8 Colorado high school football games to watch in Week 1

CLASS 5A

No. 5 Regis Jesuit (0-0) vs. No. 6 Valor Christian (1-0)

When/Where: Friday, 7 p.m. at Valor Stadium

Last meeting: Regis 24, vs Valor 21, August 26, 2023

Regis and Valor meet for the fourth consecutive week in Week 1, only this time the Eagles already have a game in the bag after beating Pine Creek 31-14 in Week 0. The assumption that Valor would open the game with Bob Stitt as the playmaker proved correct one week when junior Dawson Olk threw for 287 yards and two scores in his first varsity outing. If Regis pass rushers Jace Filleman and Grayson McPherson can apply pressure, this game will be exciting to the very end.

No. 3 Legend (1-0) vs. No. 7 Grandview (0-0)

When/Where: Friday 7pm at Legacy Stadium

Last meeting: N/A

This is the first meeting between two of 5A’s elite programs. The Titans couldn’t have been more impressive in Week 0, when they beat Fruita Monument 41-0. QB Michael Marsenich was nearly perfect (8 of 10, 145 yards, 1 TD), three runners found the end zone and the defense had four turnovers. The Wolves have the weapons to test the Legend defense. But do they have a replacement for do-it-all QB Liam Szarka?

Erie (1-0) vs. No. 10 Ralston Valley (0-0)

When/Where: Friday, 7pm at NAAC Stadium

Last meeting: N/A

Erie, last year’s 4A champion, moved up to 5A in the offseason. Now it faces its first big test. The Tigers had no problem beating Brighton 45-0 in Week 0, but Ralston Valley is in a much heavier weight class. The Mustangs have reached the 5A semifinals two years in a row but must replace several key players, most notably three-year starting QB Logan Madden. This game is both a test of RV’s ability to regroup and Erie’s ability to compete with the best in 5A.

4A No. 9 Dakota Ridge (0-0) vs. Chatfield (0-0)

When/Where: Friday, 7 p.m. at Jeffco Stadium

Last meeting: Chatfield 45, near Dakota Ridge 21, September 22, 2023

Two Jeffco rivals meet in the season finale, with both teams trying to replace their dual-threat quarterbacks. For the first time in 20 years, Dakota Ridge will be without Ron Woitalewicz on the sidelines. Longtime lieutenant Jeremiah Behrendsen is now the Eagles’ head coach, and his first game as coach is a stunner. Chatfield found his footing in 5A in his second year, reaching the state championship semifinals behind senior QB Jake Jones. Now it’s someone else’s turn to take the reins.

No. 8 Arapahoe (0-0) vs. No. 2 Mountain Vista (1-0)

When/Where: Friday 19:30 at Halftime Help Stadium

Last meeting: Mountain Vista 27, at Arapahoe 17, September 9, 2021

If there were any doubts about Mountain Vista’s status as a 5A contender, they were dispelled last week at halftime of the Golden Eagles’ 83-6 victory over Pearl City, Hawaii. Quarterback Austyn Modrzewski completed 76.2 percent of his passes for 338 yards and six touchdowns while five different receivers found the end zone. The difficulty level gets a bit higher this week, however, as the ever-aggressive Arapahoe defense is ready to pay a visit.

CLASS 4A

No. 2 Palmer Ridge (0-0) vs. No. 5 Ponderosa (0-0)

When/Where: 7 p.m., Thursday at EchoPark Stadium

Last meeting: Palmer Ridge 34, near Ponderosa 12, September 21, 2023

A 4A contender meet is Thursday night in Parker. Ponderosa is looking to end a three-game losing streak to Palmer Ridge that includes a lopsided home loss last fall. The Bears have lost a lot of talent from that squad, but Palmer Ridge rarely has trouble finding capable replacements. Ponderosa can make a strong early statement with a win here.

3A No. 5 Roosevelt (0-0) vs. Northfield (0-0)

When/Where: Saturday, 11 a.m. at Evie Dennis Stadium