5A Championship Preview

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cherry Creek takes on Legend in the Class 5A State Title Game</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class 5A State title game has become synonymous with Cherry Creek's dominance, essentially transforming into the "who is Cherry Creek playing this year" bowl. This year, Cherry Creek makes its seventh consecutive appearance on the biggest stage in Colorado's largest classification, while Legend prepares for its inaugural state title game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cherry Creek's offense is led by Junior Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='212239' first='Brady' last='Vodicka'], who has thrown for 2,653 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions, completing 65% of his passes. Vodicka's dual-threat ability has proven effective, with 8 rushing touchdowns. He hands off to Junior RB [player_tooltip player_id='212249' first='Jayden' last='Fox'], the state's fastest and most explosive player at his position, who has rushed for 1,725 yards and 19 touchdowns, averaging nearly 10 yards per carry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Freshman phenom [player_tooltip player_id='983302' first='Elijah' last='Cromwell'] has emerged as a versatile threat, contributing nearly 600 yards of production and 7 touchdowns. Cromwell's playing time has increased during the playoffs, and he continues to impress.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cherry Creek's receiving corps boasts an arsenal of talent, including Senior wideout [player_tooltip player_id='283655' first='Jeremiah' last='Hoffman'], the Charlotte commit leads the team with 42 receptions for 831 yards and 7 touchdowns. Junior wideout [player_tooltip player_id='547638' first='Maxwell' last='Lovett'], a top prospect in the 2026 class, has hauled in 37 passes for 601 yards and 7 touchdowns. Sophomore standout [player_tooltip player_id='652497' first='Alijah' last='Landrum-Hamilton'], who holds offers from Miami, Ole Miss, and Penn, has added 55 catches for 595 yards and 4 touchdowns. Junior Tight End [player_tooltip player_id='1625143' first='Ty' last='Goettsche'], a 6'7" mismatch nightmare, has hauled in 12 passes for 133 yards and 4 touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, Cherry Creek is anchored by Senior Safety [player_tooltip player_id='232189' first='Aiden' last='Knapke'], a Washington State signee, who has recorded 118 tackles, 4 for loss, and 2 interceptions. Senior DE [player_tooltip player_id='406464' first='Keegan' last='Perea'], a Nevada signee, has 69 tackles, 5 for loss, and 4 sacks. Junior DT Tufanua "TI" Umu-Cais, who holds 21+ offers, has 68 tackles, 8 for loss, and 2 sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Legend is led offensively by Senior Quarterback Nick Farley, who has thrown for 1,155 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions, completing 59% of his passes. Farley's leadership has been instrumental in Legend's success this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Titans boast a formidable RB tandem in Wyoming signee [player_tooltip player_id='475378' first='Jaden' last='Lawrence'], who has 1,370 all-purpose yards and 18 total touchdowns, and Junior [player_tooltip player_id='212253' first='Ryken' last='Banks'], who has 1,167 all-purpose yards and 11 total touchdowns. Sophomore WR [player_tooltip player_id='1113006' first='Kellen' last='Marchand'] has emerged as an effective weapon, hauling in 17 passes for 339 yards and 4 touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Legend's defense features an underrated front seven, including Senior DE [player_tooltip player_id='978207' first='John' last='Niedringhaus'], Senior LB Aaron Olson, Senior DE Tatum O'Donnell, and Senior LB [player_tooltip player_id='404988' first='Champ' last='Jones']. The secondary is anchored by three talented DB's: Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1113015' first='Payton' last='Aukland'], Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1190712' first='Carson' last='Flowers'], and Senior [player_tooltip player_id='979152' first='Brody' last='Shuss'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game will likely come down to a few key factors:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. Can Legend handle Cherry Creek's speed?<br>2. Is Cherry Creek prepared for the physicality of Legend's defensive line?<br>3. Will the allure of making it to the championship game be too much for Legend?<br>4. Will [player_tooltip player_id='475378' first='Jaden' last='Lawrence'] get his touches?<br>5. Can Legend contain Cherry Creek's wideouts?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->