AURORA | A look at the games, tournaments and happenings in Aurora prep sports scheduled between Oct. 1-7:
Week 5 of the prep football season begins on Thursday, Oct. 1, and ushers in league play in most instances. Every Centennial League matchup this season figures to be a barnburner and the first two are no exceptions, as Grandview plays host to Eaglecrest at 7 p.m. at Legacy Stadium and Overland welcomes Valor Christian into Stutler Bowl at 7 p.m.
Regis Jesuit plays host to Heritage at 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 1 in boys tennis in a match that will decide the Continental League championship. Both the Raiders (who will celebrate Senior Night for their large group of seniors) and Eagles come into the match up with unblemished league marks. The result —which comes on the final day of the regular season — will also determine the destination of both teams for Class 5A regional state-qualifying tournaments a week later.
Nearly every Aurora prep volleyball team is in action on Oct. 1, with the highlight a Centennial League showdown between Cherokee Trail and visiting Cherry Creek, set for 6:15 p.m. in the Cougars’ gym. Both teams had outstanding non-league seasons — a combined 19-5 mark including wins for both in league openers on Sept. 29 — and look to get an early jump on the league chase, while Vista PEAK (off to an 8-5 start) can make some noise in the Colorado 7 standings when it plays host to Elizabeth at 6:30 p.m.
Friday Night Lights for Oct. 2 features a couple of heavyweight matchups, including defending Class 5A state champion Cherry Creek (4-0) making a 7 p.m. visit to Cherokee Trail (3-1) in the Centennial League opener. Regis Jesuit (3-1) celebrates its Homecoming at 7 p.m. when it plays host to Rock Canyon (4-0) to kick off Continental North League play. Rangeview (1-3) has its Homecoming set for 6 p.m. at APS Stadium vs. 1-4 Hinkley.
Softball races continue to heat up and 10 Aurora teams take the field on Oct. 3, topped by Centennial League action. All four teams off to 2-0 starts in league play meet, as Eaglecrest visits Cherokee Trail at 10 a.m. and Grandview pays Mullen a visit at 11 a.m.
The Class 5A and 4A boys state golf tournaments run Oct. 5-6 at Fort Collins Country Club and Fox Hill Country Club, respectively, with both set to tee off at 8:30 a.m. both days. Eleven Aurora golfers will play between the two tournaments.
Courtney Oakes is Aurora Sentinel Sports Editor. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or sports@aurorasentinel.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. FB: Aurora Prep Sentinel
