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CLASS 5A
No. 10 Legacy (5-2) vs. Mullen (3-4)
When/where: 6 p.m. Friday at De La Salle Stadium
Last meeting: Legacy 33, at Mullen 24, Nov. 2, 2018
After an 0-3 start that included a trip to California, the Mustangs have won 3 of 4 and are in the thick of a league title chase. Mullen RB Aaron Wehmeyer has reeled off four consecutive 100-yard games during that surge, with nine touchdowns and 733 yards on 74 carries. QB Ben Krza is coming off a 326-yard night on 14-of-17 passing in the Mustangs’ last win. They will need more of that if they hope to upset Legacy, which has now won five straight under former Pomona coach Jay Madden — all by 13 points or more.
Legend (5-2) vs. No. 8 Pine Creek (5-2)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at District 20 Stadium
After stumbling in losses to Ponderosa and Legacy, Legend has rebounded with back-to-back double-digit wins that saw it pile up 84 points combined. Now comes a chance to get a leg up in the southern 5A league title picture and set up a Week 9 showdown with Regis Jesuit. It won’t come easy. The Pine Creek defense has allowed just 14.4 points per game this season with 28 tackles for loss and 18 takeaways, including 10 interceptions from junior Ramon Pacheco (6) and Justis Nicholson (4).
Eaglecrest (6-1) vs. No. 1 Cherry Creek (6-1)
When/where: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Stutler Bowl
Last meeting: Cherry Creek 41, vs. Eaglecrest 14, Oct. 22, 2021
Two weeks into the Centennial League schedule, and the Cherry Creek defense is back to eating metal. The Bruins have given up one touchdown in two games (coming at the end of a 34-7 rout) while compiling eight tackles for loss, seven sacks and three takeaways. This is the challenge that awaits Eaglecrest, which has quickly turned things around from last year’s 1-9 season behind senior RB Diego Cearns (1,115 rush yards), but has yet to face the sort of resistance Creek will provide.
No. 2 Valor Christian (5-2) vs. No. 9 Rock Canyon (6-1)
When/where: 1 p.m. Saturday at EchoPark Stadium
Last meeting: Valor Christian 43, vs. Rock Canyon 10, Oct. 22, 2021
Valor Christian’s season turned on a dime in the fourth quarter of Week 5 — a frame that saw the Eagles outscore Ralston Valley 20-7 to secure a 27-23 come-from-behind victory. Since that fateful frame, Valor has outscored opponents 110-41 and risen back to the No. 2 spot in the CHSAANow rankings. Now comes a date with a Rock Canyon squad whose season-opening six-game win streak ended last week in a 40-36 loss to Mountain Vista that featured three lead changes in the final six minutes.
CLASS 4A
Golden (4-3) vs. Dakota Ridge (3-4)
When/where: 6 p.m. Thursday at Jeffco Stadium
Last meeting: Dakota Ridge 45, at Golden 38, Oct. 22, 2021
Two league title hopefuls clash in a meeting sure to produce plenty of offensive fireworks. Dakota Ridge brings in an offense led by senior RB Noah Triplett (1,024 total yards) that is averaging 33.5 points per game and just put up 63 on Bear Creek. Golden QB Jazel Riley IV (1,475 total yards) sat out last week’s 21-0 win over Standley Lake with a “banged up body,” according to his Twitter profile. If he’s good to go Thursday, the senior is certain to be a problem with both his arm and legs.
Far Northeast (4-3) vs. No. 6 Ponderosa (5-2)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at EchoPark Stadium
Last meeting: N/A
After running roughshod over DPS rivals George Washington (48-14) and Thomas Jefferson (38-0), the Warriors head south. The lone 5A program in its multi-classification league, Far Northeast can set up a de facto league championship against Denver South next Saturday if it knocks off Ponderosa. Seniors Nehemiah Mcallister, Emmit Anderson and William Kumakeh lead a salty Warriors defense that’s racked up 64 tackles for loss. They’ll need big plays like that to slow down the Mustangs and senior QB Zach Stryker (1,804 total yards).
CLASS 3A
No. 1 Roosevelt (6-0) vs. No. 5 Northridge (6-0)
When/where: 6:30 p.m. Thursday at District 6 Stadium
Last meeting: Roosevelt 62, vs. Northridge 19, Oct. 15, 2021
One CHSAANow.com poll voter has consistently ranked Northridge No. 1 in 3A since the start of the season. Now the Grizzlies get a chance to prove it. With 15 total points allowed in their last four games, the Grizzlies certainly look the part. But continuing that dominance against Roosevelt will be a tall order. The Roughriders are averaging 37.8 points per game and have an array of weapons in QB Bronco Hartson (1,024 total yards), RB Ryan Doucette (66 carries, 619 yards) and WR Tucker Peterson (22 receptions, 402 yards).
Littleton (5-1) vs. No. 7 Evergreen (4-2)
When/where: 1 p.m. Saturday at EHS
Last meeting: Evergreen 42, vs. Littleton 8, Oct. 28, 2021
Led by senior RB Brycen Mhlanga (987 yards, 16 TDs rushing), a resurgent Littleton program is one victory away from matching its win total from the previous seven seasons combined. Now comes the Lions’ toughest opponent to date: a ranked Evergreen squad that was one play away from handing No. 3 Green Mountain its first loss of the season last week.
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