Colorado high school football rankings: Preseason Top 10 in Classes 5A, 4A, 3A

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As the 2025 CHSAA football season kicks off with Week 0 on Thursday, here are The Denver Post’s big-school football rankings. These rankings will be updated weekly throughout the season.

Class 5A

1. Cherry Creek (13-1 in 2024): Five state titles in six years. FBS talent across the board. And, yes, Dave Logan on the headset. Creek, once again, is the standard.

2. Valor Christian (11-2): Big, nasty offensive line may be Colorado’s best. Can coach Mike Sanford get Valor over Creek hump?

3. Legend (12-2): Monte Thelen turned Titan football into 5A power. Now it’s up to new coach Jake Heaps to take final step.

4. Ralston Valley (10-2): A vote of confidence in coach Jared Yannacito, who’s led RV to 10 wins three straight seasons.

5. Columbine (10-2): Rebels’ trademark brand of caveman football a safe bet. A Friday opposite these guys is nobody’s idea of fun.

6. Regis Jesuit (6-6): Sophomore QB Luke Rubley is surrounded by talented, young skill players. If Raiders survive non-conference gauntlet intact, they’ll be dangerous.

7. Fairview (12-1): After last year’s stunning quarterfinal upset of Mountain Vista, it’s clear Knights can beat anyone anywhere.

8. Pine Creek (7-4): Eagles on third coach in three years, with Trevor Hudson taking over after leading American Canyon to CIF title in California wine country.

9. Grandview (6-6): Experienced senior quarterback. Salty defense filled with returners. Wolves could be sneaky good.

10. Arvada West (7-5): Loaded senior class has been building toward this season for years. Can coach CJ Hanna seize moment?

Class 4A

1. Dakota Ridge (11-2): Eagles’ most talented team in years looking to bust semifinal ceiling after last year’s 11-win campaign.

2. Broomfield (12-2): Big, physical and nasty up front, Eagles eyeing third 4A title in four years. Should anyone doubt them?

3. Montrose (13-1): Throw out X’s and O’s. Brett Mertens’ Red Hawks show up each week betting they’re tougher than the other guys. They’re usually right.

4. Palmer Ridge (10-2): Bears gave 4A champs Broomfield serious quarterfinal test. They’re sturdy in trenches again.

5. Heritage (7-6): Eagles have best QB in 4A with senior Jamison Seese taking snaps. If defense holds up, this team’s got dudes.

6. Mesa Ridge (8-4): Loss of quarterback Bryce Riehl hurts, but plenty of athletes remain for program on the rise.

7. Ponderosa (8-4): Coach Jaron Cohen riding streak of 10 straight winning seasons. Clearly, Mustangs have staying power.

8. Golden (6-6): Demons have their customary dual-threat magician at QB. But Thatcher Matthews must find new weapons.

9. Pueblo West (11-2): Defense should be stingy again. Biggest challenge is filling crater left behind by Gavin Lockett’s departure.

10. Riverdale Ridge (9-2): If defense wins championships, Ravens’ roughneck squad must be taken seriously.

Class 3A

1. Thompson Valley (14-0): Stingiest defense in the state isn’t about to take step back.

2. Pomona (9-4): Panthers return plenty of talent from squad that took 3A by storm last fall after moving down from 5A.

3. Windsor (10-2): Another program that took off after dropping down to 3A. Wizards should be nightmare once again.

4. Mead (11-2): Mavs reached 3A title game for second time in four years. After 16-14 heartbreaker, motivation shouldn’t be issue.

5. Roosevelt (6-5): That six-win 2024 is considered down year for Riders says all you need to know about Lane Wasinger’s program

6. Green Mountain (9-4): Rams must retool after 3A semifinal run, but they do that pretty regularly.

7. Lutheran (9-2): Brutal first-round draw led to Lions’ earliest postseason exit in four years. QB Eli Abramson is real deal.

8. Pueblo East (8-3): Arrow pointing up for Eagles after second eight-win season in two years.

9. Holy Family (6-5): Tigers just two years removed from winning it all. They’ll be tough out again this fall.

10. Pueblo South (6-5): Colts offense should produce plenty of fireworks. If defense takes another step, watch out.

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