8 Colorado high school football games to watch in Week 9

Class 5A

No. 4 Arapahoe (7-1) vs. Smoky Hill (4-4)

When/where: 4 p.m. Friday astatine Stutler Bowl

Last meeting: Arapahoe 6, vs. Smoky Hill 0, Nov. 4, 2017

A week aft ending Cherry Creek’s 28-game triumph streak against Colorado contention with a 13-10 upset, the Warriors’ quest for an improbable Centennial League rubric heads to Stutler Bowl. Smoky Hill Coach Tom Thenell’s squad has shown an quality to play with the state’s 5A bluish bloods, knocking disconnected Pomona by a constituent earlier this fall. But the Buffaloes volition look a existent situation against a Warriors defence that conscionable held Creek to its 2nd lowest constituent full successful 4 seasons.

4A No. 3 Pine Creek (7-1) vs. No. 8 Regis Jesuit (5-3)

When/where: 6:30 p.m. Friday astatine D. Kellogg Stadium

Last meeting: Regis 17, astatine Pine Creek 14, Nov. 14, 2020

The Raiders person played 3 ranked teams truthful acold this season, and mislaid to each three. They’ll get different accidental this week against 4A powerfulness Pine Creek. Regis has shown small occupation scoring points (37.8 points/game) with dual menace QB Exander Carroll (1,472 full yards) moving the show. But neither person the Eagles, who person a talented QB of their ain successful Josiah Roy (1,813 full yards). This 1 could beryllium a shootout.

No. 7 Grandview (6-2) vs. Cherokee Trail (5-3)

When/where: 7 p.m. Friday astatine Legacy Stadium

Last meeting: Cherokee Trail 28, vs. Grandview 23, Nov. 6, 2020

Cherokee Trail faces its 3rd ranked hostile successful 4 weeks, with a accidental to marque a large connection against the Wolves. Senior QB Logan Brooke (2,028 walk yards, 21 TDs) has been prolific successful his 1 and lone varsity season, including back-to-back 300-yard passing games the past 2 weeks. The diversion and progressive Grandview secondary — 8 full interceptions, with 5 from elder information Malique Singleton — poses a important challenge.

No. 6 Ralston Valley (7-1) vs. No. 5 Columbine (6-2)

When/where: 7:30 p.m. Friday astatine Jeffco Stadium

Last meeting: Columbine 29, vs. Ralston Valley 15, Nov. 29, 2019

The four-team contention for the 5A Jeffco League rubric — Pomona is 3-0 portion Ralston Valley, Columbine and Arvada West are each 2-1 — could hinge connected the result of this one. Ralston Valley rebounded from a 17-3 nonaccomplishment to Pomona with an awesome shutout of Lakewood past week, portion Columbine has won 2 successful a enactment aft falling to Valor Christian and A-West successful consecutive weeks. The matchup to watch: RV’s stout defence (9.6 points allowed per game, 40 tackles for loss) vs. Columbine’s carnal RB Seth Cromwell (122 carries, 1,025 yards).

Class 4A

Denver South (7-1) vs. Aurora Central (7-1)

When/where: 6:30 p.m. Thursday astatine Aurora Public Schools Stadium

Last meeting: Denver South 48, astatine Aurora Central 12, Nov. 1, 2019

In his archetypal play astatine the helm, Aurora Central alum Chris Kelly has the Trojans connected the verge of their 2nd eight-win play since 2004. Junior RB Cai’Reis Curby (1,197 unreserved yards, 15 TDs) has been TNT connected cleats, and elder DE Marcus Howard (18.0 sacks, 3 forced fumbles) a game-wrecker. Now comes their biggest trial successful weeks: South QB Joseph Capra (1,895 walk yards, 27 TDs) and his array of weapons, including the state’s starring walk catcher, Rashad Caldwell (46 receptions, 1,016 yards). A engaged nighttime for the scoreboard relation awaits.

No. 2 Dakota Ridge (8-0) vs. No. 10 Golden (7-1)

When/where: 7 p.m. Friday astatine NACC Stadium

Last meeting: Dakota Ridge 45, vs. Golden 3, Nov. 7, 2020

Dakota Ridge’s march to a 2nd consecutive unbeaten regular play gets the archetypal of its 2 biggest roadblocks with Friday night’s showdown with Golden (a sojourn from No. 8 Chatfield awaits adjacent week). Outside of a Week 1 excursion to Florida, the Eagles person been progressive successful thing but blowouts frankincense far, winning games by an mean of 35.5 points. Junior RB Noah Triplett (1,106 full yards) should person Golden’s afloat attention.

Class 3A

No. 1 Roosevelt (7-0) vs. No. 4 Fort Morgan (6-0)

When/where: 7 p.m. Friday astatine Fort Morgan

Last meeting: Roosevelt 17, vs. Fort Morgan 16, Nov. 21, 2020

In a rematch of past year’s 3A authorities playoffs instant classic, elder QB Briggs Wheatley (1,211 yards passing, 471 rushing) and the explosive Fort Morgan discourtesy conscionable the astir dominating defence successful the state. Led by CSU-bound OLB Cooper Walton (45 tackles, 11 for loss), the Roughriders person allowed conscionable 4.7 points per crippled this play portion compiling 81 tackles for loss, 23 turnovers and 4 shutouts. The Riders person notched astatine slightest 1 sack and 1 interception successful each 7 wins this fall. Translation: Wheatley is going to person his hands full.

No. 3 Mead (5-1) vs. No. 6 Holy Family (5-2)

When/where: 7 p.m. Friday astatine Holy Family

Last meeting: Mead 34, vs. Holy Family 7, Oct. 25, 2019

The victor of this 1 gets rod presumption successful the contention for the 3A North Central 2 League crown. Holy Family is simply a week removed from gutting retired a 42-35 overtime triumph implicit No. 7 Frederick, a crippled that saw sophomore QB Rylan Cooney propulsion for 326 yards and six TDs. Mead has an businesslike awesome caller of its ain successful elder Gavin Garrettson (740 passing yards, 13 TDs), and a defence that has surrendered single-digit points successful each but 1 crippled — a 37-7 nonaccomplishment to top-ranked Roosevelt.