A rundown of the top prep football games coming up in Week 5 across the state:
Class 5A
Mullen (2-2) at No. 4 Grandview (4-0)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Legacy Stadium
Last meeting: Grandview 56, at Mullen 3, on Sept. 21, 2018
What: The Wolves have yet to meet a defense that can slow down their ground game, with 1,370 yards, 19 touchdowns and countless tacklers left in their wake. Now comes a date with the Mustangs and big, bad defensive lineman Aidan Keanaaina — a Notre Dame commit with 6.0 tackles for loss to his name. Mullen gave No. 6 Regis Jesuit everything it could handle in a down-to-the-wire loss last week. Can they do the same against the fourth-ranked Wolves?
Castle View (4-0) at No. 10 Legend (4-0)
When/where: 1 p.m. Saturday at EchoPark Stadium
Last meeting: at Castle View 42, Legend 21, on Sept. 21, 2018
What: A south suburbs matchup between two teams on the rise, the winner of this will solidify a spot among 5A’s top 10 just ahead of league play. The Sabercats, fresh off a win over rival Douglas County, bring in a three-headed running attack featuring juniors Ian Peirce and Zane Wodark and senior fullback Jordan Jackson. The Titans have a pair of explosive backs of their own in 100-plus-yard-per-game rushers Blake Rarog and Connor Eise.
Class 4A
No. 4 Dakota Ridge (3-0) at No. 7 Ponderosa (1-2)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at EchoPark Stadium
Last meeting: Ponderosa 41, at Dakota Ridge 10, on Sept. 22, 2018
What: After a brutal start to the schedule that included a pair of ranked 5A opponents (Legend and Columbine) and a one-point win at Windsor, the No. 7 Mustangs got two weeks to prepare for another stiff test from Dakota Ridge. With 20 tackles for loss, including 13 sacks, through three games, the Eagles bring a playmaking defense that promises to put plenty of pressure on dual threat QB Jack Hanenburg.
Class 3A
No. 1 Palmer Ridge (3-0) at No. 3 Pueblo South (3-0)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at CSU-Pueblo
Last meeting: Palmer Ridge 41, Pueblo South 7, on Nov. 10, 2018, in 3A state playoffs
What: The third-ranked Colts have been giant killers early on this season, notching wins over ranked teams in each of their first three games. Now comes the biggest giant of them all — two-time defending champion Palmer Ridge. The Bears have given up just eight points in three games while compiling 18 touchdowns with a nearly even split of 519 yards passing and 505 rushing. Needless to say, QB Logan Petit (626 yards total offense, eight TDs) and the Colts have their work cut out for them.
Wild cards
4A No. 5 Montrose at 3A No. 6 Palisade
When/where: 7 p.m. Thursday at Palisade
Last meeting: at Montrose 21, Palisade 17, on Sept. 21, 2018
What: With star quarterback Cam Tucker reportedly out “indefinitely,” the Bulldogs attempted just one pass last week in a 34-7 win over Grand Junction Central. Instead, they piled up 368 yards and four TDs on the ground. Can they do the same against a Montrose defense that has given up just 88 rushing yards per game?
5A No. 1 Columbine (4-0) at Olathe North, Kan. (3-0)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Olathe North
Last meeting: at Columbine 48, Olathe North 12, on Sept. 21, 2018
What: The Rebels head east — way east — for a rematch with the second-ranked team in Kansas’ largest classification. Columbine cruised a year ago — just as it has in four double-digit wins this season — but things might not be so easy on Olathe North’s turf. Junior RB Arland Bruce IV (73 carries, 583 yards, 10 TDs) has serious home-run potential, and senior QB Caleb Nelson has completed 61.2% of his passes for 470 yards and three TDs in three games.
1A No. 2 Strasburg (3-0) at 1A No. 1 Limon (3-0)
When/where: 2 p.m. Saturday at Lloyd Gaskill Field
Last meeting: Limon 13, Strasburg 7, on Nov. 24, 2018, in 1A state championship
What: In a rematch of last year’s 1A state title game, defending champion Limon hosts Strasburg in a matchup that will decide early pole position in this year’s race. The Strasburg offense (26.0 points per game) hasn’t been as explosive as Limon’s (41.3 ppg) so far this season, but if their last meeting is any indication, this one will be all about the D.
1A No. 7 Centauri (3-1) at 1A No. 8 Buena Vista (3-0)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Buena Vista
Last meeting: Centauri 41, Buena Vista 7, on Sept. 21, 2018
What: A year after getting ground into pieces in La Jara, the Demons get a shot at revenge on their home field. The Faclons’ lone loss so far this season came against 2A Pagosa Springs, while the Demons have yet to allow a team to score in double digits through three games. With five players registering at least one tackle for loss, the Buena Vista defense comes from all angles.
* All rankings courtesy of .
