A rundown of the top high school football games coming up in Week 6 across the state:
Class 5A
No. 4 Grandview (5-0) at No. 7 Eaglecrest (5-0)
When/where: 7 p.m. Thursday at Legacy Stadium
Last meeting: Grandview 26, Eaglecrest 22, on Nov. 17, 2018, in 5A state quarterfinals
What: The arrival of league play kicks off this week with a juicy matchup between a pair of 5A Metro East League powers. Wolves running back Noah Schmidt has already topped the 1,000-yard plateau as Grandview cruised through its non-conference slate. Eaglecrest stands as their toughest test to date. Containing senior QB Max Marsh (1512 total yards, 13 TDs) and the many Raptor weapons at his disposal is no small task.
No. 2 Cherry Creek (5-0) at Overland (3-2)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Stutler Bowl
Last meeting: at Cherry Creek 45, Overland 0, on Sept. 28, 2018
What: On paper, this is a mismatch, but with the Trailblazers riding just their second three-game win streak in five seasons, this 5A Metro East clash stands as a proving ground for first-year coach DaVaughn Thornton’s program. Sophomore quarterback Martavia Thrower is an emerging threat for the Trailblazers with 1,152 yards and 12 TDs passing in 2019. The Cherry Creek defense, which has 33 tackles for loss (17 sacks) in five games, promises to make things difficult.
Castle View (4-1) at No. 3 Valor Christian (4-1)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Valor Stadium
Last meeting: Valor Christian 35, at Castle View 0, on Sept. 28, 2018
What: A week after narrowly losing to 10th-ranked Legend, the Sabercats open up 5A Metro South League play against the league’s standard-bearer. Castle View will have its hands full trying to match up with uber-athletes Gavin Sawchuk (611 rush yards, seven TDs) and Jack Howell, not to mention the Eagles’ physical offensive and defensive fronts.
Arapahoe (4-1) at Cherokee Trail (4-1)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Legacy Stadium
Last meeting: Cherokee Trail 34, at Arapahoe 10
What: Two teams looking to compete in the upper tier of the 5A Metro East face off in the opening week of league play. The lone blemish on Cherokee Trail’s resume is a heart-breaking overtime loss at Poudre that saw them surrender a seven-point lead late. Arapahoe, which has allowed more than 13 points once all season, is looking to match its win total from a year ago just six weeks into the season.
Class 4A
No. 3 Dakota Ridge (4-0) at No. 7 Vista PEAK Prep (4-0)
When/where: 7 p.m. Thursday at Aurora Public Stadium
Last meeting: at Dakota Ridge 18, Vista PEAK Prep 13, on Sept. 28, 2018
What: In its final non-conference game of the regular season, Dakota Ridge travels to Aurora to face its second straight ranked opponent. While the Eagles’ offensive stats won’t wow you, their defense has been lights out — including in last week’s 20-6 win at Ponderosa. That should make for an intriguing matchup against the Vista PEAK Prep offense, which has yet to be held under 40 points this season and features an array of rushing threats led by Ja’derris Carr-kersh (50 carries, 656 yards, 11 TDs).
Class 3A
No. 2 Mead (4-0) at No. 9 Erie (2-2)
When/where: 7 p.m. Thursday at Erie
Last meeting: Erie 41, at Mead 24, on Sept. 28, 2018
What: Four games into the season and the Mavericks are still looking for a defense that can withstand their relentless run game. Mead is averaging just a tick over 300 rushing yards a game so far this season, with Jake Wachter (425) and Nathan Bailey (407) options 1A and 1B. The Tigers have had issues stopping the run — most notably in a loss to third-ranked Pueblo South — but have a rugged rushing attack of their own to lean on.
Wild cards
4A No. 1 Pine Creek (3-1) at 3A No. 1 Palmer Ridge (4-0)
When/where: 1 p.m. Saturday at Don Breese Stadium
Last meeting: at Pine Creek 27, Palmer Ridge 12, on Aug. 24, 2018
What: The Bears got all they could handle in coming back to beat 3A No. 3 Pueblo South 24-19 last week. Now comes an even more formidable foe in Pine Creek — the prohibitive favorite in 4A whose only loss this year came to 5A Valor Christian. Up until last week, the Bears had surrendered just one touchdown in three games. But Pine Creek’s offense is as explosive as any they’ll see all season, with running back David Moore III already at 779 yards rushing and 11 TDs through four games.
1A No. 4 Florence (4-0) at 1A No. 9 Rye (4-0)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Rye
Last meeting: at Florence 42, Rye 0, on Sept. 28, 2018
What: The four-way race for the 1A Tri-Peaks League title begins Friday with a matchup of the league’s two remaining unbeatens. (Colorado Springs Christian and Buena Vista are lurking at 3-1). The upstart Rye Thunderbolts are off to their best start in 10 years behind the three-headed rushing attack of Hayden Polk (234 yards), Kreed Rahl (224) and Bryce Benz (210). In Florence, they face an opponent who has given up six points or fewer in three of four wins.
* All rankings courtesy of .
