MaxPreps 2015 Colorado preseason high school football Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: Dylan McCaffrey's highlights vs. Cherry Creek High
See the big-time quarterback in action for Valor Christian last season.


1. Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch)
Coach: Rod Sherman
2014 finish: 10-4
Team preview

After winning five consecutive state championships, the Eagles had to settle for Class 5A state runner-up status in 2014, losing the title game 25-24 to rival Cherry Creek in an instant classic. Valor looks primed to regain its No. 1 spot behind stellar junior quarterback Dylan McCaffrey. McCaffrey passed for 2,378 yards and 22 touchdowns in his first season as a starter and should improve upon those numbers, as eight offensive starters return for the Eagles. He will get help up front from Dillon Reinkensmeyer, a 6-foot-5, 270-pound tackle who has verbally committed to Virginia. The defense, always a staple for the Eagles, suffered heavy graduation losses but figures to restock again with solid athletes. 

See the Top 10 teams with the most all-time Colorado state titles

2. Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village)
Coach: Dave Logan
2014 finish: 11-3; 5A state champion
Team preview

The Bruins returned to the top of the big-school football peak by claiming their first title since 1996 and ninth overall. In the process, head coach Logan won his seventh overall title at his fourth school. No doubt, the Creek Mystique again is alive and well, and this year's Bruins should contend again. While Cherry Creek relied on a punishing ground game in 2014 - 5A Player of the Year Milo Hall and backfield mate DJ Luke combined for more than 3,000 rushing yards and 45 touchdowns - the focus figures to be on defense with both players graduating. The defense is stocked, especially up front with junior Jonathan Van Diest (11 sacks) and linemate David Imola (6-3, 270), who is ranked No. 10 in the Class of 2016 by 247Sports. Junior linebacker Santino Marchiol (77 tackles) also garnered heavy interest from top programs this summer.

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3. Pine Creek (Colorado Springs)
Coach: Todd Miller
2014 finish: 14-0; 4A state champion
Team preview

Pine Creek is on a dominant roll, having won 25 consecutive games and the past two 4A state titles. Last year's team won by an average margin of 30-plus points per game and many key performers return. In senior JoJo Domann, the Eagles possess one of the state's most versatile players. Offensively, the 6-1, 210-pounder was the team's leading receiver with 49 receptions for nearly 800 yards and 10 touchdowns. On the other side of the ball, the Nebraska commit is a hard-hitting defensive back who had seven interceptions in 2014. While the Eagles must replace their starting quarterback and leading rusher, the defense should be as stout as ever. Senior linebackers Nathan Leithead (99 tackles) and Kacin Nowlin combine with defensive end Jack Wibbels to comprise a formidable front.

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4. Pomona (Arvada)
Coach: Jay Madden
2014 finish: 9-3
Team preview

The Panthers are always a popular preseason pick for good reason: they compete at a high level consistently and take on all comers. Consider the early season schedule again - they open with Valor Christian (Sept. 4) before taking on defending champion Cherry Creek the following week. The three-headed rushing attack of Max Borghi, Cameron Gonzales and Dillon Pace should have plenty of rushing room behind mammoth lineman Jake Moretti (6-5, 285). The junior already has committed to defending national champion Ohio State. The defense is led by playmakers Garrett Zanon (88 tackles) and Elijah Leyva (8.5 sacks).

See last season's Colorado football computer rankings

5. Paonia
Coach: Brent McRae
2014 finish: 13-0; 1A state champion
Team preview

These Eagles resemble those listed at No. 3 above. Paonia enters 2015 on a 23-game win streak, in search of a third-consecutive state title. It, too, beat opponents by an average of 30 points per game, and the Eagles return the classification's premier player. Senior Taylor Walters does it all for Paonia, especially offensively, where he carried for 2,282 yards and 34 touchdowns last season en route to being selected the 1A Player of the Year. Combine that with 1,037 yards and 10 scores from backfield mate Jeramiah Hillman, and the Eagles figure to again punish teams with their ground game, paved by senior tackle Willy Darling (6-4, 230). Only three starters return defensively, but junior linebacker Trevor Smith (99 tackles) has no peer in the classification. Paonia will be a bit short on experience to start the season, but doesn't lack talent. The junior varsity went 7-1 last season, meaning quality reinforcements are ready to continue the program's great tradition.