Week 3 was a tough one for some high school football teams in Douglas County.

While some were able to remain undefeated on the season thus far, others struggled to even get points on the scoreboard.

It was also a week for close games. Two teams in the area fought to a win by three points or less, while others were able to pick up their first win of the season.

Castle View

Castle View had to go to the 2-minute drill to pull out a homecoming win Sept. 16 at Douglas County Schools Stadium in Castle Rock against Brighton.

The Bulldogs, who had been shut down early, took a 20-14 lead with 2 minutes, 20 seconds left on the clock in the fourth quarter but missed the extra point. After receiving the ball at the 35, senior quarterback Marshall Thurston led the Sabercats down the field with passes to junior Gus Marker, senior Tommy Moen and the eventual 18-yard strike to junior Ben Meile. Kicker Tanner Donahue stayed perfect on the season and sealed the game with the extra point.

Castle View started the game strong, attacking Brighton's man defense and opened up with an early 7-0 lead on a pass from Thurston to senior Louis Clay. The Castle View defense shut down the Brighton run attack early but was forced back on the field twice on muffed punt returns. Despite giving up great field position, the defense held tight all half.

With time running out in the half, junior safety Phil Grow intercepted the ball on fourth-and-goal, sending the Cats to the locker room still up 7-0. Another turnover in the second half gave Brighton momentum, but after three big sacks by undersized senior defensive tackle Travis Dudeck, the Sabercats had enough to get the big win in the end. Castle View now sits at 2-1, and heads to Class 5A Palmer this week.

Chaparral

Chaparral hit the road for non-conference action against hosts Poudre Sept. 17 in Fort Collins and handed the Impalas a 47-21 defeat to go 2-1 on the season.

Wolverines quarterback Christian Gann had five touchdown passes with 157 passing yards. Jordan Serena had two touchdown catches and 107 yards receiving. Gann found Serena for a 90-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter.

J.D. Henry also caught two touchdown passes from Gann. Jordan West also had a two touchdowns on the ground including a 49-yard run in the third quarter. Chris Page finished with 116 rushing yards. West had 83.

On defense, Cody Keppner had 11 tackles. Connor Parson had seven.

Douglas County

Douglas County had a tough time at its homecoming game Sept. 17 at Douglas County Schools Stadium in Castle Rock against visiting Columbine for non-conference action. County fell to the Rebels 21-0.

The Huskies’ Justin Hall finished the game with 114 receiving yards. Quarterback Aaron Rosipajla had 153 passing yards. County dropped to a 1-2 record with the loss.

Highlands Ranch

Highlands Ranch stayed undefeated after playing host to Eaglecrest for a non-conference battle Sept. 18 at Shea Stadium in Highlands Ranch. The Falcons were victorious 35-7.

Ranch’s Joe Hansley had 161 rushing yards, including a 56-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Steve Donatell broke two rushing TDs into the end zone and finished with 50 yards on the ground. With 40 passing yards in the game, Donatell also threw a touchdown pass to Connor McFadden on a 13-yard play in the second.

Nelson Ramos also ran 17 yards for a touchdown. Joey Kloss was 4-for-4 on point-after-touchdown attempts.

On defense, Danny Pezzuti had 13 tackles. Grant Arthurs finished with 11.

Legend

Legend also had a tough time Sept. 17 at Burt.com Stadium in Parker when they played host to Mesa Ridge and fell 26-0. Titans quarterback Michael Finkelstein had 49 passing yards. Nick Evdos had 41 yards rushing. Corey Wood had 27 passing yards.

On defense, Colton Fries 8.5 tackles, while Mike McCoy finished with eight. The loss fell Legend to a 1-2 record.

Lutheran-Parker

Lutheran High School-Parker went 3-0 on the season as well after putting up a 43-20 final over Clear Creek Sept. 18 in Parker.

The Lions’ Jonny Foote caught a 36-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Travis Smith in the second. Foote followed up with a 54-yard punt return for a touchdown. Smith ran in a touchdown on 28 yards in the fourth and threw another touchdown pass to Derek Hizer for 38 yards.

Jordan Murphy scored two touchdowns as well including a 23-yard interception return in the second. Kicker Rya Schoene had a 28-yard field goal in the books and went 5-for-6 on PAT attempts.

Smith finished with 160 passing yards and 126 rushing.

Mountain Vista

The Golden Eagles also found the “W” Sept. 16 on the road against Fairview Sept. 17 in Fort Collins. Mountain Vista put up a 34-14 final over the Knights.

The Eagles’ Jesse Geary had two rushing touchdowns, including one for 50 yards, and finished with 91 yards on the ground. He also caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Isaac Archuleta for 31 yards in the third quarter.

Archuletta, who had 89 rushing yards and 93 passing, ran in a touchdown himself for 50 yards as well in the fourth. Kicker Avery Killifer went 4-for-4 on PAT attempts and had two field goals through the uprights; one for 41 yards and the other for 30.

On D, Daniel Otsuki had eight tackles. Zac Cash had seven.

Ponderosa

Ponderosa won a nail-biter Sept. 16 on the road against Dakota Ridge in Littleton with a 3-0 final. Kicker Nathan Eckoff put a 42-yard field goal through the uprights. With the win, the Mustangs advanced to a 2-1 record.

Mustangs quarterback Taylor Johnson finished with 91 passing yards. Tyler Sandt rushed for 37. Chase Vorwaller had 33 receiving yards.

Rock Canyon

Rock Canyon played host to Golden Sept. 16 at Shea Stadium in Highlands Ranch and picked up its first win of the season for a 1-2 record with a 35-21 final.

The Jaguars’ Eddie Williams had 214 rushing yards, including three trips to the end zone in the second half. quarterback Matt Hopper threw two touchdown passes in the first half and finished with 223 passing yards. Brady McNiely caught one TD pass on a 24-yard play, and Mike Shepard caught one for a 25 yard touchdown. McNiely finished with 138 passing yards.

On defense, Andrew McLaren had 8.5 tackles. Taylor Sheridan had seven.

ThunderRidge

ThunderRidge also advanced to a 2-1 record on the season after playing host to Loveland Sept. 17 at Shea Stadium in Highlands Ranch. The Grizzlies posted the win with a 15-0 final. Highlights from the game were not available by press time.

Valor Christian

Valor Christian founds its first win of the 2010 season as well this week Sept. 17 at Valor Stadium in Highlands Ranch with a 36-10 final over visiting Rampart.

The Eagles’ ground game paid off for them as Cameron Gray and Christian McCaffrey each scored a touchdown on the run from the red zone. Quarterback Brock Berglund also rushed two into the end zone, one of which was on a 39-yard scamper. He also threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Carzell Vickers. Taylor Yancey kicked a successful 30-yard field goal in the third quarter.

Berglund finished with 196 passing yards and 103 rushing. Gray had 54 rushing yards, and McCaffrey had 51 receiving.