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Class 5A
No. 3 Grandview (1-0) vs. Fossil Ridge (1-0)
When/where: 7 p.m. Thursday at Timnath Stadium
In a matchup of two of the top quarterbacks in 5A, Fossil Ridge’s Tyler Kubat faces off against Grandview’s Liam Szarka in a game certain to produce offensive fireworks. Kubat is a week removed from carving up the Loveland defense to the tune of 375 yards and four touchdowns on 22-of-32 passing, while Szarka had a hand in five Wolves touchdowns (three running, two throwing) in a 41-6 demolition of Overland.
Pomona (1-0) vs. No. 8 Legend (1-0)
When/where: 7 p.m. Thursday at EchoPark Stadium
Last meeting: Pomona 36, vs. Legend 7, Nov. 15, 2019
CHSAANow.com voters remain skeptical of Pomona despite a dominant Week 1 win over Thomas Jefferson that included touchdowns on offense (two rushing, two passing), defense (interception return) and special teams (punt return). Now the Panthers get a shot at a statement win against a Titans team that survived a shootout with 4A Vista Ridge last week thanks in large part to Alex Martinez’s transcendent night (22 carries, 201 yards, two TDs).
No. 7 Pine Creek (1-0) vs. No. 5 Valor Christian (0-1)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Valor Stadium
Last meeting: Valor 24, at Pine Creek 14, Sept. 19, 2019
Fresh off its first regular-season loss to a Colorado team in six years — a 23-17 overtime setback vs. Regis Jesuit — Valor Christian hosts another of the Centennial State’s perennial football powers. Pine Creek moved up to the 5A level this offseason, giving this nonconference game some added juice. Pine Creek rolled up 560 yards in a 43-3 beating of Las Vegas in Sin City.
No. 1 Cherry Creek (1-0) vs. No. 1 St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio) (2-0)
When/where: 4 p.m. EDT Saturday at Lakewood Stadium
For the second year in a row, the Bruins are getting on a jet plane to take on the best in another state. A year ago, it was a trip to Arizona for a date with seven-time state champion Hamilton. Now Creek heads to Ohio to face a St. Edward program that’s currently ranked No. 1 in the state by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, has won five state titles since 2010 and is the reigning champion in Ohio’s largest classification. One matchup to watch: Northwestern-bound edge rusher Michael Kilbane against Creek’s big, talented offensive line.
No. 2 Regis Jesuit (1-0) vs. Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.) (1-1)
When/where: 7:30 p.m. PDT Saturday at Cathedral Catholic (San Diego, Calif.)
The Raiders are riding high after knocking off then-No. 2 Valor Christian in one of the biggest wins of head coach Danny Filleman’s wildly successful tenure (63-19) at Regis. Another stern test awaits: A neutral site matchup with California private school Oaks Christian as part of the 2022 Honor Bowl. Oddly enough, Valor beat Oaks Christian in last year’s Honor Bowl. If Regis is to follow suit, dual threat QB Exander Carroll (218 total yards vs. Valor) will play a major role.
Class 4A
No. 5 Montrose (0-1) vs. No. 10 Fruita Monument (1-0)
When/where: 7 p.m. Thursday at Ralph Stocker Stadium
Last meeting: Montrose 26, vs. Fruita Monument 22, Sept. 3, 2021
A week after falling to Palmer Ridge by a touchdown, Montrose gets another ranked nonconference opponent in the Wildcats. Fruita Monument nearly put up a shutout in its season opener — a 14-7 win over Grand Junction Central highlighted by 301 yards on 50 carries for the Wildcats. Last year’s matchup between these Western Slope rivals was a white-knuckle affair, and Thursday night should be no different.
5A No. 4 Columbine (1-0) vs. No. 7 Dakota Ridge (0-1)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Jeffco Stadium
Last meeting: Columbine 55, vs. Dakota Ridge 23, 2003
It’s been nearly two decades since these Jeffco heavyweights popped pads, with Dakota Ridge moving down to 4A after 2003. Dakota Ridge enters the game smarting from a 21-14 loss at Pueblo West after the Eagles’ offense didn’t come to life until the second half. Such a slow start could spell doom against a Columbine team that loves nothing more than bludgeoning opponents with its ground-and-pound attack. A week ago, that translated to 383 yards on 40 carries in a 42-19 win over Mullen.
No. 3 Pueblo West (2-0) vs. Pueblo County (1-0)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at ThunderBowl
Last meeting: Pueblo West 48, vs. Pueblo County 0, Sept. 3, 2021
One of Pueblo’s treasured football rivalries, the Pigskin Classic is so big it can’t be squeezed into Pueblo County’s home stadium. Hence the move to CSU-Pueblo’s ThunderBowl. There’s just one problem: This rivalry has been decidedly one-sided for quite some time, with Pueblo West winning 12 of the last 14 meetings. Could this be the year the Hornets break through? A commanding 27-12 win over Pueblo South last week sent a strong statement. But so did Pueblo West’s upset of then-No. 2 Dakota Ridge.
3A No. 4 Holy Family (1-0) vs. No. 6 Broomfield (1-0)
When/where: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Elizabeth Kennedy Stadium
In a first since Holy Family moved its campus to Broomfield, a pair of programs that share the same town finally meet on the football field. The Tigers scored a narrow victory in Week 1, outlasting Frederick in a 27-26 thriller that saw Holy Family pile up 369 total yards. Things get even tougher with a visit to Broomfield, which required no such theatrics in its 47-14 blowout of Longmont marked by three TD hookups between QB Cole LaCrue and WR Kaelan Frey.
Class 3A
No. 5 Lutheran (0-1) vs. No. 2 Mead (1-0)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Mead
The Mavericks’ reward for surviving a 35-34 win over 4A Windsor? Getting knocked down a peg in the CHSAANow.com poll from the top spot to No. 2 in 3A. Not that it matters much to Jason Klatt’s club, which ran for 374 yards on 60 carries in Week 1, including 209 yards and three TDs from Danny Brewington. Lutheran turned the ball over three times in its Week1 loss to its Lutheran counterpart from St. Peters, Mo. — mistakes that cannot be repeated against Mead.
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