Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in high school football. America's source for high school sports continues the tradition to close out the 2022 season by naming the top player in each state. Selections are based on team success and individual excellence in addition to local and state accolades.
Blake Purchase of
Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village) is the 2022 MaxPreps Colorado High School Football Player of the Year. The 6-foot-2, 240-pound senior defensive end/outside linebacker led the Bruins to a 12-2 record and fourth consecutive Class 5A state title.
Purchase finished with with over 60 tackles, 19 sacks and two forced fumbles. He had at least one sack in 11 of 13 games, including four in a September win over Chatfield (Littleton).
In a 24-17 win over Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch) in the title game, Purchase recorded a sack and forced fumble in the first half, then helped the Bruins put things away with a little over six minutes remaining in the contest left by scoring on a four-yard run.
Over his final two seasons at Cherry Creek, Purchase racked up nearly 150 tackles and 31 sacks.
Purchase joins his older brother Myles as a winner of MaxPreps Colorado Player of the Year honors. Myles earned All-Big 12 honorable mention honors this season at Iowa State.
Blake, who is regarded as the top prospect from Colorado in the Class of 2023 by 247Sports, will continue his football career next year at Oregon.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team, which will be released January 10.
Past MaxPreps Colorado Players of the Year2020 – Myles Purchase, CB, Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village)
2021 – RB Gavin Sawchuk, Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch)
Blake Purchase celebrates after helping Cherry Creek win its fourth consecutive Class 5A state title. (Photo: Theodore Stark)
