It turns out that rumors of Pomona’s demise were short-lived.
The Panthers have settled right into the Class 3A football world and are sitting at 2-1 heading into another showdown with another top-level 4A team. Only this time, it’s more of a sibling fight.
Pomona and Dakota Ridge face off in a battle of Jeffco League teams that are ranked in the top 10 of their respective polls via Colorado Preps.
Pomona’s first go around with a 4A foe ended in a 21-17 loss to Pueblo West. But it rebounded nicely with a dominant 33-7 win over Green Mountain, another highly regarded Jeffco team.
The Panthers are balanced in the ground game with Emmitt Munson, Luis Santana and Ethan Vu have all rushed for over 100 yards this season and they each have at least two rushing touchdowns apiece.
The Eagles certainly have the ability to fly if they need to – Kellen Behrendsen has 420 passing yards on the season – but they too like to keep things on the ground.
Landon Kalsbeck has a team-high 398 rushing yards and six scores through three games.
This will be a fun one to check out at the NAAC for a 4 p.m. kick.
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Class 4A
Heritage at Mesa Ridge, 7 p.m.
The Grizzlies are coming off their first loss of the year as they dropped a close one to Dakota Ridge 19-14. Quarterback Bryce Riehl has looked solid all season as he averages almost 200 passing yards per game and has thrown seven touchdowns to just two interceptions.
Trevon Salas has been complimentary on the ground attack with 256 total rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Through three games, the Grizzlies have forced five turnovers which is a pace they’d like to maintain over the next couple of weeks as they get closer to Soco League play where they’ll see the likes of Pueblo West and Montrose.
Heritage brings more of a passing attack to the Fountain area as quarterback Jamison Seese has 664 passing yards and seven touchdowns already this season. He has no problem looking the way of Tanner Terch and if the two can connect for a score or two, the Eagles could find themselves in a good position to come away with a road win.
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Class 2A/1A
This might be the most intriguing matchup of the weekend as Kent is regarded as a championship contender in 2A and Forge is quickly rising in the polls in 1A.
The Sun Devils haven’t faced the best of competition so far this year as they have a 40-0 win over Florence and a 42-6 win over Denver Christian.
Quarterback Yianni Balafas has only attempted 36 passes in Kent’s two games, but has six touchdowns throws already. In a bit of an oddity, the Sun Devils have yet to score a rushing touchdown in 2024.
Forge started its season with a 41-0 win over Wiggins, a traditional 1A playoff team, and hasn’t slowed down since.
Sullivan Strange has thrown for 466 yards and six touchdowns and the Fury are equally efficient on the ground as Euli Tafoya and Dante Vigil have each rushed for over 200 yards.
