Your Guide to 2023: Everything You Need to Know for this Fall
In this article:
Ladies and gentleman, I cannot believe I’m saying this… BUT FOOTBALL SEASON IS BACK BABY! With Week 0 officially in the books, the rest of Colorado will strap on the pads, buckle up the chinstraps, and lace up the cleats…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingLadies and gentleman, I cannot believe I’m saying this… BUT FOOTBALL SEASON IS BACK BABY! With Week 0 officially in the books, the rest of Colorado will strap on the pads, buckle up the chinstraps, and lace up the cleats to begin what should be an incredibly entertaining fall season. By the time the calendar year hits December, there will be plenty of storylines of triumph and heartbreak with a whole lot of big hits sprinkled on top. After a long offseason, it is time to uncover the truth of all you need to know heading into the return of Colorado high school football. Let’s do this thing folks!
Can Anyone Dethrone Cherry Creek?
Honestly, this is a fair question. In the last three years combined that have all resulted in state championships, the Bruins have only lost a combined six games en route to their Three-Peat run. For good reason, all of of 5A Colorado has been looking up at Creek in an attempt to finally get a taste of what they have been missing out on.
Not only can top-ranked Cherry Creek take a sigh of relief knowing they get to skip out on playing another school from out of state this season, but there is a decent chunk of returning talent that is set to make some noise yet again this fall. Of course, having head coach and local legend Dave Logan doesn’t hurt either. In fact, winning eight state titles in 24 years of coaching is simply no coincidence.
All in all, the number-one school in 5A will have a tough test out of the gate in a clash with fifth-ranked Ralston Valley. Others that could find themselves making a run at Creek’s throne down the stretch include #2 Valor Christian, #4 Pine Creek, and #11 Grandview to name a few.
Shining Stars Galore!
Although Colorado might not ever be a California, Texas, or even a Florida from a pure talent perspective, let’s not pretend that there isn’t a boatload of talent for colleges across America to choose from. Whether it’s dominating maulers like Kansas State commit Gage Ginther Gage Ginther 6'6" | 275 lbs | OL Fossil Ridge | 2024 State CO and Smoky Hill standout Bailey Bujanda Bailey Bujanda 6'3" | 280 lbs | OL Smoky Hill | 2025 State CO , to the cream of the crop in RB Gabe Sawchuk Gabe Sawchuk 5'10" | 165 lbs | RB Valor Christian | 2024 State CO and QB Austyn Modrzewski Austyn Modrzewski 6'5" | 205 lbs | QB Mountain Vista | 2025 State CO , the box state itself will have an abundant amount of playmaking athletes that are surely going to raise more than a few eyebrows this fall.
Of course, who could forget gifted names that are flying under the radar like Montrose running back Blake Griffin Blake Griffin 5'9" | 195 lbs | RB Montrose | 2024 State CO , Ponderosa wideout Max Mervin Max Mervin 6'0" | 170 lbs | ATH Ponderosa | 2025 State CO , or even Sierra pass catcher Micah Lumpkin Micah Lumpkin 6'0" | WR Sierra | 2024 State CO . The list goes on and on, which should only excite the average Colorado high school football fanatic as the season goes on.
Broomfield is Really, REALLY Good
Ten months ago, the Broomfield Eagles hoisted the 4A State Championship cup after running the table. Believe it or not, it was their first state title in more than 38 years. Anyone getting a little misty-eyed? Although the Eagles were forced to wave goodbye to a more-than-stacked senior graduating class, this is still a team to be reckoned with. Losing longtime starting quarterback Cole Lacrue who took his talents to Wisconsin to be a Badger is certainly no easy pill to swallow, but the Eagles should be in good hands with dynamic C.T. Worley taking over the reigns. Not only is he athletic enough to keep opposing defenses on their toes, but he can blow the top off of defenses in the vertical passing game.
Not to mention, but Broomfield should have no issues pounding the rock down the throats of their enemies with hog-molly and Nebraska commit Landen Davidson anchoring the offensive line. With the offense expected to be clicking on all cylinders in both the passing and running game, the Eagles should not miss a beat.
Who are Possible Dark-Horse Contenders?
When was the last time preseason rankings were 100% accurate? Usually never. One thing is for sure; there will be a handful of teams that can prove their critics wrong on their way to successful seasons.
To begin, one possible “dark-horse” contender falls in the form of the Pine Creek football program. Participating in their second-full season at the 5A level, the Eagles will be tested early right off the bat on Sep. 1st versus last year’s runner-up’s in Valor Christian. After going 10-3 in 2022, Pine Creek could be primed to take that next leap of relevance.
Believe it or not, but the Eagles have a whopping 13 names in Prep Redzone’s Class of 2024 rankings alone ( Carson Caplan Carson Caplan 6'3" | 285 lbs | OL Pine Creek | 2024 State CO , Mason Miller Mason Miller 5'11" | 155 lbs | WR CO , Ramon Pacheco Ramon Pacheco 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB Pine Creek | 2024 State CO , Kai Goetze Kai Goetze 6'3" | 230 lbs | TE Pine Creek | 2024 State CO , Jaiden Anetone Jaiden Anetone LB Pine Creek | 2024 State CO , Leyton Robinson Leyton Robinson 6'0" | 175 lbs | DB Pine Creek | 2024 State CO , Tristan Randall Tristan Randall 6'3" | 265 lbs | OL Pine Creek | 2024 State CO , Connor Laxson, Cannon Budge Cannon Budge DB Pine Creek | 2024 State CO , Justis Nicholson Justis Nicholson ATH Pine Creek | 2024 State CO , Luke Zimmerman Luke Zimmerman RB Pine Creek | 2024 State CO , Caden Coesens Caden Coesens QB Pine Creek | 2024 CO , Marquis Williams Marquis Williams 5'10" | 185 lbs | ATH Pine Creek | 2024 CO ). This doesn’t include 2025 standouts Cameron Cooper Cameron Cooper 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Pine Creek | 2025 State CO , De’Vante Johnson De’Vante Johnson 6'5" | 310 lbs | OL Pine Creek | 2025 State CO and Jonathan Coar Jonathan Coar 5'11" | 185 lbs | RB Pine Creek | 2025 State CO to lead a more than talented junior class.
In addition, 5A schools like #5 Regis Jesuit ( Lawson Douglas Lawson Douglas 6'1" | 170 lbs | DB Regis Jesuit | 2024 State CO , Albert Medina Albert Medina 6'0" | RB Regis Jesuit | 2024 State CO ) #6 Grandview ( Nkongolo Wa-Kalonji Nkongolo Wa-Kalonji 6'4" | 185 lbs | DL Grandview | 2024 State CO , Liam Szarka Liam Szarka 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Grandview | 2024 State CO ) #9 Rock Canyon ( Will Rosenmeyer Will Rosenmeyer 6'1" | 175 lbs | DB Rock Canyon | 2024 State CO , Austin Bowker Austin Bowker 6'3" | WR Rock Canyon | 2024 State CO , Donavon Vernon Donavon Vernon 5'8" | 180 lbs | RB Grandview | 2025 State CO )and #11 Fossil Ridge ( Colton Pawlak Colton Pawlak 5'9" | 175 lbs | ATH Fossil Ridge | 2025 State CO , Ryan Lautzenhiser Ryan Lautzenhiser 6'1" | 160 lbs | WR Fossil Ridge | 2024 State CO ) could all see themselves make a run for the top teams’ money when the dust settles.
For the smaller schools, keep your eyes peeled for 4A #5 Montrose ( Gage Wareham Gage Wareham QB Montrose | 2024 State CO ) and #6 Ponderosa ( Blake Branham Blake Branham 5'11" | 190 lbs | LB Ponderosa | 2024 State CO ), 3A #8 Thompson Valley (C.J. James) and #12 Mead ( Ty Olson Ty Olson 6'1" | 185 lbs | WR Mead | 2024 CO ), 2A #4 The Academy and #6 Elizabeth ( Cooper Connelley Cooper Connelley 6'3" | 175 lbs | RB Elizabeth | 2024 State CO ), and lastly 1A #5 Yuma and #7 Monte Vista.
The Kings of 1A, 2A, and 3A
While all of the talk may be about the classes of 4A and 5A, it is vital not to overlook the sheer talent and success that the 1A-3A field has under their belts. Although equipped with a smaller population that often makes it difficult to find elite talent, by no means should the “Kings” of 1A, 2A, and 3A be taken lightly.
At the 3A level, it was the Roosevelt Roughriders that took Colorado by storm by withstanding every possible test possible on the gridiron en route to capping off an undefeated season. The Roughriders return a plethora of talent at their disposal led by QB Bronco Hartson Bronco Hartson 6'0" | 195 lbs | QB Roosevelt | 2024 State CO , who often displays a virtuoso playing style from within the pocket. For the second-straight season, Roosevelt should be the team to beat.
When it comes to 2A, the Delta Panthers almost ran the table in 2022 but fell short in gut-wrenching fashion to 2023 preseason ranked number-one Eaton. Once again, it would not be surprising whatsoever if these two were the last ones standing at the end of the season. Even though Eaton lost out on some crucial playmakers from last year’s squad due to graduation, success can still be found. Alas, the Reds will turn to halfback DeAngelo Rosas who rushed for 571 yards and three scores in 2022. For Delta, one name to be on the lookout for will include defensive lineman Tucker Johnson Tucker Johnson 6'3" | 230 lbs | DL Delta | 2024 State CO and his monstrous frame that helps him suffocate ball carriers in his wake.
1A wise, there seems to be a lot of intrigue around the undefeated champs from a year ago in the Limon Badgers. With a 341 positive point-differential from 2022, it would be foolish to not think that the top-ranked Badgers aren’t the preseason favorite to repeat. Led by returning QB Jordan Rockwell, Limon will have to survive the gauntlet of schools like Wray, Wiggins, and even Strasburg to name a few.
5A Preseason Rankings
1. Cherry Creek
2. Valor Christian
3. Pine Creek
4. Ralston Valley
5. Regis Jesuit
6. Grandview
7. Columbine
8. Arapahoe
9. Rock Canyon
10. Legend
11. Fossil Ridge
12. Mountain Vista
13. Fairview
14. Legacy
15. ThunderRidge
16. Fountain-Fort Carson
17. Chatfield
18. Cherokee Trail
19. Eaglecrest
20.Douglas County
21. Highlands Ranch
22. Mullen
23. Smoky Hill
24. Doherty
25. Arvada West
4A Preseason Rankings
1. Broomfield
2. Palmer Ridge
3. Loveland
4. Erie
5. Montrose
6. Ponderosa
7. Vista Ridge
8. Dakota Ridge
9. Heritage
10. Denver South
11. Mesa Ridge
12. Fruita Monument
13. Pueblo West
14. Golden
15. Windsor
16. Far Northeast
17. Skyline
18. Longmont
19. Standley Lake
20. Bear Creek
21. Monarch
22. Grand Junction Central
23. Rampart
24. Vista PEAK Prep
25. Thomas Jefferson
3A Preseason Rankings
1. Roosevelt
2. Lutheran
3. Durango
4. Green Mountain
5. Holy Family
6. Northridge
7. Frederick
8. Thompson Valley
9. Palisade
10. Evergreen
11. Northfield
12. Mead
13. Summit
14. Resurrection Christian
15. George Washington
16. Severance
17. Pueblo East
18. Pueblo Central
19. Glenwood Springs
20. Riverdale Ridge
21. Conifer
22. Harrison
23. Fort Morgan
24. Kennedy
25. Mountain View (Loveland)
2A Preseason Rankings
1. Eaton
2. Delta
3. The Classical Academy (Colorado Springs)
4. The Academy (Westminster)
5. Florence
6. Elizabeth
7. Alamosa
8. Basalt
9. University (Greeley)
10. Montezuma-Cortez (Cortez)
11. Rifle
12. Berthoud
13. Brush
14. Bennett
15. Moffat County (Craig)
16. Woodland Park
17. La Junta
18. Pagosa Springs
19. Salida
20. Fort Lupton
21. D’Evelyn (Denver)
22. Bayfield
23. Englewood
24. Steamboat Springs
25. Plate Valley (Kersey)
1A Preseason Rankings
1. Limon
2. Wray
3. Wiggins
4. Strasburg
5. Yuma
6. Holyoke
7. Monte Vista
8. Centauri (La Jara)
9. Buena Vista
10. Gunnison
11. Colorado Springs Christian (Colorado Springs)
12. Meeker
13. Burlington
14. Banning Lewis Academy
15. Rye
16. Flatirons Academy
17. North Fork
18. Estes Park
19. Platte Canyon (Bailey)
20. Ignacio
21. Middle Park (Granby)
22. Cedaredge
23. Highland (Ault)
24. Denver Christian (Denver)
25. Manual (Denver)