High school football rankings: Valor Christian tops Colorado Preseason MaxPreps Top 25

Gavin Sawchuk, Eagles hope to erase sting of last year's playoff loss to Cherry Creek.

By
Aug 17, 2021, 9:15am
The 2021 high school football season in Colorado kicks off next week and MaxPreps has your look at the state's top teams. Coming off a 7-1 season in 2020 with one of the nation's top offensive weapons in the backfield, Valor Christian owns the top spot in our preseason rankings.

Valor Christian was dominant through its first seven games last season, outscoring opponents 348-42 in those contests. But a 21-0 loss in the Class 5A state championship game to Cherry Creek ended things on a sour note. The Eagles are hoping the presence of senior running back and Oklahoma commit Gavin Sawchuk can push them to a title this fall.

Sawchuk, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound senior rated as one of the Top 50 prospects in the country by 247Sports, rushed for 1,239 yards and 17 touchdowns in an abbreviated junior campaign. He's piled up 3,270 yards and 49 touchdowns on the ground during his career at Valor with over 4,500 all-purpose yards.

Cherry Creek won't be ceding power in 5A without a fight. The Bruins have won back-to-back state titles and carry a 23-game win streak into the season. Under head coach Dave Logan, the program is 84-17 since 2013.

In addition to Cherry Creek, defending 11-man state champions from the fall 2021 season include Loveland (4A), Durango (3A), Eaton (2A) and Limon (1A).
See the complete list below.
Oklahoma commit Gavin Sawchuk of Valor Christian should top 4,000 career rushing yards this fall.
Oklahoma commit Gavin Sawchuk of Valor Christian should top 4,000 career rushing yards this fall.
Photo by Lance Wendt
Colorado Preseason MaxPreps Top 25

2. Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village), 9-0
3. Limon, 7-0
4. Loveland, 9-0
5. Columbine (Littleton), 5-1
6. Regis Jesuit (Aurora), 5-2
7. Durango (Durango), 8-0
8. Palmer Ridge (Monument), 6-1
9. Pomona (Arvada), 7-1
10. Legend (Parker), 7-1
11. Ralston Valley (Arvada), 5-2
12. Lutheran (Parker), 4-2
13. Mead (Longmont), 5-2
14. Eaglecrest (Centennial), 4-2
15. Dakota Ridge (Littleton), 7-1
16. Pine Creek (Colorado Springs), 2-3
17. Mountain Vista (Highlands Ranch), 3-2
18. Fountain-Fort Carson (Fountain), 6-2
19. Broomfield, 5-1
20. Roosevelt (Johnstown), 7-1
21. Arapahoe (Centennial), 4-3
22. Vista Ridge (Colorado Springs), 3-2
23. Grandview (Aurora), 3-4
24. Pueblo South (Pueblo), 5-1
25. Fairview (Boulder),6-1

Related Content