With just one game remaining in the regular season, Aurora area prep football teams pushed to make the postseason or move themselves up if possible in Week 9.
The 10 city teams in action finished an even 5-5 — which included two-head-to-head matchups — with wins coming from Cherokee Trail, Eaglecrest, Gateway, Regis Jesuit and Smoky Hill.
The most significant win of the week came from Regis Jesuit, which took on Grandview in a high-powered non-league contest Oct. 22 at Legacy Stadium and prevailed 24-21.
A late field goal by senior Charlie Wolpert stood up as the winning points for coach Danny Filleman’s Raiders, who also scored twice through the air on touchdown passes from Luke Rubley to Colt Jones. Logan Singer took back an interception 97 yards for a score as well for Regis Jesuit, which won its fifth straight to improve to 6-3.
Grandview (7-2) got 215 total yards (145 passing, 70 rushing) and two touchdowns from junior Lander Wise — who threw a scoring pass to Blake Richmeier — plus Neelein Shead Jr.’s rushing touchdown.
Gateway took over the Aurora area lead in terms of wins with its eighth, which came in a 26-25 outlasting of rival Aurora Central Oct. 22 at Aurora Public Schools Stadium.
The Olys (8-1, 4-0 in 4A Metro League) survived a potential game-winning two-point try from the Trojans after they got 223 yards passing from senior Westin Rayburn, who found senior Forrest Clemmons and junior Jake Brock with touchdown passes. Senior Lyric Wynn piled up 244 yards rushing and a touchdown as well. Markell Perkins and Julian Harris rushed for touchdowns for Aurora Central.
Cherokee Trail picked up a huge 13-10 Centennial League home victory over Northfield Oct. 23 as a late field goal by junior AB Zuragait held up as the difference.
Zuragait kicked two field goals on the night, while junior Bryson Peterson found senior Zay Thomas for the lone touchdown for the Cougars, who improved to 5-4 overall and 2-4 in league.
Eaglecrest also posted a Centennial League victory Oct. 23, as it scored in all four quarters of a 34-20 defeat of Arapahoe at Littleton Public Schools Stadium.
Senior Josiah Assibey found the end zone twice for the Raptors (7-2, 3-2 in league), which also got touchdowns from William Brinkman (via rush) and Jayden Bradley (via interception return) to go with a pair of field goals from senior Trey Patton.
Smoky Hill celebrated its seniors and came away with a 20-14 victory over Highlands Ranch Oct. 23 at Stutler Bowl. Junior Tre Lynch threw two touchdown passes to junior Esimisan Iwere (who had 190 yards receiving) for the Buffaloes (3-6, 2-4 in 5A/4A South Metro League).
Vista PEAK Prep had a two-game winning streak come to an end with a 35-13 5A/4A South Metro League road loss at Douglas County Oct. 22 in a game in which Mekhi Wells had both touchdowns for the Bison.
Courtney Oakes is Aurora Sentinel Sports Editor. Reach him at sports@sentinelcolorado.com. Twitter/X: @aurorasports. IG: Sentinel Prep Sports
