8 Colorado high school football games to watch in Week 2

CLASS 5A

No. 8 Grandview (1-1) vs. No. 4 Ralston Valley (1-0)

When/where: 7 p.m. Thursday at NAAC Stadium

Last meeting: Ralston Valley 10, at Grandview 9, Sept. 5, 2024

Streaming: NFHS Network

A week after putting a scare into No. 3 Legend, Grandview takes on another 5A heavyweight. Like last week’s loss to the Titans, Grandview held a fourth-quarter lead vs. RV last year before ultimately dropping a heartbreaker. The Mustangs have won four straight in this series, and senior QB Zeke Andrews (355 total yards, 4 TDs) looked awfully sharp in Week 1 at Erie.

No. 5 Mountain Vista (2-0) vs. Erie (1-1)

When/where: 7 p.m. Thursday at Halftime Help Stadium

Last meeting: Mountain Vista 55, at Erie 12, Sept. 6, 2024

Streaming: NFHS Network

In the last two weeks, Mountain Vista has won a 49-45 shootout vs. Bakersfield-Liberty and shut out Arapahoe, 20-0, on the road. So, it appears the Golden Eagles can win in a variety of ways. Oregon State commit Braylon Toliver (28 carries, 195 yards) will give the Vista defense a real test. And the same can be said of dual-threat QB Marquise Reese and Vista’s many weapons against Erie.

No. 1 Cherry Creek (2-0) vs. Millard North, Neb. (0-1)

When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Stutler Bowl

Last meeting: Cherry Creek 42, at Millard North 10, Sept. 6, 2024

Streaming: NFHS Network

The Bruins’ intrastate romp continues with Nebraska power Millard North visiting the Front Range to take on the defending 5A champions. Creek may not play a tougher team the rest of the season than the Cardinal Mooney squad it just beat 24-21 in Florida. UConn commit Jayden Fox (20 carries, 225 yards) is currently averaging 15.2 yards per carry. Could that number actually go up this week?

No. 7 Arvada West (2-0) vs. No. 6 Fairview (1-0)

When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Recht Field

Last meeting: Fairview 35, at Arvada West 30, Sept. 6, 2024

If Arvada West is a serious 5A contender, these next two weeks are the time to prove it. First, the Wildcats get a shot at avenging a back-and-forth loss to Fairview. Then, they get a date with third-ranked Legend next weekend. The Fairview offense is as explosive as ever, as last week’s 41-7 win at Legacy proved. Now the Knights face an A-West defense that’s allowed 13 points through two games. Expect another classic.

4A No. 6 Heritage (1-0) vs. Arapahoe (0-1)

When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at LPS Stadium

Last meeting: Arapahoe 42, at Heritage 28, Sept. 7, 2024

Streaming: NFHS Network, Arapahoe Sports Network

Is this the year Heritage finally wins back the Milk Jug? Arapahoe is riding a five-game win streak in this Littleton rivalry and has won eight of the last 10 meetings. But Heritage is loaded with offensive weapons, and senior quarterback Jamison Seese has little trouble getting them the ball. Arapahoe just got shut out by Mountain Vista, but that was the case last season, too, and that Warriors squad turned around and slapped 42 points on Heritage.

CLASS 4A

No. 3 Montrose (2-0) vs. 3A No. 10 Palisade (1-0)

When/where: 7 p.m. Thursday at Stocker Stadium

Last meeting: Montrose 35, vs. Palisade 14, Sept. 6, 2024

Streaming: NFHS Network

The arrow is pointing up for Joe Ramunno’s Palisade program. Now comes a date with 4A power Montrose and an opportunity to make an emphatic statement. Montrose has beaten the Bulldogs six straight times dating back to 2018, with the average margin of victory 23.7 points. If Palisade can hang with Montrose, winners of 19 straight regular-season games, the rest of 3A is on notice.

No. 2 Broomfield (1-0) vs. Monarch (2-0)

When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Spangenberg Field

Last meeting: Broomfield 46, vs. Monarch 0, Sept. 6, 2024

Streaming: NFHS Network

Coming off its winningest season in 11 years, Monarch is off to another hot start with wins over Poudre (20-0) and Longmont (43-13). Now the degree of difficulty goes up a notch with the reigning 4A champions visiting. Broomfield has beaten Monarch in each of their last five meetings, including last year’s 46-0 drubbing, and just put up 204 rushing yards in a Week 1 win over Frederick.