Central (Fresno, Calif.) at Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch, Colo.)
Christian McCaffrey and Valor Christian will battle Central on national television.
File photo by Tim Visser
Only four years removed from a 1-9 season in 2008, Central went 11-3 a year ago and was runner-up in the CIF Central Section Division I playoffs. Many of the key players from that team are back in 2013, including one of the West Coast's top receivers in uncommitted senior
Michiah Quick. There's also a quartet of Pac-12 committed prospects on the Grizzlies' roster in USC-bound defensive tackle
Tashon Smallwood along with a trio of future Arizona Wildcats in running back
Nick Wilson, defensive back
Devon Brewer and lineman S
harif Williams.
Valor Christian is the hands-down favorite to win the Colorado 5A championship for the second-straight year. A key reason is the return of Stanford-bound running back
Christian McCaffrey. The 6-foot, 195-pound son of former NFL receiver Ed McCaffrey had more than 2,100 all-purpose yards, 42 touchdowns and was named state player of the year as a junior. Also watch out for junior defensive back
Brian Dawkins Jr., who is also the son of a former Denver Bronco.
Mitch Stephens: Valor Christian 28, Central 24
Kevin Askeland: Valor Christian 35, Central 14
Jamie DeMoney: Valor Christian 34, Central 20
Stephen Spiewak: Valor Christian 35, Central 14
Leland Gordon: Valor Christian 42, Central 31
Colin Ward-Henninger: Valor Christian 41, Central 35
Jamie DeMoney is in his 20th season covering high school sports and recruiting. He is a Regional Content Manager and Product Specialist for XOS Digital and compiles the National Prep Poll for World Features Syndicate.
