A rundown of the top high school football games coming up in Week 10 across the state:
Class 5A
No. 7 Grandview (8-1) at No. 1 Cherry Creek (9-0)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Stutler Bowl
Last meeting: at Grandview 28, Cherry Creek 21 (2OT), on Oct. 26, 2018
What: With a win, the Bruins can clinch their third outright league title in four years and the first unbeaten regular season in head coach Dave Logan’s eight years at Creek. Standing in the way is a Grandview team that features the state’s No. 2 rusher in Noah Schmidt (1,607 yards) and one its best linebackers in Cade Bruckman (57 tackles, 13.0 for loss). Of course, Creek has playmkers of its own, as well as the stingiest defense in 5A (6.3 points per game).
No. 5 Pomona (6-3) at No. 2 Ralston Valley (9-0)
When/where: 7:30 p.m. Friday at NAAC Stadium
Last meeting: Ralston Valley 38, at Pomona 26, on Oct. 26, 2018
What: The 5A Metro West League title is up for grabs at NAAC Stadium. Ralston Valley is on the verge of its first league championship since 2014 thanks to a defense that has piled up 64 tackles for loss, 27 sacks and 27 turnovers. Now comes a date with red-hot Pomona, which has won five in a row and found an emerging star in running back Dominick Nichols. The sophomore has run for 100-plus yards in all four of the Panthers’ league games.
No. 3 Valor Christian (8-1) at Highlands Ranch (4-5)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Shea Stadium
Last meeting: at Valor 25, Highlands Ranch 15, on Oct. 26, 2018
What: After starting the season with five straight losses to top-10 teams, the Falcons are a win away from a 5A Metro South League title. Win No. 5 figures to be the most challenging of them all, however, with Valor bringing a 22-game win streak against Colorado opponents into Friday night’s matchup. The pressure is on four-star QB Jake Rubley to keep up with a Valor offense that has scored 40-plus points in five straight games.
No. 10 Cherokee Trail (6-3) at No. 9 Eaglecrest (7-2)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Legacy Stadium
Last meeting: Eaglecrest 28, at Cherokee Trail 14, on Oct. 25, 2018
What: These two 5A Metro East League rivals are playing for playoff positioning, with the winner potentially earning a bye in the first round of the 5A state playoffs (CT is No. 12 in the and Pomona No. 8). Dual threat quarterback Max Marsh and the Raptors offense will have their hands full against a Cherokee Trail defense led by ferocious 6-foot-2, 210-pound middle linebacker Julian Williams.
Class 4A
Brighton (6-2) at No. 2 Broomfield (8-0)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Elizabeth Kennedy Stadium
Last meeting: Broomfield 49, at Brighton 14, on Oct. 26, 2018
What: The unbeaten Eagles can clinch at least a share of the 4A Northern League title with a win Friday night at home. Senior running back Caden Peters leads the state with 1,662 yards on 169 carries, including a 309-yard night last week against Greeley West highlighted by a 99-yard touchdown run. Those yards should be harder to come by against a Brighton defense that has held opponents to single digits four of the past five games.
Ponderosa (5-3) at No. 3 Montrose (8-0)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Montrose
Last meeting: at Ponderosa 21, Montrose 9, on Oct. 27, 2018
What: The third-ranked Indians can all but lock up a 4A Metro League crown with a win over Ponderosa, the only other unbeaten team in the league standings with two games left. The Indians offense has caught fire down the stretch, scoring 126 points in their past two games. Ponderosa’s sturdy defensive front, led by senior James McMahon-Carter (11.5 tackles for loss), gives Montrose a chance to prove those numbers are for real.
Class 3A
No. 8 Lutheran (6-2) at No. 4 Discovery Canyon (7-1)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at District 20 Stadium
Last meeting: Discovery Canyon 34, at Lutheran 21, on Oct. 26, 2018
What: All that’s standing between the Thunder and a shot at the 3A Central League title next week against Palmer Ridge is Friday night’s date with the Lions. Discovery Canyon has won five straight since losing to third-ranked Pueblo South and has given up just 13 points in three league games. The Lions have rebounded with back-to-back wins since losing to No. 1 Palmer Ridge 42-20, including last week’s 41-0 victory at Littleton.
Wild card
1A No. 5 Colorado Springs Christian (7-1) at 1A No. 7 Florence (7-1)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Florence
Last meeting: Colorado Springs Christian 13, Florence 10, on Nov. 11, 2018, in 1A state playoffs
What: A year ago, these two teams met twice, with Colorado Springs Christian taking both en route to a 1A state semifinal appearance. The winner Friday night lays claim to the 1A Tri-Peaks League championship. The fifth-ranked Lions haven’t lost since an opening game defeat at No. 2 Holyoke, while the seventh-ranked Huskies are coming off their first loss of the season — a 28-20 setback at Centauri.
* All rankings courtesy of .
