Brush at Fort Morgan
7 p.m., Friday
A perennial power in 2A, the Beetdiggers open with a stern challenge at 3A state runner-up Fort Morgan. The Mustangs, champions of the Tri-Valley Conference a year ago, will be led by QB Garrett Pape. The game is just one of four road games for Brush all season.
Brush vs. Holy Family
7 p.m., Sept. 11
As if opening with Fort Morgan wasn’t bad enough, Brush faces 2A power Holy Family in a nonconference game one week later. Both teams made the playoffs a year ago but suffered early defeats and will want to establish themselves early on as a team to beat in 2A.
Florence vs. Manitou Springs
7 p.m., Oct. 2
The Tri-Peaks Conference championship could be decided early by whomever wins this showdown. Each team brings back double-digit starters and they were the only two squads from the conference to play in the postseason in 2008.
Aspen vs. Olathe
7 p.m., Oct. 16
The defending state champions may not face a tougher road game all season than this one against star QB Anderson Cole and the Skiers. This is the back end of back-to-back key home games for Aspen in the Western Slope League. One week earlier, the Skiers host Grand Valley.
Faith Christian at Erie
7 p.m., Nov. 6
It will be well worth the wait. If things shake out like they should, these powers could be undefeated and fighting for the league title, the top playoff seed and a big mental boost prior to the start of the postseason.
