CLASS 5A
Cherokee Trail (1-1) vs. No. 5 Mountain Vista (3-0)
When/where: 7 p.m. Thursday at Halftime Help Stadium
Last meeting: Mountain Vista 42, at Cherokee Trail 0, Sept. 13, 2024
Streaming: NFHS Network
A week after taking down ThunderRidge, Cherokee Trail can make an even bigger statement against another Highlands Ranch program. Senior Logan Posey has been a man possessed through two games, running for 352 yards and four TDs on 37 carries, including 115 yards in a loss to Pine Creek in Week 1. The Cougars will need more of that if they want to keep the ball away from Mountain Vista’s explosive offense.
Skyridge-Utah (4-0) vs. No. 1 Cherry Creek (3-0)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Stutler Bowl
Last meeting: Skyridge 24, vs. Cherry Creek 14, Aug. 30, 2024
Streaming: NFHS Network
Could the Cherry Creek Bruins actually be … underdogs? With the Skyridge Falcons, ranked 20th in the nation by Rivals.com, coming to Greenwood Village, that might be the case. The Lehi, Utah, program is 90-18 since 2017, with four state title game appearances and one state championship. The Falcons beat Cherry Creek a year ago and are led by an FBS recruit at quarterback in dual-threat Kaneal Sweetwyne. One thing is for certain: Creek’s defense will be put to the test.
No. 3 Ralston Valley (2-0) vs. Mullen (1-1)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at De La Salle Stadium
Last meeting: Ralston Valley 27, vs. Mullen 0, Sept. 13, 2024
Is Mullen football back? The Mustangs hung with California power Crean Lutheran for three quarters in their season opener, then beat Castle View 30-13 a week later behind a salty defensive effort. Mullen now embarks on a three-week gauntlet that starts with Ralston Valley’s visit and is followed by a trip to Valor Christian and a home meeting with Regis Jesuit. RV has scored 76 points through two weeks, with senior quarterback Zeke Andrews (649 total yards, 8 TDs) picking up right where he left off in 2024.
Loveland (2-1) vs. No. 7 Pine Creek (1-1)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at D20 Stadium South
Last meeting: Pine Creek 41, at Loveland 14, Sept. 13, 2024
The Loveland team that lost its season opener to Pueblo West is not the same one heading south this week. The Red Wolves were missing multiple starters in that 17-7 setback. Since then, they’ve beaten 5A Fossil Ridge and 3A Mountain View, the latter by a score of 72-0. Junior QB Jackson Gebhardt started both Loveland wins and threw for 435 yards and three TDs combined. A rested and sturdy Pine Creek defense awaits after a bye, with junior RB Xavier Lukes coming off a 213-yard outburst.
No. 4 Legend (3-0) vs. No. 6 Arvada West (3-0)
When/where: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Jeffco Stadium
Last meeting: Arvada West 25, vs. Legend 7, Nov. 2, 2018
Streaming: NFHS Network
Fresh off a 34-33 escape at Fairview, the Arvada West Wildcats welcome Boston College quarterback commit DJ Bordeaux and the Legend Titans to Jeffco Stadium. Bordeaux has 806 total yards and 13 TDs (10 passing, 3 rushing) through three weeks, while the Legend defense has posted two shutouts and seven takeaways. A-West has an explosive offense as well, with Navy running back commit Adrian Symalla averaging 121 rushing yards per game. But can the Wildcats keep up with the Titans?
CLASS 4A
No. 6 Heritage (1-1) vs. Northfield (1-1)
When/where: 6 p.m. Thursday at Evie Garrett Dennis Stadium
Last meeting: Mesa Ridge 50, vs. Northfield 47, Sept. 6, 2024
This game got a lot more interesting after Northfield pulled off a stunning 10-7 upset of Mesa Ridge last week — a game that featured three Nighthawks interceptions. The Northfield defense allowed just 149 total yards in that win. But the degree of difficulty goes up a notch against a dangerous Heritage offense led by QB Jamison Seese and pile-driving senior RB Mo Thenell (443 total yards). The Eagles are looking to get right after losing to 5A rival Arapahoe in the annual Milk Jug Classic.
No. 10 Ponderosa (1-1) vs. 3A No. 7 Roosevelt (1-1)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Roosevelt High
Last meeting: Roosevelt 42, at Ponderosa 24, Sept. 12, 2024
A year after the Rough Riders rolled into Parker and hung 21 fourth-quarter points on Ponderosa in a stunning 42-24 victory, the Mustangs make a return trip looking for revenge. Pondo responded to a Week 1 loss at Palmer Ridge with a 40-0 drubbing of Rampart that featured 390 total yards, nine tackles for a loss and three sacks. Roosevelt is looking for the same sort of response after the Rough Riders lost 41-26 at Holy Family last week.
Pueblo West (2-1) vs. 3A No. 6 Lutheran (1-1)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Lutheran High
Last meeting: Pueblo West 47, vs. Lutheran 21, Sept. 13, 2024
The Lutheran Lions survived a 26-25 nailbiter at Fort Morgan last week and now get a Pueblo West team coming off a 17-7 loss at 3A No. 2 Pomona. The Cyclones were limited to just 167 total yards in that loss, but they had their way with Lutheran a year ago down in Pueblo. Lutheran senior QB Eli Abramson may have found a go-to target in sophomore Tav Burt, who reeled in five passes for 127 yards in last week’s win at Fort Morgan.
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