BoCoPreps’ High 5: Notable games ahead

The preseason rankings for high school softball in Colorado are predictably falling apart. It didn’t take long.

Nobody has exceeded expectations (or tarnished the polls) early on quite like Broomfield. The Eagles were already ranked high in CHSAA’s preseason coaches poll, tied for fourth in the 5A classification. But even there, that’s seemed too low.

Out to a 6-0 start this fall, the Eagles have already beaten the past two 5A champs: last year’s winner, Chatfield (ranked No. 1 to start the season), and 2022 champ Columbine, which started the season tied with Broomfield in the rankings. The Eagles beat the Rebels, 17-6, in four innings last weekend.

Next up for Broomfield, it travels to Erie on Thursday for one of BoCoPreps.com’s five games to watch this week.

Each week through the regular season, BoCoPreps will highlight five games or events to keep an eye on. During the week of Aug. 26, we’ll take a look at softball, football and boys soccer.

Frederick at Holy Family softball, 3 p.m., Thursday

The Tigers (4-0) come into a matchup between two 2023 4A semifinalists undefeated through four games this season, thanks in part to Isabella Arroyo’s .800 batting average (8 of 10 from the plate) and three wins in the circle (touting a 1.17 ERA in 12 innings pitched). The Golden Eagles (4-2) have gotten a strong start from ace Payton Torres, who has a 1.88 ERA across 26 innings.

Broomfield at Erie softball, 4 p.m., Thursday

The Eagles (6-0) are hitting .521 through six games, led by junior Kiley Wheaton’s .706 batting average and seven extra-base hits (in 17 at-bats). The Tigers (2-4), meanwhile, may have a budding star in freshman Braelan Heer, who is hitting .462 through her first six games.

Monarch at Skyline boys soccer, 6 p.m., Thursday

The Falcons (1-0) are coming off a 15-2 season, powered by one of the best offenses in 4A. And, frankly, not much looked different in their 10-2 opening-season win over Thompson Valley. Visiting them, the Coyotes will look to get off a strong start following a 5-9-1 2023 campaign.

Broomfield at Silver Creek boys soccer, 6 p.m., Thursday

The defending 5A champion Eagles (1-0) started off the season with a 2-0 win over Northglenn. Goalkeeper Evan Kulstad had three saves in the shutout. The Raptors (2-0), on the other hand, have outscored their first two opponents — Dakota Ridge and Horizon — by a combined 14-2. Aris Lindquist, Levi Levin, Parker Brown and Brian Kim each had four points in the 10-nil opening-season win over DR.

Legacy at Fairview football, 7 p.m., Friday

The Knights are looking to start anew after they lost 42-14 to Fountain-Fort Carson at home in Round 1 of last year’s 5A playoffs. The Lightning, meanwhile, got to the 5A second round before falling to Cherry Creek. The last time these two programs met was in 2021, when Legacy snapped a three-game losing streak to the Knights with a 38-8 victory.