Football season has arrived. Starting Friday, a handful of teams from the Pikes Peak region will begin their season with Week 0 action.
Here are the top 10 local games of the 2024 high school football season:
Pine Creek at Valor Christian
Friday, Aug. 23
Pine Creek is a new-look team in 2024.
The Eagles brought in David Hedges to replace long-time head coach Todd Miller, who departed the program in favor of a job at Lee’s Summit in Missouri. They return several key weapons, including quarterback Cameron Cooper and Elijah Roy, both of whom will be seniors.
The Hedges era begins with a formidable challenge, as Pine Creek opens the year against juggernaut Valor Christian. Though VC had a down season last year, finishing 6-5, the Eagles are one of Colorado’s most consistent programs, winners of eight state championships.
Palmer Ridge at Ponderosa
Thursday, Aug. 29
Palmer Ridge was one of the state’s best teams in the 2023 season, which was coach Zach Carlton’s first year.
The Bears reached the Class 4A state title game, falling to Erie. Despite losing key players like Holden Cooper, Derek Hester and others, they bring back weapons in Zeki Wacker, Avier Elvira and Rhett Armstrong.
Like Pine Creek, Palmer Ridge opens with a tough test, facing Ponderosa. The Mustangs are No. 5 in CHSAA’s 4A preseason poll.
Limon at Colorado Springs Christian
Friday, Aug. 30
Two of Colorado’s best 1A squads battle in their opening games.
Colorado Springs Christian went 7-3 in 2023, a year after reaching the 1A semifinals. The Lions are experienced with senior quarterback Jace Velasquez leading the way.
But their Week 1 opponent, Limon, is no slouch. The Badgers have won five of the last six 1A state titles and have 22 championships to their name in program history.
Eaton at The Classical Academy
Friday, Aug. 30
TCA is another experienced small school program.
The Titans went 8-3 a year ago, falling to eventual 2A champion Delta in the second round of the playoffs. They enter 2024 with a senior-laden team with experience on both sides of the ball.
In their first game, the Titans battle Eaton, which won three titles in a row from 2020-2022. TCA beat Eaton 14-7 last season.
Pine Creek at Cherry Creek
Friday, Sept. 27
A few weeks after the Valor game, Pine Creek will face Cherry Creek.
The Bruins won four state titles in a row from 2019-2022. Cherry Creek has won 13 championships in its history.
Last year, Cherry Creek lost to Columbine in the 5A state championship game.
Mesa Ridge at Palmer Ridge
Friday, Sept. 27
For Palmer Ridge’s final non-conference game, the Bears see cross-town foe Mesa Ridge, which is also expected to be a force in 4A.
The Grizzlies went 9-4 and two rounds deep in the playoffs in 2023. Mesa Ridge returns several key players, including Bryce Riehl and Zander Iwanski.
Pueblo West at Vista Ridge
Friday, Sept. 27
Vista Ridge is another team that will see a new face at the helm in 2024.
Longtime Pine Creek assistant Matt Wibbels took the reins in the spring following Matt Vrana’s departure. Wibbels served as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator for over a decade.
One of the Wolves’ most notable games comes against Pueblo West, which made it to the 4A quarterfinals in 2023.
Woodland Park at Banning Lewis
Friday, Oct. 4
Banning Lewis is fresh off its best season in program history, when the Stallions went undefeated in the regular season and lost to Limon in the playoffs.
This year, David Todd steps into the head coaching role for the Stallions, replacing Nic Olney. Banning Lewis returns several key contributors from last year’s squad, such as Chase Riehle and Dylan Skinner.
Discovery Canyon at Lewis-Palmer
Friday, Oct. 25
DCC and Lewis-Palmer were both strong teams a year ago and both reached the playoffs.
Discovery Canyon went 8-3 in 2023, finishing undefeated in league play. While the Thunder lost significant talent from that squad, they return quarterback Hayden Jones, who threw eight touchdown passes a year ago.
Lewis-Palmer went 9-3 and upset Resurrection Christian in the playoffs in 2023. While the Rangers return just four starters from the 2023 squad, incoming senior running back Jayden Pagano was a workhorse last year, rushing for 1,276 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Pine Creek at Fountain-Fort Carson
Friday, Nov. 1
As long as Pine Creek and Fountain-Fort Carson stay as consistent as they’ve been, the game between them will always be one to watch.
While Pine Creek has been the area’s 5A powerhouse for more than a decade, Fountain-Fort Carson has been steadily strong. The Trojans have posted winning records in each of the last four seasons, with their best campaign coming in 2021, when they went 10-2.
Last year, however, this game wasn’t close. The Eagles beat the Trojans 40-10 at District 20 Stadium.
