Bear Down! The Top Creek Playmakers to Watch out for in 5A Title

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's the Cherry Creek Bruins! Winners of the previous three 5A State title games within the state of Colorado, the one-seeded Bruins will be squaring off with a familiar foe in the Valor Christian Eagles for the fourth time in the last five seasons and a chance to take home the state championship hardware. With the anticipation only growing as each day passes, let's get down to the nitty gritty and take a look at which Bruins playmakers will provide the electricity at 5,280 feet of altitude.   The Standouts   WR [player_tooltip player_id='22761' first='Ismael' last='Cisse']   Cherry Creek's top wideout and ranked as the top pass catcher among the Class of 2023, Cisse is known to give opposing defensive backs and coaches fits thanks to his route fluidity and strong hands. When the 6'1", 180-pound human joystick getsnin space, then lookout! By the time you're able to even blink, he may be standing all alone in the end zone.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/IsmaelCisse_/status/1597658631159549952 </div></figure>     MLB [player_tooltip player_id='251220' first='Angelo' last='Petrides']   The anchor of this Bruins defense, there isn't a play that Petrides isn't afraid of making. Whether it's stuffing the run or staying in stride with a pass-catcher in coverage, Petrides is an absolute stud at all he does. Not to mention, but the middle linebacker possesses tremendous leadership abilities that also serves as an irreplaceable trait on the gridiron.   https://twitter.com/AngeloPetrides2/status/1587089061109501952   https://twitter.com/AngeloPetrides2/status/1587563414871629824     OLB [player_tooltip player_id='62241' first='Blake' last='Purchase']   He's the number-one overall player in the entire state, has racked up a whopping 18 sacks, and can play multiple positions on the defensive line or as an outside linebacker with his sheer size and speed. Need we say more?   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BlakePurchase/status/1577051501230698496 </div></figure>     S [player_tooltip player_id='232189' first='Aiden' last='Knapke']   Just when you think this Creek defense couldn't possibly be any more stacked, all it takes is one look at the Bruins secondary and the realization is made that they indeed are absolutely loaded. Acting as a ballhawking safety who not only roams the backend of the defense in opposition to an opponent's passing game, but he is also an incredible tackler and tends to make the Cherry Creek run support that much more stout when he is on the field.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/AidenKnapke/status/1598007857034629120 </div></figure>     The Most Slept On   RB [player_tooltip player_id='259298' first='Jordan' last='Herron']   Serving as one-half of a ferocious running back tandem in the Bruins backfield, [player_tooltip player_id='259298' first='Jordan' last='Herron'] has proved to most that he is no joke with his 997 rushing yards from scrimmage to go along with 13 touchdowns on the ground. Although he tends to be viewed as the 1B running back when compared to his ball carrying partner-in-crime in [player_tooltip player_id='22757' first='Carlson' last='Tann'], it will be the end of Valor if they sleep on Herron's ability to run wild on a defense.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JordanHerron_/status/1584336009583419392 </div></figure>     LB Jake Howell   When looking at a loaded roster like the one Cherry Creek possesses, names like linebacker Jake Howell can often times be overlooked by the abundant of talent alone that resides in Greenwood Village. However, all eyes should actually be fixated upon this linebacker who has quietly put together an impressive campaign. With over 110 tackles on the season and serving as the Bruins second-leading tackler, one cannot simply ignore Howell and is ability to make plays when on the field.   DT EZ Rice   With a name like EZ Rice, there is no doubting how "easy" it is for this strong and sturdy defensive tackle. In the win against Pine Creek, the senior was on a mission with three total tackles to go along with a sack. All season long, Rice has been a human wrecking ball for opposing offensive lineman and offenses. Coming into the state title game, Rice leads the team with 14.0 tackles for loss, which further demonstrates his ability to shed blocks and bring down a ball carrier behind the line of scrimmage.   The Biggest X-Factors   QB [player_tooltip player_id='212239' first='Brady' last='Vodicka']   One of the biggest differences from this year's team compared to the championship teams in recent season's past has been the change at the quarterback position. Fast forward to 2022, and the Bruins were forced to hand the keys of the offense to [player_tooltip player_id='212239' first='Brady' last='Vodicka']. A freshman, Vodicka has come along nicely with 13 passing touchdowns through the air on the season and also compiled a 100% completion percentage in the semifinal victory over Pine Creek. With a strong arm and athleticism that can help extend plays, Vodicka could be a big-time impact player come Saturday.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BradyVodicka07/status/1597412961038974977 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CCSDATHACT1/status/1596610213154430976 </div></figure>     WR [player_tooltip player_id='62225' first='Kyair' last='Johnston']   Everyone knows that [player_tooltip player_id='22761' first='Ismael' last='Cisse'] and what he is capable of, but have you heard of his receiving counterpart in [player_tooltip player_id='62225' first='Kyair' last='Johnston']? Averaging a lethal 12.3 yards per catch, Johnston provides a nice safety blanket for the Bruins offense especially when a defense's game plan is to prevent Cisse from burning them in the passing game. Alas, beware of Johnston's ability to go into takeover mode with excellent route running, his ability to break tackles after the catch, and even when he shows off his willingness to block in the running game.     LOLB [player_tooltip player_id='62213' first='Logan' last='Brantley']   One of the many physical freaks that make up this Cherry Creek roster, none may provide as much of a spark than outside-linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='62213' first='Logan' last='Brantley']. According to Prep Redzone, Brantley is ranked as the second-rated DL/LB in the state and is the sixth-best player overall in the box state. Certainly, the ferocious linebacker is one of the top standouts on this team, but it will prove to be difficult for Valor to block both him and Purchase at the right time. If this one is close down the stretch, don't be shocked if Brantley is the one that makes a title-clinching play to send the Bruins into a frenzy.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/LoganBrantley4/status/1576984362741964800 </div></figure>

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's the Cherry Creek Bruins! Winners of the previous three 5A State title games within the state of Colorado, the one-seeded Bruins will be squaring off with a familiar foe in the Valor Christian Eagles for the fourth time in the last five seasons and a chance to take home the state championship hardware. With the anticipation only growing as each day passes, let's get down to the nitty gritty and take a look at which Bruins playmakers will provide the electricity at 5,280 feet of altitude.