CLASS 5A
Arvada West (6-2) vs. Chatfield (6-2)
When/where: 7 p.m. Thursday at Jeffco Stadium
Last meeting: Chatfield 42, at Arvada West 0, Sept. 29, 2023
A league title may be a bit of a longshot for Arvada West and Chatfield, but both programs still have a real chance to earn a first-round bye in the 5A state playoffs. And a win here would go a long way toward securing that. A-West picked off Denver East three times en route to a gritty 29-21 win over the Angels last week. That sort of defensive effort will be required against Chatfield, which has a quarterback who can sling it in sophomore Cash Williams (1,125 yards, 12 TDs) and plenty of weapons for him to spread the ball around to.
Fossil Ridge (5-3) vs. No. 10 Fairview (8-0)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Christian Recht Field
Last meeting: Fairview 55, at Fossil Ridge 28, Oct. 20, 2023
Fairview has claimed five league titles in the past six seasons. If this year’s Knights are to meet that standard, they’ll have to beat Fossil Ridge to do it. Throw out a 68-49 shootout win over Fort Collins, and Fairview has been dominant on both sides of the ball. Yet the Knights have beaten only one 5A program (Arvada West) that currently sports a winning record. Consider a matchup against senior QB Nick Kubat (1,881 yards, 25 TDs passing), San Diego State commit Marcus Mozer (40 catches, 631 yards) and Co., a proper test.
Eaglecrest (5-3) vs. Grandview (4-4)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Legacy Stadium
Last meeting: Grandview 39, vs. Eaglecrest 32, Sept. 29, 2023
Could this be a must-win for Grandview’s playoff hopes? With the Wolves sitting at No. 22 on the CHSAA RPI, that just might be the case. A fourth-quarter touchdown staved off a potential upset bid from Cherokee Trail in a 14-13 win last week. Oddly enough, the Raptors lost to the Cougars by the same one-point score. That was the first of two straight losses for Eaglecrest, which could use a win with a matchup against Arapahoe looming in Week 10.
No. 8 Regis Jesuit (5-3) vs. No. 7 Pine Creek (5-3)
When/where: 1 p.m. Saturday at D20 Stadium South
Last meeting: Pine Creek 21, at Regis Jesuit 17, Oct. 6, 2023
Regis Jesuit took its lumps with a freshman quarterback taking snaps to start the season, dropping three straight to a murderer’s row of Valor Christian, Brophy Prep (Ariz.) and Cherry Creek. The Raiders and wunderkind signal-caller Luke Rubley is now reaping the benefits. Regis has ripped off five straight wins, scoring an average of 38.8 points per game as Rubley’s racked up 1,020 yards and nine TDs on 62.7% passing. A trip to the Springs to take on Pine Creek will reveal just how far they’ve come.
CLASS 4A
No. 7 Riverdale Ridge (8-0) vs. No. 4 Broomfield (7-1)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Elizabeth Kennedy Stadium
Last meeting: N/A
Just how much of a threat is Riverdale Ridge in Class 4A? This is the week we find out. The Ravens have bulldozed everything in their path en route to a program-best 8-0 start, outscoring opponents 332-22. The problem? Not a single one of those eight teams currently have a winning record. Now comes a date with 4A blue blood Broomfield, which has outscored its last three opponents 162-0 and is unbeaten against 4A competition. The Ravens defense, led by senior Colton Lancaster (37 tackles, 10 for loss), hasn’t given up a point in 14 quarters. Something’s got to give.
Monarch (6-2) vs. No. 9 Frederick (6-2)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Frederick High
Last meeting: Monarch 30, at Frederick 23, Aug. 31, 2023
A league title and potentially a first-round bye will be up for grabs when the Coyotes head to Frederick on Friday night. The latter has won six straight since starting the season with losses to Broomfield and Mead, topping 40 points in all six victories. Dual-threat senior QB Gavin Ishmael (2,180 total yards, 32 TDs) has been electric for the Golden Eagles, who are eyeing their first unbeaten run through league play in 12 years. A Monarch defense that’s allowed just 19 points over its last three games awaits.
CLASS 3A
Holy Family (4-3) vs. No. 5 Lutheran (7-1)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Lutheran High
Last meeting: Holy Family 33, vs. Lutheran 8, Dec. 2, 2023
Nearly 11 months after meeting in the 3A championship, Holy Family and Lutheran renew their budding rivalry with the 3A Metro League title at stake. Holy Family beat Lutheran twice on its way to the 3A state title last fall, but now the Lions have the upper hand. Lutheran has won four straight since falling to 4A Pueblo West, with the combination of QB Eli Abramson (1,474 yards, 20 TDs passing) and RB Sawyer Wald (1,058 yards, 14 TDs rushing) piling up astronomical numbers in the process. Can Holy Family, which has played and lost to three ranked teams this fall, summon the defensive effort to slow them down?
No. 3 Pomona (5-2) vs. Mountain View (5-2)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Ray Patterson Stadium
Last meeting: N/A
Panther pride has returned to the Pomona football program in its first season at the 3A level. After suffering through a 3-17 stretch in its final two seasons at 5A, Pomona has transformed into a title contender behind dual-threat junior QB Emmitt Munson (1,781 total yards, 10 TDs) and a defense allowing just 8.0 points per game vs. 3A competition. Survive this trip to Mountain View, which saw a four-game win streak ended by No. 4 Thompson Valley last Friday, and the Panthers will move a win away from a winner-take-all Week 11 league showdown with those same T.V. Eagles.
Note: All stats taken from MaxPreps.com
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