8 games to watch in Week 3
CLASS 5A
No. 8 Grandview ( 1- 1) vs. No. 1 Cherry Creek ( 2- 0)
When/ where: 7 p. m. Thursday at Stutler Bowl
Last meeting: Cherry Creek 44, vs. Grandview 21, on Nov. 1, 2019
There are no breaks in the Centennial League. A week after losing on a late two- point conversion to No. 5 Eaglecrest, Grandview gets the top- ranked Bruins. The Wolves are the last team to beat Cherry Creek in league — 28- 21 in double OT in 2018. But this is a Cherry Creek team that’s won 16 in a row with a seasoned QB in Julian Hammond III ( 31- of- 39, 469 yards, nine TDs) and a big- play defense that wreaks havoc at the line of scrimmage ( nine sacks, 11 tackles for loss).
No. 4 Pomona ( 2- 0) vs. No. 6 Ralston Valley ( 2- 0)
When/ where: 7 p. m. Friday at North Area Athletic Complex
Last meeting: Ralston Valley 17, vs. Pomona 0, on Nov. 1, 2019 Two defenses that have yet to give up a touchdown meet in an early 5A Jeffco League showdown. The Panthers have transformed all- state receiver Jack Pospisil into an electric dualthreat quarterback, with the senior already accounting for 430 yards off offense ( 202 passing, 228 rushing) and seven touchdowns. He’ll have his work cut out for him against a Mustangs defense that has 15 tackles for loss and eight sacks so far this fall.
No. 10 Legend ( 2- 0) vs. No. 7 Regis Jesuit ( 2- 0)
When/ where: 6 p. m. Friday at Kellogg Stadium
Last meeting: Regis Jesuit 39, at Legend 21, on Oct. 11, 2019
The Titans entered the state rankings this week as one of three 5A teams to post back- to- back shutout wins — 42- 0 at Mesa Ridge, 49- 0 vs. Doherty — to start the season. Now comes a chance to show they belong. The Raiders have only given up one touchdown themselves and gained 515 rushing yards through two weeks. The Titans counter with running back Connor Eise ( 29 carries, 267 yards) and quarterback Kalen Shoemaker ( 19- of24, 331 yards, four TDs).
No. 9 Fairview ( 2- 0) vs. Fossil Ridge ( 2- 0)
When/ where: 6 p. m. Thursday at French Field
Last meeting: Fairview 40, at Fossil Ridge 8, on Oct. 17, 2019
The program known for its explosive passing game is winning with its … defense? Correct. Through two weeks, the Knights have surrendered just one touchdown ( late in the fourth quarter of a blowout win) while racking up four sacks, 15 tackles for loss and six turnovers, including three interceptions from senior Jay Barry. This week’s challenge: Stopping SaberCats senior running back Chris Bowerfind, who’s posted back- to- back 100- yard games in a pair of Fossil Ridge wins.
CLASS 4A Fruita Monument ( 1- 1) vs. No. 4 Ponderosa ( 2- 0)
When/ where: 1 p. m. Saturday at Echo Park Stadium
Last meeting: N/ A
Fresh off a one- point loss to No. 6 Montrose, the Wildcats get another shot at an upset win against the unbeaten Mustangs. Ponderosa has surrendered just one touchdown through two games, while all- state QB Jack Hanenburg has been near perfect, putting up 349 yards and three touchdowns on 17- of- 20 passing and running for two TDs. Watch out for Wildcats ironman Armony Trujillo, who has six tackles for loss and 189 rush yards in two games.
Standley Lake ( 2- 0) vs. No. 1 Dakota Ridge ( 2- 0)
When/ where: 7 p. m. Friday at Legacy Stadium
Last meeting: Dakota Ridge 42, vs. Standley Lake 13, on Oct. 2, 2015
The Eagles rose to No. 1 in CHSAANow’s state rankings earlier this week, and not just because Pine Creek has yet to play a game. Dakota Ridge has scored 113 points through two weeks, with senior quarterback Ben Gultig completing 15- of- 20 passes for 302 yards and four TDs, and Charlie Offerdahl finding the end zone five times ( three rushing, one receiving and one kick return). Next up: An unbeaten Gators squad coming off a 3- 0 shutout of Golden.
CLASS 3A No. 6 Fort Morgan ( 2- 0) vs. No. 5 Mead ( 1- 1)
When/ where: 7 p. m. Friday at Mead
Last meeting: Mead 51, at Fort Morgan 14, on Sept. 29, 2017 Is this a must- win for the Mavericks just three weeks into the season? After dropping a 21- 20 heartbreaker in overtime to Roosevelt last week, that just might be the case. The challenge Friday will be slowing down a diverse Mustangs offense averaging 403 yards per game through two weeks. Quarterback Briggs Wheatley was 11- of- 14 for 193 yards and three TDs against Frederick last week.
No. 2 Durango ( 1- 0) vs. No. Pueblo County ( 2- 0)
When/ where: 2 p. m. Saturday at Pueblo
Last meeting: Durango 40, vs. Pueblo County 10, on Nov. 1, 2019
The coronavirus robbed Durango of a Week 1 game, and the Demons made up for lost time in Week 2, scoring 50 points in the first half of a 64- 0 rout of Mitchell. Quarterback Jordan Woolverton threw for 276 yards and five touchdowns in the win, but now faces a Hornets defense that’s allowed just 13 points through eight quarters.