Top 5 football games this week

1. Wiggins at Banning Lewis

1 p.m. Saturday at Banning Lewis

Win or lose, history will be made for Banning Lewis on Saturday: The Stallions will play their first playoff game in program history against Wiggins.

Banning Lewis finished the regular season 9-0, winning all nine games by double digits. The Stallions are much improved from the 2022 campaign, when they went 5-4 and narrowly missed the playoffs.

The Stallions play host to a 5-4 Wiggins squad. The Tigers ended the regular season on a two-game losing streak, but those losses came to Limon and Wray, which are both seeded in the 1A top 10.

2. Denver South at Vista Ridge

7 p.m. Friday at Vista Ridge HS

Vista Ridge did just enough to earn home-field advantage in the first round of the 4A playoffs.

The Wolves, 6-4 and seeded No. 16, host No. 17 Denver South on Friday. Vista Ridge went on a five-game winning streak in the middle of the season before losing its last two games of the regular season.

Denver South is 6-4, most recently falling to Thomas Jefferson.

3. Grand Junction Central at Rampart

1 p.m. Saturday at District 20 Stadium

Rampart won its last two games of the regular season to seal a playoff berth, and the Rams host Grand Junction Central on Saturday.

The Rams began the year 3-0 before losing three games in a row. Then, Rampart closed out the season by winning three of four games, including a win over Vista Ridge.

4. Fountain-Fort Carson at Fairview

7 p.m. Friday at Fairview HS

Fountain-Fort Carson dropped three of its last five games after a 5-0 start, so the Trojans will play a road game at Fairview to begin the 5A playoffs.

The Trojans did beat Legend, one of 4A’s best teams, just a few weeks ago. But FFC lost 45-7 against Regis Jesuit to end the regular season.

Fairview is 9-1 and enters the postseason on a seven-game winning streak.

5. Discovery Canyon at Sand Creek

7 p.m. Friday at Sand Creek HS

The only regular-season game listed here features a Discovery Canyon team looking to earn home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

After a 1-2 start, the Thunder have won six games in a row and are currently seeded No. 12 in 3A. They end their regular season with a road game against Sand Creek, which beat Cañon City last week.

3A is the only class to not begin its playoffs this week.

Games to watch in other sports

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Mullen at The Classical Academy

2 p.m. Saturday at The Classical Academy

No. 12 TCA earned the final home regional in 4A, and as a result, the Titans have the toughest draw.

TCA’s regional includes No. 13 Mullen and No. 25 Battle Mountain. The match with Mullen will likely determine who wins the regional and advances to the state tournament.

TCA finished the regular season 19-3, while Mullen enters regionals 16-7.

Pueblo County at Cheyenne Mountain

12 p.m. Saturday at Cheyenne Mountain HS

Cheyenne Mountain (14-9) earned the No. 9 seed in the 4A tournament and will host Pueblo County and Cañon City.

Pueblo County, No. 16, will be the toughest test for the Red-Tailed Hawks. The Hornets finished the regular season 16-7, winning their last four matches.

Cheyenne Mountain and Pueblo County battled on Oct. 14, with the Red-Tailed Hawks winning 3-1.

Swink vs. Calhan

7:30 p.m. Friday at Calhan HS

Calhan enters the 2A tournament seeded No. 11. The Bulldogs, 21-2, won 15 matches in a row to finish the regular season.

The Bulldogs host No. 14 Swink and No. 25 Dayspring Christian Academy in their regional. Swink is Calhan’s toughest foe and enters 17-6.

BOYS SOCCER

Liberty vs. Regis Jesuit

10 a.m. Saturday at Englewood HS

Liberty’s Cinderella run in the 5A playoffs continued on Tuesday when the Lancers beat Lakewood in a shootout to advance to the quarterfinals.

The Lancers will see their toughest playoff test on Saturday against No. 9 Regis Jesuit. The Raiders are 12-2-3 and have won their last four matches.

Liberty, seeded No. 16, enters the game 11-4-2.

Power Rankings

5A

1. Pine Creek (9-1)

2. Fountain-Fort Carson (7-3)

3. Doherty (5-5)

4A

1. Palmer Ridge (10-0)

2. Mesa Ridge (6-4)

3. Rampart (6-4)

3A

1. Lewis-Palmer (7-2)

2. Discovery Canyon (7-2)

3. Sierra (3-6)

2A

1. The Classical Academy (7-2)

2. Woodland Park (3-6)

3. Manitou Springs (4-5)

1A

1. Banning Lewis (9-0)

2. Colorado Springs Christian (7-2)

3. Peyton (4-5)