Class 5A
No. 10 Columbine (6-3) vs. No. 8 Pomona (6-3)
When/where: 4 p.m. Thursday at NAAC Stadium
Last meeting: Pomona 14, at Columbine 11, Nov. 13, 2020
Pomona can put the finishing touches on its incredible in-season turnaround from 0-2 to 5A Jeffco League champs with the program’s third straight win over Columbine. The Panthers defense has allowed double-digit scoring just once in league play — a 42-14 win over Arvada West — while winning four in a row. The visiting Rebels are 1-2 against ranked opponents this fall, including last week’s 35-14 loss to Ralston Valley.
No. 4 Arapahoe (8-1) vs. No. 6 Grandview (7-2)
When/where: 7 p.m. Thursday at Legacy Stadium
Last meeting: Grandview 38, at Arapahoe 7, Oct. 9, 2020
The last thing standing between Arapahoe and an unbeaten run through the 5A Centennial League is Grandview — a program the Warriors last beat in 2015. That also happens to be the last time Arapahoe started a season 9-1. A Wolves win, coupled with a Cherry Creek victory over Smoky Hill, would leave the Centennial League with a three-way tie atop the standings.
No. 9 ThunderRidge (8-1) vs. No. 1 Valor Christian (9-0)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Valor Stadium
Last meeting: Valor 49, vs. ThunderRidge 28, Oct. 25, 2019
A win away from its seventh consecutive league title, Valor Christian faces one last hurdle in its quest to finish the regular season as the lone unbeaten in 5A. ThunderRidge brings a stout defense (10.1 points allowed per game) and five-game win streak to Valor, but the Grizzlies have played just one team currently ranked in the top 10, and it was their only loss (38-14 at Arapahoe). If they do pull off the upset, it will be their first win in five tries against Valor.
Arvada West (7-2) vs. No. 5 Ralston Valley (8-1)
When/where: 7:30 p.m. Friday at NAAC Stadium
Last meeting: Ralston Valley 35, at Arvada West 7, Nov. 12, 2020
A-West’s return to football relevance has a chance to come full circle Friday, when the Wildcats attempt to snap an 11-game losing streak to their cross town rivals that dates back to 2010. The closest A-West has come to knocking off Ralston Valley was a 20-14 loss in 2017. That also happens to match the most points they’ve scored on the Mustangs during that time. Even with prolific QB Ethan Cook (1,747 passing yards, 19 TDs) under center, exorcising those RV demons will be no easy task.
Class 4A
No. 10 Golden (7-2) vs. Bear Creek (7-2)
When/where: 6 p.m. Thursday at Trailblazer Stadium
Last meeting: Golden 28, vs. Bear Creek 6, Nov. 13, 2020
Few have had their hearts broken over the past two weeks quite like the Demons — a period that saw their 7-0 start dampened by down-to-the-wire losses to Chatfield (50-49) and Dakota Ridge (45-38). Another shootout likely awaits against Bear Creek and its explosive offense led by QB Jaedon Minter (1,873 passing yards, 18 TDs), RB Ryan Segovia (1,001 rushing yards, 12 TDs) and WR Blake Mcomber (797 receiving yards, 10 TDs).
Ponderosa (6-3) vs. No. 1 Montrose (9-0)
When/where: 6 p.m. Friday at Montrose
Last meeting: Ponderosa 21, vs. Montrose 14, Nov. 6, 2020
The Mustangs’ recent mastery of Montrose (three straight wins) will be put to the test Friday as the Indians attempt to complete their first unbeaten regular season in more than 17 years. Ponderosa limps into the game having lost two of three, including a 10-7 loss to Vista Ridge last week. Montrose has scored 40-plus three weeks in a row but will get plenty of resistance from a Mustangs defense that has 61 tackles for loss and 25 takeaways this season.
No. 5 Palmer Ridge (8-1) vs. No. 9 Vista Ridge (6-2)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Vista Ridge
Last meeting: Vista Ridge 40, vs. Palmer Ridge 28, Sept. 25, 2015
Two of the state’s top young QBs meet with Palmer Ridge sophomore Derek Hester facing off against Vista Ridge junior Brayden Dorman. The deciding factor, however, may be the defenses. Vista Ridge has surrendered a touchdown or less in four of five games, the lone hiccup coming against No. 1 Montrose. Meanwhile, the Palmer Ridge defense has 27 sacks and seven interceptions, including four picks from UNLV-bound Anthony Costanzo.
No. 7 Chatfield (7-2) vs. No. 2 Dakota Ridge (9-0)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Jeffco Stadium
Last meeting: Dakota Ridge 51, at Chatfield 0, Nov. 13, 2020
Dakota Ridge survived a scare last week, holding on to beat Golden 45-38 in a wild back-and-forth affair. Can Chatfield and workhorse tailback Jake Marschall (190 carries, 1,205 yards) match touchdowns with the Eagles? Easier said than done. Dakota Ridge has scored 40-plus in eight straight games. And it’s not just its balanced offense (1,500 rushing, 1,533 passing) that lights up the scoreboard. The Eagles’ defense and special teams both have four touchdowns apiece this fall.
