Week one was largely predictable for #5football in the Pikes Peak region last Friday.
Palmer Ridge rolled, Pueblo East flexed its muscle against a higher class and Pueblo West won another Pigskin Classic vs. Pueblo County. What’s in store for Week 2?
GAME OF THE WEEK – Pueblo East @ Palmer Ridge: Wow. What a matchup we have here for week two! The defending 3A Champs hosting a team that could win their fourth title in five years – sign me up! Palmer Ridge is led by all-star quarterback Ty Evans who led the Bears to 70 points vs. Cañon City last Thursday. Evans finished with 280 yards and five touchdowns. Equally as impressive was the East offense in a Friday 42-26 win vs. 4A Longmont. Luc Andrada put up 309 yards and three touchdowns. This is a matchup that could be a preview of the 3A title game come December.
Pine Creek vs. Doherty: The biggest school in the city vs. the best program in the city – giddy up. 5A Doherty vs. 4A Pine Creek has been a matchup we’ve been waiting for and we’ll get it Friday night at Garry Berry Stadium. The Spartans are still looking for their first win of the year, falling to Mullen 35-28 in 3OT!! That loss, albeit no good, puts their team talent into perspective and shows their 56-7 loss to Cherry Creek two weeks ago was a fluke. Creek looks almost unbeatable in 5A, proving why they are the top team in the state. Pine Creek has looked strong out of the gates: Topping Palmer Ridge in week one then beating New Mexico powerhouse Rio Rancho HS on the road last Friday. Head Coach Todd Miller always seems to rebuild his club, year after year. A win vs. 5A Doherty will do a lot of the Eagles RPI standings.
Pueblo West vs. Mesa Ridge: Two teams that enter 2018 with promise, but have a little boring so far. Mesa Ridge is looking for its first win of the season Friday. The Cyclones made it all the way to the 4A Semi’s in 2017 led by a strong senior class…. who are graduated and gone. Same goes for Mesa Ridge. West moved on from its disappointing home-opening loss for new head coach Clint Buderus. Twenty points were all they could muster vs. County, all coming in the second half. Look for a better offensive effort in their third game of the season. Or we hope so.
Columbine vs. Fountain-Fort Carson: The Trojans proved they are for real in 2018…. but not yet ready for primetime with a 55-41 loss to Eaglecrest last Friday. That being said, FFC beat the Raptors in the second half, 24-20 (they trailed 35-20 at half). Columbine will be another big test for Jake Novotny’s program in his 3rd season. The Rebels are a 5A contender for the state title (as is Eaglecrest) and a competitive game – and an outright win – will do wonders for their confidence and swagger going forward. And Friday is Military Appreciation night to boot.
Rampart vs. Monarch: We’re going to find out more about the Rams this week as they head on the road, again. Rampart showed their offensive prowess against Dakota Ridge in week one, 47-14. The defense needs some work vs. Chatfield last Saturday in a ten point loss but allowed the Chargers to score 52 points. Can’t have that consistently if the Rams want to make a deep playoff run in 4A.
THURSDAY NIGHT LIGHTS – Lewis-Palmer vs. Coronado: a sign of things to come for both programs? Both Rangers and Cougars had impressive wins in week one but we’ll see how well they carry over into the next? 6 p.m. kickoff will tell us a lot.
Other Games to Watch:
TCA vs. Sterling
Sierra vs. Woodland Park
Bear Creek vs. Vista Ridge
WEEK ONE HIGHLIGHTS:
