A look at some of the key games, tournaments and happenings in Aurora prep sports between Nov. 9-13:
• The Class 5A state football playoffs move to the second round Nov. 8, with two of the Aurora’s four first-round winners back in action under the lights. Sixth-seeded Cherokee Trail (8-2), which overcame some late struggles to hammer No. 27 Arvada West in its opener, takes to the home field at Legacy Stadium at 7 p.m. to go against visiting No. 10 Mountain Range, a team the Cougars beat 42-6 in the opener of the 2012 5A postseason. Also at 7 p.m., 19th-seeded Overland (6-4) and No. 3 Cherry Creek (9-1) square off at Stutler Bowl in a rematch of a 20-6 decision won on the same field by the Bruins in Centennial League play on Sept. 27.
• The Class 5A state volleyball tournament runs Nov. 8-9 at the Denver Coliseum as Aurora’s three qualifiers — No. 1 Grandview, No. 6 Eaglecrest and No. 11 Cherokee Trail — see action with pool playing beginning at 8 a.m. each day. All three teams are in different pools and could run into each other in crossover semifinals on Nov. 9. The state championship match is set for approximately 7 p.m.
• Grandview plays host to Regis Jesuit at 1 p.m. Nov. 9 in another 5A state football second round game as the 20th-seeded Wolves (6-4) and fourth-seeded Raiders (9-1) battle at Legacy Stadium to see which Aurora team advances to the quarterfinals.
• Winter prep sports practices begin on Nov. 13 as boys and girls basketball, wrestling, girls swimming and ice hockey began to shape their rosters and prepare for the first day of official competition Dec. 2.
Courtney Oakes is Sports Editor of the Aurora Sentinel. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or sports@aurorasentinel.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. Facebook: Aurora Prep Sentinel.
