The 10 must-watch football teams along the Front Range this season

A 2023 Colorado metro area preps football preview

BY JOHN RENFROW JRENFROW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

August is here and football is all everyone is talking about. With good reason. High school teams across the Denver area are gearing up for their opening week, and Colorado Community Media’s coverage area is vast (to put it lightly).

From Arvada in the northwest to Parker in the southeast, and the towns and suburbs in between that make up the Denver area, our reporters have a lot of action to cover. And, there’s no shortage of dominant schools, state champions, elite quarterbacks and more.

Ahead of the 2023-24 season, we spoke with schools and coaches as well as our cadre of sportswriters, photographers and freelancers to determine our 10 must-watch high school teams of the season.

First, a disclaimer: with so many great teams, this list was di cult to put together. And with our two dozen community newspapers, this list could have gone way beyond just 10 teams. ere’s a method to the madness, though. e teams, coaches and players who were referenced most by our expert sources were compelling. We did our best to highlight the best in our coverage area – north, east, west and south.

One interesting takeaway, too: e dominant teams are not the only captivating teams. ere are countless reasons to watch any number of teams in the area.

Before we reveal our top 10, here are a few testimonies from our experts on teams around the metro area:

“Mountain Vista could also have a breakout year,” sports photographer Paul DiSalvo told me of the

Highlands Ranch team. “ ey have maybe the best QB around in Austyn Modrewski.” “Another one

I would throw in is D’Evelyn in 2A,” said Dennis Pleuss of Je co Public Schools. “ ey won the 2A League 1 last year, and they are always in the mix for a conference title in 2A.”

“In some areas, a better-than-.500 season may not mean much. But it may signal the beginning of a new era in Fort Lupton,” said CCM’s Steve Smith. “ e Bluedevils were 5-4 a season ago, which marked the rst time in nine seasons that FLHS won more football games than it lost. e last time that happened (2013) was also the last time FLHS advanced to the state playo s. ey’ll be worth keeping an eye on.” “I also want to note that LPS Centennial Stadium has been built at Arapahoe Road and Colorado Boulevard, which will be a great thing to highlight this coming season,” said Heston Mosher, a local freelancer for our newspapers. e new stadium will host Littleton, Heritage, and Arapahoe’s football teams this season. “Lots of fun to talk about, but in the end, the nal will probably be Valor Christian versus Cherry Creek, with Cherry Creek winning AGAIN,” DiSalvo said.

But the teams play the games for a reason. So, here is who to keep an eye on this fall (in no particular order).

1. Cherry Creek Bruins (Greenwood Village)

2022 record: 12-2, 5A state champions

Week 1: August 25 vs. Ralston Valley

What to watch for: Can the Bruins keep up the tear they’ve been on?

Cherry Creek has all the bragging rights. ey’re coming o their fourth straight 5A state championship, including a hard-fought victory last year over Valor Christian. A big question is how will the Bruins replace star running back Carlson Tann? He was dominant last season and helped rally the Bruins in the second half of their championship win. But they can be beat. Last year, Cherry Creek did lose two games. But when it comes to Cherry Creek, just sit back and enjoy the show.

2. Valor Christian Eagles (Highlands Ranch)

2022 record: 11-3, 5A state runner-ups

Week 1: August 26 @ Regis Jesuit

What to watch for: Can Valor Christian get over the hump this season? e Eagles lost just two games early last season before going on an undefeated run to the state championship, where they ran into Cherry Creek and fell short 24-17. Reloaded with experienced, returning players, Valor will aim for its rst championship since 2018.

3. Columbine Rebels (Littleton)

2022 record: 10-2

Week 1: August 25 @ Mullen

What to watch for: How does Coach Andy Lowry reload after losing his top running back? Columbine opened last season on re with a six-game winning streak in which the Rebels beat their opponents by at least 20 points. If the 5A League 1 allows them to start hot again, it could mean trouble for the rest of the league, including teams like Ralston Valley and Arvada West.

4. Frederick Golden Eagles (Frederick)

2022 record: 8-4

Week 1: August 18 vs. Northridge

What to watch for: Frederick hopes to push for a league title. e Golden Eagles joined the 3A League 6 just last year, but nearly snagged the league title with a 4-1 record. Second only to Denver’s George Washington last season, Frederick took some time to get rolling last year. But Frederick managed to win a playo game before a tough 21-6 loss to Lutheran to end the season. If they can continue their late-season success early this season, they could make a strong push for 10 wins plus a strong showing in the playo s. Head Coach Matt Loyd is o to a strong start going into year two.

5. Ralston Valley Mustangs (Arvada)

2022 record: 10-3

Week 1: August 18 @ Mountain Vista

What to watch for: Senior Logan

Madden is expected to be one of the top quarterbacks in the state this year. Last year as a junior, Madden was a selection for All-Colorado, First Team All-State, and First team All-Conference, while throwing for nearly 2400 yards and 24 touchdown passes with a 71% completion percentage. If he can keep up his stellar play, the Mustangs could push for double digit wins.

6. Green Mountain Rams (Lake- wood)

2022 record: 12-1

Week 1: August 25 vs. Golden

What to watch for: A very strong senior class headlines Green Mountain this season. e Rams’ perfect season hopes last year were ruined when they fell to Roosevelt brutally in the semi nals. But now they have all the tools to compete for the 3A state title if they can continue their dominance and play as expected this fall.

7. underRidge Grizzlies (Highlands Ranch)

2022 record: 11-2

Week 1: August 25 @ Arvada West

What to watch for: After going 11-2 and 4-1 in the 5A League 5, the Grizzlies emerge as perhaps the biggest mystery on this list. With a lot of graduated talent, and brand-new coach in Sam Camp eld, it will be interesting to watch if underRidge can keep up its dominance. e culture and reputation is strong, but now there are new faces. It should make for a must-watch season this fall.

8. Dakota Ridge Eagles (Littleton)

2022 record: 6-6

Week 1: August 25 vs. Pueblo West

What to watch for: Senior quarterback Blake Palladino is back for his nal season. e Division I QB committed to the University of Northern Colorado in the o season, and is determined to bring a state championship home for the Eagles. e Eagles graduated RB Noah Triplett, leaving some big shoes to ll. But Palladino tells me he’s excited about the season and is ready to get to work. If nothing else, the Eagles will be a highlight show.

9. Ponderosa Mustangs (Parker)

2022 record: 9-3

Week 1: August 25 vs. Fort Collins

What to watch for: If it wasn’t for a two-game skid in the middle of their

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