For the first time in 2024, when the sun tickles behind the mountains, the stadium lights will brighten several high school fields throughout Colorado.
The high school football season sees the first slate of Friday games of the season, following the four games that were played on Thursday night. Due to the light schedule of games, there are three key matchups we’ll look at this week and will have more comprehensive previews starting in Week 2.
Complete coverage of high school football can be found over at Colorado Preps, but for those interested, here is a preview of some of the big games on tap tonight.
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Class 5A
(6) Pine Creek at (4) Valor Christian, 7 p.m.
The biggest offseason news for each program came within the coaching staff. Longtime Pine Creek coach Todd Miller took a job outside the state. David Hedges takes over for Miller and hopes to continue his run of success, but create a new culture all on his own.
For Valor, the big news was the addition of former Colorado Mines head coach Bob Stitt as the offensive coordinator. At Mines, Stitt compiled a 108–62 record and then took the head job at Montana.
Pine Creek brings an experienced roster to Valor as quarterback Cam Cooper and receiver Elijah Roy connected for eight touchdowns last year.
Valor bounced back to make the playoffs after a 1-4 start last year. Chase Hanosh (268 rushing yards, two touchdowns) and Cash Spence (448 receiving yards, four touchdowns).
Valor does get some transfer help as Ben Herbek comes over from Lutheran after helping the Lions reach the 3A championship game.
Class 4A
(8) Loveland at (5) Pueblo West, 7 p.m.
Both the Red Wolves and the Cyclones made the 4A playoffs a year ago but were stopped short in the second round. Loveland returns duel-threat quarterback Ryder Eastin who threw for 928 yards while rushing for another 581 last year.
Pueblo West is hoping for a big year out of senior quarterback Gavin Lockett. He threw for 1,473 yards and 14 touchdowns last season and was also the team’s leading rusher with 1,211 yards and 24 touchdowns.
This will be the first game between Loveland and Pueblo West since Nov. 9, 2012. It was a first-round playoff game that the Cyclones won 35-10.
Class 3A
Fort Morgan at Pueblo East, 7 p.m.
Both these teams have been in the 3A state title picture in recent years. Fort Morgan claimed the 2021 3A crown with a 21-17 win over Mead. Pueblo East rattled off three straight titles from 2014-16 and then reached the title game again in 2018, but lost to Palmer Ridge.
They’ve both been on a rebuild in recent years and neither one made the 3A playoffs last fall. Their Week 1 showdown could set the tone for one or both teams as they try to return to the top tier of teams competing in 3A.
After seeing action in nine games, Dolphka Lewis is back at quarterback for Pueblo East. He threw for 773 yards but had some freshman hiccups as he threw just three touchdowns to nine interceptions. He did add 524 rushing yards to his output and should have a good staple of support in the ground game, including junior Justus Freeman.
Fort Morgan also has some stability on offense as quarterback JJ Marquez is back for his junior season. He threw for 1,835 yards and 19 touchdowns as a sophomore and poised for a big 2024 season. Samson Ortega is also back asfter leading the Mustangs with 696 rushing yards last year.
Pueblo East won the only previous matchup between these two teams, beating the Mustangs 28-7 in the 2015 3A state semifinals.