(8) Heritage (10-1) at (1) Pine Creek (11-0), District 20 Stadium, Friday, 7 p.m.: The preseason No. 1 vs. the postseason No. 1. . . . Offensive-line superiority is a must for Pine Creek, which passed for just 14 yards last week and ran for 320, led by Josh Chance’s 135-yard, one-TD effort. . . . Heritage has options. The offense threw for 140 yards and ran for 370 last week. Wrap up RB Jordan Delbaugh or watch him celebrate in the end zone. . . . Two of the better defenses: Pine Creek has held teams to a TD or less in seven games this season; Heritage has done it eight times.
(5) Greeley West (10-1) at (4) Montrose (10-1), Saturday, 1 p.m.: At last, they meet. Playoff stalwarts of late cross paths. . . . The Spartans, quarterfinalists for the fourth time since 2004, are looking for their third trip to the semifinals. . . . GW’s Steffen Bunting rushed for 223 yards and two TDs last week against a fast Littleton defense. QB Sean Blackmer has the luxury of setting up the pass with the run and multiple targets to seek. . . . Indians had to — gasp — rally in the second half against Niwot last week.
(6) Longmont (10-1) at (14) Dakota Ridge (8-3), Jefferson County Stadium, Saturday, 1 p.m.: A real quarterback battle. . . . The Trojans purr behind QB Jake Johnson, a dynamic athlete who just makes plays. The Eagles have sophomore Bolton Howes, an emerging talent who must hit his targets to keep the pro-style offense in rhythm. Eagles RB Andrew Melton is a deceiving workhorse. He went for 248 yards last week. . . . Momentum? The Trojans took down 2007 finalist Monarch last week. Dakota Ridge thumped previously unbeaten Pueblo South on its home field.
(7) Fountain-Fort Carson (10-1) at (2) Wheat Ridge (11-0), Jefferson County Stadium, Friday, 7 p.m.: Perhaps the most interesting sight in this matchup will be the speed and hitting coming from the linebackers and secondary. . . . Devyn Harris and company fly to the ball for the Trojans, while Wheat Ridge’s Parker Orms is perhaps the best tackler in 4A; he also had 350 yards rushing last week. . . . Rematch of the 2006 quarterfinals when the Farmers went on to the title.
Brian Forbes, Special to The Denver Post
