Login Subscribe
    • Players/Parents
    • College Coaches
  • Choose Your State Middle School Coverage
    Alabama
    Arizona
    Arkansas
    California
    Canada
    Colorado
    Dakotas
    Florida
    Georgia
    Idaho
    Illinois
    Indiana
    Iowa
    Kansas
    Kentucky
    Louisiana
    Maryland
    Michigan
    Minnesota
    Mississippi
    Missouri
    Nebraska
    Nevada
    New England
    New Jersey
    New Mexico
    New York
    North Carolina
    Ohio
    Oklahoma
    Oregon
    Pennsylvania
    South Carolina
    Tennessee
    Texas
    Utah
    Virginia
    Washington
    West Virginia
    Wisconsin
  • Loading...
  • Loading...
  • Tournaments
    • 7 on 7 7 on 7
    Showcases
    • Stock Up Showcase Tour Stock Up Showcase Tour
    About Our Events
  • Prep Redzone for
    • Players
    • Parents
    • Club Coaches
    • High School Coaches
    • College Coaches
    • Fans
    View All Features
    • Coverage Access Prep Redzone articles year-round without ads.
    • Rankings See how players stack up in each state.
    • Player Profiles Build your own profile and join the Prep Redzone database.
    • Coach Views Get notified when a college coach views your profile.
    • Profile Trends Track your Player Profile views over time.
    • Recruiting Tasks Stay on-track in the recruiting process
    • Recruiting Dashboard All your recruiting tools in a single place.
    • College Match Recommends colleges that match with your profile.
    • Coach Contacts Contact any program in the country.
    • Event Credits Save $25 on all Prep Redzone combines.
    • Recruiting Tips Become an expert on the recruiting process.
    • College Email Templates Send customized emails directly to college coaches.
    • Scouts
    • How We Rank
    • About Us
  • Colorado
  • Rankings
    • How We Rank

    • Archived Rankings

    • 2026 Rankings

    • 2027 Watch List

    • 2028 Watch List

  • Player Database
  • Team Database
  • Scores
  • Scouts
  • 2025 Team Previews
  • Home
  • Coverage
      Choose Your State Middle School Coverage
      Alabama
      Arizona
      Arkansas
      California
      Canada
      Colorado
      Dakotas
      Florida
      Georgia
      Idaho
      Illinois
      Indiana
      Iowa
      Kansas
      Kentucky
      Louisiana
      Maryland
      Michigan
      Minnesota
      Mississippi
      Missouri
      Nebraska
      Nevada
      New England
      New Jersey
      New Mexico
      New York
      North Carolina
      Ohio
      Oklahoma
      Oregon
      Pennsylvania
      South Carolina
      Tennessee
      Texas
      Utah
      Virginia
      Washington
      West Virginia
      Wisconsin
  • Events
      Tournaments
      • 7 on 7 7 on 7
      Showcases
      • Stock Up Showcase Tour Stock Up Showcase Tour
      About Our Events
  • Rankings
      Loading...
  • Scores
      Loading...
  • Features
      Prep Redzone for
      • Players
      • Parents
      • Club Coaches
      • High School Coaches
      • College Coaches
      • Fans
      View All Features
      • Coverage Access Prep Redzone articles year-round without ads.
      • Rankings See how players stack up in each state.
      • Player Profiles Build your own profile and join the Prep Redzone database.
      • Coach Views Get notified when a college coach views your profile.
      • Profile Trends Track your Player Profile views over time.
      • Recruiting Tasks Stay on-track in the recruiting process
      • Recruiting Dashboard All your recruiting tools in a single place.
      • College Match Recommends colleges that match with your profile.
      • Coach Contacts Contact any program in the country.
      • Event Credits Save $25 on all Prep Redzone combines.
      • Recruiting Tips Become an expert on the recruiting process.
      • College Email Templates Send customized emails directly to college coaches.
  • About Us
      • Scouts
      • How We Rank
      • About Us
  • Support
Login Subscribe

5A State Playoffs: Top Ten Players to Watch For

5A State Playoffs: Top Ten Players to Watch For
Griffin Conant
Griffin Conant
November 5, 2021 @ 08:23 PM
Facebook
X (Formerly Twitter)

In this article:

Ethan Cook
Ethan Cook 6'3" | 175 lbs | QB | 2023
CO
Nathan Hallmark
Nathan Hallmark 6'3" | 210 lbs | DL | 2022
CO
Bryce Vaz
Bryce Vaz 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB | 2022
CO
Brody Ashworth
Brody Ashworth LB | 2022
CO
Tyler Kubat
Tyler Kubat 6'5" | 200 lbs | QB | 2023
CO
Jake Maikkula
Jake Maikkula 6'6" | 265 lbs | OL | 2022
CO
Seth Cromwell
Seth Cromwell 5'10" | 215 lbs | RB | 2022
CO
Dallas Macias
Dallas Macias 6'0" | 180 lbs | ATH | 2022
CO
Gavin Sawchuk
Gavin Sawchuk RB | 2022
CO
George Fitzpatrick
George Fitzpatrick OL | 2022
CO
Blake Purchase
Blake Purchase 6'4" | 230 lbs | DL | 2023
CO
Mac Busteed
Mac Busteed 6'5" | 200 lbs | WR | 2023
CO
Max Jones
Max Jones 5'9" | RB | 2022
CO
Jack Pierce
Jack Pierce 5'8" | WR | 2022
CO
Nunie Tuitele
Nunie Tuitele 6'4" | DL | 2022
CO
Kylan Wilson
Kylan Wilson 5'11" | 185 lbs | ATH | 2022
CO
Today, 18 teams will be battling it out in the first round of the 2021 CHSAA 5A State football playoffs. Schools from the flatirons of Boulder to the suburbs of Parker will declaring war on one another and putting it all the line  in order to come out victorious. Only nine teams will consider themselves lucky to extend their season, as Valor Christian, Cherry Creek, Legend, Ralston Valley, and Arapahoe will await the winners in the second round starting next week. The postseason is officially here. The teams that will make the biggest run at a state title will rely heavily on their strengths and playmakers on both sides of the ball, and maybe just a little bit of luck as well. Legacies within the Centennial State will leave their stamp during these next 30 days, transforming this game’s players and coaches into Colorado folklore. With that being said, here are the top ten players to look out for in this year’s big dance. <em><strong>Honorable Mentions: QB [player_tooltip player_id="43678" first="Kylan" last="Wilson"] (Chaparral), DB [player_tooltip player_id="22691" first="Dallas" last="Macias"] (Regis Jesuit), DB Nate Smith (Legend), DL [player_tooltip player_id="58932" first="Nunie" last="Tuitele"] (Regis Jesuit), QB Colton Warner (Legend), RB [player_tooltip player_id="22688" first="Seth" last="Cromwell"] (Columbine), WR [player_tooltip player_id="62214" first="Mac" last="Busteed"] (Fossil Ridge), OLB Zach Runyon (Legend), WR Chase Nelson (Douglas County), QB [player_tooltip player_id="218213" first="Ethan" last="Cook"] (Arvada West), OL [player_tooltip player_id="22677" first="Jake" last="Maikkula"] (Valor Christian) </strong></em> &nbsp; <strong>10. RB [player_tooltip player_id="58962" first="Max" last="Jones"] 6’0" 180 Sr. Fort Collins </strong> <strong>2021 Stats: 126 CAR, 1,122 Yards, 8.9 YPC, 124.7 YPG, 11 TD’s</strong> After going undefeated in league play, Fort Collins has has an extremely successful year. A big reason for that has been the stellar play from tailback workhorse [player_tooltip player_id="58962" first="Max" last="Jones"], who has been as electrifying as anyone carrying the ball in the state. His 1,122 yards rushing is good for 19th in the state, while his 124 yards per game ranks within the top 25 of all ball carriers. In their first round playoff matchup against Chaparral, the Lambkins will look to control the line of scrimmage, and if they can get Jones started early in this one, expect the Wolverines to be gasping for air in the late stages of this postseason matchup. &nbsp; <strong>9. DE [player_tooltip player_id="209833" first="Nathan" last="Hallmark"] 6’3" 210 Sr. Fossil Ridge </strong> <strong>2021 Stats: 77 Tackles, 7.7 TPG, 29.0 TFL, 19.0 Sacks</strong> Hallmark is a young man who has been an absolute beast on the campaign thus far, and has quite the mammoth frame to go along with his ferocious style of play. The fourth year defensive end has been wrecking offenses all year long, and a big reason for Fossil Ridge’s success, especially on the defensive side of the ball, has been because of his exceptional awareness. Hallmark does an incredible job of disengaging from his blocker off the line of scrimmage, wreaking havoc and implementing fear into opposing QB’s HIs whopping 19 sacks is second in the state, and his insurmountable 29 tackles for loss demonstrates why Hallmark is a highly touted prospect in the Centennial State. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13983647/61383e293dea810b1c8b0b8d" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>8. LB [player_tooltip player_id="153738" first="Brody" last="Ashworth"] 6’0" 200 Sr. Castle View </strong> <strong>2021 Stats: 121 Tackles, 11.0 TPG, 2.5 Sacks </strong> The Castle View Sabercats have been one of the more surprising contending teams in the class of 5A, as the Cats have now managed four consecutive winning seasons, continuing to put themselves right in the thick of things come November. It always helps too when you have one of the best tackling linebackers in the state. Ashworth’s play has been remarkable, as he is averaging double digit tackles per game and is usually hand and hand with whoever is carrying the ball. The common phrase is that defense wins championships, and Ashworth will be the anchor of that unit. <strong>7. WR [player_tooltip player_id="43835" first="Jack" last="Pierce"] 5’8" 150 Sr. Cherokee Trail </strong> <strong>2021 Stats: 84 REC, 946 Yards, 11.3 YPC, 9 TD’s </strong> One of the best pass catching prospects in the state of Colorado, WR Jack Piece out of Cherokee Trail is just one of many explosive playmakers that the Cougars have to offer when they occupy the ball. The CT offensive assault has more weapons than a nuclear compound, and Pierce has the speed to make any defense detonate. The senior wideout has the most receptions among eligible players in the Class of 5A, and is second in the entire state in that category. With an abundant amount of scoring on offense, Cherokee Trail is ready to make a run at a state championship. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/4281227/61803c51bd6ae10ba0c09948" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>6. QB Logan Brooke 6’4" 160 Sr. Cherokee Trail </strong> <strong>2021 Stats: 195/295, 66%, 2,647, 27 TD’s, 4 INT </strong> Statistically, there has been no one better at the quarterback position than senior signal caller Logan Brooke. Like mentioned above, the Cougars have one of the best offensive attacks in football, and a big reason for that has been Brooke’s ability to play a turnover free game His four interceptions on the year are a low among starting QB’s in the state, and his capability to stretch the field and be aggressive without making mistakes is what makes him so deadly. Just like a few other senior QB’s in this year’s playoff tournament, Brooke will rely on his experience to get the best out of every down and situation he is presented with. <strong>5. DL [player_tooltip player_id="62241" first="Blake" last="Purchase"] 6’4" 160 Jr. Cherry Creek </strong> <strong>2021 Stats: 50 Tackles, 5.6 TPG, 14.0 TFL, 11.0 Sacks</strong> Rated the #1 prospect in the 2023 class according to Prep Redzone, [player_tooltip player_id="62241" first="Blake" last="Purchase"] represents the black hole on the Cherry Creek defensive line. Whatever comes through his path is often sucked up and destroyed within oblivion. His double digit sacks on the year and his 14 tackles for loss gives his opposition a tough task on gameday. There is a reason why the third year defender is so highly touted, and with time, he will grow even larger to go along his behemoth 6’4 build. If the Bruins repeat as champs, it may be in fact thanks to Mr. Purchase. <strong>4. RB [player_tooltip player_id="166903" first="Bryce" last="Vaz"] Sr. 5’9" 180 Sr. Legend </strong> <strong>2021 Stats: 199 CAR, 1,393 Yards, 7.0 YPC, 21 TD’s </strong> Well if it isn’t the Tasmanian Devil from Looney Tunes! Oh wait, it’s actually RB [player_tooltip player_id="166903" first="Bryce" last="Vaz"] out of Legend High School! My deepest apologies, but one must understand that Vaz’s playing style is eerily similar to the infamous cartoon. Statistically, only one running back as been better than Vaz and that is #1 player in the state RB [player_tooltip player_id="22667" first="Gavin" last="Sawchuk"], thus more reiterating how special of a player the Legend Titans running back is. Vaz has tremendous vision once given the ball, as he thrives on putting his foot in the ground and weaving back and forth between tacklers. Once Vaz gets to the second level however, it’s usually all she wrote, as the nifty running back showcases his next level speed past defenders and into the end zone. The Titans have fed the rock to Vaz, and expect nothing to change come playoff time in their first round matchup against the winner between Smoky Hill and Rock Canyon. In his most recent game against arch rival Chaparral, Vaz found pay dirt a whopping SIX times in a 45-14 victory. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11462843/613be3d4bd74ae0bb4220e5f" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> 3. <strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id="150189" first="Tyler" last="Kubat"] 6’5" 195 Jr.  Fossil Ridge </strong> <strong>2021 Stats: 188/319, 58%, 2,750 Yards, 24 TD’s, 9 INT’s </strong> Another top QB in the class of 5A resides from Fort Collins, and his play has fired up the Sabercat fan base. With Kubat at the helm, Fossil Ridge has been going to sleep at night with dreams of hoisting a state title in December. Kubat has been efficient to say the least, as he is completed nearly 60%, an impressive mark at the high school level. His 2,750 passing yards are good for third in the state, while his 24 TD strikes rank sixth. Fossil Ridge will go as far as Kubat takes them, and if they can sneak past Cherokee Trail, the Sabercats could be a dark horse contender. &nbsp; <strong>2. OL [player_tooltip player_id="22668" first="George" last="Fitzpatrick"] 6’6" 270 Cherry Creek</strong> <strong>2021 Stats: N/A</strong> There’s not many offensive lineman that can single handily dominate the line of scrimmage and take over a game, but don’t tell that to Cherry Creek brute [player_tooltip player_id="22668" first="George" last="Fitzpatrick"]. At 6’6" and 270 pounds, Fitzpatrick physically dismantles nearly every edge rusher and defensive tackle he lines up across. As soon as the ball is snapped, a hole to run through opens up nearly instantaneously, guaranteeing a handful of yardage automatically. The Bruins can run the ball with the best of them, and Fitzpatrick is to credit. The Ohio State Buckeye commit has accomplished just about everything at the high school level, and he would love nothing more than to finish his career with another ship. &nbsp; <strong>1.  RB [player_tooltip player_id="22667" first="Gavin" last="Sawchuk"] 5’11" 185 Valor Christian </strong> <strong>2021 Stats: 192 CAR, 1,546 Yards, 8.1 YPG, 154.6 YPG, 25 TD’s </strong> There is no denying the sheer talent that the Valor product possesses, as the fact that he will be attending college in Norman next fall can speak for itself. There have been a number of quality backs that have attended Valor Christian, and Sawchuk may in fact top the list. He leads just about every statistical rushing category in the state, as the Eagles offense no doubt runs through him. Despite the fact that Sawchuk is an extraordinary runner, he also excels in pass protection and is underrated as a pass catcher. Once the highly touted tailback gets in space, it might as well be game over for opposing defenses. Before you know it, Sawchuk will be standing alone in the end zone, leaving a trail of dust in his wake. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/4277399/615debf202b16506a083be55" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp;
Prep Redzone

Access all of Prep Redzone

Continue reading this article and more.

Continue Reading
Already a subscriber? Log in

Rankings

472 Players Ranked

  • 1
    Tufanua Ionatana “T.I.” Umu-Cais

    Tufanua Ionatana “T.I.” Umu-Cais

    Cherry Creek

    Washington (WA)
  • 2
    Deacon Schmitt

    Deacon Schmitt

    Windsor

    Oklahoma
  • 3
    Camden Jensen

    Camden Jensen

    Heritage

    UCLA
  • 4
    Kannon Smith

    Kannon Smith

    Valor Christian

    USC
  • 5
    Mason Bandhauer

    Mason Bandhauer

    Fort Collins

    Iowa State
View Full Rankings

Related Articles

  • Up and Coming 2A Quarterbacks Making Noise

    Up and Coming 2A Quarterbacks Making Noise

    Robert Davis • October 1

  • 2A Darkhorse Running Backs on the Rise

    2A Darkhorse Running Backs on the Rise

    Robert Davis • September 30

  • Chaos Creators: 1A Linebackers That You Need To Know

    Chaos Creators: 1A Linebackers That You Need To Know

    Robert Davis • September 30

  • Hidden Gems Emerging at the Quarterback Spot In 1A

    Hidden Gems Emerging at the Quarterback Spot In 1A

    Robert Davis • September 29

  • Breakout 1A Running Backs You Need to Know

    Breakout 1A Running Backs You Need to Know

    Robert Davis • September 29

Follow Us

  • Robert Davis

    Robert Davis

    @RobertLDavisIV

  • Matt Tate

    Matt Tate

    @MattT8Scouting

Loading...
Home Colorado 5A State Playoffs: Top Ten Players to Watch For

Prep Network

  • Prep Network
  • Prep Dig
  • Prep Girls Hoops
  • Prep Hoops
  • Prep Lacrosse
  • Prep Redzone
  • Prep Soccer
  • Prep Softball

Company

  • News
  • About
  • Careers
  • Store
  • Partner Interest Form

Resources

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • Cookie Policy
  • NCSA College Recruiting
  • Recruiting Tips
  • Student Loan Resources
  • College Scholarship Search

Support

  • My Account
  • Contact
  • Sitemap

© 2025 Prep Redzone. All rights reserved.