Since the fall of 2019, the same question has been asked over and over again heading into football season:
Can anyone stop Cherry Creek.
Some years, a lot of people would’ve said yes. Other years, people would’ve said that no one stands a chance. The 2023 season likely won’t be different in that regard, but it’s tough not to think that are at least a handful of teams that can put an end to Creek’s four-year state championship run.
The Bruins have been nothing short of dominant since beating Columbine back in the 2019 title game. They shutout Valor Christian in back-to-back 21-0 wins in the two championship games after and then got the better of the Eagles again last year with a 24-17 win.
The name most often heard when it came to the 2022 Bruins was edge rusher Blake Purchase. He was named the Class 5A player of the year after totaling 18 sacks and leading a defensive unit that gave up just 170 total points on the year.
His departure could place more emphasis on the Cherry Creek offense, but that may not a problem. Sophomore quarterback Brady Vodicka was protected in 2022 with a strong rushing attack but as he settles in for his second season running the offense, he should be more comfortable. He threw for 1,091 yards and 13 touchdowns last season and will certainly develop into a top quarterback in the classification in his time at Creek.
Jordan Herron nearly broke the 1,000-yard barrier and will likely lead the ground attack that should make Vodicka a more efficient passer.
Ralston Valley has big plans in 2023 considering it has maybe the top quarterback in the state leading the team. Logan Madden threw for 2,375 yards and 24 touchdowns and rushed for another seven. The Mustangs suffered a one-point loss to Valor Christian in the semifinals, something that will likely motivate them this season.
They’re already on the board with a win as they took down Mountain Vista 13-7 in a Zero Week showdown.
Valor Christian also has some unfinished business remaining after suffering a third straight loss to Cherry Creek in the state title game. This time, the Eagles at least got some points on the board and with coach Bret McGatlin now settled into the program, he’ll attempt to get the Eagles their first title since 2018.
This is Valor longest state championship drought since it won its first title in 2009.
Running back Gabe Sawchuk is back after rushing for 762 yards and seven scores last year. Quarterback Asher Weiner will also give the offense a boost after he threw for 1,175 yards and rushed for another 661 in 2022.
Pine Creek is an interesting team to look at because the biggest strength for the team is in the trenches. The offensive line has the size and experience to create running lanes for running back Mason Miller. The Iowa State commit rushed for 1,311 yards and 14 scores last year and has embodied a leadership role heading into his senior season.
Overall, there are several teams that will be fighting for position in the 5A football bracket. Legacy gets dual-threat quarterback Kullen Lerma back. The Lightning nearly beat Pine Creek to get to the quarterfinals. Grandview and Columbine are traditional football powers that can certainly play their way into the semifinals.
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5A football
Returning All-State Players:
- Logan Madden, Ralston Valley (First Team)
- Austyn Modrzewski, Mountain Vista (First Team)
- Lincoln Fa’apouli, Fountain-Fort Carson (Second Team)
- Solomon Latimer, Doherty (Second Team)
- Mason Miller, Pine Creek (Second Team)
- Gabe Sawchuk, Valor Christian (Second Team)
- Omari Bursey, Legacy (Honorable Mention)
- Carson Caplan, Pine Creek (Honorable Mention)
- Abraham Chatila, Rocky Mountain (Honorable Mention)
- James Cillessen, Columbine (Honorable Mention)
- DJ Crowe, Denver East (Honorable Mention)
- Carter Daniels, Mountain Vista (Honorable Mention)
- Charlie Eckhardt, Arapahoe (Honorable Mention)
- Gage Ginther, Fossil Ridge (Honorable Mention)
- AJ Guida, Mullen (Honorable Mention)
- Jordan Herron, Cherry Creek (Honorable Mention)
- Landen Holloway, Denver East (Honorable Mention)
- Tyrese Johnson, Ralston Valley (Honorable Mention)
- Kullen Lerma, Legacy (Honorable Mention)
- Carlos Mendoza, Columbine (Honorable Mention)
- Brock Narva, Chatfield (Honorable Mention)
- Ramon Pacheco, Pine Creek (Honorable Mention)
- Colton Pawlak, Fossil Ridge (Honorable Mention)
- Jordan Rechel, Fairview (Honorable Mention)
- CJ Reese, ThunderRidge (Honorable Mention)
- Josh Snyder, Columbine (Honorable Mention)
- Jake Stonebraker, Douglas County (Honorable Mention)
- Liam Szarka, Grandview (Honorable Mention)
- Donavon Vernon, Grandview (Honorable Mention)
- Logan White, Legend (Honorable Mention)
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League 1
| Team | Overall | League | ||
| Win | Loss | Win | Loss | |
| Ralston Valley | 10 | 3 | 5 | 0 |
| Columbine | 10 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| Chatfield | 5 | 7 | 3 | 2 |
| Arvada West | 4 | 7 | 2 | 3 |
| Pomona | 2 | 8 | 1 | 4 |
| Lakewood | 0 | 10 | 0 | 5 |
League champion: Ralston Valley
Additional playoff teams: Columbine, Chatfield, Arvada West
Projected 2023 league champion: Ralston Valley
Additional 2023 playoff contenders: Columbine, Chatfield, Arvada West
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League 2
| Team | Overall | League | ||
| Win | Loss | Win | Loss | |
| Legacy | 9 | 3 | 5 | 0 |
| Mullen | 5 | 6 | 4 | 1 |
| Horizon | 3 | 7 | 3 | 2 |
| Rangeview | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| Brighton | 1 | 9 | 1 | 4 |
| Prairie View | 2 | 8 | 0 | 5 |
League champion: Legacy
Additional playoff teams: Mullen
Projected 2023 league champion: Legacy
Additional 2023 playoff contenders: Mullen, Horizon
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League 3
| Team | Overall | League | ||
| Win | Loss | Win | Loss | |
| Fairview | 9 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| Fossil Ridge | 9 | 3 | 4 | 1 |
| Poudre | 7 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Rocky Mountain | 6 | 6 | 2 | 3 |
| Fort Collins | 2 | 8 | 1 | 4 |
| Boulder | 1 | 9 | 0 | 5 |
League champion: Fairview
Additional playoff teams: Fossil Ridge, Poudre, Rocky Mountain
Projected 2023 league champion: Fairview
Additional 2023 playoff contenders: Fossil Ridge, Poudre, Rocky Mountain
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League 4
| Team | Overall | League | ||
| Win | Loss | Win | Loss | |
| Cherry Creek | 12 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| Grandview | 9 | 3 | 4 | 1 |
| Arapahoe | 6 | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| Eaglecrest | 7 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Cherokee Trail | 4 | 7 | 1 | 4 |
| Smoky Hill | 1 | 9 | 0 | 5 |
League champion: Cherry Creek
Additional playoff teams: Grandview, Arapahoe, Eaglecrest, Cherokee Trail
Projected 2023 league champion: Cherry Creek
Additional 2023 playoff contenders: Grandview, Arapahoe, Eaglecrest, Cherokee Trail
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League 5
| Team | Overall | League | ||
| Win | Loss | Win | Loss | |
| Valor Christian | 11 | 3 | 5 | 0 |
| ThunderRidge | 11 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| Mountain Vista | 7 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Rock Canyon | 8 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Castle View | 2 | 8 | 1 | 4 |
| Highlands Ranch | 2 | 8 | 0 | 5 |
League champion: Valor Christian
Additional playoff teams: ThunderRidge, Mountain Vista, Rock Canyon
Projected 2023 league champion: Valor Christian
Additional 2023 playoff contenders: ThunderRidge, Mountain Vista, Rock Canyon
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League 6
| Team | Overall | League | ||
| Win | Loss | Win | Loss | |
| Regis Jesuit | 7 | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| Pine Creek | 10 | 3 | 4 | 1 |
| Legend | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Fountain-Fort Carson | 8 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Chaparral | 1 | 9 | 1 | 4 |
| Douglas County | 3 | 7 | 0 | 5 |
League champion: Regis Jesuit
Additional playoff teams: Pine Creek, Legend, Fountain-Fort Carson
Projected 2023 league champion: Pine Creek
Additional 2023 playoff contenders: Regis Jesuit, Legend, Fountain-Fort Carson
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League 7
| Team | Overall | League | ||
| Win | Loss | Win | Loss | |
| Doherty | 7 | 4 | 5 | 0 |
| Denver East | 5 | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| Overland | 5 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Northglenn | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| Westminster | 1 | 9 | 1 | 4 |
| Mountain Range | 3 | 6 | 0 | 5 |
League champion: Doherty
Additional playoff teams: None
Projected 2023 league champion: Doherty
Additional 2023 playoff contenders: None
