Class 5A
#9 Arapahoe (2-0) vs. #3 Regis Jesuit (1-1)
When where: 6:30 p.m. Friday at Kellogg Stadium
last meeting: Regis Jesuit 49, vs. Arapahoe 21, 12 Nov 2010
After two straight weeks on the road, including a trip to San Diego to play Oaks Christian (34-28 loss) last weekend, the Raiders are making their home debut. Another stern test awaits them, with Arapahoe looking for a clear win after beating Legacy and Heritage in back-to-back games. Much like last fall when they won a chunk of the Centennial League title, the Warriors boast a salty defense that has only given up two touchdowns so far this season.
No. 8 Ralston Valley (1-1) vs. No. 2 Grandview (2-0)
When where: 7pm Friday at Legacy Stadium
last meeting: Grandview 20, vs Ralston Valley 16, November 19, 2021
Two long-time favorites meet for the third time in less than 12 months – the last time a hopeless affair that saw Grandview score 20 points in the second half to eliminate Ralston Valley in the 5A quarterfinals. Grandview has outscored opponents 90-23 in two weeks, with QB Liam Szarka amassed 634 total yards and nine passing/rushing TDs. Difficulty ramps up against RV, who sweated Cherry Creek into the fourth quarter with a Week 1 loss and just defeated Colonial (Orlando) 41-6 in Florida last week.
#10 Pine Creek (1-1) vs. 4A #8 Vista Ridge (1-1)
When where: Friday 7:00 p.m. at District 20 Stadium
last meeting: Pine Creek 41, vs Vista Ridge 20, September 11, 2021
Vista Ridge is moving up the ranks to take on a 5A foe for the third straight week, with his strong offense already responsible for two 43-point games. Arizona QB Brayden Dorman has fulfilled his four-star rating so far this season, throwing for 743 yards and eight touchdowns. The key will be limiting turnovers — Dorman also has five interceptions — against a Pine Creek defense that has registered six sacks and four picks in two games.
No.4 Valor Christian (1-1) vs. Fairview (2-0)
When where: 7 p.m. Friday at Christian Recht Feld
last meeting: Valor Christian 56, at Fairview 16, November 30, 2013
The last time these two teams met, future All-Pro Christian McCaffrey tore the Fairview defense apart with 221 total yards and four TDs in the 5A title game. Nearly a decade later, Valor remains one of the top contenders in 5A while Fairview tries to rebuild its own bonafides after starting the season outside of the state rankings. Knights QB Rowan Risner was in Lakewood on a 547-yard game with seven touchdowns that also included four picks. He’ll have to look out for Valor safety Trey Stott (three career INTs) if he wants to keep that final number down on Friday.
Rocky Mountain (2-0) vs Legacy (0-2)
When where: 7 p.m. Friday at the North Stadium
last meeting: Legacy 14 vs Rocky Mountain 6, October 15, 2021
Jay Madden is looking for his first win three weeks into his new post at Broomfield, with a disheartening opening list that has included visits to No. 9 Arapahoe and Lake Nona (Orlando, Fla.) to keep the Lightning out of the winning column so far. Next up is a date with a Rocky Mountain squad eyeing their first 3-0 start since 2008. The Lobos have done it on defense, with more interceptions (5) than touchdowns (2) in two games, but also one of the state’s top offensive lineman in 6-foot-8, 315-pound tackle Ethan Thomason.
Class 4A
Montrose (0-2) vs. No.4 Erie (1-1)
When where: 7pm Friday in Erie
last meeting: Erie 29, vs. Montrose 28, November 27, 2021
Neither Montrose nor Erie, a rehash of last year’s instant classic in the 4A semis, got off to the start they envisioned when the pads first appeared in August. For Montrose, the brutal first two weeks included losses to No. 2 Palmer Ridge and No. 6 Fruita Monument. Now come the fourth-placed Tigers, who recovered from a Week 1 loss to No. 1 Ponderosa by beating Mullen at a 54 -34 win have lost 54 points and 595 yards. No rest for the weary.
Golden (1-1) vs. #1 Ponderosa (1-0)
When where: Saturday noon at EchoPark Stadium
last meeting: N / A
The top-ranked Mustangs shook the 4A cover picture like a snowglobe as they hustled around Erie on their own field in Week 1, then exploded for 31 points in a quarter against Chaparral in Week 2. Senior QB Zach Stryker has become a star, with 432 total yards and eight TDs passing/rushing while the defense comes close to a shutout. The latter will find it difficult to match the same result against Demons QB Jazel Riley IV, who totaled 359 yards and six TDs in a win over Silver Creek last week.
Class 3A
No. 2 Lutheran (1-1) vs. No. 10 Discovery Canyon (2-0)
When where: 7pm Thursday at Lutheran
last meeting: Lutheran 49, vs. Discovery Canyon 7, November 12, 2021
A Discovery Canyon program on the rise will get a litmus test of where it sits in the 3A pecking order with a visit to LuHi on Thursday night. The runners-up Lions leave a short week after lightning delays caused their Week 2 matchup in Erie to be rescheduled for Labor Day. LuHi’s defense limited Mead to just one touchdown in the 19-7 win.
Class 1A
No. 1 Limon (2-0) vs. No. 3 Strasbourg (2-0)
When where: 7pm Saturday in Strasbourg
last meeting: Limon 20, vs Strasbourg 0, September 10, 2021
There hasn’t been a better A-level rivalry than that between Limon and Strasbourg over the past four years. While the Badgers have clinched most of the win — Limon is 5-1 with Strasburg, including three wins in league games — Strasburg is one of just three teams to concede a loss for them since 2018. Both teams pulled off impressive wins in Week 2: Limon handed No. 9 Meeker a 42-14 loss while No. 4 Strasburg dropped Wiggins 29-28 in OT.