The North Area Athletic Complex (NAAC) in Arvada will host a pair of Class 5A football heavyweight tilts in Week 2.
Four teams — ThunderRidge, Ralston Valley, Cherry Creek and Pomona — ranked in the top six of this week’s CHSAANow.com Class 5A football poll will square off at the Jeffco School District’s football/soccer complex on Highway 93 and 64th Parkway in Arvada.
(4) Cherry Creek (1-0) vs. (6) Pomona (1-0) 7 p.m. Friday
The Cherry Creek Bruins racked up 340 yards of total offense en route to a 42-6 victory in their season opener in Clovis, N.M. Junior Milo Hall led the way on the ground for Cherry Creek with 57 yards rushing and a pair of touchdowns. Senior Mikey McCauley had a big game with four catches for 107 yards and a touchdown.
The Pomona Panthers rallied from a 14-6 deficit through three quarters last week on the road against 4A Broomfield. The Panthers pulled out a 21-14 victory thanks to 15 unanswered points in the fourth quarter and Pomona’s defense shutting out Broomfield in the second half.
Senior Chris Marquez carried much of the load with 25 carries for 188 yards on the ground. Seniors Konner Burns and Lukas Russell each found the end zone in the fourth quarter to push Pomona to victory.
(2) ThunderRidge (1-0) vs. (3) Ralston Valley (2-0) 7 p.m. Saturday
The ThunderRidge Grizzlies’ home opener went as planned with a 30-7 victory over 4A Dakota Ridge. The Grizzlies advanced into the 5A semifinals of the state playoffs last season before falling to eventual champion Valor Christian.
The Ralston Valley Mustangs had a similar ending to last season, falling to eventual state runner-up Cherokee Trail in other 5A semifinal. The Mustangs are off to a strong start with wins over Mullen and 4A Longmont.
Senior quarterback Jacob Knipp has some impressive passing numbers so far going 38-of-44 through the air for 496 yards and four touchdowns. Junior Andrew Wingard had a monster game against Longmont last week with 18 carries for 217 yards and five touchdowns.
Heritage 5, Chaparral 4, Fort Collins 2, Fruita Monument 2, Abraham Lincoln 0, Arvada West 0, Aurora Central 0, Bear Creek 0, Brighton 0, Castle View 0.
Class 4A
RK
TEAM
PTS
PVS
1
Kent Denver (3)
39
1
2
Niwot (1)
36
2
3
Colorado Academy
31
3
4
Cheyenne Mountain
28
4
5
Air Academy
24
5
6
Steamboat Springs
17
7
7
Valor Christian
16
8
8
Mullen
12
9
9
Discovery Canyon
10
6
10
Greeley Central
6
–
Others receiving votes:
Vail Mountain 1, Alameda 0, Alexander Dawson 0, Arvada 0, Aspen 0, Broomfield 0, C.S. Christian 0, C.S. School 0, Canon City 0, Cedaredge 0.
We’ve got a No. 2 vs. No. 3 showdown on our hands this Saturday in Class 5A football.
ThunderRidge, following an impressive showing, bumped up one spot from its preseason No. 3 ranking in this week’s CHSAANow.com football poll. And Ralston Valley, the Grizzlies’ opponent this weekend, went from seventh to third after two big wins.
Valor Christian remained in the top spot, and garnered 22 of the 23 first-place votes. Cherry Creek stayed put at fourth, while Grandview (No. 5) and Pomona (No. 6) swapped spots.
Columbine is seventh in the 5A ranking, and Cherokee Trail dropped from second to eighth following its loss to Chatfield.
Regis Jesuit moved up one spot to ninth, and Fairview is the lone new team to the 5A poll, at tenth. The Knights edged Chatfield with 42 total points to the Chargers’ 38. Grandview and Arapahoe are also just on the fringe.
The 4A ranking continued to be led by Monarch, and added Montrose (No. 5), Loveland (No. 8) and Dakota Ridge (No. 10).
Silver Creek stayed on top of 3A, which added Palisade (No. 8), Lutheran (No. 9) and D’Evelyn (No. 10).
Platte Valley is the only new No. 1 team among all classifications, having taken over the top spot in 2A following a win over previous No. 1 Kent Denver.
