CLASS 5A
No. 1 Cherry Creek (4-0) vs. No. 7 Pine Creek (3-1)
When/where: 7 p.m. Thursday at D20 Stadium South
Last meeting: Cherry Creek 21, vs. Pine Creek 14, Sept. 27, 2024
Only two in-state teams stayed within seven points of the Cherry Creek Bruins last fall, and the Pine Creek Eagles were one of them. Eagles head coach Trevor Hudson wants his program to be the top “Creek” in the state of Colorado. No better way to make that happen than to beat the “Creek” that’s won five of the last six 5A titles. One matchup to watch: future FBS offensive lineman Phoenix Jenkins vs. Cherry Creek’s array of edge rushing talent.
4A No. 3 Broomfield (4-0) vs. No. 10 Erie (2-2)
When/where: 6:30 p.m. Friday at Tiger Stadium
Last meeting: Erie 13, at Broomfield 3, Sept. 27, 2024
Streaming:
Briefly league rivals, Broomfield and Erie have played five times since 2021, with Erie holding a 3-2 edge after winning the last two meetings. The Tigers have played a rugged schedule through four weeks, with their only two losses coming to a pair of 5A top-five teams (Mountain Vista and Ralston Valley). Now they get the defending 4A champion Broomfield Eagles, who needed a fourth-quarter TD to survive an upset bid from 5A cross-town rival Legacy last week.
No. 2 Valor Christian (4-0) vs. No. 4 Ralston Valley (4-0)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at NAAC Stadium
Last meeting: Valor Christian 34, vs. Ralston Valley 17, Sept. 27, 2024
Streaming:
Two of the state’s premier programs meet for the fifth time since 2022, with the winner taking pole position as Cherry Creek’s top threat in 5A. Valor is averaging 42.0 points per game behind a dominant offensive line and two-QB rotation of senior Dawson Olk (490 total yards) and sophomore Titus Huard (459 total yards). While Ralston Valley doesn’t boast the same array of FBS talent, Jared Yannacito’s crew always plays Valor tough. Three of their last four meetings were decided by four points or less.
CLASS 4A
No. 6 Durango (3-1) vs. Grand Junction (3-1)
When/where: 7 p.m. Thursday at Stocker Stadium
Last meeting: Durango 38, vs. Grand Junction 7, Sept. 27, 2024
Streaming:
After posting their first winning season in 10 years, the Grand Junction Tigers are out to prove last season’s 10-2 campaign was no fluke. If not for a 10-7 loss vs. 5A Fruita Monument last week, they’d be undefeated entering this Western Slope clash. As it is, the Tigers should offer a stiff test for a Durango team that’s allowed just 13 total points over its last three games. Demons dual-threat QB Grady Feeney (863 total yards, 8 TDs) is a handful.
Fruita Monument (3-1) vs. No. 2 Montrose (4-0)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Montrose High
Last meeting: Montrose 35, at Fruita Monument 12, Sept. 26, 2024
Streaming:
The Red Hawks, who have already beaten Durango, Palisade and Grand Junction Central, can claim a mythical Western Slope title with a win over 5A Fruita Monument. Montrose has won 21 straight regular-season games dating back to 2023 and has run over everything in its path so far this season. Fruita has won three straight and allowed just 13 points over its last two games. But Montrose’s ground-and-pound attack is a different animal altogether.
No. 5 Vista Ridge (4-0) vs. No. 10 Pueblo West (3-1)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Cyclone Stadium
Last meeting: Pueblo West 35, at Vista Ridge 7, Sept. 27, 2024
Streaming:
Just how good are the Vista Ridge Wolves? They made a big early statement with a stunning 24-14 upset of 5A Columbine in Week 0, and now they’re one win away from their first 5-0 start in 14 years. The Wolves knocked off a second 5A team with a 29-20 win at Denver South last Thursday, a game that saw senior QB Colton Camba throw for 171 yards and a pair of touchdowns. A sturdy Pueblo West defense should offer plenty of resistance.
CLASS 3A
No. 5 Roosevelt (3-1) vs. No. 1 Windsor (4-0)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Windsor HS
Last meeting: Windsor 34, at Roosevelt 10, Sept. 27, 2024
Top-ranked Windsor enters Week 5 with as many takeaways (10) as points allowed. The degree of difficulty goes up a notch, however, with the Rough Riders paying a visit. Roosevelt has scored 88 points in its last two games, including a 40-22 shellacking of 4A Ponderosa. Dual-threat QB Jasiah Ramirez (658 total yards) has plenty of capable weapons. The trick is taking the ball away from a Windsor offense that’s averaging 197.5 rushing yards per game behind Oklahoma OL commit Deacon Schmitt.
Conifer (3-0) vs. Eagle Valley (5-0)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Eagle Valley HS
Last meeting: Conifer 28, vs. Eagle Valley 23, Sept. 27, 2024
Streaming:
Two of the hottest teams in the state meet in a showdown of 3A unbeatens. Conifer has not only won three straight to start the season, but the Lobos have done it by a 142-6 margin, including back-to-back shutouts of D’Evelyn (56-0) and George Washington (42-0). Meanwhile, Eagle Valley has already matched the program’s highest win total in 10 years, and is fresh off a 60-0 thrashing of Littleton in Gypsum. The winner here emerges as a dark horse contender.
