CLASS 5A
Regis Jesuit (0-2) vs. No. 1 Cherry Creek (1-1)
When/where: 7 p.m. Thursday at Stutler Bowl
Last meeting: Cherry Creek 47, at Regis Jesuit 28, Sept. 22, 2023
It’s hard to tell who’s had the more difficult start: Regis, which has played and lost to Valor Christian and Arizona power Brophy Prep in Phoenix? Or Creek, which has played and split a pair of out-of-state games at Utah’s Skyridge (24-14 loss) and Nebraska’s Millard North (42-10 win)? Regardless, Creek enters this one riding a five-game win streak vs. Regis that dates back to the 2020 season. The closest of those five games? Last year’s 47-28 Bruins victory.
Eaglecrest (2-0) vs. No. 7 Chatfield (2-0)
When/where: 4 p.m. Friday at Jeffco Stadium
Last meeting: Eaglecrest 29, at Chatfield 7, Nov. 3, 2012
Just how dangerous is Eaglecrest in Year 1 under former Green Mountain coach Jesse German? A trip across the metro should offer some evidence. Eaglecrest routed its first two opponents, beating Rangeview and Fort Collins by a combined score of 74-20. Now the Raptors face a Chatfield offense that is explosive once again with sophomore Cash Williams at quarterback. Do the Raptors have an answer for senior Brock Narva (449 yards, 6 TDs on 50 touches)?
Rock Canyon (2-0) vs. Douglas County (2-0)
When/where: 6 p.m. Friday at DC Stadium
Last meeting: Rock Canyon 29, vs. Douglas County 19, Sept. 7, 2019
Douglas County enters Week 3 eyeing its second 3-0 start in 10 seasons thanks to a defense that has posted shutouts vs. Brighton and Smoky Hill. The degree of difficulty goes up a notch this weekend against a physical Rock Canyon program that’s qualified for the playoffs three years in a row under head coach Kevin Meyer. Senior Tyler Meyer, well on his way to a second 1,000-yard season after rumbling for 390 yards through two weeks, will make the Huskies defense work.
CLASS 4A
Northfield (0-2) vs. No. 6 Heritage (1-1)
When/where: 6 p.m. Thursday at LPS Stadium
Last meeting: N/A
Northfield’s early season gauntlet heads east as the Nighthawks prepare to face a ranked opponent for the third straight week. The Nighthawks fell to 3A No. 1 Roosevelt, 28-20, in Week 1, and 4A No. 4 Mesa Ridge, 50-47, in a Week 2 shootout. The Nighthawks may have to score in bunches again to keep up with Heritage, which features a pair of FBS pass-catchers in receiver Tanner Terch and tight end Camden Jensen.
3A No. 1 Roosevelt (2-0) vs. No. 9 Ponderosa (1-1)
When/where: 7 p.m. Thursday at EchoPark Stadium
Last meeting: N/A
After knocking off defending 3A champion Holy Family, top-ranked Roosevelt goes up in class to take on Ponderosa. Junior Jasiah Ramirez was almost perfect (15-of-17 passing, 226 yards) in his second varsity start at QB for the Rough Riders, with sophomore pass-catcher Noah Lucero (11 catches, 167 yards) his primary target. Now they face a salty Ponderosa defense that held Rampart to one touchdown until late in the fourth quarter in Week 2.
3A No. 2 Lutheran (2-0) vs. No. 5 Pueblo West (3-0)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Pueblo West
Last meeting: N/A
Pueblo West is chasing its first 4-0 start since 2019, with a rushing attack that’s averaging 263 yards per game and a defense that’s allowed 17 points total through three wins. The latter will be tested by a Lutheran offense that’s put 99 points on the board over two games. Junior QB Eli Abramson already has eight touchdown passes to five different receivers in his first two varsity starts, while senior running back Sawyer Wald has topped 100 yards rushing twice.
No. 4 Mesa Ridge (2-0) vs. No. 8 Dakota Ridge (1-1)
When/where: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Jeffco Stadium
Last meeting: Dakota Ridge 39, at Mesa Ridge 35, Sept. 9, 2023
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A pair of high-powered offenses meet in a game certain to produce fireworks. Mesa Ridge has topped 45 points in back-to-back games with senior quarterback Bryce Riehl completing 74.2% of his throws for 527 yards and 6 TDs. Dakota Ridge got its offense untracked in last week’s 37-20 win over Green Mountain, with Landon Kalsebeck totaling 118 yards and 3 TDs on just 16 carries.
CLASS 3A
No. 4 Green Mountain (1-1) vs. No. 9 Pomona (1-1)
When/where: 7 p.m. Thursday at NAAC Stadium
Last meeting: Pomona 49, Green Mountain 23 in 1991
Green Mountain and Pomona will meet on a football field for the first time in three decades. Both are coming off losses to ranked 4A foes. Pomona lost at Pueblo West, 21-17, after taking a three-point lead into the fourth quarter, while Green Mountain lost to Dakota Ridge, 37-20, a week after knocking off Windsor. The winner here emerges as a legit 3A title contender.
All stats taken from Maxpreps.com.
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