Colorado high school football rankings: Cherry Creek No. 1 in 2024 Preseason MaxPreps Top 25

By Jordan Divens Aug 22, 2024, 10:30am

Bruins look to capture fifth state title in past six seasons behind senior Aiden Knapke and strong returning cast.

The high school football season in Colorado kicks off this week and MaxPreps has your look at the state's top teams. Coming off a state championship game appearance in 2023, Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village) owns the No. 1 spot in the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25.

Cherry Creek fell just shy of capturing its fifth consecutive state championship in the state's highest classification a year ago, falling to Columbine (Littleton) 28-14 in the Class 5A title game. The Bruins have won 13 state crowns all-time, good for second in state history.

Seniors Aiden Knapke (6-0, 190, S, Washington State commitment), Keegan Perea (6-3, 245, DL), Soren Shinofield (6-6, 275, OL, Utah) and Ned Zilinskas (6-2, 280, OL) along with juniors Tufanua Ionatana Umu­­-Cais (6-3, 307, DL) and Brady Vodicka (6-1, 215, QB) lead the charge for Cherry Creek.

Knapke may be the best player in the state as the three-star safety enters his senior campaign with 200 career tackles and 13 interceptions.

In addition to Columbine, defending state champions include Erie in Class 4A, Holy Family (Broomfield) in Class 3A, Delta in Class 2A and Limon in Class 1A.

The Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 is a composite of the Preseason Top 100 and computer rankings factoring in past results and adjustments such as returners and statistical data when available.
Graphic: Ryan Escobar
Graphic: Ryan Escobar
Colorado Preseason MaxPreps Top 25



1. Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village), 13-1 record in 2023
2. Columbine (Littleton), 14-0
3. Ralston Valley (Arvada), 10-3
4. Chatfield (Littleton), 8-6
5. Mountain Vista (Highlands Ranch), 9-3
6. Palmer Ridge (Monument), 13-1
7. Legend (Parker), 9-4
8. Arapahoe (Centennial), 8-3
9. Erie, 13-1
10. Montrose, 10-3
11. Grandview, 8-5
12. Pine Creek (Colorado Springs), 10-2
13. Regis Jesuit (Aurora), 6-5
14. Broomfield, 10-3
15. Legacy (Broomfield), 7-5
16. Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch), 6-5
17. Eaglecrest (Centennial), 7-4
18. Heritage (Littleton), 6-5
19. Cherokee Trail (Aurora), 5-6
20. Holy Family (Broomfield) 13-1
21. Castle View (Castle Rock), 8-4
22. Pueblo West (Pueblo West), 7-5
23. Windsor, 10-3
24. Arvada West (Arvada), 5-6
25. Fairview (Boulder), 9-2

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