Five Pikes Peak region high school football games to watch
Football is back and it’s time to look at five of the best games coming up this season in the Pikes Peak region:
Palmer Ridge vs. Pine Creek, Aug. 24, 7 p.m. at D20 Stadium
Arguably the best programs in the region square off to open the season in an interclass match. Both teams were in their respective state finals last season with the 3A Palmer Ridge Bears claiming a title to cap an undefeated season. The 4A Pine Creek Eagles fell short to Pueblo South.
Pine Creek retains junior running back David Moore III who led all of Class 4A in rushing yards at 1,946 yards. However, the Eagles will also look to fill the void left by former leading receiver Wyatt Wieland and quarterback JC Coulter. Defensively, the Eagles lost star cornerback Xavier Hill, who had 122 return yards off six interceptions last year.
The Bears, on the other hand, have senior quarterback Ty Evans who led the state in passing yards (3,627) and Class 3A in touchdowns (42). Evans’ No. 1 receiver last year, Anthony “Deuce” Roberson, returns as a junior after racking up 1,485 receiving yards and 12 receiving touchdowns last season. Junior running back Raef Ruel returns to the Bears after rushing for 22 TDs and 1,075 yards last year.
Colorado Springs Christian at Peyton, Sept. 6, 7 p.m.
This 1A matchup should have everything fans of old-school, ground-and-pound football could want. In 2017, the Colorado Springs Christian Lions averaged north of 170 rushing yards per game and the Peyton Panthers had more than 210 rushing yards per game. The two met last year in a matchup that saw the Panthers defeat the Lions 27-3 to capture the 1A Tri-Peaks league title. Both teams made the playoffs and both were ousted in the first round.
Peyton graduated leading rusher Tyler Noffsinger but have senior backs Josh Gonzales, Trevor Walker and Gunner Saarela all ready for the upcoming season. The Lions graduated leading rusher Gabe Danzik as well as dual-threat quarterback Jordan Greager.
Pueblo South at Palmer Ridge, Sept. 21, 7 p.m.
It seems the Bears are taking on all comers as they will face the defending 4A State champion Pueblo South to close the opening month of the season. The Colts bested Pine Creek in last year’s 4A final but did so with a very different starting lineup than what the Bears will see this fall. Pueblo South graduated its starting quarterback (Zach Cozzolino), top running back (Steve Brock) and top two receivers (Marcell Barbee, Thomas Pannuzio) last season. Still it’s a champion vs. champion matchup that fans should be excited to see.
Mesa Ridge at Widefield, Sept. 22, 1 p.m.
The Glads have to figure out life without T.J. Davis, the dual-threat quarterback who led the team in passing and rushing last year and scored a combined 30 touchdowns. The Gladiators also lost a large receiving corps to graduation. Running back Frankie Ingraldi had the second-most touches on the team and returns this year as a senior.
Switching to the purple and black Mesa Ridge team, the Grizzlies are in a similar spot with quarterback DJ King, leading rusher John Hubbard-Johnson and top wideout Ju-wan Edgerton all having graduated.
Fountain Fort-Carson at Doherty, Oct. 26, 7 p.m.
Last year Fountain Fort-Carson took the first Shield game between the Trojans and the Doherty Spartans in a 35-26 win at home. This year the Spartans are hosting and have a bit of an advantage in terms of returning skill position players. The Trojans graduated quarterback Eric Donnell, the team’s leading passer and rusher who combined for 16 touchdowns on the season. Fountain-Fort Carson will also miss Gavin Green who had the second-most rushing yards and another six touchdowns.
The loss of running back Julian Cooks and versatile receiver D’angelo Shepherd will be felt. Cooks rushed for 303 yards and a whopping five touchdowns in the Spartans’ opener last year. Running back Gage Vanaman had the most carries behind Cooks and Shepherd last season. He returns as a senior. The Spartans also have offensive lineman Alijah Bates, the No. 18 2019 college recruit. Bates has offers from Arizona State, Northern Colorado and Utah State.
Pine Creek Eagles sophomore David Moore III (2) runs the ball in the first half ahead of Mesa Ridge Grizzlies senior Jeremiah Doria (24). The Eagles hosted the Grizzlies in boys’ football action on Thursday, November 2, 2017 at District 20 Stadium. Photo by Isaiah J. Downing
Pine Creek Eagles sophomore David Moore III (2) runs the ball in the first half ahead of Mesa Ridge Grizzlies senior Jeremiah Doria (24). The Eagles hosted the Grizzlies in boys’ football action on Thursday, November 2, 2017 at District 20 Stadium. Photo by Isaiah J. Downing