CLASS 5A
No. 9 Grandview (1-0) vs. No. 3 Legend (1-0)
When/where: 7 p.m. Thursday at EchoPark Stadium
Last meeting: Legend 21, at Grandview 14, Aug. 30, 2024
Streaming: NFHS Network
There are debuts, and then there’s whatever you call Boston College commit DJ Bordeaux’s first game as Legend’s starting QB last week vs. Fruita Monument: 237 yards and five TDs on 12-of-15 passing with 43 yards rushing and a TD. Grandview has a future college QB of its own in Idaho commit Blitz McCarty. Scoreboard operator, prepare thyself.
No. 1 Cherry Creek (1-0) vs. Sarasota-Cardinal Mooney (1-0)
When/where: 5 p.m. MT Friday at Austin-Tindall Sports Complex, Orlando, Fla.
Last meeting: N/A
Streaming: Cougar Network
In what’s become an annual rite of passage for Creek, the Bruins head out of state to take on another prep power in Sarasota, Fla.’s Cardinal Mooney. The game will be played on neutral ground near Orlando, but only one team is crossing two time zones. The Cougars have won 24 games and one state title over the past two seasons. And just like Creek, they have a four-star defensive tackle in Notre Dame-bound senior Elijah Golden.
No. 4 Ralston Valley (10-2 in 2024) vs. Erie (1-0)
When/where: 6:30 p.m. Friday at Tiger Stadium
Last meeting: Ralston Valley 48, vs. Erie 38, Aug. 30, 2024
Streaming: Erie Tiger Network
After slapping 67 points on Brighton in a Week 0 victory, the Erie Tigers welcome the Mustangs, looking to further establish themselves as contenders in the 5A realm. These two engaged in a wildly entertaining shootout in Week 1 last season, and more of the same could be on tap Friday. Does Mustangs quarterback Zeke Andrews dare test Oregon State commit Braylon Tolliver, who already has one pick-six in 2025, in the Erie secondary?
No. 2 Valor Christian (1-0) vs. No. 6 Regis Jesuit (0-1)
When/where: 6:30 p.m. Friday at Lou Kellogg Stadium
Last meeting: Valor Christian 17, vs. Regis Jesuit 0, Aug. 30, 2024
Streaming: NFHS Network
Valor Christian went into a deluge last week in the Springs and came out a soaking-wet winner vs. Pine Creek, thanks in large part to the all-everything talents of senior Cash Spence (three TDs). Now comes a visit to Regis, where the youthful Raiders are in the midst of a three-game trial by fire that included Cherry Creek in Week 0 and Arizona juggernaut Brophy College Prep in Week 2. Regis has won two of three in this annual showdown of private school powers.
Mountain Vista (1-0) vs. Arapahoe (8-4 in 2024)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at LPS Stadium
Last meeting: Mountain Vista 35, vs. Arapahoe 0, Aug. 30, 2024
Streaming: NFHS Network
Mountain Vista’s Marquise Reese showed life after record-breaking QB Austyn Modrzewski can be just fine after leading the Golden Eagles to a 49-45 win over California power Liberty last week. The junior QB threw for 410 yards and five TDs in his debut start, with receivers Ja’Pree Jennings (9 catches, 119 yards) and Brooklyn Bailey (4-134) both topping 100 yards. Arapahoe has long been known for its stingy defense. That’ll be tested on Friday.
CLASS 4A
No. 7 Ponderosa (8-4 in 2024) vs. No. 4 Palmer Ridge (10-2 in 2024)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Don Breese Stadium
Last meeting: Palmer Ridge 44, at Ponderosa 7, Aug. 29, 2024
This is the fifth meeting between these two 4A rivals since 2021, and Palmer Ridge has won each of the previous four. That includes a 44-7 thrashing of the Mustangs in last year’s season opener in Parker. With both teams making significant replacements on both sides of the ball, this game should offer an early glimpse at each team’s status as a title contender.
Chatfield (8-4 in 2024) vs. No. 1 Dakota Ridge (11-2 in 2024)
When/where: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Jeffco Stadium
Last meeting: Chatfield 38, vs. Dakota Ridge 23, Aug. 30, 2024
Streaming: NFHS Network
Dakota Ridge has had this one circled on the calendar for quite a while. Nearly 365 days to be exact. “A lot of people say it’s not a rivalry anymore, but we’re here to change that narrative,” CSU commit and starting Dakota Ridge lineman Jace Winchester said of 5A Chatfield earlier this month. The Chargers have beaten Dakota Ridge four straight times, but this Eagles team is loaded and motivated to make an early statement.
CLASS 3A
No. 3 Windsor (10-2 in 2024) vs. No. 6 Green Mountain (9-4 in 2024)
When/where: 4 p.m. Friday at Trailblazer Stadium
Last meeting: Green Mountain 19, at Windsor 13, Aug. 29, 2024
Streaming: NFHS Network
A year ago, this game served notice that the Rams were in good hands with new head coach Anthony Rankin taking over the Green Mountain program. Now it will be an early indicator of whether or not the Rams can reload after losing senior quarterback Simon Lunsford and several weapons. A potential matchup to watch: Green Mountain edge rusher and UC Davis commit Corbin Wade vs. Windsor offensive lineman and Oklahoma commit Deacon Schmitt.
Note: All stats taken from MaxPreps.com.
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