Game of the week: (6) Grand Junction (3-0) vs. (9) Ralston Valley (2-1)
5A, 7 p.m. Friday, North Area Athletic Complex
? Another nonleaguer (both played in Zero Week) and check out the recent records of the two programs ? since the start of the 2010 season, Grand Junction is 24-3; Ralston Valley is 23-4.
? This is a new skill corps for the Western Slope Tigers, but you'll know some of the linemen, notably TE-DE Austin Berk and DT-G James Diamante.
? Grand Junction has whipped three foes by an aggregate 111-38.
? QB Jacob Knipp, two-way back Spencer Svejcar and all-purpose Carlos Gonzales have been impressive for the Mustangs, who have great size up front (including senior tackle Dan Skipper, 6-10, 295) and a lot of senior experience.
? Ralston Valley, which coach Matt Loyd said is experimenting on offense in the early going, has shown the ability to play smashmouth as well as go vertical. The Mustangs' team speed may not be blazing, but is considered good.
Thursday
5A: (8) ThunderRidge (1-1) vs. (10) Grandview (1-1)
7 p.m., Legacy Stadium
? It's nonleague, but yet another meeting of top-10 teams in The Denver Post Class 5A coaches/media poll.
? No. 8 ThunderRidge is coming off a glorious 29-25 victory over Ralston Valley on Saturday, one in which junior quarterback Brody Westmoreland threw four interceptions, but capped a winning drive in the final seconds with a touchdown pass. He also had a key 53-yard completion to Mark Hopper.
? The Grizzlies went on a 17-play scoring drive, indicative of their improved line play and coach Joe Johnson's commitment to a running game.
? The 10th-ranked Wolves are fresh from what coach John Schultz called "a flat" 35-14 loss to Chaparral, a performance very un-Wolves-like ? they're almost always terrific on defense.
? Senior wide receiver Tanner Gentry has been the man with 15 receptions for 348 yards and four touchdowns, but the Wolves also must pick it up elsewhere on offense.
4A: Chatfield at (6) Dakota Ridge
7 p.m., Jefferson County Stadium
? Another test for Dakota Ridge, which is trying to establish itself as a 4A contender.
? Chatfield beat Denver East last week, 31-28. Brendan Murphy had 146 yards and a touchdown, while Patrick Elsenbast had two scores.
? Dakota Ridge started the season unranked, moved to ninth in the second poll, and is now ranked sixth.
? The Eagles started the season with a 31-20 win over Jensen Beach (Fla.), then followed that with a 41-0 shutout of Golden. Quarterback Zac Koch has thrown for six touchdowns this season.
Friday
5A: (1) Pomona (2-0) vs. Lakewood (2-0)
4 p.m., Jefferson County Stadium
? It's a rematch of teams in last year's state semifinals.
? Pomona has taken over the No. 1 spot in the 5A poll.
? Back-to-back 41-point performances by the Panthers against good programs, Broomfield (No. 3 in 4A ) and Cherry Creek, has made it clear that offense will be no problem. QB Alec Feland has been the leader, tossing for 402 yards and three TDs, and the Panthers enjoyed Mitch Colin grabbing 11 receptions for 200 yards and a TD last week.
? This will be Lakewood's first 5A foe. The Tigers, who fell in the state final a year ago to Columbine, tamed Loveland 33-0, then slipped past 4A state runner-up Pine Creek 13-11.
? Strange deal for Lakewood last week ? it was hit for two safeties in the second quarter, both on bad snaps, yet recovered four Eagles fumbles. The Tigers led at the half, 10-4.
4A-5A: (4) Denver South (2-0) vs. Denver East (1-1)
6 p.m., All-City Stadium
? This is what can happen within our classifications system ? two longtime rivals, in every sport, yet they're not in the same league or class.
? There is a buzz about South, which ? has climbed to No. 4 in 4A. The Rebels consider themselves challengers.
? Banged-up University of Colorado pledge Phillip Lindsay, who toils at RB-LB, was held out last week, but no problem in a 52-0 drubbing of 5A Poudre. QB Malik Tollerson threw for five TDs and ran for another.
? Meanwhile, East showed some stuff in an opening victory over Eaglecrest, but is smarting after falling 31-28 to Chatfield.
? The Angels surrendered 403 yards of offense, including 290 rushing, to the Jeffco Chargers.
5A: Gateway (2-0) vs. Cherokee Trail (2-0)
7 p.m., Legacy Stadium
? Aurorans are getting it ? the city's programs, regardless of class or league, are meeting.
? Gateway could be one of those teams making a move in 2012 ? the Olympians'core of starters is talented, including Colorado State-bound lineman Zach Golditch, who survived getting shot in the neck at the theater shootings in July.
? The Olys have yet to be challenged, stomping Smoky Hill and Northglenn by a combined 68-7.
? The Cougars haven't been scored on, whipping Chatfield and Fort Collins by identical 24-0 scores.
? While Cherokee Trail was said to be reloading at quarterback, Aric Johnson is 19-of-32 passing for 261 yards and a touchdown. He also has rushed for two TDs.
5A: Regis Jesuit (2-0) at (3) Mullen (1-1)
7 p.m., Brother Bernard Kinneavy de La Salle Stadium
? Parochial powers have resumed the series.
? They haven't faced each other since the 2010 5A final, when Mullen capped a 14-0 season with a 37-6 whipping of the Raiders, who entered 13-0.
? Regis Jesuit, which sends out sophomores on both sides of the ball as if they're veterans, has had to work in both outings, including in a 21-14 victory over Horizon. Chase Bertinelli's 124 yards rushing and a TD, and 108 more and a TD by Jalen Williams were enough.
? The No. 3-ranked Mustangs arguably have the state's toughest schedule. They downed two-time defending 4A champion and 5A preseason No. 1 Valor Christian in Zero Week, then led De La Salle, No. 2 in the country, before falling 30-13. And they get Grandview next week.
2A: (1) Kent Denver (2-0) at (8) Faith Christian (1-1)7 p.m.
? This matchup almost always is top-shelf and usually with much on the line. In this case, it's nonleague, but also will serve as a gauge within the class.
? Top-ranked Kent Denver is coming off a 41-6 thrashing of defending 2A champion Florence.
? The Sun Devils have an interesting pair in their backfield ? chiseled senior Brannon Jones and 5-10 sophomore Jaden Franklin, who rushed for 278 yards and four TDs last week.
? Faith Christian has had to replace more skill players than usual as evidenced by four players having already attempted passes and another 11 having carried the ball
? After falling 27-24 to Holy Family in its opener, Faith Christian waxed new Vista Peak 51-6.
2A Eaton (2-0) at 2A Brush (2-0)
7 p.m., Beetdigger Stadium
? It's the opening of Patriot League play.
? Eaton has had a blowout (44-0 over The Academy) and a tight one (29-23 over Roosevelt).
? Austin Ekeler has led the Reds on the ground ? is there really any other way in 2A? ? by piling up 339 yards and three TDs.
? Riley Jones and Trey Stephens each have 17 tackles through two games.
? No. 2 Brush has won 14 of its past 15 games, the lone loss coming to Bayfield by two points in the 2011 semifinals.
? QB Mitch Tormohlen has thrown for five TDs and run for another, and Kyle Rosenbrock has rushed for 384 yards and a TD.
? Eddie Erives and Alec Peterson have picked off passes for the Reds.
4A: Canon City (2-0) at Liberty (2-0)
7 p.m., District 20 Football Stadium
? It's worth a peek at some of the depth in 4A.
? The visiting Tigers are entertaining ideas of contending in the Foothills; ditto for Liberty in the Pikes Peak.
? R.J. Stainbrook (178 yards) and Tyler Templeton (170) have provided balanced rushing for Canon City. Zac McCoy is averaging 12.6 yards on 11 receptions.
? QB Shane Walker has been efficient for coach Jaron Cohen's Lancers, 15-of-30 for 202 yards, four TDs and no interceptions.
? Austin Buhl heads Liberty rushing with 192 yards and four TDs.
? It's the final tune-up for both teams before heading into league play.
oaksterdam the fray national anthem dallas tornado ncaa basketball oikos kentucky wildcats oakland school shooting
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.