In Attendance: Week Eleven Games

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week 11 kicks off tomorrow with the 3A classification wrapping up its regular season, while the rest of the classifications start the first week of the postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the playoff teams that secured the first-round bye, this week will provide an extra opportunity to prepare for next. Every playoff team is in a must-win situation, and some 3A teams must do the same if there is to be a shot at the postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This article will preview the match-ups I will attend and the players on the radar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"25px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:25px"><strong>Wheat Ridge (2-7) at Littleton (5-4) | Thursday, November 3, 2022 | 6:00 P.M.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wheat Ridge Farmers will be traveling to Littleton to take on the Lions following their fifth consecutive loss to Evergreen, whereas the Lions are coming off their fourth loss of the season to an undefeated Green Mountain team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Pregame Perceptions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Littleton has battled injuries that set them back in their last games, but they will enter the final game of the regular season with two of their top players back on the field. With the expectation of getting their powerful run game back on track, this game should make for an exciting one that may come down to the strength of the Wheat Ridge defense.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A healthy Littleton offense has proven to be tough to stop, which will put pressure on the Wheat Ridge offense to put points on the board to avoid letting this one get out of hand.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Regardless of the outcome of this game, the Lions will break a seven-year streak of finishing below 500. However, if Littleton wins, it will be the program's first winning season since 2009, making this game an important one for the program's legacy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Wheat Ridge's Top Players</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sam Christensen</strong> | 2023 QB | 107 of 192 for 1,612 YDS, 9 TD, 13 INT; 63 CAR, 290 YDS, 1 TD<br><strong>Moses Archuleta</strong> | 2023 RB/S | 110 CAR, 551 YDS, 7 TD; 10 REC, 84 YDS, 1 TD; 35 TCK, 1 TFL, 2 FF, 1 FMB REC<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='744308' first='Isaac' last='McCune']</strong> | 2025 WR | 27 REC, 595 YDS, 5 TD; 26 TCK, 4 INT, 2 FMB REC, 1 FF, 1 PBU<br><strong>Ezequiel Estrada</strong> | 2023 LB | 86 TCK, 1 TFL, 3 PBU<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='547597' first='Angel' last='Bueno']</strong> | 2025 LB/OL | 70 TCK, 11 TFL, 1 sack</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Other Farmers to watch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Eric Gassman</strong> | 2023 RB/ATH<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='547614' first='Frank' last='Erickson']</strong> | 2024 WR/CB<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='285518' first='Bennett' last='Wilkes']</strong> | 2025 WR/ATH</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Littleton's Top Players</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tim Higgins</strong> | 2023 QB | 82 of 168 for 1,328 YDS, 10 TD, 9 INT; 9 CAR, 37 YDS<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='218214' first='Brycen' last='Mhlanga']</strong> | 2023 RB | 134 CAR, 1,019 YDS, 16 TD; 5 REC, 60 YDS; 12 TCK, 3 PBU<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='247242' first='Aidan' last='Lauer']</strong> | 2023 WR/CB | 36 REC, 744 YDS, 8 TD; 26 TCK, 1 TFL, 2 INT, 1 PBU, 1 FMB REC<br><strong>Conor Wherry </strong>| 2023 FB/LB | 47 CAR, 262 YDS, 3 TD; 11 REC, 100 YDS, 1 TD; 21 TCK, 3 INT, 1 FF, 1 PBU<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='209842' first='Ethan' last='Bird']</strong> | 2023 DE/TE | 26 TCK, 4 TFL, 8 sacks, 6 FF, 2 FMB REC; 11 REC, 225 YDS, 1 TD</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Other Lions to watch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brady Jenkins</strong> | 2023 OL/DL<br><strong>Colton Gerber</strong> | 2024 OL/LB<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='251226' first='Armando' last='Jimenez']</strong> | 2024 SS</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"25px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:25px"><strong>#24 Doherty (7-3) at #9 ThunderRidge (9-1) | Friday, November 4, 2022 | 7:00 P.M.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Doherty Spartans will travel to Highlands Ranch to faceoff against the ThunderRidge Grizzlies in the first round of the 5A state playoffs. The Spartans are coming off an undefeated run in their league, whereas the Grizzlies have a single loss in the entire season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Pregame Perceptions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Grizzlies are favored to win this game as they are the toughest team that Doherty will face since a week five loss to Fountain-Fort Carson in the regular season. The Spartans will have their work cut out for them on both sides of the ball because of ThunderRidge's powerful defense and potent offense. There is, however, an expectation for the Grizzlies to enter this game with a different quarterback at the helm, which could make them a different team than what is on film.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The quarterback change has the potential of making ThunderRidge a contender for a deeper run than in previous years, making this game one to circle as the postseason begins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Doherty's Top Players</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='376781' first='Kaden' last='Becker']</strong> | 2023 QB | 140 of 213 for 1,826 YDS, 21 TD, 4 INT; 47 CAR, 287 YDS, 3 TD<br><strong>Rickey Fletcher</strong> | 2023 RB | 147 CAR, 1,174 YDS, 16 TD; 20 TCK, 1 INT, 2 PBU<br><strong>Solomon</strong> <strong>Latimer</strong> | 2024 WR | 73 REC, 1,027 YDS, 12 TD; 24 TCK, 1 INT, 1 PBU<br><strong>Mikah Jacobs</strong> | 2024 LB | 104 TCK, 2 TFL, 1 QB HUR, 2 sacks, 1 FMB REC<br><strong>Brian Valdez</strong> | 2024 LB | 60 TCK, 2 sacks, 5 PBU; 12 REC; 154 YDS, 2 TD</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Other Spartans to watch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marquez Herrera</strong> | 2023 RB/DB<br><strong>Marcus Chacon</strong> | 2024 LB<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='503781' first='Logan' last='Hutcheon']</strong> | 2024 WR</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">ThunderRidge's Top Players</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cooper Kier</strong> | 2023 QB | 98 of 163 for 1,398 YDS, 14 TD, 9 INT; 62 CAR, 380 YDS, 3 TD<br><strong>Cole Hanchett</strong> | 2023 RB | 94 CAR, 723 YDS, 7 TD<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='150172' first='Richard' last='Okuno']</strong> | 2023 WR | 31 REC, 412 YDS, 6 TD; 8 TCK<br><strong>Aiden Olshan</strong> | 2023 MLB | 129 TCK, 31 TFL, 4 sacks, 3 QB HUR, 4 PBU, 2 INT, 1 FMB REC<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='209840' first='Kaden' last='Shouse']</strong> | 2023 DE | 60 TCK, 24 TFL, 11 sacks, 16 QB HUR, 1 FF, 1 FMB REC, 1 PBU</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Other Grizzlies to watch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Caleb Keith</strong> | 2023 LB/DB<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='503779' first='CJ' last='Reese']</strong> | 2024 WR<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212243' first='DJ' last='Bordeaux']</strong> | 2026 QB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"25px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:25px"><strong>#22 Air Academy (6-4) at #11 Erie (6-4) | Saturday, November 5, 2022 | 11:00 A.M.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Air Academy Kadets will travel to Erie to take on the Tigers in the first round of the 4A state playoffs. The Kadets are coming off a loss to Rampart, while the Tigers will enter this game after a big win over Greeley West.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Pregame Perceptions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Air Academy has one the state's leading rushers, giving them a powerful ground attack on offense. Erie has a talented team that had some struggles early in the season, but are entering the postseason with every intention of reaching the state final for the second year in a row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even with a dominant run game, the Kadets are coming into this game as the underdog who will face a potent offensive attack and a dominant defensive front that is home to one of the best junior defensive ends in the state. The focus for this game will be on Erie to see how capable the Tigers are at bouncing back from their early hiccups as they look to work their way into a deep playoff run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Air Academy's Top Players</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='62218' first='Braden' last='Dougherty']</strong> | 2023 QB | 81 of 148 for 1,320 YDS, 17 TD, 4 INT<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='22753' first='Sam' last='Beers']</strong> | 2023 RB | 192 CAR, 1,583 YDS, 21 TDS; 5 REC, 115 YDS, 2 TD<br><strong>Joey McLaughlin</strong> | 2023 WR | 24 REC, 484 YDS, 5 TD; 39 CAR, 346 YDS, 2 TD<br><strong>Shelten Krasinski</strong>| 2023 OL/DL | 86 TCK, 8 TFL, 1 sack, 1 QB HUR, 1 FMB REC<br><strong>Collin Dougherty</strong> | 2023 WR/DB | 34 TCK, 2 TFL, 3 INT, 1 PBU, 1 FF; 8 REC, 85 YDS, 2 TD</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Other Kadets to watch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stanten Krasinski</strong> | 2023 OL/DL<br><strong>King Rogers</strong> | 2024 WR<br><strong>Jaiden Finkle</strong>| 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Erie's Top Players</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='143622' first='Blake' last='Barnett']</strong> | 2024 QB | 107 of 198 for 1,800 YDS, 19 TD, 3 INT; 76 CAR, 673 YDS, 11 TD; 6 TCK, 2 PBU<br><strong>Trey Khanna</strong> | 2023 RB/DB | 79 CAR, 572 YDS, 7 TD; 14 REC, 197 YDS, 4 TD; 13 TCK, 2 PBU<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='62229' first='Caden' last='Lettis']</strong> | 2023 WR/ATH | 32 REC, 676 YDS, 7 TD; 5 TCK, 1 sack<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='251219' first='Jackson' last='Cowgill']</strong> | 2024 DE | 25 TCK, 1 TFL, 6 sacks, <br><strong>Darryk Hall</strong> | 2023 DB | 64 TCK, 2 INT, 2 FMB REC</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Other Tigers to watch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jayce Ohnstad</strong> | 2023 LB<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='675339' first='Carson' last='Hageman']</strong> | 2025 LB<br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='503796' first='Gavin' last='Lusk']</strong> | 2025 RB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"25px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:25px"><strong>Other Notable Week Eleven Games</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>There are more than a few games kicking off this week worth watching. Here is a look at my top runner-up games and a name to know from each team.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#20 Rocky Mountain (5-5) at #13 Mountain Vista (7-3) | Thursday at 6:00 P.M.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Abraham Chatila</em></strong><em> - Rocky Mountain - 2024 RB </em><br><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='232153' first='Austyn' last='Modrzewski']</em></strong><em> - Mountain Vista - 2025 QB</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#18 Poudre (7-3) at #15 Legend (6-4) | Thursday at 7:00 P.M.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Quentin Harms</em></strong><em> - Poudre - 2023 QB </em><br><strong><em>John Brookhart</em></strong><em> - Legend - 2023 QB</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Frederick (7-2) at George Washington (8-1) | Thursday at 7:00 P.M.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='150204' first='Cruz' last='Zamudio']</em></strong><em> - Frederick - 2023 RB </em><br><strong><em>Marquevios Lee</em></strong><em> - George Washington - 2025 RB</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#25 Eaglecrest (7-3) at #22 Fountain-Fort Carson (7-3) | Friday at 7:00 P.M.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Peyton Taylor</em></strong><em> - Eaglecrest - 2023 CB/ATH </em><br><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='22751' first='Tavian' last='Tuli']</em></strong><em> - Fountain-Fort Carson - 2023 QB</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Widefield (9-1) at Skyline (6-4) | Friday at 7:00 P.M</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Paul Mitchell</em></strong><em> - Widefield - 2024 QB </em><br><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='22741' first='Kaiden' last='Box']</em></strong><em> - Skyline - 2023 QB</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Bear Creek (6-4) at Windsor (6-4) | Friday at 7:00 P.M</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Adrian Rico</em></strong><em> - Bear Creek - 2024 QB </em><br><strong><em>Jaden Thomas</em></strong><em> - Windsor - 2023 RB</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->