PREP FOOTBALL 8 gAmEs to wAtCh in WEEk 2
CLASS 5A No. 1 ChErry CrEEk ( 1- 0) vs. No. 10 ChErokEE TrAil ( 0- 1)
When/ where: 7 p. m. Friday at Legacy Stadium
Last meeting: Cherry Creek 38, vs. Cherokee Trail 7, on Oct. 25, 2019
The prohibitive favorites to win a second straight 5A title, the top- ranked Bruins actually trailed early in their Week 1 win over Smoky Hill. Then Dave Logan’s squad ripped off four straight TDs before halftime en route to a 35- 14 win that saw CU basketball commit Julian Hammond throw for 290 yards and five TDs. Now comes a date with a Cougars team smarting after last week’s gut- wrenching 62- 50 loss to Eaglecrest — a game they led 43- 27 at halftime.
No. 7 EAglECrEst ( 1- 0) vs. No. 6 GrAnDviEw ( 1- 0)
When/ where: 7 p. m. Thursday at Legacy Stadium
Last meeting: Eaglecrest 28, at Grandview 21, on Nov. 15, 2019 These Centennial League rivals meet with abnormally large stakes for a Week 2 affair. With both teams eyeing later dates with Cherry Creek, a win here would go a long way to securing a playoff bid. Grandview nearly shut out Arapahoe in a 38- 7 Week 1 victory, while Eaglecrest rallied from a 16- point halftime deficit to top Cherokee Trail 62- 50. Keep an eye on explosive talents Ty Robinson ( CU commit) and Seyi Oladipo ( Boise State). Both scored two TDs last week.
MullEn ( 0- 0) vs. No. 8 RAlston VAllEy ( 1- 0)
When/ where: 6 p. m. Thursday at North Area Athletic Complex Last meeting: Ralston Valley 58, at Mullen 17, on Oct. 11, 2019 After a one- week delay due to a COVID- 19 outbreak, the Jeremy Bennett era begins at Mullen with a stiff test against a Ralston Valley team that appears to have reloaded following last year’s senior- driven run to the 5A semifinals. RV has won five straight over Mullen dating back to 2013, including last year’s blowout at La Salle Stadium. Now it enters its Week 2 showdown with Mullen fresh off a 42- 0 win over Battle Mountain — the program’s fourth shutout since 2019.
ArvADA WEst ( 1- 0) vs. No. 2 ColumBinE ( 1- 0)
When/ where: 7 p. m. Friday at Jeffco Stadium
Last meeting: Columbine 49, at Arvada West 14, on Oct. 31, 2019 The Wildcats entered the season a bit off the radar after last year’s 0- 10 campaign. But a Week 1 win over ThunderRidge, 3023, may be an indication the Wildcats have righted the ship. At the very least, they appear to have a playmaker in junior receiver Ean Lee ( 7 receptions, 158 yards vs. TR). The Rebels graduated a majority of production from last year’s 5A runner- up, but the defense was as stout as ever in a 39- 13 win over Rock Canyon.
CLASS 4A No. 6 MontrosE ( 1- 0) vs. FruitA MonumEnt ( 1- 0)
When/ where: 6 p. m. Friday at Fruita
Last meeting: Montrose 21, vs. Fruita Monument 14, on Oct. 4, 2019
A week after dominating then- 10th- ranked Chatfield 43- 12, the Indians take on a fellow Western Slope power who had an impressive showing of its own in Week 1 with a 42- 10 win over Wheat Ridge. The Wildcats ran for 274 yards and five touchdowns in the victory, with senior Espin Hernandez needing only seven carries to put up 107 yards and three TDs. Things likely won’t be as easy against Montrose, which outscored Chatfield 30- 6 in the second half last week.
Brighton ( 1- 0) vs. No. 4 BroomfiElD ( 1- 0)
When/ where: 7 p. m. Friday at Broomfield
Last meeting: Broomfield 7, at Brighton 0, on Nov. 1, 2019 If Week 1 was any indication, the Eagles are set at quarterback for the next few years. Sophomore Cole Lacrue was brilliant in his varsity debut, throwing for 121 yards and two touchdowns and running for another 91 yards and two TDs in a 27- 20 win over Monarch. Now comes a test against a Bulldogs club that gave Broomfield its most trouble during last year’s unbeaten regular season. The Bulldogs chewed up 301 yards on the ground in a 3217 win over Longmont.
CLASS 3A
No. 1 MEAD ( 1- 0) vs. No. 5 RoosEvElt ( 1- 0)
When/ where: 7 p. m. Friday at Mead
Last meeting: Mead 34, at Roosevelt 21, on Sept. 20, 2019
The Mavericks claimed the top spot in CHSAANow’s 3A rankings this week after an impressive 49- 6 win over Thompson Valley that included a 28- point second quarter. Mead’s ground- andpound attack churned out 321 yards on 41 carries in the win, led by Nathan Bailey’s 111 yards. Roosevelt’s defense, which had nine tackles for loss and forced four turnovers in last week’s 4510 victory over Frederick, promises to offer much more resistance in Week 2.
No. 4 DisCovEry CAnyon ( 1- 0) vs. No. 10 LuthErAn ( 1- 0)
When/ where: 7 p. m. Friday at Lutheran
Last meeting: Discovery Canyon 20, vs. Lutheran 7, on Nov. 1, 2019 Lutheran gets opportunity for an early statement win against its 3A Colorado League rivals, after the Lions flexed their muscle on defense a week ago with just three points and 201 yards allowed in a 49- 3 win over Lewis- Palmer. Quarterback Clayton Jacobs was efficient in his first varsity start, completing 10- of- 15 passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns. He’ll be challenged by a Discovery Canyon defense that picked off three passes in Week 1.