Pomona, ranked fourth in Class 5A in preseason polls, features a tough stretch to start the season. The Panthers open with defending champion and top-ranked Valor Christian, then meet No. 2 Cherry Creek.
File photo by Carl Auer
The 2014 Colorado prep football season is nearly upon us, and the
first two weeks of the season will feature a number of impressive matchups
throughout all classifications. Here is a look at the top games for the month of August (Updated 8/18):
1. Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch) at Pomona (Arvada), 7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 28 (North Area Athletic Complex)
Valor Christian has claimed the past two 5A state
championships and five state titles in a row overall. This one comes after a tough Zero Week game, when the Eagles will travel to Idaho to play Bonneville (Idaho Falls). Valor, ranked No. 1 in the CHSAANow preseason poll, returns a
strong secondary, including Eric Lee Jr. – who has committed to the
University of Nebraska. The Panthers, who should have an impressive crowd for
the Thursday night contest, have the Valor game sandwiched between Cherokee
Trail and Cherry Creek.
2. Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village) at Regis Jesuit (Aurora), 7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 29 (Lou Kellogg Stadium)
Two perennial 5A contenders open the season with a bang in what is sure to
be a hard-fought contest. The No. 2 Bruins advanced to the state quarterfinals
a year ago, while No. 7 Regis Jesuit was knocked off in the second round by
Grandview. Milo Hall led Cherry Creek in rushing as a junior with 1,406 yards
and 14 TDs. Quarterback Matt Houghtaling threw for 16 touchdowns as a junior for Regis
Jesuit and rushed for seven more scores.
3. Montrose at Delta, 7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 29
While these two teams aren’t in the same classification,
bragging rights are still at stake between the Western Slope foes, in one of the nation's oldest rivalries. The
Indians are ranked No. 2 in 4A after advancing to the state championship game a
year ago, and the Panthers are second in 3A. Montrose, which has a tough Zero
Week opener against Grand Junction, returns a pair of all-state performers in leading
rusher Mike Rocha and lineman Matt Maestas.
4. Pueblo Centennial at Pine Creek (Colorado Springs), 7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 22 (District 20 Stadium)
Pine Creek captured the 4A state title a year ago in
impressive fashion, and the top-ranked Eagles draw No. 9 Pueblo Centennial in a
Zero Week contest. Senior defensive back Avery Anderson has committed to the
University of Nebraska, while quarterback Tommy Lazzaro had 21 touchdown passes
as a junior. The Bulldogs missed out on a playoff berth a year ago but are
hoping to make an early impression against Pine Creek. Quincy Kindred and Caleb Miranda both rushed for more than 1,000 yards as juniors.
5. Faith Christian (Arvada) at Manitou Springs, 7 p.m., Friday, Aug.
29
Another early 2A showdown features the state runner-up
Eagles visiting state semifinalist Manitou Springs. The Mustangs were perfect
last fall until a late score sent Platte Valley into the title game against
Faith Christian. Daniel Langewisch tallied more than 1,700 yards and 24 TDs on the ground for Faith Christian as
a junior; Malachi Peterson was a defensive force for the Mustangs a year ago
with 10 sacks. Both teams have new coaches this season: Ralph Nance (Faith Christian) and Monte Gutowski (Manitou Springs).
6. The Classical Academy (Colorado Springs) at Delta, 7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 22
The Titans open with a tough 1-2 punch of Western Slope
teams, making the drive to visit another 2013 3A state semifinalist in Delta. Both
teams were close to advancing to the title game last fall and intend to be in
the mix again this season. The Panthers are ranked second in the state in the
preseason poll. Cade Gafford passed for 2,290 yards and 25 touchdowns a year
ago, and as a sophomore Jonathon Ponce topped the 1,700-yard rushing mark.
TCA’s Charlie Calvert had more than 100 tackles and 3.5 sacks as a junior.
7. Strasburg at Platte Valley (Kersey), 7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 29
The 2A defending state champions actually open up the season
the week before as Platte Valley hosts 1A’s fifth-ranked Resurrection Christian (Loveland). Turning around and facing No. 7 Strasburg will only be tougher,
though the Broncos did have some strong underclassmen on a talented defensive
core last fall. Strasburg senior Jacob Smith was an all-state selection a year
ago with nearly 1,500 yards and 15 TDs.
8. Palisade at The Classical Academy, 7 p.m., Friday, Aug.
29
Another quarterfinal rematch, this time from the 3A ranks,
features two heavy-hitters. The Titans, ranked No. 7, held off Palisade by
three points last fall before falling by one point to eventual state champion
Coronado in the semis. Palisade is ranked No. 8 overall but graduated a pair of
1,000-plus yard running backs, among others.
9. Monte Vista at Paonia, 7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 29
Defending Class 1A state champion Paonia kicks off the
season with a rematch of a state quarterfinal last fall. The Eagles eliminated
Monte Vista 31-15 in that contest, and junior quarterback Taylor Walters – who
rushed for nearly 2,000 yards and 25 touchdowns as a sophomore – is back to
lead Paonia. Monte Vista opens the season ranked No. 7 in the preseason poll.
Other notable contests:
Aug. 22: Fountain-Fort Carson (Fountain) at Columbine (Littleton);
Resurrection Christian at Platte Valley; Grand Junction at Montrose.
Aug. 28: Denver South at Loveland.
Aug. 29: ThunderRidge (Highlands Ranch) at Cherokee Trail;
Lewis-Palmer (Monument) at Evergreen; Roosevelt (Johnstown) at Windsor; Lamar at
Burlington; Yuma at Limon; Norwood at Dove Creek;
Stratton/Liberty at Idalia; Peetz at Arickaree/Woodlin.
Aug. 30: Fairview (Boulder) at Grand Junction.
