Game of the week: Broomfield vs. Pomona
Friday, 7 p.m., NAAC
• Both programs enter as No. 3 in The Denver Post coaches/media poll in their respective classes, Pomona in 5A, Broomfield in 4A.
• The visiting Eagles, senior-heavy after making the 2011 4A quarterfinals, return starters at 14 positions. They are expected to contend in the Mountain League as well as in the 4A playoffs.
• The Panthers’ Alec Feland led all big-school passers a year ago and is being asked by coach Jay Madden to lead an offense that can be potent.
• Pomona lost in the semifinals in 2011 to Lakewood.
Thursday
Regis Jesuit vs. Rangeview
6 p.m., Aurora Public Schools Stadium
• A rare meeting that shouldn’t stay so rare — more Aurora schools are making the effort to face each other, at least in nonleague.
• Both are coming off seasons that left them yearning for more. Regis Jesuit was 5-5 in 2011 after making the 2010 final at 13-0, and Rangeview was 7-3 and lost to Cherry Creek in the preliminaries after making the quarterfinals two years ago at 11-0.
• Regis Jesuit returns just seven starters. For Rangeview, it’s 14.
Ralston Valley vs. Longmont
6:30 p.m., Everly-Montgomery Stadium
• The visiting Mustangs, ranked No. 7 in 5A, have made the quarterfinals the past two seasons.
• Lack of size isn’t an issue for Ralston Valley — its lines have plenty, notably Tennessee pledge Dan Skipper, who stands 6-10, 280 at tackle, “and when I’m asked,” coach Matt Loyd said, “I tell them, ‘yeah, he really is.’”
• Indeed, RV plans to play smashmouth.
• Longmont, a regular 4A power and preseason No. 2, usually loads up with a top 5A program or two in nonleague.
• It’s the senior season for QB Forrest Wetterstrom. The Trojans are looking for big things from an athlete who’s a threat rushing and passing. They also return a solid starting core from a year ago.
Friday
Fort Collins vs. Columbine
4 p.m., Jefferson County Stadium
• Columbine is coming off a 14-0 5A championship season, its fifth in 13 years. The Rebels were convincing throughout 2011, establishing their signature rushing attack at will.
• QB Michael Burns logged some snaps a year ago, but, as always, the Rebels’ fortunes involve their lines. A year ago, Fort Collins, which is said to be sporting a snappy new Lambkin on its helmets, had its season end to Columbine, 28-10 in the state preliminaries.
• The younger Lambkins should be strong on the perimeter on defense.
Brush at Wray
7 p.m., Powell Field
• The last day of August, the season opener, Eastern Colorado on a Friday nightand smashmouth football. Can it get any better?
• 2A No. 3 Brush, which has won 12 of its past 13 games, is coming off a semifinals showing.
• Mitch Torhmolen, a senior quarterback, is the main man for the Beetdiggers.
• Wray, headed by coach Levi Kramer, was 7-4 in 2011.
• The Eagles fell to Burlington in the state semifinals and wil be at the Cougars in Week 2.
Wheat Ridge at Windsor
7 p.m., Dudley Field
• Under coach Reid Kahl, Wheat Ridge has remained among the 4A elite. The Farmers were 8-4 in 2011 (losing to eventual and undefeated champion Valor Christian in the quarterfinals).
• The Farmers’ backfield is promising, but there are holes most everywhere else to fill.
• Windsor, which was 13-1 a year ago in winning the 3A state championship, returns Joe Sanger, who ran for a touchdown and threw for another in the final against Silver Creek. He was named the game’s MVP.
Heritage vs. Arapahoe
7 p.m., Littleton Public Schools Stadium
• It’s the Brookridge Trophy Game, an event created to celebrate Littleton heritage. LPSS is located on a former dairy farm and the trophy is a milk can.
• Half of Heritage’s starters return from 2011, notably senior QB Ryan Novak.
• The Eagles were 4-6 a year ago and are in the new Pioneer League.
• Arapahoe, which competes in the demanding Super 6, yearns for a place in 5A’s upper end.
• Just .500 a year ago and ousted in the preliminaries, they figure to be more physical, a must within their league.
ThunderRidge at Vista Murrieta (Calif.)
8 p.m.
• A demanding opener for the Grizzlies — Vista Murrieta is ranked No. 21 by USA Today.
• ThunderRidge, coach Joe Ortiz said, should be better up front on both sides.
• The Grizzlies’ strength would appear to be a talented junior class that includes QB Brody Westmoreland, who also saw time as a freshman.
• The Broncos, who also list 96 players on their roster, were 14-0 a year ago, but had to accept five forfeit losses in nonleague as they had a fifth-year senior. Hence, they were denied a California bowl berth.
Saturday
Valor Christian at Bingham (Utah)
7:30 p.m.
• Don’t be fooled — the high end of Utah football is considered salty.
• However, while it was supposed to be part of six-team, three-game Beehive Classic to be hosted by the Bingham Miners (of South Jordan), ranked No. 23 in USA Today, the bottom fell out. Travel plans recently were changed (by organizers) from jet to bus and two California teams dropped out.
• The Eagles have agreed to keep the road trip. They were knocked off last week by Mullen, 14-13, as their 25-game winning streak ended. Valor Christian has won three consecutive state titles, the past two in 4A.
Cherry Creek at Los Osos (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.)
8 p.m.
• Dave Logan’s first game as coach of the Bruins will be on a road trip out of state. He’s in his 20th season and with his fourth school, 201 total victories.
• Both teams were 6-5 a year ago.
• The Bruins return four starters on each side, including senior quarterback Luke Papillion.
• Cherry Creek won’t have great size, but Tyler Andrzejeski is 6-foot-3, 280 pounds.
• The host Grizzlies lost their final three games in 2011.
• Los Osos opened its season last week with a 46-23 victory over La Quinta (Calif.).
