Week Four Preview: Cherry Creek at Arvada West

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week four will kick off with some big games slated for tomorrow.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the teams inch closer toward league play, some of the nonconference games have featured playoff-caliber teams, and tomorrow will be no different.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This article will look at Thursday's matchup between the Cherry Creek Bruins and the Arvada West Wildcats while providing a few names from each team that should be on the prospect radar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Cherry Creek at Arvada West | 4:00 P.M.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The reigning 5A state champions will travel to Avarda West as the Bruins will challenge the Wildcats in a match between two undefeated teams. Cherry Creek is coming off an impressive win over Chatfield, while Arvada West won a shootout against Horizon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When these teams met last year, Cherry Creek was able to comfortably handle business against an Arvada West team that committed to a pass-heavy game plan. This year, the Wildcats will have two talented rushers at their disposal as they look to try and knock off the top team in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Cherry Creek Bruins</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bruins have a rotation of three running backs who have accumulated a little over 500 yards and nine of Cherry Creek's 11 rushing touchdowns. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='259298' first='Jordan' last='Herron'] </strong>(2024 RB), <strong>CJ Johnson</strong> (2024 RB), and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212249' first='Jayden' last='Fox']</strong> (2026 RB) are players with talents that translate to the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212239' first='Brady' last='Vodicka']</strong> (2026 QB) has 28 completions on 42 attempts for 352 yards and three touchdowns with two rushing scores. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='381200' first='Dawson' last='Johnson']</strong> (2024 WR) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='547638' first='Maxwell' last='Lovett'] </strong>(2026 WR) have a combined 254 yards, with Lovett tallying all three of the team's receiving touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the defensive side of the ball, <strong>Jake Howell</strong> (2024 LB) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='406464' first='Keegan' last='Perea']</strong> (2025 DE) lead the team in tackles, each totaling at least 20, and Pera adding a sack to those numbers. The secondary features <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='710688' first='Eli' last='Martinez']</strong> (2024 S), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='146064' first='Kiyon' last='Johnston']</strong> (2024 CB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='710689' first='Damian' last='McKiever']</strong> (2024 CB), and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='232189' first='Aiden' last='Knapke']</strong> (2025 S).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Martinez and Knapke have 15 tackles a piece, while Knapke, Martinez, and Johnston each have one of the team's five interceptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Arvada West Wildcats</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats have one of the more dangerous running back duos in the state, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='777538' first='Jaiden' last='Green'] </strong>(2026) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='522704' first='Adrian' last='Symalla']</strong> (2026). Green has racked up 452 yards and four touchdowns on 49 carries, while Symalla has totaled 414 yards and six touchdowns on 54 carries with a single reception that went for a 34-yard score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='950754' first='Logan' last='Duhachek']</strong> (2026 QB) has completed 29 of his 51 attempts for 402 yards and four touchdowns. Duhachek's go-to targets are <strong>Ayden Garcia </strong>(2026 WR) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='760059' first='Noah' last='Meurer']</strong> (2026 WR), who have 17 receptions for 198 yards and two touchdowns between the two receivers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the defensive side of the ball, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='626601' first='Tegan' last='Schantz'] </strong>(2024 LB) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='504133' first='Jaxon' last='Pyatt']</strong> (2026 LB) lead the team in tackles with a combined 43 tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble that are almost shared evenly between the duo. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1326155' first='Vincent' last='Vigil'] </strong>(2025 DE) has a total of 19 tackles, one sack, and one fumble recovery, adding strength and disruption to the first level of the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The secondary features <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='777409' first='Atticus' last='Tillman']</strong> (2026 CB/FS) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212247' first='Jaiden' last='Nichols']</strong> (2026 CB), who have 15 tackles, six pass deflections, and two interceptions between the two defensive backs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->