Class 5A
No. 9 Arapahoe (2-0) vs. No. 3 Jesuit Regis (1-1)
When where: 6:30 p.m. Friday at Kellogg Stadium
last meeting: Regis Jesuit 49, vs. Arapahoe 21, November 12, 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 make their home debut. Another tough test awaits them, with Arapahoe looking for a win after beating Legacy and Heritage in successive games. Just like last fall when they won a piece of the Centennial League title, the Warriors boast a salty defense that has allowed just two touchdowns so far this season.
No. 8 Ralston Valley (1-1) vs. No. 2 Grandview (2-0)
When where: 7 p.m. Friday at Legacy Stadium
last meeting: Grandview 20, vs. Ralston Valley 16, November 19, 2021
A pair of perennial powerhouses meet for the third time in less than 12 months, the latest being a white-knuckle 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 over two weeks, with quarterback Liam Szarka posting 634 total yards and nine passing/rushing touchdowns. The degree of difficulty is raised a bit against RV, which had Cherry Creek sweating into the fourth quarter in a Week 1 loss and just blew out Colonial (Orlando) 41-6 last week in Florida.
No. 10 Pine Creek (1-1) vs. 4A No. 8 Vista Ridge (1-1)
When where: 7 p.m. Friday at District 20 Stadium
last meeting: Pine Creek 41, vs. Vista Ridge 20, September 11, 2021
Vista Ridge steps up in its class to face a 5A foe for the third week in a row, with its high-powered offense already responsible for a pair of 43-point games. Arizona quarterback Brayden Dorman has lived up to his four-star prospect 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 posted six sacks and four interceptions in two games.
No. 4 Valor Christian (1-1) vs. Fairview (2-0)
When where: 7 p.m. Friday at Christian Recht Field
last meeting: Christian Value 56, at Fairview 16, November 30, 2013
The last time these two teams met, future All-Pro Christian McCaffrey tore apart Fairview’s defense for 221 total yards and four touchdowns in the 5A title game. Nearly a decade later, Valor remains a top contender in 5A while Fairview looks to reestablish its own bona fides after starting the season outside of the state rankings. Knights quarterback Rowan Risner is coming off a 547-yard, seven-touchdown game at Lakewood that also included four interceptions. He’ll have to keep an eye on Valor safety Trey Stott (three career interceptions from him) if he wants to keep that last number on Friday.
Rocky Mountains (2-0) vs. Legacy (0-2)
When where: 7 p.m. Friday at 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 role at Broomfield, with a disappointing opening roster that included visits to No. 9 Arapahoe and Lake Nona (Orlando, Fla.), keeping the Lightning out of the win column until the moment. Up next is a date with a Rocky Mountain team looking for its first 3-0 start since 2008. The Wolves have done it defensively, with more interceptions (5) than touchdowns allowed (2) in two games, but they’ve also they have one of the best offensive linemen in the state in 6-foot-8, 315-pound tackle Ethan Thomason.
Class 4A
Montrose (0-2) vs. No. 4 Erie (1-1)
When where: 7 p.m. Friday in Erie
last meeting: Erie 29, vs. Montrose 28, November 27, 2021
A rematch of last year’s instant classic in the 4A state semifinals, neither Montrose nor Erie have had the kind of start they envisioned when the pads first started popping back 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-seeded Tigers, who bounced back from a Week 1 loss to No. 1 Ponderosa by putting up 54 points and 595 yards over Mullen in a 54-34 victory. There is no rest for the weary.
Golden (1-1) vs. No. 1 Ponderosa (1-0)
When where: Saturday noon at EchoPark Stadium
last meeting: N/A
The top-ranked Mustangs shook up the 4A title image like a snow globe when they pushed Erie into their own field in Week 1, then blew up for 31 points in a quarter against Chaparral in Week 2. Senior QB Zach Stryker has emerged as a star, totaling 432 yards and eight passing/rushing touchdowns, while the defense is coming off a near shutout. The latter will be hard-pressed to produce the same result against Demons QB Jazel Riley IV, who had 359 total yards and six passing/rushing touchdowns in a win over Silver Creek last week.
Class 3A
No. 2 Lutheran (1-1) vs. No. 10 Discovery Canyon (2-0)
When where: 7 p.m. Thursday at Lutheran
last meeting: Lutheran 49, vs. Discovery Canyon 7, November 12, 2021
A rising Discovery Canyon show will get a litmus test of its position in the 3A pecking order with a visit to LuHi on Thursday night. The second-ranked Lions are exiting a week after lightning delays ended up moving their Week 2 matchup in Erie to Labor Day. LuHi’s defense limited Mead to just one touchdown in a 19-7 victory.
Class 1A
No. 1 Lemon (2-0) vs. No. 3 Strasburg (2-0)
When where: 19:00 Saturday in Strasbourg
last meeting: Lemon 20, vs. Strasburg 0, September 10, 2021
There has been no better rivalry at Tier 1A in the last four years than that between Limon and Strasburg. While the Badgers have had the most wins (Limon is 5-1 against Strasburg, including three championship game wins), Strasburg is one of only three teams to give them a loss since 2018. Both teams They are coming off impressive wins in Week 2: Limon handed No. 9 Meeker a 42-14 loss, while Strasburg defeated No. 4 Wiggins 29-28 in overtime.
