CLASS 5A
Arapahoe (4-2) vs. No. 2 Cherry Creek (5-1)
When/where: 7 p.m. Thursday at Stutler Bowl
Last meeting: Cherry Creek 24, vs. Arapahoe 14, Oct. 20, 2023
Cherry Creek has lost two league games since 2019, and Arapahoe is responsible for one of them. The Warriors come into Thursday’s meeting riding a fair amount of momentum after beating Rock Canyon and Grandview in succession. The connection between senior QB Mitchell Price and senior WR Andrew Smart produced 21 receptions for 284 yards and 3 TDs in those two wins. If the Warriors are going to have a shot at upsetting Creek, that sort of output will be needed.
Arvada West (5-1) vs. No. 3 Columbine (6-0)
When/where: 4 p.m. Friday at Jeffco Stadium
Last meeting: Columbine 42, vs. Arvada West 14, Oct. 13, 2023
If Arvada West wants to make the leap from competitive to contender, ending Columbine’s 20-game win streak would be a good place to start. The two 5A rivals have met 15 times since 2005, with the Rebels winning 13. But this is an A-West program on the rise — one that’s outscored its last three opponents 133-6. Junior QB Logan Duhachek (240.3 passing yards/game) leads an explosive offense and junior LB Jaxon Pyatt (8.0 TFLs, 1 INT) a salty defense. A matchup with the defending 5A champions and two-way menace James Basinger (1,116 rush yards, 18 tackles) should provide a measuring stick.
No. 7 Pine Creek (3-3) vs. Douglas County (4-2)
When/where: 6 p.m. Friday at Douglas County Stadium
Last meeting: Pine Creek 33, vs. Douglas County 27, Oct. 19, 2023
After scoring a pair of moral victories with competitive losses to Cherry Creek and Legend the last two weeks, Pine Creek is in need of an actual victory. Douglas County doesn’t have a ranking next to its name, but it’s far from an easy out. A week ago, the Huskies rallied from 14 points down to beat Fountain Fort-Carson on the road, and they were a fourth quarter away from beating Chatfield a week before that. Junior QB Aaden Parsons was handed the keys to offense three weeks ago and has thrown for 708 yards and 6 TDs since. A stingy Pine Creek defense (49 TFLs, seven INTs) should offer plenty of resistance.
No. 9 Castle View (5-1) vs. No. 5 Valor Christian (5-1)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Valor Stadium
Last meeting: Valor Christian 21, at Castle View 3, Sept. 28, 2023
A week after getting obliterated by top-ranked Mountain Vista, Valor Christian returns home looking to regain its footing against Castle View. Much like Mountain Vista the week before, the Sabercats have never beaten Valor in 10 tries. In fact, the closest they’ve come was last year’s 21-3 loss in Castle Rock. While Castle View may not have the same firepower as Mountain Vista, there’s enough there (357.3 yards/game) to test a Valor defense that has a lot to prove after last week’s 62-point humbling at Halftime Help Stadium.
CLASS 4A
No. 10 Heritage (3-3) vs. No. 2 Dakota Ridge (5-1)
When/where: 7 p.m. Thursday at Jeffco Stadium
Last meeting: Dakota Ridge 38, vs. Heritage 34, Nov. 22, 2019
Dakota Ridge enters the game on a roll, having won five straight since dropping its season opener to 5A Chatfield. The Eagles defense appears to be coming into its own, having allowed 14 points or less in each of their last four games — a stretch that includes wins over No. 4 Mesa Ridge, 3A No. 6 Pomona and Ponderosa. The challenge on Thursday night will be finding a way to contain senior receiver Tanner Terch. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Nebraska commit has 18 catches for 323 yards over his last two games alone. After enduring a rugged nonconference schedule, Heritage is battle-tested.
No. 6 Palmer Ridge (5-1) vs. No. 9 Durango (4-2)
When/where: 6 p.m. Friday at DHS Stadium
Last meeting: Durango 48, vs. Palmer Ridge 35, Oct. 16, 2015
Knocked off its unbeaten perch by Mesa Ridge two weeks ago, Palmer Ridge got back to the basics against Air Academy last Friday, chewing up 337 yards on the ground in a 46-14 rout. It marked the fifth time this season that the Bears have topped 40 points, and the fourth time they’ve exceeded 300 yards rushing. It’ll take some doing to reach those benchmarks against Durango, which has won four straight since an 0-2 start and given up an average of 8.25 points/game in the process. The Demons’ last big test against 4A royalty — a 42-16 loss at No. 3 Montrose in Week 1 — didn’t go too well. This one should indicate just how far they’ve come.
No. 4 Mesa Ridge (5-1) vs. No. 1 Pueblo West (6-0)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Cyclone Stadium
Last meeting: Mesa Ridge 36, at Pueblo West 34, Sept. 29, 2023
Two of 4A’s most explosive offenses meet in a showdown featuring a pair of talented dual-threat quarterbacks. Pueblo West senior Gavin Lockett is well on his way to topping 1,000 yards passing (633) and rushing (580) for the second year in a row. And Mesa Ridge senior Bryce Riehl is just two weeks removed from torching Palmer Ridge to the tune of 452 total yards (319 passing, 133 rushing) and 4 TDs in a 31-28 stunner. The winner here gets pole position in the race for the 4A Soco 1 League title, with No 3 Montrose lurking down the road for both.
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CLASS 3A
No. 6 Pomona (3-2) vs. No. 4 Roosevelt (4-1)
When/where: 7 p.m. Thursday at RHS Stadium
Last meeting: N/A
Roosevelt got an extra week to recover after suffering its first loss of the season — a 34-10 thumping at the hands of top-ranked Windsor. And now the Rough Riders get a date with Pomona, the former 5A power that appears to be fitting in just fine at the 3A level. Both of the Panthers’ losses this season came to ranked 4A competition (No. 1 Pueblo West and No. 2 Dakota Ridge), while each of their games against 3A schools ended in double-digit blowouts.
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