Three Pikes Peak-area prep football games to watch this weekend
We approach the midway point of the regular season for most classifications, which means some teams move into league play while others get one last look at a nonconference team before the important games start.
It’s a little mix of both in this week’s Three Games to Watch, as each of our games features teams on a bit of a roll looking to do their utmost to keep things going.
Cheyenne Mountain (3-1) vs. Mitchell (2-2)
When: Thursday, 7 p.m.
Where: Garry Berry Stadium
What to know: These two teams seem to be finding a rhythm. Cheyenne Mountain won three games combined between 2014 and 2015 as the program struggled with numbers. The Indians already have won three in 2016. Mitchell has won consecutive games and scoring 70 points over the past two weeks after being held to 16 in its first two games. The Marauders – a 3A program – are playing their second game against a 4A team. Zach Garrard leads the Indians with 229 yards rushing, while Matt Betterson has scored four rushing touchdowns. Mitchell has not reported stats.
La Junta (4-0) at TCA (4-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: The Classical Academy
What to know: Tough to find a better matchup than this one. It’s also tough to find a better conference-opening battle than this 2A Tri-Peaks match. La Junta has held opponents to seven points or fewer in each game, including a 35-6 blowout of Kent Denver last week. TCA’s average margin of victory is more than 32 points. Titans quarterback Cade Bethany has thrown for 519 yards and nine touchdowns (one interception). TCA is averaging 192.5 yards rushing and has scored 12 TDs on the ground. The Tigers will attack with the run game, averaging 269 yards and 16 touchdowns. They’ve already surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark as a team.
Fountain-Fort Carson (2-2) vs. Doherty (3-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: Garry Berry Stadium
What to know: Fountain-Fort Carson seems to have things going in the right direction. After losing their first two, the Trojans have beaten Pine Creek and Castle View. The Spartans are also riding a two-game win streak after scoring a combined 106 points in that stretch. Quarterback Zander Offutt is averaging 219.8 yards passing and has thrown 13 touchdowns to five interceptions for the Spartans. Running back Julian Cooks leads Doherty with 365 yards rushing, while teammate Cameron Crowe has scored four TDs on the ground. Justin Ragland has 400 yards receiving and five TDs. F-FC relies on its defense, as evidenced by the fact the Trojans have scored just four offensive touchdowns yet won twice. They’ve held opponents under 20 points three times.
Three Pikes Peak-area prep football games to watch this weekend
We approach the midway point of the regular season for most classifications, which means some teams move into league play while others get one last look at a nonconference team before the important games start.
It’s a little mix of both in this week’s Three Games to Watch, as each of our games features teams on a bit of a roll looking to do their utmost to keep things going.
Cheyenne Mountain (3-1) vs. Mitchell (2-2)
When: Thursday, 7 p.m.
Where: Garry Berry Stadium
What to know: These two teams seem to be finding a rhythm. Cheyenne Mountain won three games combined between 2014 and 2015 as the program struggled with numbers. The Indians already have won three in 2016. Mitchell has won consecutive games and scoring 70 points over the past two weeks after being held to 16 in its first two games. The Marauders – a 3A program – are playing their second game against a 4A team. Zach Garrard leads the Indians with 229 yards rushing, while Matt Betterson has scored four rushing touchdowns. Mitchell has not reported stats.
La Junta (4-0) at TCA (4-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: The Classical Academy
What to know: Tough to find a better matchup than this one. It’s also tough to find a better conference-opening battle than this 2A Tri-Peaks match. La Junta has held opponents to seven points or fewer in each game, including a 35-6 blowout of Kent Denver last week. TCA’s average margin of victory is more than 32 points. Titans quarterback Cade Bethany has thrown for 519 yards and nine touchdowns (one interception). TCA is averaging 192.5 yards rushing and has scored 12 TDs on the ground. The Tigers will attack with the run game, averaging 269 yards and 16 touchdowns. They’ve already surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark as a team.
Fountain-Fort Carson (2-2) vs. Doherty (3-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: Garry Berry Stadium
What to know: Fountain-Fort Carson seems to have things going in the right direction. After losing their first two, the Trojans have beaten Pine Creek and Castle View. The Spartans are also riding a two-game win streak after scoring a combined 106 points in that stretch. Quarterback Zander Offutt is averaging 219.8 yards passing and has thrown 13 touchdowns to five interceptions for the Spartans. Running back Julian Cooks leads Doherty with 365 yards rushing, while teammate Cameron Crowe has scored four TDs on the ground. Justin Ragland has 400 yards receiving and five TDs. F-FC relies on its defense, as evidenced by the fact the Trojans have scored just four offensive touchdowns yet won twice. They’ve held opponents under 20 points three times.