fort Carson looks to regain its footing against another team just outside the top 10 in Class 5A. Like FFC, the Titans already have one rough loss on the resume (20-7 at No. 10 Castle View) and a collection of double-digit wins. Whoever emerges victorious from this one keeps their hopes of earning a first-round bye alive.
No. 5 Arapahoe (5-1) vs. No. 6 Grandview (5-1)
When/where: 7 p.m. Thursday at Legacy Stadium
Last meeting: Arapahoe 28, vs. Grandview 21, Oct. 6, 2022
The last two Colorado programs to hand Cherry Creek a loss meet in what is likely an elimination game for the Centennial League title. Since losing a thriller vs. Columbine, Arapahoe has outscored its last two opponents by a combined score of 87-7, with the run game racking up 540 yards and eight TDs and the defense totaling six turnovers and nine tackles for loss. Can the Warriors keep it up against QB Liam Szarka (1,393 passing yards, 16 TDs, 1 INT) and Grandview’s deadly passing attack?
No. 2 Pine Creek (6-0) vs. No. 8 Regis Jesuit (3-3)
When/where: 6:30 p.m. Friday at Lou Kellogg Stadium
Last meeting: Regis Jesuit 28, at Pine Creek 7, Oct. 8, 2022
Battled tested from a brutal nonleague schedule, Regis can take pole position in the Southern League title race if it can knock off unbeaten Pine Creek. To do that, the Raiders will have to find a way to move the ball on an Eagles defense that’s allowing just 6.8 points per game and has 12 takeaways. Regis QB Peyton Lindell (1,126 yards, 9 TDs on 53.9% passing) has the arm and weapons to make it happen. The trick is taking care of the ball with sophomore Amare Kyle and senior Justis Nicholson (three picks apiece) patrolling the PC secondary.
No. 9 Mountain Vista (5-1) vs. Rock Canyon (5-1)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at EchoPark Stadium
Last meeting: Mountain Vista 40, vs. Rock Canyon 36, Oct. 7, 2022
The further Mountain Vista gets from a 13-7 loss to Ralston Valley in Week 0, the more it looks like an aberration. The Golden Eagles have scored 265 points since, with junior QB Austyn Modrzewski throwing for an average of 319.4 yards and 4.2 TDs per game. Those numbers will likely be harder to come by against Rock Canyon, which is allowing just 10.3 points per game and has a rushing attack led by junior Tyler Meyer (105 carries, 694 yards) that can slow the game down.
No. 3 Columbine (6-0) vs. No. 4 Ralston Valley (5-1)
When/where: 7:30 p.m. Friday at NAAC Stadium
Last meeting: Ralston Valley 16, at Columbine 13, 7 p.m. Oct. 7, 2022
Welcome to the 5A Jeffco League championship — three weeks early. Ralston Valley and Columbine finished 1-2 in the standings last fall and appear to be the class of the league yet again. The Columbine defense, led by linebacker James Cillessen (42 tackles, two sacks), has been solid all season. The challenge on Friday is finding a way to bottle up the connection between RV seniors Logan Madden (1,274 yards on 66.7% passing) and Jackson Hansen (36 catches, 513 yards).
CLASS 4A
No. 9 Pueblo West (4-2) vs. No. 1 Palmer Ridge (6-0)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Don Breese Stadium
Last meeting: Palmer Ridge 21, at Pueblo West 0, Oct. 7, 2022
What would have been a top-five matchup a week ago lost a little luster when Pueblo West dropped a heartbreaker to Mesa Ridge, 36-34, last Friday. Now comes a shot at redemption. Junior QB Gavin Lockett (1,410 total yard, 21 TDs) is coming off another masterful performance that saw him compile 228 total yards and four TDs. The Cyclones will need more of the same at Palmer Ridge, which is no easy task. The Bears haven’t allowed more than 14 points in a game since beating that same Mesa Ridge squad 43-20 in Week 2.
CLASS 3A
No. 3 Lutheran (4-1) vs. No. 4 Holy Family (4-1)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Mike G. Gabriel Stadium
Last meeting: Lutheran 35, vs. Holy Family 13, Oct. 7, 2022
Two weeks removed from falling 36-14 at 4A Montrose, Lutheran returns to the field after getting an extra seven days of rest for perhaps its biggest Metro Northeast League game of the fall. No doubt the focus of the Lions’ pregame preparation was how to deal with Holy Family dual threat QB Rylan Cooney (1,321 total yards, 16 TDs) and fellow senior Dominic Gabriel (707, six TDs). The Tigers went blow for blow with defending 3A champion Roosevelt in a 34-26 loss two weeks ago. A win here would make the path to a rematch much less treacherous.
Denver North (4-1) vs. No. 9 Riverdale Ridge (4-1)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Riverdale Ridge Stadium
Last meeting: Riverdale Ridge 41, at Denver North 7, Oct. 7, 2022
Just how frisky is Denver North? What happens on Friday night will go a long way to answering that question. A year ago, the Vikings entered this matchup with the same 4-1 record, then lost to Riverdale Ridge to start a four-game losing skid that kept them out of the postseason. Take down Riverdale Ridge, which beat Thompson Valley in a stunner two weeks ago, and the Vikings are instant North Central Conference contenders.
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