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>
<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.
<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.
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<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.
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<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.
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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.
<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.
<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.
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