Colorado Class 5A football championship pits titans Cherry Creek, Valor Christian

If all the chatter is correct, this one will be epic.

A Class 5A football contingent that contained as many as eight top-flight contenders – a rarity in recent seasons – has been whittled to the final two in Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch) and Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village).

Storylines are abundant in this one (2:30 p.m., Saturday, Sports Authority Field), as Valor Christian looks to extend its title streak to a half-dozen – but for the first time isn't a clear-cut favorite. In fact, the Eagles might be an underdog.

That's because Cherry Creek (10-3) defeated Valor Christian 33-17 in the regular season, becoming the first in-state program to the Eagles since Mullen (Denver) edged them 14-13 in the 2012 season opener.

Each team is coming off a gritty road win in the semifinals. Cherry Creek went to the North Area Athletic Complex and handled previously unbeaten Ralston Valley (Arvada)  27-15, keeping in check a Mustangs squad that put up 71 points in the quarterfinals.

Valor Christian, meanwhile, went to Legacy Stadium and edged overall top seed Grandview (Aurora) 14-7, which more than made up for a 24-21 loss to the Wolves in Centennial League play.

With the stage set, here's a look at five key questions for the championship game.

1. Can Valor Christian make it a six pack?

The Eagles' run of five straight titles began in 2009 with a win against Steamboat Springs in the 3A championship. Then Valor moved to 4A for two seasons, where the Eagles thumped Wheat Ridge and Pine Creek (Colorado Springs). In 5A, Cherokee Trail (Aurora) and Fairview (Boulder) have been the victims.

The composite score in those five wins is 210-48, with the only close one the 2013. That was Valor's initial year in 5A, when the Eagles outlasted Cherokee Trail 9-0. Cherry Creek would like nothing more than to put a dent into those numbers.

2. Can Cherry Creek coach Dave Logan add a fourth different school to his championship resume?

With title wins at Arvada West, Chatfield (Littleton) and Mullen already to his credit (six total), the former Wheat Ridge three-sport standout and NFL player is aiming to achieve the coaching equivalent of rock-star status.

He already is the only coach to win three on the big-school circuit. This would not only be a championship at a fourth different 5A school since beginning at Arvada West in 1993, it would end Valor's five-year run, thus adding more shine to his career ledger.

3. Who will further boost his recruiting profile – Cherry Creek's Milo Hall or Valor Christian's Dylan McCaffrey?

The third McCaffrey to come through the Valor program, you can bet sophomore Dylan already is on the recruiting radar. Brothers Max (Duke) and Christian (Stanford) already have moved on, and the sons of former Denver Broncos receiver Ed McCaffrey can simply ball.

Dylan McCaffrey, the first quarterback of the bunch, has thrown for 2,149 yards, 20 touchdowns and only six interceptions.

Hall, meanwhile, has rushed for 2,086 yards and 27 TDs. The 5-foot-8, 185-pound senior averages 8.7 yards a carry and has been particularly beastly in the playoffs. He rushed for 278 yards and three TDs in the quarterfinals against Ralston Valley.

4. Will the regular-season matchup foretell a theme?

Cherry Creek didn't only win the regular-season matchup. The Bruins won by 16 points after outscoring the visiting Eagles 26-0 after intermission.

While that one was at the friendly confines of the Stutler Bowl, does it mean Creek simply matches up well with Valor? Or was it merely an anomaly during the regular season? We're sure to find out Saturday.

5. Which defensive player has the biggest chance to be a game-changer?

Here are a few to look at: Cherry Creek sophomore Jonathan Van Diest has 11 sacks this season, but strong safety Mike Morean largely is considered the leader of the defense. He had 18 total tackles (seven solo) against Ralston Valley. Keep an eye on cornerback Nick Long as well. He leads the Bruins with six interceptions.

On the Valor side, look no further than DBs Eric Lee Jr. and Brian Dawkins Jr., who have combined for nine interceptions. Also, senior defensive end Brandon Biggs is a fine pass rusher who has accumulated 7.5 sacks.