Cherry Creek walks into Centennial on Friday night as the state’s No. 1 team, but Eaglecrest has plenty going for it too.
The matchup brings together two 6-1 teams, with Cherry Creek sitting at the top of the latest High School On SI Colorado Top 25 poll and Eaglecrest checking in at No. 19.
The Bruins also lead the 5A Centennial League at 3-0, while the Raptors are 2-1 in league play. Cherry Creek’s lone blemish officially remains its season-opening forfeit win against Chatfield; since then, the Bruins have won six straight on the field.
That stretch hasn’t come against soft competition, either. Cherry Creek has already worked through a demanding schedule and knocked off Legend, Valor Christian and Northfield along the way.
On the other side, Eaglecrest’s only loss came against Grandview, and the Raptors are coming off a strong defensive effort in a 28-0 shutout of Pine Creek.
Cherry Creek’s offense has been rolling, with 223 points scored and only 99 allowed. Quarterback Bentley Unruh is back after a recent injury and has topped 1,040 passing yards with 11 touchdowns. Junior running back Elijah Cromwell has added nearly 550 rushing yards and eight scores, including two touchdowns last week against Northfield.
Eaglecrest’s defense has been just as sturdy, surrendering only 74 points all season. Offensively, quarterback Will Brinkman has thrown for 1,174 yards and nine touchdowns, while tailback Clyde Surrell has piled up 840 yards on 131 carries with six scores.
Live updates from Centennial are being handled by High School On SI correspondent Buck Ringgold, with the game being played at Eaglecrest High School. Broncos radio voice and Cherry Creek coach Dave Logan also came into the night fresh off calling Denver’s 17-14 overtime win over Seattle on Thursday.
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