Class 5A
No. 9 Arapahoe (2-0) vs. No. 3 Regis Jesuit (1-1)
When/where: 6:30 p.m. Friday at Kellogg Stadium
Last meeting: Regis Jesuit 49, vs. Arapahoe 21, Nov. 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. Awaiting them is another stern test, with Arapahoe looking for a statement win after taking down Legacy and Heritage in successive games. Much like last fall when they won a share of the Centennial League title, the Warriors feature a salty defense that has given up 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, Nov. 19, 2021
A pair of perennial powers meet for the third time in less than 12 months — the last one a white-knuckle affair that saw Grandview score 20 second-half points to eliminate Ralston Valley in the 5A quarterfinals. Grandview has outscored opponents 90-23 through two weeks, with QB Liam Szarka putting up 634 total yards and nine passing/rushing TDs. The degree of difficulty ratchets up a notch against RV, which had Cherry Creek sweating into the fourth quarter in a Week 1 loss and just thrashed 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, Sept. 11, 2021
Vista Ridge steps up in class to take on a 5A foe for the third consecutive week, with its high-powered offense already responsible for a pair of 43-point games. Arizona-bound QB 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 the turnovers — Dorman also has five interceptions — against a Pine Creek defense that’s 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 Field
Last meeting: Valor Christian 56, at Fairview 16, Nov. 30, 2013
The last time these two teams met, future All-Pro Christian McCaffrey ripped apart the Fairview defense to the tune of 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 is looking to re-establish its own bonafides after starting the season outside the state rankings. Knights QB Rowan Risner is coming off a 547-yard, seven-touchdown game at Lakewood that also included four picks. He’ll have to keep an eye out for Valor safety Trey Stott (three career INTs) if he wants to keep that last number down Friday.
Rocky Mountain (2-0) vs. Legacy (0-2)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at North Stadium
Last meeting: Legacy 14, vs. Rocky Mountain 6, Oct. 15, 2021
Jay Madden is looking for his first win three weeks into his new post in Broomfield, with a daunting opening slate that included visits to No. 9 Arapahoe and Lake Nona (Orlando, Fla.) keeping the Lightning out of the win column thus far. Next up is a date with a Rocky Mountain squad eyeing its first 3-0 start since 2008. The Lobos have gotten it done on defense, with more interceptions (5) than touchdowns allowed (2) through two games, but also have 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: 7 p.m. Friday at Erie
Last meeting: Erie 29, vs. Montrose 28, Nov. 27, 2021
A rematch of last year’s instant classic in the 4A state semifinals, neither Montrose nor Erie has gotten off to the sort of start it envisioned when pads first started popping in August. For Montrose, a brutal first two weeks included losses to No. 2 Palmer Ridge and No. 6 Fruita Monument. Now comes the fourth-ranked Tigers, who rebounded from a Week 1 loss to No. 1 Ponderosa by putting 54 points and 595 yards on Mullen in a 54-34 victory. No rest for the weary.
Golden (1-1) vs. No. 1 Ponderosa (1-0)
When/where: Noon Saturday at EchoPark Stadium
Last meeting: N/A
The top-ranked Mustangs shook up the 4A title picture like a snowglobe when they pushed around Erie on its own field in Week 1, then exploded for 31 points in one quarter against Chaparral in Week 2. Senior QB Zach Stryker has emerged as a star, putting up 432 total yards and eight TDs passing/rushing, 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 TDs passing/rushing 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, Nov. 12, 2021
A Discovery Canyon program on the rise will get a litmus test for where it stands in the 3A pecking order with a visit to LuHi on Thursday night. The second-ranked Lions are coming off a short week after lightning delays ended up moving their Week 2 matchup at Erie to Labor Day. The LuHi defense limited Mead to just one touchdown in the 19-7 win.
Class 1A
No. 1 Limon (2-0) vs. No. 3 Strasburg (2-0)
When/where: 7 p.m. Saturday at Strasburg
Last meeting: Limon 20, vs. Strasburg 0, Sept. 10, 2021
There has been no better rivalry at the 1A level over the past four years than the one between Limon and Strasburg. While the Badgers have done most of the winning — Limon is 5-1 vs. Strasburg, including three championship game victories — Strasburg is one of just three teams to hand them a loss since 2018. Both teams are coming off impressive Week 2 victories: Limon handed No. 9 Meeker a 42-14 loss, while Strasburg dropped No. 4 Wiggins 29-28 in OT.
