AURORA | A look at some of the key games, tournaments and happenings in Aurora prep sports from Oct. 11-15:
• The Class 5A boys state tennis tournament opens Oct. 11, with two singles players and four doubles teams from Regis Jesuit qualified for the three-day tournament at the Gates Tennis Center in Denver.
The young Raiders have one former state placer in the mix, as junior Nate Root — who placed third last season at No. 3 doubles — is back at No. 1 doubles with partner Tim D’Costa. Championship and third-place matches are a 9 a.m. on Oct. 13.
• Two league championship cross country meets are set for Oct. 11, as the Centennial League will run at deKoevend Park in Littleton and the Continental League goes at Rock Canyon High School. Both meets are scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m.
• The Cherokee Trail-Grandview football rivalry is renewed at 7 p.m. Oct. 11, as the Centennial League contenders meet at Legacy Stadium. The Cougars are out to improve on a 5-1 start and gain some revenge against the Wolves (4-2), who won last season’s contest 21-9 and are working on a three-game winning streak this season.
• Centennial League boys soccer matches are key Oct. 11, as Smoky Hill plays host to Cherry Creek at 4:15 p.m. in a battle of teams hoping to be one of the two automatic Class 5A state tournament qualifiers out of the league. Eaglecrest and Cherokee Trail will need at-large bids to make the postseason and the winner of their 4 p.m. contest will get a big boost in that aim.
• The Anvil is once again on the line when Gateway and Rangeview meet at 6 p.m. Oct. 12 at APS Stadium. The Raiders (3-3) have had custody of the winner’s traveling trophy for the past 3 seasons and won a 16-15 decision last season over the Olys (5-1), who hope to bring the trophy home for the first time since 2008.
In other Week 7 contests, Overland (3-3) plays Eaglecrest (4-2) at 7 p.m. at Legacy Stadium in a battle of teams looking to improve their position in the 5A wild card standings. Regis Jesuit takes on Chaparral at 7 p.m. at Sports Authority Stadium in Parker in a rematch of an epic overtime game from last season.
• Just ahead of the field hockey playoffs, Grandview plays host to Palmer Ridge at 4 p.m. Oct. 15 at Legacy Stadium. The Wolves are trying to keep hold on one of the last spots in the eight-team postseason field.
Reach Sports Editor Courtney Oakes at sports@aurorasentinel.com or 303-750-7555
