CLASS 5A
Eaglecrest (7-2) vs. No. 3 Arapahoe (7-2)
When/where: 7 p.m. Thursday at LPS Stadium
Last meeting: Arapahoe 38, at Eaglecrest 0, Oct. 28, 2022
Two teams enter their season finale in two different states of mind. On one hand is Arapahoe, which is a week removed from taking a lead into the fourth quarter against Cherry Creek — a game the Bruins eventually won. On the other hand is Eaglecrest, which gets an opportunity for the marquee win it narrowly missed out on in a 39-32 Week 6 loss at Grandview, and could seriously improve its CHSAA RPI with a win. Can the Warriors avoid a letdown now that their Centennial League title hopes are done?
No. 1 Cherry Creek (9-0) vs. Grandview (6-3)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Legacy Stadium
Last meeting: Grandview 24, at Cherry Creek 21, Oct. 28, 2022
The Bruins are a win away from going 5-0 in Centennial League play for the first time since 2020. All that’s standing in their way is the last team to beat them: Grandview. Quarterback Liam Szarka had 173 total yards and two rushing touchdowns in that 24-21 win last October — a game that saw the Wolves play turnover-free ball while registering seven tackles for loss. Unlike last year, however, the Wolves are coming off a last-second loss to Cherokee Trail — a defeat that allowed Creek to lock up the league title a week early.
No. 5 Mountain Vista (8-1) vs. No. 9 Valor Christian (5-4)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Valor Stadium
Last meeting: Valor 49, at Mountain Vista 35, Oct. 28, 2022
It’s been a long road back from 1-4 for Valor, with a ninth straight league title possibly at the end of it if the Eagles knock off Mountain Vista. That’s no easy task given the way Golden Eagles QB Austyn Modrzewski (2,705 yards, 32 TDs passing) is slinging it. Mountain Vista is averaging 48 points/game during its current eight-game win streak. Can the Valor defense, allowing just 9.0 points/game over its last four games, find a way to limit the junior signal caller? Or will the Eagles offense simply have to outscore Mountain Vista like it did rolling up 373 rushing yards in last year’s 49-35 win.
Chatfield (5-4) vs. No. 2 Columbine (9-0)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Jeffco Stadium
Last meeting: Columbine 56, at Chatfield 0, Oct. 28, 2022
After dropping a shootout to No. 4 Ralston Valley last week, Chatfield can still muck up the 5A Jeffco League race by taking down Columbine. Beat the Rebels on Senior Night, and that’ll likely leave three teams with one loss in the standings (the third being RV). That’s a tall order, of course. Columbine has allowed more than two touchdowns once this season (31-29 win at No. 3 Arapahoe) and limited the same RV team that just put 42 on the Chargers to just 14 points. Chatfield must slow down a Rebels rushing attack averaging 321.7 yards/game if it wants to pull off a stunner.
No. 8 Regis Jesuit (5-4) vs. Fountain-Fort Carson (7-2)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at FFC
Last meeting: Fountain-Fort Carson 21, at Regis Jesuit 14, Oct. 29, 2022
For Regis, a win solidifies its lock on one of the eight first-round byes in the Class 5A playoff bracket. For Fountain-Fort Carson, it’s an opportunity to improve its No. 13 ranking in the CHSAA RPI. Regis enters the game having won three of four, including an impressive 27-10 victory over No. 8 Legend last week that saw the Raiders defense limit the Titans to just 25 rushing yards. They’ll need a similar effort against run-heavy FFC and senior running back Mathias Price (1,411 yards, 19 TDs rushing).
CLASS 4A
Denver South (6-3) vs. No. 8 Thomas Jefferson (8-1)
When/where: 4 p.m. Thursday at All City Field
Last meeting: Denver South 49, vs. Thomas Jefferson 20, Oct. 28, 2022.
A week after seeing its league championship hopes dashed in a loss to Ponderosa, TJ must get up for a rivalry game with the Ravens. While South doesn’t have the same explosive offense that dropped 49 on TJ in 2022, the Ravens are riding a three-game win streak that’s seen senior QB Jr Felipe compile 503 total yards and 11 TDs passing/rushing. TJ has a dual threat QB of its own in Dimitri Haralambopoulos, who surpassed 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 passing for 2023 in last week’s 21-6 loss to the Mustangs.
No. 3 Montrose (7-2) vs. No. 10 Pueblo West (6-3)
When/where: 6 p.m. Friday at Pueblo West
Last meeting: Montrose 35, vs. Pueblo West 28, Oct. 28, 2022
Montrose is a win away from its third straight league championship, with the upset-minded Cyclones the final roadblock after last week’s 43-12 rout of Mesa Ridge. Pueblo West narrowly lost to that same Mesa Ridge squad, 36-34, in Week 6 but could create a three-way tie atop the standings with an upset of Montrose. The Cyclones often go how junior quarterback Gavin Lockett (2,037 total yards) does. A year ago, he threw for 216 yards and four TDs in a narrow loss at Montrose. More of the same will be required.
No. 7 Heritage (6-3) vs. No. 4 Broomfield (7-2)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Elizabeth Kennedy Stadium
Last meeting: Broomfield 46, vs. Heritage 0, Nov. 19, 2022.
The battle of the Eagles features a Broomfield defense that’s allowed just 21 points total over three league games, including a 21-6 win at Fruita Monument last week, and a Heritage offense that’s scored 40-plus in five of its last six games. Broomfield wins an outright league championship with a victory, while Heritage could create a three-team logjam. A potential matchup to watch: Heritage junior receiver Tanner Terch (40 catches, 620 yards) against Broomfield junior defensive back Mikhail Benner (13 career interceptions).
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