Honestly, if you've lived in Colorado for more than five minutes, you know the drill. It’s December. It’s freezing. And Dave Logan is holding a trophy at Canvas Stadium. The 2025 season just wrapped up, and the colorado 5a football rankings look exactly how many predicted—yet the way we got here was anything but predictable.
Cherry Creek is back on top. Again. That’s 15 titles for the program and 13 for Logan personally. But calling this "just another year" ignores the absolute gauntlet the 5A class has become. We aren't just seeing the same three teams trade blows anymore; the depth in the Centennial State is shifting.
The final 2025 hierarchy
When the dust settled at CSU’s Canvas Stadium on December 6, 2025, the scoreboard read Cherry Creek 56, Ralston Valley 28. It tied the record for the most points ever scored in a 5A title game. But the rankings tell a story of a gap that is both widening at the top and tightening in the middle.
- Cherry Creek (14-0): The Bruins didn't just win; they dismantled people. With Brady Vodicka (Louisiana Tech commit) under center and Jayden Fox (UCLA signee) in the backfield, they were a track team in pads.
- Ralston Valley (13-1): Jared Yannacito has turned the Mustangs into a legitimate powerhouse. They "broke the curse" by getting to the final, and despite the blowout loss, they were clearly the second-best unit in the state.
- Valor Christian (10-3): They gave Creek their biggest scare of the playoffs, losing 21-13 in the semis. The Eagles are still the standard for discipline, even if they aren't hoisting the gold this year.
- Mountain Vista (12-1): Led by junior QB Marquise Reese, the Golden Eagles were a highlight reel waiting to happen. Their only loss was a heartbreaker to Ralston Valley on a last-second field goal.
- Legend (10-2): A physical, mean football team that nobody wanted to see on their schedule in November.
What happened to the old guard?
You’ve probably noticed some names missing from the very top. Columbine, the 2023 spoilers, finished 6-6 this year. That’s not a typo. The Rebels struggled with injuries and a brutal schedule that saw them slide down the colorado 5a football rankings faster than anyone expected.
Arvada West and Fairview, on the other hand, had massive "bounce-back" years. Fairview’s Toray Davis was basically a human cheat code, racking up 39 total touchdowns. If you were a defensive coordinator facing the Knights this year, you probably didn't sleep much.
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Why the rankings don't tell the whole story
The RPI (Rating Percentage Index) and MaxPreps algorithms are great, but they don't capture the "vibes." For instance, look at Pine Creek or Eaglecrest. On paper, they have four or five losses. In reality? Those losses came against top-10 teams by a combined total of maybe 20 points.
5A football in Colorado has become top-heavy, sure, but the "middle class" is getting dangerous. You can't just show up and expect to beat a team like Arapahoe or Grandview anymore.
The Vodicka effect
Brady Vodicka isn't just a high school quarterback; he's a processor. In the state final, he threw for 291 yards and four scores. Watching him navigate the pocket makes you realize why Creek is so hard to beat. They don't make mistakes.
"It's about the kids you coach and the coaches you work with. You try to establish the kind of culture that’s going to withstand things," Dave Logan said after the win.
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It sounds like coach-speak, but when you see Creek execute a screen pass under pressure like it’s a Sunday afternoon in the NFL, you get it.
Looking ahead to the 2026 landscape
The 2025 season is in the books, but the 2026 colorado 5a football rankings are already being debated in weight rooms across the state.
Who stays? Who goes?
Cherry Creek is losing a massive chunk of their starting lineup to the college ranks. Jayden Fox is heading to UCLA. Vodicka is off to Louisiana Tech. But here is the thing: they have Braylon Hodge and Ty Goettsche coming back. They reload; they don't rebuild.
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However, keep your eyes on Mountain Vista. Marquise Reese is returning for his senior year. He’s arguably the most dynamic dual-threat player in the state. If Vista can find a way to shore up their interior defense, they might finally be the team to knock the Bruins off their perch.
Recruiting is changing the game
We’re seeing more Colorado kids commit to Power 4 schools than ever before. It’s not just the "Creek and Valor show" anymore. You’ve got kids from Fort Collins like Mason Bandhauer and guys from Fairview heading to big-time programs. This talent dispersion is making the regular season games feel like playoff matchups.
Actionable steps for the offseason
If you’re a fan, a parent, or a player looking at these rankings and wondering what’s next, here is the reality of the Colorado high school football scene:
- Watch the transfer portal (yes, even in high school): The CHSAA rules are strict, but we always see movement in the spring. Key players moving districts can flip the top 10 upside down.
- Focus on the trenches: The 2025 season proved that while skill players get the headlines, teams like Ralston Valley and Creek won because of massive, athletic offensive lines.
- Track the 2026 recruits: Prep Redzone and MaxPreps will start dropping their summer "Watch Lists" soon. Pay attention to the junior class at schools like Legend and Erie—they are deeper than people realize.
The 5A landscape is as healthy as it’s ever been. While the king still wears the crown in Greenwood Village, the rest of the state is closer than the final scores might suggest.