Colorado High School Coaches Association/MaxPreps Fab Five football rankings, Week 2
About the CHSCA/MaxPreps polls: Head coaches are invited to vote on the top teams in their classification. Five points are awarded for a first-place vote, four for a second-place vote, etc., to determine the rankings.
Photo by Patrick Miller
Conner Roach (21) helped lead Cherry Creek to a 45-27 win over Smoky Hill on Friday.
Class 5A
1. Mullen
2. Columbine
3. Bear Creek
4. Grandview
5. Cherry Creek
Others receiving votes: Pomona, Arvada West, ThunderRidge, Chatfield and Fairview.
Class 4A
1. Greeley West
2. Monarch
3. Heritage
4. Pine Creek
5. Wheat Ridge
Others receiving votes: Fountain-Fort Carson, Littleton, Longmont, Pueblo West, Dakota Ridge.
Class 3A
1. Steamboat Springs
2. Fort Morgan
3. Conifer
4. Pueblo County
5. Centaurus
Others receiving votes: Windsor, Falcon, Mountain View, Pueblo Central and Palisade.
Class 2A
1. Olathe
2. Faith Christian
3. Erie
4. Platte Valley
5. Florence
Others receiving votes: Aspen.
Class A
1. Akron
2. Yuma
3. Wray
4. Limon
5. Rye
Others receiving votes: Calhan, Lyons, Hotchkiss,Holyoke, Ignacio, Dolores and Highland.
Class A 8-Man
1. Merino
2. Dayspring Christian
3. Sanford
4. Stratton
5. Walsh
Others receiving votes: Cheyenne Wells and Holly.
Class A 6-Man
1. Hi-Plains
2. Idalia
3. Otis
4. Peetz
5. Fleming
Others receiving votes: Hilltop Baptist and South Baca.
On the schedule
Want to catch a game this week? Here are a few that are worth the drive:
Thursday: Legacy looked impressive in a 29-7 opening win against Mountain Range, which was highlighted by a state-record 67-yard field goal by Kip Smith. The Lightning head to Fort Collins for a Class 5A Northern League matchup against the Lambkins, who trounced Northglenn 41-6 in Week 1. While some of the more established powers get the attention in Class 4A, don't fall asleep on Rock Canyon. The Jaguars rolled Castle View 48-13 behind five TD passes from Drew Sandlin (three to Keith Link). They will get to test themselves against perennial power Fountain-Fort Carson and top running back Quinton Lawson.
Friday: Ponderosa christened the new Burt.com Stadium in Parker with a win against Rampart, and the Mustangs now come across town to meet highly regarded Chatfield at Jefferson County Stadium. The Chargers are led by quarterback Sam Stratton, who has committed to Wyoming and had touchdown runs of 82, 96 and 68 yards in a romp of Dakota Ridge. Elsewhere in Class 5A, Highlands Ranch-area rivals ThunderRidge and Mountain Vista meet, while Fairview heads north to meet Rocky Mountain in a key early game in the Front Range League.
The 4A game of the night appears to be Broomfield at top-ranked Greeley West, but keep an eye on a big rivalry game between Wheat Ridge and Golden. The defending champion Farmers have won 15 in a row, but quarterback Ryan Stokes gives the Demons a chance. Stokes passed for 358 yards and five TDs against Denver South in Week 1.
The overall game of the week is in 3A, where Mountain View will be at second-ranked Fort Morgan. With all due respect to the other teams in the Tri-Valley League, this one could decide the league title. Don't forget the annual grudge match on the eastern plains when Wray heads to Burlington for a top Class A contest.
Saturday: If you get the opportunity, head out to Denver Lutheran to catch top-ranked Akron. The Rams are making a rare trip to the metro area, so go see them while you can. The three-time defending Class A champions have won 40 in a row.
In case you missed it
Check out the video-game like numbers Sierra quarterack Mark Hatcher posted in a 62-56 victory against Palmer on Friday. Hatcher passed for 321 yards and three TDs and also rushed for 112 more (on only five carries) and four scores. That's 433 yards of total offense, and the Stallions amassed 772 yards overall (451 on the ground). Tyrell Johnson (173) and Willie Saunders (130) also turned in big games rushing for Sierra.
Follow MaxPreps Colorado editor Gerry Valerio on Twitter for Colorado high school sports updates.