The Final Countdown: Your Guide to the Best Games of Week 10
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Where has the time gone? In a blink of an eye, Week 10 of the high school football season is among us. Since the season began way back during the final week of August, schools from across the 303 have…
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Continue ReadingWhere has the time gone? In a blink of an eye, Week 10 of the high school football season is among us. Since the season began way back during the final week of August, schools from across the 303 have been given the chance to prove that they belong amongst the best in the state. After a long, grueling 2021 campaign that has regained a sense of normalcy compared to a season ago, we are only a matter of days before finding out who will battle it out in the state playoff tournaments. Contenders have presented their prowess, while pretenders have fizzled out and failed to maintain the success that they had been so confident in achieving during the offseason. It’s do or die time! Who will be going into the Halloween weekend gobbling up candy to soak away their sorrows? And who will be jumping off the wall with joy twenty Pixy Styx later on the ultimate sugar high celebrating a win to wrap up the regular season? It’s time Week 10 baby!
#4 Arapahoe (8-1) vs #6 Grandview (7-2)
**Final on Thursday, October 28th, 2021**
#4 Arapahoe 13, #6 Grandview 32
Last Meeting: Grandview 38, Arapahoe 7, Oct 9th, 2020
Preview:
When these two schools last faced off over a year ago, both teams were trying to just finish the season at the .500 mark. Fast forward 383 days later, and each squad has their eyes on something so much greater. Both teams are expected to be invited to the big dance in less than two weeks, but this marquee matchup will play a big role in determining what seed the Warriors and Wolves end up obtaining. Additionally, a win for the Warriors will capture the 5A Centennial League crown, while Grandview can have a share of the league title with a victory. Arapahoe comes into this matchup with a program defining victory two weeks ago over #2 ranked Cherry Creek and a 38-14 thumping against Smoky Hill, proving that they can beat anyone in the state they line up across. The Warriors like to shove the ball down their enemies throats, exemplifying a type of physicality that is impossible to overcome late in ball games. They are led with experience at the QB position in senior field general Cole Hansen Cole Hansen 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB Arapahoe | 2022 State CO . Not to mention their swarming defense can also cause issues for the opposition, as Arapahoe finished the day against the Bruins accounting for five sacks. Senior standout MLB Jack Weiler is the anchor to that defense, as the 5’9″ 190 pound linebacker has racked up 73 tackles with 3.5 TFL in nine games thus far. For the sixth-ranked Grandview Wolves, look for RB Moosah Alsaffar Moosah Alsaffar 5'9" | RB Grandview | 2022 State CO to have a big day, as he has averaged 103.5 yards per game and has compiled 621 rushing yards on 105 attempts and six TD’s.
#9 ThunderRidge (8-1) vs #1 Valor Christian (9-0)
Friday, October 29th @ 7PM
Last Meeting: Valor 49, ThunderRidge 28, Oct. 25, 2019
Preview:
No one has been more successful over the past decade than the Valor Christian Eagles, as a win would guarantee yet another undefeated regular season and the #1 overall seed in the playoffs. The Eagles have playmakers on both sides of the ball, flaunting their next level speed and strength on every down. There is hard to find a weakness on this roster, as many of the athletes will be playing ball at the next level. A big reason why Valor has been so efficient is the lack of turnovers on the offensive side of the ball. QB Colton Allen Colton Allen 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB Valor Christian | 2022 State CO has only thrown it to a different jersey other than his own one time. On top of that, Allen has pushed the ball down the field, averaging 15.1 yards per pass attempt to go along with 14 touchdown strikes and 1,508 yards through the air. Of course, it helps when you have the #1 ranked Colorado prospect in senior RB Gavin Sawchuck, whose 22 total rushing touchdowns on the year does more than relieve the pressure off Allen’s shoulders to make plays. Be on the lookout for LB Cayden Hawkins in this one as well, as he has been a human wrecking ball thus far, blowing up play after play in the back field like TNT detonation. His 9.0 TFL leads the team and it shows off his knack for being a lethal disrupter. At 8-1, many believe that ThunderRidge is a dark horse contender in the Class of 5A. After dropping a contest against Arapahoe on September 17th, the Grizzlies have rattled off five straight; including decisive wins over Highlands Ranch and Mountain Vista. ThunderRidge is a team that has experience on their side, with a majority of their roster being senior heavy. Their prolific offense is a big reason for their record, as they have scored less than 30 points only twice. Look for QB Seth Frasier Seth Frasier QB ThunderRidge | 2022 State CO to continue his stellar play, as the Grizzlies signal caller has been on a torrid stretch the last few games. Frasier is 94/153 passing with 1,480 yards, 26 TD’s, and only 7 INT’s on the 2021 campaign. He is also averaging nearly 90 yards on the ground, demonstrating his dual-threat ability. It also helps that their three leading receivers happen to be savvy veterans in wideouts Chase Tompkins, Jack Horsford, and Tyler Hunter, all in their fourth year of varsity ball. If any year is the year to make a run at a title, the time is now for the Grizz.
Ponderosa (6-3) vs #1 Montrose (9-0)
Friday, October 29th @ 6PM
Last Meeting: Ponderosa 21, Montrose 14, Nov. 6th, 2020
Preview:
In a battle between two 4A heavyweights, which team will deliver the devastating blow? A year ago in this matchup, it was the Mustangs who gutted out a hard earned 21-14 victory. However, that was a season ago, and Montrose is now 9-0, looking to finish undefeated for the first time in more than 17 years. Ponderosa has three straight wins in this series, but this is a different Indians squad. Coming into the game after a 50-7 dismantling of Air Academy, Montrose has scored at least 40 points in five of their nine games, with most of those coming against pretty stellar competition. In order for the Mustangs to pull off the upset, they will need to find a way to slow down the Indians offensive onslaught, and they do have the athletes on defense to pull it off. LB Brady Porter and two-way star Zachary Pekarek know a thing or two about stopping an offense dead in their tracks. Porter leads the team with 91 tackles, and both players are averaging nearly ten tackles per game. Not to mention, but Pekarek also has been an absolute workhorse at running back, barreling off wimpy tacklers on his way to 735 rushing yards on 114 carries and nine scores. The Mustangs have also gotten solid production from young and hopeful quarterback Andrew Heidel, who has impressed Ponderosa coaches in his first year under center with his smart IQ, heady decision making, and his ability to stretch the field with his legs and keep the defense guessing. With that being said, the Mustangs will still be tested by a program that has all of the confidence in the world, and more talent that they have ever had under head man Brett Mertens. Expect a barnburner from start to finish!
#7 Chatfield (7-2) vs #2 Dakota Ridge (9-0)
Friday, October 29th @ 7PM
Last Meeting: Dakota Ridge 51, Chatfield 0, Nov. 13th, 2020
Preview:
We have an absolute dandy in the lone top ten matchup of 4A, as the powerful Eagles of Dakota Ridge will look to remain unbeaten against the feisty Chatfield Chargers. Dakota Ridge may in fact boast one of the more explosive offenses in the state, as their 47 PPG ranks among Colorado’s best. The one two punch of QB Adam Graves and explosive RB Noah Triplett Noah Triplett 5'9" | 170 lbs | RB Dakota Ridge | 2023 State CO has given opposing defenses fits all year long. Graves has been efficient as it comes, showcasing his array of tools with a strong arm and pinpoint accuracy. The four year QB has a tremendous feel for the pocket, as his awareness has kept plays alive, buying more time for his receivers to gain separation from defensive backs. His stats reiterate his stellar play, as Graves has completed 82/127 passes for 1,447 yards, 16 TD’s and only five INT’s. Triplett has been equally as impressive, rushing for an astounding 953 yards on 133 carries and adding seven touchdowns on the ground. The offense has been rampant for Dakota Ridge, but do not expect Chatfield to be intimidated. In fact, they have quite the high powered attack themselves. The Chargers have averaged a very respectable 36 PPG, and are charged up by a sensational rushing attack. Leading the way is senior RB Jake Marschall, one of the most intriguing backs in the state. His stats definitely pop out at you, as he is averaging 133 yards per game and 6.3 yards per carry. There should be no shortage of scoring in this one. Expect a shootout, and whoever has the ball last may end up victorious.
Chaparral (5-4) vs #3 Legend (8-1)
Friday, October 29th @ 7PM
Last Meeting: Legend 49, Chaparral 0 Oct. 30th, 2020
Preview:
The Pride of Parker. Two heated rivals that are only seven miles apart in distance. Both schools despise each other, and bragging rights are up in the air as the Titans battle it out with the Wolverines on Friday night. A season ago, the game was over by the first quarter, as Legend went on to roll 49-0 against their arch nemesis. Chaparral is much improved this year, but Legend has also taken the next step and looked like a state title contender. The Wolverines will have their hands full, but don’t sleep on the playmakers of their own. QB Kylan Wilson Kylan Wilson 5'11" | 185 lbs | ATH Chaparral | 2022 State CO is incredibly exciting to watch, as he has accounted for 14 TD’s on the ground while averaging over 100 yards per game with his feet. He also has put together quite the aerial display, connecting on a healthy 54% of his passes and throwing for 1,291 yards and firing 14 TD’s. There isn’t much that can be said about the 2021 campaign that the Legend Titans have put together, as they arguably are one of the most talented teams in their school’s history. With multiple DI type players on both sides of the ball, strictly skill alone has overwhelmed Titan opponents. The offense couldn’t be more electric, with QB Colton Warner, RB Bryce Vaz Bryce Vaz 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Legend | 2022 State CO , and WR Jackson Brush Jackson Brush 5'10" | 165 lbs | ATH Legend | 2022 State CO flashing their abilities to light up the score board. The Three Musketeers have accounted for 46 of Legend’s touchdowns on offense with one game left in the regular season. Legend’s ferociousness and relentlessness on defense has also stymied offensive assaults. Bruising LB Zach Runyon is a force to be reckoned with, as the 6’2″ 200 pound beast is capable of dropping ball carriers in the backfield and bull the rushing the quarterback. His 14.0 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks both are team-leading. There’s nothing quite like rivalry games, so expect this contest to be tighter than it appears.