The following is a look at the marquee games this week in baseball, girls soccer and boys lacrosse. (Rankings and records are current as of Monday).
BASEBALL
No. 1 Rock Canyon (8-1) at No. 10 Mountain Vista (6-1), 4:30 p.m. Friday:The top-ranked Jaguars had a 17-day layoff between their last game and Monday’s Continental League opener against Douglas County, while the Golden Eagles notched recent qualify non-conference victoriesover No. 2 Cherry Creek, Dakota Ridge and Ralston Valley.
Green Mountain (8-0) at No. 1 Valor Christian (6-3), 11 a.m. Saturday:Coach Brad Madden and the undefeated Rams are led by junior pitcher and outfielder JD Wadleigh (3-0, 2.39 ERA on the mound and .667, 17 RBI at the plate), while the defending champion Eagles have an array of aces they can call onafter dueling Golden on Monday and Green Mountain on Wednesday to start league play.
GIRLS SOCCER
No. 4 Grandview (2-2) at Cherokee Trail (4-1-2),5:30 p.m.Tuesday:In a pivotal Centennial League opener for both teams, the two-time defending state champion Wolves look to junior Natalie Beckman to win 50/50 balls at midfieldagainst the talented likes of Cherokee Trail senior striker Rebekah Burton and junior strikerDelaney McLelland.
No. 8 Regis Jesuit (4-0-2) at No. 3 Mountain Vista (4-2-1), 4 p.m. Thursday, Shea Stadium:The Raiders already posted impressive non-conference wins over No. 4 Grandview and No. 10 Columbine, while the experience-laden Golden Eagles, if recent history is any indication, are about to start playing their best soccer leading into postseason play.
BOYS LACROSSE
No. 10 Columbine (7-0) at Dakota Ridge (5-0), 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Trailblazer Stadium:Both Jeffco League teams are surging entering the Jeffco League opener, as the Rebels are coming off a 16-1 thrashing of Palmer while the Eagles outlasted Lakewood in overtime last Friday and are paced by senior Nick Scott’s 18 goals.
No. 3 Regis Jesuit (4-2) at Heritage (7-1), 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, LPS Stadium:The defending state champion Raiders already have four goal scorers in double digits. The Eagles boast an abundance of underclass talent as epitomizedby sophomore attack Logan Cox.
