As teams get more comfortable on the pitch, boys soccer teams in Colorado realize it’s never too early to start thinking about state championships.

Here is the Colorado Preps weekly boys soccer overview.

Class 5A

For most, defending a state title in high school is an attempt in the unattainable.

For a few soccer programs throughout the years, repeating as state champions only appeared routine. The two back-to-back champs over the last 20 years (2006-07 Smoky Hill and 2014-15 Broomfield) managed to overcome the graduation of strong senior classes and star players to achieve it. But historically, it’s been a pursuit closer in fantasy.

For Grandview, the 2021 champions from the fall, Game 1 of its 2022 season was a sneak peek into the uphill challenge ahead.

Featuring the winners of the last two 5A titles Saturday, Fairview got the better of last week’s No. 1 team in 5A, beating the Wolves 2-0 at the Stutler Bowl. Junior Tom Gorbold scored in each half and stout keeper Shane Williams made nine saves in the victory.

The Knights, who won the 5A title in the spring of 2021, went from unranked to fourth in Monday’s new CHSAA coaches rankings. After their repeat pursuit from last fall ended in the state second round, they look to assert themselves back into the mix this year as they bring back a strong core that includes one of the state’s top keepers in Williams.

The Wolves dropped to second this week after being the preseason No. 1 team. Looking to navigate after losing both all-state, first-team players from last fall, they get another big test next Saturday in a title game rematch against Fossil Ridge.

Elsewhere across the classification through the first few days of the season, Aldo Alvarez had a hat trick for Gateway in a 3-1 win over Denver West. Doherty’s Erick Perez and Daniel Magallon-Hernandez each had two goals in an 8-0 win over Mitchell. Broomfield’s Yosef Nunez scored twice to give legendary coach Jim Davidson’s successor, Zachary Hindman, his first win.

The classification also got a new No. 1 team: Boulder.

The Panthers beat Castle View 2-1 Saturday thanks to goals from Victor Torres and Logan Sims. Now the Sabercats, down to sixth in the polls, get the city of Boulder’s other power, Fairview, on Wednesday.

Class 4A

Niwot goalie Matthew Hansen might have well hit his first-career goal from the moon.

The senior blasted a free kick from the 40-yard line up and over opposing keeper Wilder Unwin of Pueblo West Thursday as the Cougars rallied with three unanswered goals to win 3-2.

It was the sport’s top highlight of the week, and it came from a team that could be a dark horse after taking the then-third-ranked The Classical Academy to overtime in last year’s state second round. The Cougars moved from unranked to fifth this week in 4A.

Still atop classification for now though is Northfield. It won its 21st straight game last week.

In its 2-0 win over Golden Saturday, Ren Garfield matched his 2021 goals count with both goals for the Nighthawks and Zander Kosmas made three saves in his first career shutout.

Among upcoming games to watch over the next week is No. 3 Mullen at No. 2 Denver North Tuesday night (Aug. 23). The Vikings put up seven goals in their opener against Pomona. The Mustangs will be playing their first game of the season.

Class 3A

Most teams in the classification begin play this week. (Like, just go already). But for the few teams that have already played a game, maybe it’s a good time to point out what Eduardo Espino is doing at Rifle High School.

The sophomore has five goals (on 12 shots) in two games this fall, four of them coming in a 5-1 win over Grand Junction Central. In a season plus the first two games of 2022, it gives him nine career goals and five assists.

Other viewing across the next week, you have No. 1 Colorado Academy at 2A no. 4 Vail Mountain Saturday. Jefferson Academy, ranked second in the class, hosts Aurora West College Prep Academy Wednesday and Arrupe Jesuit Friday.

As for No. 3 Roaring Fork, it will be a bit. Last year’s winner doesn’t play its first game until Sept. 6.

Class 2A

Crested Butte, ranked first in the classification after winning the title last fall, had a somewhat startling opening to the season, losing to 3A Basalt (which won just three games a season ago).

It then got back on track 24 hours later with a 10-0 throttling over Alamosa.

Meaning … the verdict on Crested Butte’s title defense is no more than a wonder at this point.

Reigning 2A player of the year Jacob Bernholtz leads the team with four goals in two games as the Titans next prepare for Salida at home Tuesday.

No. 2 Telluride, which beat Basalt 2-1 in its opener, is at Denver Christian Friday.

No. 3 Lotus School for Excellence begins play Saturday at home against James Irwin.

No. 4 Vail Mountain, which beat 3A Rifle last week, gets CA Saturday. No. 5 Fountain Valley is at Salida Tuesday.