CLASS 5A
No. 4 Legend (8-1) vs. No. 10 Regis Jesuit (5-4)
When/where: 6:30 p.m. Friday at D. Kellogg Stadium
Last meeting: Regis Jesuit 27, at Legend 10, Oct. 19, 2023
As dominant as Legend has been through nine weeks — a run that’s featured five shutouts, seven double-digit wins and a last-minute loss to No. 6 Columbine — the Titans still must clear one last hurdle to lock up a first-round bye in the 5A state playoffs. And that hurdle is Regis Jesuit, a program that has beaten Legend two years in a row but is coming off a 28-14 loss at Pine Creek. Wyoming product Jaden Lawrence (12 TDs) remains the Titans’ most dangerous offensive weapon, but keep your eyes on the DE tandem of Tatum O’Donnell (11 TFLs) and John Niedringhaus (10 TFLs).
No. 1 Mountain Vista (9-0) vs. Castle View (7-2)
When/where: 6:30 p.m. Friday at Douglas County Schools Stadium
Last meeting: Mountain Vista 52, vs. Castle View 20, Nov. 10, 2023
Mountain Vista approaches the final week of the regular season still waiting to encounter its first real challenge. Only one opponent has held senior QB Austyn Modrzewski and Co. under 40 points this fall, and Arapahoe (35-0) barely even did that. Modrzewski broke Aidan Atkinson’s CHSAA career passing touchdown mark two weeks ago. Next up: Atkinson’s career passing yardage record (11,519). Modrzewski could pass that with 252 yards on Friday night — a number he’s matched or surpassed in eight of nine starts this fall.
Chatfield (7-2) vs. No. 6 Columbine (8-1)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Jeffco Stadium
Last meeting: Columbine 35, vs. Chatfield 16, Nov. 24, 2023
Chatfield enters Week 10 at No. 8 in the CHSAA RPI, making the stakes clear for the Chargers’ regular-season finale: Upset Columbine (No. 3 in RPI) and Chatfield is all but guaranteed a first-round bye in the state playoffs. Lose, and the Chargers must cross their fingers and hope. The Rebels beat Chatfield twice en route to the 5A state title last fall, including a rout in the semifinals. A ray of hope that Chatfield can turn the tables? Senior burner Brock Narva returned from injury last week and immediately scored two TDs in a comeback win over Arvada West.
CLASS 4A
No. 1 Pueblo West (9-0) vs. No. 2 Montrose (9-0)
When/where: 6 p.m. Friday at Montrose High
Last meeting: Montrose 35, vs. Pueblo West 28, Nov. 11, 2023
The top two teams in the Post Preps 4A rankings meet with a league championship on the line. While Dakota Ridge is No. 1 in the CHSAA RPI going into Week 10, the winner between Pueblo West (2) and Montrose (4) will stand as the last unbeaten in 4A with a marquee win to close out the regular season. Pueblo West’s defense has been exceptional all season, allowing just 10.5 points per game. But the Montrose ground-and-pound has bullied every defensive front it’s faced this fall. Immovable object meet irresistible force.
No. 10 Vista Ridge (6-3) vs. No. 8 Durango (6-3)
When/where: 6 p.m. Friday at DHS Stadium
Last meeting: N/A
There may not be a league title up for grabs, but the winner of this one stands a solid chance of earning a bye into the second week of the 4A playoffs. Durango gave Palmer Ridge all it could handle in a 24-21 loss in Week 7. Now, after going beating Air Academy and Liberty on the road by a combined score of 100-0, the Demons host Vista Ridge, which is 0-3 vs. ranked 5A/4A foes. The big challenge for the Wolves: Slowing down Demons senior QB Cully Feeney, who has 971 total yards (673 passing, 298 rushing) and 11 TDs over the past four weeks.
No. 9 Heritage (5-4) vs. Ponderosa (6-3)
When/where: 6 p.m. Friday at EchoPark Stadium
Last meeting: Ponderosa 57, at Heritage 0, Oct. 14, 2021
In yet another game with massive seeding implications, both Ponderosa (9) and Heritage (11) sit just outside of the top eight in the CHSAA RPI. Ponderosa has won three straight since a Week 6 loss to Dakota Ridge, with senior RB De’Alcapon Veazy (470 yards, 7 TDs) hitting another gear during that run. Could he be in line for more outsized production against a Heritage defense that just got burned by Highlands Ranch to the tune of 54 points? Given how junior Heritage QB Jamison Seese is throwing the ball (576 yards, 11 TDs last two weeks), the Mustangs may need it.
CLASS 3A
No. 6 Roosevelt (6-2) vs. No. 4 Thompson Valley (8-0)
When/where: 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Ray Patterson Stadium
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Last meeting: Thompson Valley 41, at Roosevelt 21, Oct. 26, 2023
Thompson Valley, a program that prior to last fall hadn’t won more than six games in a season since 2005, is on the verge of its second consecutive league championship. To get there, the Eagles must navigate a grueling close to the schedule that starts with Roosevelt on Thursday and ends with Pomona a week later. Led by a defense that’s allowed just 23 points through eight games and posted five shutouts, Thompson Valley has forged a distinct identity. If the Rough Riders want to spring an upset, they better be ready to survive a rock fight.
No. 1 Windsor (7-1) vs. No. 2 Mead (8-0)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Mead High
Last meeting: Windsor 10, vs. Mead 7, Aug. 25, 2023
After back-to-back losing seasons, Mead has climbed back among the ranks of 3A’s elite and now has a chance to claim a league title against the top-ranked Wizards. Windsor has won seven straight since a Week 1 loss to Green Mountain but needed a fourth-quarter touchdown to pull away from Timnath last week. Mead, on the other hand, has shown no such vulnerabilities in league play, outscoring its first three opponents 140-13. Sitting just behind Thompson Valley at the top of the CHSAA RPI, Mead could vie for the top spot with a win over Windsor (10).
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