AURORA | A look at some of the key games, tournaments and happenings in Aurora prep sports from Oct. 3-6:
• Boys tennis regional tournaments run Oct. 3-5, with Aurora teams distributed among seven of the eight groupings playing for berths in the Class 5A boys state tennis tournament. The top two players from three singles slots and four doubles teams move on to state.
• A huge slate of volleyball matches is set for Oct. 4, with 10 Aurora squads taking the court. The marquee matchup is Eaglecrest at Cherry Creek in a battle of top 5 teams.
• Just two football games are scheduled for Oct. 4, but both are all-Aurora league matchups: Hinkley plays Rangeview in Aurora League action and Smoky Hill against Eaglecrest in a Creek Conference battle. The T-Birds and Raiders face off at 7 p.m. at APS Stadium, the same time the Buffaloes and Raptors meet at Legacy Stadium.
• Boys soccer has some tasty matchups in store on Oct. 4, including a pair of big ones for Aurora teams in EMAC play. Aurora Central plays Rangeview at 4 p.m. at Aurora Public Schools Stadium, while Hinkley is at Gateway at 4:30 p.m. in significant contests for all four of the district rivals in terms of early positioning for the postseason. In Centennial League play, a twinbill is set for Legacy Stadium as rivals Grandview and Cherokee Trail get together at 4 p.m., followed by Overland going against Smoky Hill at 7:30 p.m. Elsewhere, Arapahoe is at Eaglecrest.
• Grandview hammered Cherry Creek in the first go-round in Centennial League softball play and the Wolves aim for a rare sweep of the Bruins when they meet at 4 p.m. at Grandview. League contenders Cherokee Trail (which hosts Arapahoe) and Eaglecrest (which is at Overland) appear to have winnable contests.
• Friday Night Lights for Oct. 5 includes unbeaten Cherokee Trail visiting Cherry Creek in a strong Creek Conference offering at 7 p.m. at Stutler Bowl. Vista PEAK, which is coming off a bye week after a 1-4 start to its first varsity season, opens Colorado 7 play at 6 p.m. against Elizabeth at APS Stadium.
• A strong non-league boys soccer match is set for 3 p.m. Oct. 6 at Legacy Stadium, when 4A powerhouse Broomfield visits Grandview. At 4 p.m., APS Stadium is the site of another clash of district rivals in EMAC play as Aurora Central and Gateway meet.
— Reach Sports Editor Courtney Oakes at sports@aurorasentinel.com or 303-750-7555
