SUBSCRIBE:
SUBMIT:
More games to watch online at
GAME OF THE WEEK
George Washington (5-0) vs. Wheat Ridge (3-2)
Thursday, 4 p.m. at Jefferson County Stadium
4A Mountain League
It’s a Mountain opener. In their second season under coach James Everett, the Patriots have outscored five foes by an aggregate 223-52. However, the five foes are a combined 5-15, so the Pats are getting their first real test. Over the previous five seasons, GW was a combined 12-38. Pats QB Javian Byrd has thrown for 1,395 yards and 18 TDs against only one pick. Pats’ leading rusher is Don’dre Beckworth, who has 510 yards and five TDs.
Wheat Ridge had taken consecutive hits, at Pueblo South and to Dakota Ridge, before winning 43-0 over Green Mountain last week. Farmers QB Gino Tate has thrown for eight TDs and rushed for another five. RB Payton Dietrich also has rushed for five TDs. Dietrich has added two interceptions on defense as has Damian Padilla.
Fairview (4-1) vs. Rocky Mountain (3-2)
Thursday, 6 p.m. at French Field
5A Front Range League
The visiting Knights, 2-1 in league, needed 27 points in the second half last week to handle rival Monarch 37-17. QB Thomas Creese threw for 263 yards, but was intercepted three times. Creese, James Cortese, T.J. Kebede and sophomore Mariano Kemp each rushed for TDs. Seven different Knights caught a pass. Cristian Martinez was in on 11 tackles.
The Lobos, 1-2 in league, fell 14-7 at Horizon last week. Cade Hairgrove had Rocky Mountain’s only TD last week along with 63 yards rushing, tops on the team. Rocky Mountain’s defense has been something to count on, having allowed 87 points in five outing, one less than Fairview. Last week, OLB Trevonne Robinson was tops by being credited with 14 tackles.
Chaparral (3-2) vs. Fountain-Fort Carson (3-2)
Thursday, 7 p.m. at Guy Barickman Stadium
5A Continental South League
Chaparral opened the Continental South last week with a shootout, 42-35 over Legend. Twenty-eight of the Wolverines’ points came after halftime. QB Taden Blaise threw for two TDs last week, and Dae’von Davis and KiJana Phillips each rushed for two TDs. Phillips also rushed for 101 yards. Jacvon Spencer had a 79-yard reception for a TD.
Fountain-Fort Carson has won three straight games, including last week’s 43-21 whipping at Douglas County to open league play. Hats off to the Trojans’ Erik Donnell, who did some work against DC — he rushed 37 times for 262 yards and two TDs. D’Jimon O’Neil leads Fountain-Fort Carson with nine receptions for 175 yards and three TDs.
Standley Lake (3-2) vs. Denver South (3-2)
Friday, 4 p.m. at All-City Stadium
4A Mountain League
It’s another Mountain opener. … The visiting Gators got blasted last week, 42-13 to Dakota Ridge. … Michael Kerr leads Standley Lake with 575 yards and six TDs. … After dropping their opener to Pueblo Central, the Gators had won three in a row, including over 5A Monarch. … Denver South is coming off a solid victory, 33-20 over Pueblo South at Dutch Clark Stadium. … Marcus Lindsay rushed for 118 yards and a TD last week. … Injuries and penalties have plagued the Rebels into midseason, but big plays remain in their repertoire, perhaps topped by James Hardy’s 87-yard reception.
Ponderosa (4-1) vs. Dakota Ridge (4-1)
Friday, 4 p.m. at Jefferson County Stadium
4A Mountain League
It’s a Plains opener. Mustangs have won two straight since getting thumped by Vista Ridge. Ponderosa QB Nick Wilson was 11-of-18 for 222 yards and two TDs in last week’s 42-32 victory over Falcon. Wilson also had 96 yards rushing and three TDs. Ryder Ghidotti contributed three catches for 74 yards and a TD. Mikey Thomas had 2 receptions for 79 yards, one that went for 73 and a TD.
Dakota Ridge’s one blemish was a big one, 44-7 against two-time defending state champion Pine Creek, but those Eagles have now won 30 in a row. Overcoming a previous ankle problem, Eagles RB Jeremy Lujan leads the team with 834 yards rushing and 11 TDs. He had a large effort in last week’s 42-13 waxing of Standley Lake. He rushed 30 times for 287 yards and four TDs, and threw a 21-yard TD pass.
Overland (3-2) vs. Cherry Creek (5-0)
Friday, 7 p.m. at Stutler Bowl
5A Centennial League
They have a fabulous history, everything from league games to playoffs to a championship meeting (in 1995). Trailblazers will have their second consecutive league game against teams in last year’s final — they fell by 45-20 last week to runner-up Valor Christian. QB Ray Rountree has thrown for nine TDs against only two interceptions, and he leads Overland with three rushing TDs.
Defending 5A state champion Bruins have won 12 games in a row. Cherry Creek needed OT to get past Cherokee Trail 16-13. QB Joe Caplis was picked off three times in 18 attempts. It was the first time in four in-state games that the Bruins have permitted double digits in points. They stand fifth (57) in the class. RBs Marquise Davis and Ashton Riley each rushed for TDs last week.
Cherokee Trail (3-2) vs. Grandview (4-1)
Friday, 7 p.m. at Legacy Stadium
5A Centennial League
The visiting Cougars, 0-1 in league, are 3-2 despite giving up just 64 points, eighth in 5A. Four of Cherokee Trail’s games have been decided by eight points or less. The Cougars have lost six consecutive Centennial games, each by an average of about eight points.
Grandview has won eight straight Centennial games and 15 of its past 17 overall. The Wolves’ Hayden Blubaugh, a transfer from Smoky Hill, has been carrying the load and producing. The RB has 964 yards in 117 carries for an 8.2 average and 10 TDs. But there has been some other balance and depth — Deandre Shorts, Garrett Goulding and Tyler Ross has have three digits in rushing yardage. Julius Carter tops Grandview with six sacks.
Berthoud (5-0) vs. Holy Family (4-1)
Friday, 7 p.m. at Mike G. Gabriel Stadium
3A Northern League
2-0 in league, Berthoud coach Troy Diffendaffer has been gaining notice. The Spartans own a 165-21 scoring advantage and rank first in points allowed. In last week’s 18-14 victory over Erie, QB Cody Braesch was 26-of-45 passing for 316 yards and three TDs. Jackson Hall had 13 receptions for 147 yards and three TDs. Jamie Gray was in on 17 tackles.
Also 2-0 in league, Holy Family stands third in 3A points (25) and the biggest reason is QB Chris Helbig. The senior is 121-of-181 for 2,090 yards and 25 TDs. He also has been picked off only three times. Joe Golter already has 33 receptions for 758 yards and nine TDs. The Tigers’ one loss? At Palisade, by 42-34.
Lutheran (3-2) vs. Fort Morgan (5-0)
Friday, 7 p.m. at Legion Field
3A Colorado 7 League
After a 1-2 start, the visiting Lions blew out Fort Lupton and Elizabeth to open Colorado 7 play. Nathan Holdridge leads Lutheran with 762 yards rushing and 12 TDs. And it’s a long list — some 15 Lions have at least two carries through five games. Lutheran is 13-3 since Blair Hibbard came over from Faith Christian to begin the 2014 season.
Coach Harrison Chisum’s Mustangs have been complete — they stand second in 3A in both scoring (258 points) and points allowed (27). .Heading Fort Morgan is Toby McBride, who has pledged to Colorado State and is a threat on both sides. At defensive end, he leads Fort Morgan with 30 tackles. In the backfield, the fullback has 452 yards rushing and six TDs. The Mustangs are topped by Tate Kembel’s 529 yards rushing and 10 TDs.
Kent Denver (5-0) vs. Denver North (2-3)
Saturday, 4 p.m. at All-City Field
2A Colorado League
Also at 3-0 in league, Kent Denver has been dominant. The Sun Devils rank second in 2A scoring (217 points) and at the top in defense (20). They also have three shutouts. Will McKissick leads the team with 764 yards, but his scoring has been dominant. He has 18 TDs rushing and another receiving. Luke Wilson has contributed 370 yards rushing and four TDs.
A Kent Denver victory means Scott Yates will be at 299 career victories. At 1-2 in league, four of the Vikings’ final five games, including last week’s, will be at All-City Stadium. Denver North has dropped its past two games — 44-0 to Alameda and 7-6 to Denver West.
Compiled by Neil H. Devlin
