Previewing Three Week-Two Games

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week two of the season is upon us, with a handful of big-time games slated on the schedule. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a list of three games that could have significant implications for the remainder of the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Palmer Ridge vs Mesa Ridge | Thursday at 7:00 P.M.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Palmer Ridge opened its season against a playoff team in Montrose, escaping with a 28-27 win over the Red Hawks. Mesa Ridge opened their season with a massive 57-0 win over Kennedy in week one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Palmer Ridge quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='251258' first='Derek' last='Hester']</strong> (2024) completed nine of his 12 pass attempts for 146 yards and one touchdown while also rushing ten times for 49 yards and three touchdowns. Mesa Ridge QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='744235' first='Bryce' last='Riehl']</strong> (2025) went five of nine for 185 yards and two touchdowns with one four-yard touchdown run.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>James Weir</strong> (2024) was Hester's top-receiving target, tallying 107 yards and one touchdown on six receptions for Palmer Ridge. For Mesa Ridge, <strong>Tanner Widic</strong> (2024) caught three passes for 110 yards and one touchdown, while <strong>Isaiah Jones</strong> (2024) rushed for 123 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Heritage vs Arapahoe | Friday at 7:00 P.M.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Heritage and Arapahoe cross-town rivalry has the potential to be a great game, especially after Heritage's performance in their 35-34 loss to Mountain Vista. Arapahoe's comfortable 31-9 win over Legacy in week one means the Warriors will walk into this game with a head of steam, while the Eagles will be eager to prove that they can line up across from anyone as a worthy opponent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heritage's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='806112' first='Kurt' last='Rossner']</strong> (2024) had a fantastic showing in his varsity debut, completing 23 of his 35 pass attempts for 381 yards and five touchdowns. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='744696' first='Tanner' last='Terch']</strong> (2025) was his top target, racking up 263 yards and three touchdowns on 12 receptions. For Arapahoe, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='777383' first='Trajan' last='Frasier']</strong> (2026) rushed for 108 yards and one touchdown on 17 carriers, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137635' first='Andrew' last='Smart']</strong> (2025) finished with two receptions for 76 yards and one touchdown for an offense that tends to run more of a running scheme.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, the Eagles will be looking to talented senior linebackers <strong>Lucas Madrid</strong> and <strong>Nick Long</strong> to help lead the charge against a powerful offense. The duo had a combined 12 tackles and two tackles for loss in week one. The Warriors will lean on senior defenders <strong>Will Knox</strong> and <strong>Wyatt Starbuck</strong> as they look to slow down Heritage's high-powered offense. Knox had 11 tackles in the first game, while Starbuck finished with six tackles, two pass deflections, and one interception.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Denver South vs Denver East | Saturday at 11:00 A.M.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Denver South enters week two following a 48-19 handling of Skyline in week one, whereas Denver East enters 2-0 after a 55-19 win over Westminster in week 0 and a 36-0 win over Smoky Hill last week. The match between the Ravens and the Eagles has the potential to be one of the top games of the week, making it a game worth circling for a Saturday morning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Ravens' offense features QB <strong>Junior Felipe</strong> (2024), running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='251267' first='Chevelle' last='Early'] </strong>(2024), and freshman phenom receiver <strong>Alijah Landrum</strong> (2027). Felipe completed 16 of his 25 attempts for 273 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for 69 yards and two touchdowns on six carries. Early racked up 162 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries, while Landrum tallied 155 yards and two touchdowns on seven receptions.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Angels have a powerful ground attack, thanks to the junior running back duo <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='547647' first='Sean' last='Campbell']</strong> and <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='744172' first='Elijah' last='West-Duah']</strong>. Campbell will enter this contest with a total of 209 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries, while West Duah has 175 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These defenses have their work cut out for them, but each team is well-equipped to deal with their counterparts. Denver South's leading tacklers, <strong>Jeremiah Emery</strong> (2024) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='716018' first='Amani' last='Vegas']</strong> (2024), have a combined total of 20 tackles and one tackle for loss, but they will need to help rally the team to stop Denver East's run game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Angels are stacked on all levels of their defense, which is led by senior linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='710194' first='Landen' last='Holloway']</strong>, junior edge rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='504785' first='DJ' last='Crowe']</strong>, and junior defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404966' first='Deion' last='Giles-Ray']</strong>. Holloway leads the team in tackles with a total of 27, six tackles for loss, and one forced fumble. Crowe has 16 total tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks, and one forced fumble. Giles-Ray has accumulated 12 tackles, one tackle for loss, three pass deflections, two interceptions, and one forced fumble.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->