Class 5A
No. 1 Valor Christian (6-0) vs. Castle View (5-1)
When or: 6 p.m. Friday at Douglas County Stadium
Last meeting: Valor 63, vs. Castle View 21, October 30, 2020
Heading into their second straight undefeated regular season, Valor has two teams with record wins on the calendar – Castle View and ThunderRidge (week 10). The Sabercats rebounded from their only loss of the season (16-0 to rival Douglas County in Week 4) with back-to-back wins. The two-headed running back tandem of Marc Wessbecker (83 runs, 522 yards) and Joe Ursetta (74-544) has been effective for Castle View, but can they find holes against a Valor defense that averages almost as many tackles for game loss (5.2) as he does for allowed runs (7.83)?
No. 4 Grandview (5-1) vs. No. 2 Cherry Creek (5-1)
When or: 7 p.m. Friday at the Stutler Bowl
Last meeting: Creek 37, vs. Grandview 0, October 22, 2020
The Bruins’ regular-season gauntlet continues with their opponent ranked third in as many weeks – and the fifth straight team is currently sporting a winning record. Despite the tough schedule, no state team has faced Creek within 20 points this fall. Junior quarterback Christian Hammond has been very successful in replacing his older brother Julian at the head of Creek’s balanced offense (921 passing yards, 907 rushing yards). A Grandview defense that has shown a penchant for big plays (45 TFL, seven turnovers) will have its hands full.
No. 5 Regis Jesuit (4-2) vs. No. 6 Legend (5-1)
When or: 1 p.m. Saturday at the EchoPark stadium
Last meeting: Caption 31, at Regis 7, 23 oct. 2020
Maybe the 5A / 4A South League title is up for grabs in this one. While the Raiders have two losses, these came against the teams ranked first and second in 5A. Regis outscored his other four opponents 185-59, with junior Exander Carroll (1,125 total yards, 10 pass touchdowns, no interceptions) emerging as an effective double-threat QB. The legend has just taken a win over the wire against 4A # 3 Pine Creek. The trio of QB Colton Warner (1,050 passing yards, 11 TDs), RB Bryce Vaz (791 rush yards, 11 TDs) and WR Jackson Brush (434 receiving yards, 7 TDs) is formidable.
No. 10 Douglas County (6-0) vs. 4A No. 3 Pine Creek (5-1)
When or: 6 p.m. Saturday at District 20 stadium
Last meeting: First meeting
In another 5A / 4A South showdown, unbeaten Douglas County visits the Eagles in a bid to secure their best start in 15 years. The way the defense has played over the past three weeks – 15 runs allowed, 13 TFLs, six turnovers – the Huskies promise to be tough. Most of the attention, however, will be on the quarters. Between Pine Creek’s Josiah Roy (1,431 total yards) and Douglas County’s Antwuan Jackson Jr. (1,438), this game features two of the state’s most dynamic double-threat QBs.
Class 4A
Palmer Ridge No.5 (5-1) vs. Ponderosa No.8 (5-1)
When or: 7 p.m. Friday at the EchoPark stadium
Last meeting: First meeting
A week after being knocked down by Montrose, Palmer Ridge faces a Ponderosa program that has caught fire since losing his season opener. RB Zachary Pekarek has eclipsed 100 yards rushing in three of the last four games, rookie QB Andrew Heidel has a touchdown assist in five straight wins and the defense has allowed a touchdown in his last eight quarters. The latter will be tested by second-year QB Derek Hester (1,322 passing yards, 15 TDs) and the Bears’ weaponry.
No. 6 Loveland (5-1) vs. Skyline (4-2)
When or: 1 p.m. Saturday at Everly Montgomery Field
Last meeting: Loveland 27, vs. Skyline 26 (OT), November 12, 2020
You could argue that this game decided the 4A champion last fall. The Red Wolves held their own in overtime, the Falcons missed the shortened 4A installment and no one came close to beating Loveland the rest of the way. Lots of names have changed since, but it’s still a big opportunity for Skyline, who was beaten by Erie two weeks ago (49-0) and could use the boost that would come in giving Loveland their first loss to the competition 4A since 2019.
Class 3A
No. 2 Mead (4-0) vs. No. 1 Roosevelt (5-0)
When or: 7 p.m. Friday at Peterson Field
Last meeting: Roosevelt 21, vs. Mead 20 (OT), October 16, 2020
A clash of the two top-ranked teams in 3A should produce another instant classic. Last year’s reunion ended in a two-point conversion failure for the Mavericks, who never got revenge due to a COVID package in the 3A playoffs. Both teams have only played blowouts this fall. Roosevelt is on a four-game shutout streak, while Mead’s defense has given up just 15 points in four games. Expect a white punch in Johnstown.
Lutheran # 3 (5-0) vs. Evergreen n ° 7 (5-0)
When or: 7 p.m. Friday at Evergreen High
Last meeting: Evergreen 51, at Lutheran 17, 13 Oct. 2017
Another 3A heavyweight clash pits a Lions team that beat their five opponents by at least 21 points and an Evergreen team that only has blowouts on their resume as well. Senior Lutheran quarterback Clayton Jacobs is set to play his second straight 1,000-yard season and is playing an important role in a Lions running game that has already racked up 1,194 yards. On the other hand, Cougars quarterback Tommy Poholsky threw for 539 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions in the last two games.