2016 Colorado Football Preseason Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: Dylan McCaffrey - Ultimate Highlights


1. Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch)
Head coach: Rod Sherman
2015 record: 12-2
Team preview

The Eagles, who begin the season No. 24 in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard, rallied late to edge Pomona 29-26 in the Class 5A state championship game last season. It marked Valor Christian's sixth title in seven seasons spanning three classifications, the latter three in 5A.

Quarterback Dylan McCaffrey, brother of Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey and son of former NFL wide receiver Ed McCaffrey, has committed to Michigan. He is aiming to build on a stellar 2015 season in which he tossed 27 touchdowns and only four interceptions. All-state two-way lineman Noah Elliss, a 6-foot-5, 330-pounder, is among a bevy of key contributors also back in the fold.

The Eagles will get some national exposure on ESPNU on Sept. 9, when they welcome Greater Atlanta Christian to Valor Stadium.

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2. Columbine (Littleton)
Head coach: Andy Lowry
2015 record: 12-1
Team preview

The Rebels were exceedingly dominant last season until losing a 21-20 heartbreaker to Pomona in the semifinals. Columbine, which edged Pomona by seven during the regular season, outscored all other foes by double digits and boasted a 451-159 margin for the season.

The wing-based Rebels churned out an astounding 4,101 yards on the ground last season and return leading rusher Mikey Griebel (1,480 yards, 22 touchdowns), third-leading rusher Tim Mullin and talented center Ashton Mansur. Lowry, who recently won the Positive Coaching Alliance's Double-Goal Coach Award, has guided the Rebels to five appearances in the championship game.

The Rebels will face their mirror opposite in pass-happy Fairview on Oct. 6 in the opener of the newly formed Mt. Cameron League.

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3. Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village)
Head coach: Dave Logan
2015 record: 10-3
Team preview After upsetting Valor Christian in the 2014 championship game, the Bruins advanced to the semifinals last season. This time, they fell to Valor 20-10 mere weeks after falling to the Eagles 10-0 in league play.

The Bruins will return a formidable defense with two Division I recruits leading the way. Swarming pass rusher Jonathan Van Diest, who recorded 10.5 sacks last season, has verbally committed to the University of Colorado. Leading receiver Dimitri Stanley also returns for Logan, who has coached four 5A schools to championships (also Arvada West, Chatfield and Mullen).

The Bruins get another shot at Valor Christian on Sept. 29, when they welcome the Eagles to the Stutler Bowl.

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4. Pomona (Arvada)
Head coach: Jay Madden
2015 record: 10-4
Team preview

After playing perhaps the most ambitious schedule in the state last season, the Panthers narrowly lost out on the big-school crown when Valor Christian rallied late for a 29-26 title-game win.

But Pomona didn't walk off the Sports Authority Field turf believing that was the end of the line, because the Panthers' primary three playmakers are back in the fold. Cameron Gonzales (1,458 rushing yards, 29 touchdowns) and Max Borghi (1,503 yards from scrimmage) return, as does talented quarterback Ryan Marquez, who deftly ran the show as a sophomore. Mammoth tackle Jake Moretti (6-5, 285 pounds) also is back, along with the anchor of the defensive line, fellow senior Brandon Micale.

The Panthers square off against Valor Christian in a title-game rematch on Sept. 23.

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5. Windsor
Head coach: Skylar Brower
2015 record: 13-1
Team preview

The defending 4A champions enter the season in transition after longtime coach Chris Jones resigned in the spring. Brower, who has been part of the Wizards staff for eight seasons, will take over on an interim basis this season and will be free to apply as part of Windsor's search for a full-time replacement after the season.

The Wizards, who also won a 3A crown in 2011, defeated Loveland 35-14 in last season's 4A title game. They return quarterback and leading rusher Brad Peeples (1,368 yards, 20 touchdowns) and dominant pass rusher Corte Tapia. The latter, who registered 157 tackles and 15.5 sacks last season, recently committed to Colorado State. The senior guides a Wizards defense that yielded only 99 points and held 10 opponents to single digits last season.

The Wizards will face a stern early-season test on Sept. 9 at perennial power Pine Creek, which has gone 38-3 with two championships over the past three seasons.