Zero Week Liberty vs. Rampart When: Aug. 27 Where: District 20 stadium Why: District 20 rivals to open the season in a nonconference game? Yes, please. Both teams have been on the upswing the last couple years. Liberty won five games in 2015 for the first time since 2009. Rampart opened 4-0 until injuries caught up with the Rams. Both teams will want to start off well. (Also: Crowley County at CSCS, Aug. 26)
Starting with Zero Week, here’s the top game from each weekend of the high school football regular season. (With a couple others to note, too.)
Zero Week Liberty vs. Rampart When: Aug. 27 Where: District 20 stadium Why: District 20 rivals to open the season in a nonconference game? Yes, please. Both teams have been on the upswing the last couple years. Liberty won five games in 2015 for the first time since 2009. Rampart opened 4-0 until injuries caught up with the Rams. Both teams will want to start off well. (Also: Crowley County at CSCS, Aug. 26)Week 3 Pine Creek vs. Fountain-Fort Carson When: Sept. 16 Where: Fountain-Fort Carson Why: The last two seasons, these teams had to meet in a mid-summer scrimmage. Finally they get back at it against each other for real. (Also: Palmer Ridge at Lewis-Palmer)The Doherty Spartans defeated the Palmer Terrors 34-8 in boys’ football action on Friday, September 4, 2015 at Garry Berry Stadium. Photo by Isaiah J. Downing (Isaiah J. Downing)Doherty linebacker Marcus Hurtado attempts to tackle Fountain-Fort Carson running back Kenneth Tate during the Doherty and Fountain-Fort Carson football game at Fountain-Fort Carson High School on Friday, October 16, 2015. Photo by Stacie Scott, The Gazette (STACIE SCOTT)Week 4 Peyton vs. Ellicott When: Sept. 23 Where: Ellicott Why: Ellicott is coming off back-to-back playoff appearances and consecutive six-win seasons. In those years, wins over Peyton and Calhan weren’t close. But the Panthers now add several Calhan players and the combined team will be looking for some combined payback. (Also: Pine Creek vs. Vista Ridge) Photo by Daniel Owen. (DANIEL OWEN)Palmer hosted Coronado at Garry Berry Stadium in the season opener for both teams Friday, August 28, 2015. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette (MARK REIS)Week 7 Woodland Park vs. Mitchell When: Oct. 14 Where: Garry Berry Stadium Why: Playing in the 3A Southern League (possibly the state’s toughest conference), neither team can afford to lose this game. Mitchell won four games last season, but went winless in conference play. The Panthers also won four, one of them in league – when they beat Mitchell. (Also: Falcon at Canon City) Photo by Spotlight Sports Photography (WENDY COLLISON, SPOTLIGHT SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY)Week 9 Manitou Springs vs. TCA When: Oct. 28 Where: The Classical Academy Why: At this point in the season, it’ll be obvious if The Classical Academy (previously in 3A) has made itself comfortable at the 2A level. It’ll also be obvious if Manitou Springs is back to the form that took it to the semifinals in 2013. (Also: Vista Ridge at Palmer)Week 10 Discovery Canyon vs. Falcon When: Nov. 4 Where: Falcon Why: This could well be for the 3A Southern League crown. DCC has been the king of its hill for whatever league it has been in. Falcon has been a regular playoff contender at 4A recently. With enrollment dropping the Falcons to 3A, this could be a great game before the postseason. (Also: Fountain-Fort Carson at Valor Christian)Week 1 Vista Ridge vs. Windsor When: Sept. 2 Where: Windsor Why: Vista Ridge lost a lot of talented seniors on both sides of the ball. What better way to see if the young guys from last season can fill in than by going against last year’s state champions. Windsor went 13-1 in 2015, pitching three shutouts along the way. (Also: St. Mary’s at Manitou Springs) Photo by Spotlight Sports Photography. (WENDY COLLISON, SPOTLIGHT SPORTS)The Mesa Ridge Grizzlies hosted the Widefield Gladiators on Saturday, October 10, 2015 at Mesa Ridge High School. Photo by Spotlight Sports Photography. (WENDY COLLISON, SPOTLIGHT SPORTS)
