The best week of the 2025 prep football season thus far happened for Aurora area teams in Week 3, during which in the nine active programs went a combined 6-3.
Aurora Central, Eaglecrest, Grandview, Rangeview, Smoky Hill and Vista PEAK Prep all picked up victories in the first week in which the area finished with a combined winning record.
Leading the Aurora area in victories this far is Vista PEAK Prep, which moved to 3-1 with a lopsided 43-6 victory over Lakewood Sept. 11 at Jefferson County Stadium.
Coach Kyle Reese’s Bison exploded with big plays against the Tigers (0-3), which started when senior speedster Isaiah Watson took the opening kickoff back 90 yards for a touchdown. Watson also caught a touchdown pass from senior quarterback Canaan Barthlow, senior Tyrone Smiley rushed for three scores and junior CJ Key Jr. also found the end zone for Vista PEAK Prep in its third consecutive victory.
The first of two shutouts on the week was posted by Eaglecrest on Sept. 11 at Legacy Stadium in a 27-0 victory over Chatfield. Coach Jesse German’s team improved to 2-1 with a defensive effort that included a fumble return touchdown on the last play of the opening half by senior Cameron Bell plus turnovers secured by juniors Cooper Shaw and Cy White. Sophomore quarterback William Brinkman rushed for two touchdowns and senior Sterling Dufour also scored as Eaglecrest kept its foot on the pedal in the fourth quarter to avenge a loss from 2024 to the Chargers (1-2).
Full story and box score from Eaglecrest’s win over Chatfield, here
Also on Sept. 11, Aurora Central rushed for three touchdown to win a see-saw matchup with Gateway at Aurora Public Schools Stadium. Coach Chris Kelly’s Trojans got on the scoreboard first on senior Felix Morales’ rushing touchdown, while junior quarterback Markell Perkins scored in the second and third quarters to help the team move to 2-1. Junior Westin Rayburn and senior Ziah Hendrix connected for a second quarter touchdown for coach Rashad Mason’s Olys, who fell to 0-3.
Full story and box score from Aurora Central’s win over Gateway, here
Grandview celebrated its Homecoming with a 44-10 victory over Legacy Sept. 12 at Legacy Stadium that saw coach Tom Doherty’s team reel off 44 consecutive points to even its record at 2-2 on the season. The Wolves ceded a field goal in the first quarter to the Lightning (1-2), but responded with three touchdowns from senior quarterback Blitz McCarty, a rushing score and passes to sophomore Timothy Arnold III and senior Asher Mattson. Mattson later threw a touchdown to junior Jaxson Flores, while senior Chris Blanks piled up 155 yards rushing and scored twice to help Grandview get back into the win column after two tough losses.
Full story and box score from Grandview’s win over Legacy, here
Seniors Tyson Tuck, Kylen Mack and Kemariahe Brown all surpassed 100 yards rushing Sept. 12 at APS Stadium in Rangeview’s 35-14 victory over Westminster. Tuck and Mack had 124 and 113 yards, respectively, along with two touchdowns apiece and Brown hit 105 yards and scored as well as coach Chris Lopez’s team got to 2-1. Senior Ben Blanco picked off two passes for the Raiders’ defense.
Full story and box score from Rangeview’s win over Westminster, here
Smoky Hill pitched the other shutout of the week for Aurora teams, as coach Brandon Alconcel’s team blanked Prairie View in a 20-0 road victory Sept. 12. While the Buffs’ defense kept the ThunderHawks off the scoreboard, Smoky Hill got two rushing scores from senior quarterback Jayden Hopkins to take the lead, then sealed it with a touchdown by junior Shaun Lanre-Ahmed, who finished with 152 yards rushing in the contest as the Buffaloes moved to 2-1.
On Sept. 11 at EchoPark Stadium, Cherokee Trail fell into a big hole against undefeated Mountain Vista in the opening half and was held off the scoreboard until the fourth quarter. Senior Logan Posey rushed for the lone score for coach Justin Jajczyk’s team, which is now 1-2.
Despite 180 yards rushing from junior Elijah Hargrove and a touchdown on the ground from sophomore Bryson Riordin, Overland dropped a 48-7 visit to Fountain-Fort Carson. Coach Tony Lindsay Sr.’s team is now 0-3 on the season.
Hinkley (0-2) and Regis Jesuit (0-3) had bye weeks.
Courtney Oakes is Aurora Sentinel Sports Editor. Reach him at sports@sentinelcolorado.com. Twitter/X: @aurorasports. IG: Sentinel Prep Sports
