By Matt Schubert

Copyright denverpost

No. 5 Mountain Vista (5-0) vs. No. 4 Valor Christian (4-1)

When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Valor Stadium

Last meeting: Mountain Vista 62, vs. Valor Christian 21, Oct. 4, 2024

Radio: 92.5 FM, Altitude Radio

A year ago, Mountain Vista blasted Valor Christian for its first win against the 5A juggernaut in nine tries. No doubt, Valor has had this game circled ever since. With junior quarterback Marquise Reese taking over this fall, Vista has shown it has staying power. But knocking off Valor two years in a row is a tall order. The Eagles are coming off a stunning 38-14 loss at No. 2 Ralston Valley that saw them get shut out in the second half. If Valor wasn’t already focused on revenge, that result surely got its attention.

No. 8 Pine Creek (3-2) vs. No. 6 Legend (4-1)

When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at EchoPark Stadium

Last meeting: Legend 24, at Pine Creek 7, Oct. 5, 2024

Streaming: NFHS Network

Legend and Pine Creek finished 1-2 in the 5A Southern League standings a year ago. Whoever wins this one will be in the driver’s seat after the first week of league play. Legend rebounded well from an overtime loss to No. 3 Arvada West, routing Castle View, 55-13, last week. The Titans offense is as explosive as any with Boston College commit DJ Bordeaux (1,406 total yards) taking snaps. Pine Creek had trouble stopping top-ranked Cherry Creek a week ago. More troubling, the Eagles were shut out for the first time in the MaxPreps era (since 2004).

No. 9 Grandview (3-2) vs. Arapahoe (2-3)

When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at LPS Stadium

Last meeting: Arapahoe 25, at Grandview 13, Oct. 4, 2024

Streaming: NFHS Network

Who will be the team to challenge Cherry Creek atop the Centennial League? The winner of this game has finished either tied for first or second in the standings each of the past four years. Grandview is battle-tested, with its two losses coming to No. 2 Ralston Valley and No. 6 Legend. The Wolves outscored their last two opponents 81-10 following those setbacks, with RB Chris Blanks running for 240 yards combined. Arapahoe has won three straight in this series, but is 0-2 against ranked 5A opponents.

Heritage (3-2) vs. No. 7 Golden (5-0)

When/where: 7 p.m. Thursday at NAAC Stadium

Last meeting: Heritage 28, vs. Golden 7, Oct. 3, 2024

Streaming: NFHS Network

Are the Golden Demons for real? This test against a talented Heritage Eagles squad should reveal a lot. While Golden enters the matchup unbeaten, the Demons’ five opponents have a combined record of 2-25. Heritage hasn’t lost to a 4A opponent, with its two losses coming to Littleton rivals Arapahoe and Columbine. The quarterback matchup between Heritage senior Jamison Seese (1,443 total yards) and Golden junior Thatcher Matthews (1,128) should be a good one.

Ponderosa (3-2) vs. No. 1 Dakota Ridge (5-0)

When/where: 7 p.m. Thursday at Jeffco Stadium

Last meeting: Dakota Ridge 14, vs. Ponderosa 0, Nov. 22, 2024

Streaming: NFHS Network

The top-ranked Eagles looked every bit the 4A title contender through a nonleague gauntlet that included wins over two 5A teams (Chatfield and Cherokee Trail), a top-10 3A team (Pomona) and an out-of-state squad. Now comes a rugged 4A South Metro League schedule against teams with a combined 20-5 record. While Ponderosa accounts for two of those losses, the Mustangs just beat Falcon and 5A Chaparral by an 83-43 margin. Junior QB Noah Anacleto threw for 651 yards and 10 TDs in those wins. With three receivers (Blake Katsoff, Derek Niday, Troy WcWhorter) already over 300 yards this season, he’s got weapons.

Bear Creek (5-0) vs. Highlands Ranch (4-1)

When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Halftime Help Stadium

Last meeting: Highlands Ranch 43, at Bear Creek 20, Oct. 4, 2024

Streaming: NFHS Network

Speaking of the 4A South Metro League, Bear Creek and Highlands Ranch meet in a clash of rising 4A powers that could have a big impact on playoff seeding down the line. Bear Creek blew out every team it faced in a breezy nonleague schedule (5-20 combined record) behind prolific junior QB Riley Wilson (1,284 yards, 16 TDs passing). Now, the Bears are 5-0 for the first time in 20 years and looking to avenge last year’s loss to Highlands Ranch. The Eagles, 4-1 for the second straight season, are fitting in nicely at the 4A level. Considering who’s left on the schedule, a win here would be big.

No. 6 Holy Family (3-1) vs. No. 2 Mead (4-0)

When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Mead HS

Last meeting: Mead 22, at Holy Family 15, Oct. 4, 2024

Good luck getting into the end zone vs. Mead. Only two have done so through four games, and both of those TDs came in the second half of blowouts. The degree of difficulty goes up a notch this week, however, with the Mavs welcoming Holy Family to Longmont for both teams’ nonleague finale. Holy Family is coming off a stunning 35-14 loss at Pueblo East. Prior to that, the Tigers had been averaging 39.0 points per game. Cut down on the turnovers — Pueblo East had four takeaways last week — and these Tigers are dangerous.

No. 10 Eagle Valley (6-0) vs. Steamboat Springs (4-0)

When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Gardner Field

Last meeting: Eagle Valley 49, vs. Steamboat Springs 14, Oct. 4, 2024

There is only one matchup of unbeatens in the entire state Friday night, and shockingly enough, it’s happening in Steamboat Springs. While Steamboat Springs is chasing its first 5-0 start to a season in 16 years, Eagle Valley has already matched the program’s highest win total in 10 years. Eagle Valley senior Keaden Lake (773 all-purpose yards, 16 TDs) is a touchdown waiting to happen. A sturdy Steamboat Springs defense (7.25 points allowed per game), led by ball-hawking safety Luke Jordan (6 INTs), awaits.

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