Colorado high school football scores: Why the 2025 Playoffs Still Matter in 2026

Colorado high school football scores: Why the 2025 Playoffs Still Matter in 2026

It is mid-January, and most people are thinking about basketball or wrestling. But if you’re a coach or a player in the Centennial State, you’re likely still thinking about those final colorado high school football scores from December. The 2025 season didn’t just end; it basically set the stage for a massive shift in how we’re going to view the sport over the next two years.

Honestly, the way the playoffs wrapped up at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins felt like a changing of the guard, even if a familiar name ended up on top.

The Dynasty That Won't Quit

You can't talk about football in this state without Dave Logan. The guy is a living legend. On December 6, 2025, his Cherry Creek Bruins didn't just win; they absolutely dismantled No. 2 Ralston Valley with a 56-28 victory. It was their 15th state title overall and their sixth in the last seven years.

Think about that.

For a second, people thought Ralston Valley had a real shot. They entered the game undefeated. They had Zeke Andrews under center, a kid who threw for 241 yards that day and really kept them in it during the second quarter. But then Cherry Creek just turned it on. Brady Vodicka—who is headed to Louisiana Tech—threw four touchdowns. Jayden Fox, the UCLA signee, ran for 149 yards and three scores. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the scoreboard was less of a record and more of a statement.

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Small School Heartbreak and Last-Second Magic

While the 5A game was a blowout, the 3A championship was the stuff of movies. You've got No. 2 Pomona facing off against top-seeded Windsor. Windsor was undefeated and looked like a juggernaut.

Then comes Chase Keaton.

With the score tied 14-14 and the clock hitting zero, this kid drills a 40-yard field goal. Game over. 17-14. Pomona takes the crown. It was the program's third all-time state title, and it felt personal for those kids. They’d moved down from 5A, people were saying they were "done," and they basically proved everyone wrong on the biggest stage.

Recent Championship Score Recap (December 2025)

  • 5A Final: Cherry Creek 56, Ralston Valley 28
  • 4A Final: Dakota Ridge 38, Palmer Ridge 14
  • 3A Final: Pomona 17, Windsor 14

The Real Story Behind the Scores

Kinda crazy how much we focus on the numbers, right? But the numbers from 2025 are driving the 2026-2028 classification cycle. CHSAA met just a few weeks ago, on December 10, 2025, to finalize the new league placements.

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The Classification and League Organization Committee (CLOC) is moving toward a "similar size" philosophy. Instead of just trying to make every league even, they’re grouping schools by enrollment more strictly. This means the colorado high school football scores we see next year might look very different. Some teams that have been dominating small leagues are being pushed up, and some historic powerhouses are finding themselves in new territory.

Take Dakota Ridge. They didn't just win 4A; they crushed Palmer Ridge 38-14 in the final. Landon Kalsbeck, their linebacker who’s signed with Washington State, was a nightmare for offenses all year. He finished the season with 111 tackles. When you have talent like that, you aren't just playing a high school game; you're playing a different level of football entirely.

Where to Find Live Updates Next Season

If you're looking for real-time data, don't just rely on a random Google snippet. The most reliable spots for colorado high school football scores remain:

  1. CHSAANow Scoreboard: This is the official source. If it’s not here, it hasn't happened.
  2. Colorado Preps: Great for those 6-man and 8-man scores that sometimes get ignored by the big Denver outlets.
  3. MaxPreps: Good for stats, but sometimes the scores lag by a few minutes compared to the local guys.

What’s Next for Colorado Football?

The 2026 season is already being planned in the basement offices of high schools across the state. The "Way Too Early" rankings are already out for the lower classifications. In 8-man football, everyone is eyeing the returning starters to see if they can break the streaks established last year.

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Right now, we are in the "Winter Restriction" period. No official practices are happening, but you better believe those weight rooms are full. The Legislative Council is meeting on February 3, 2026, to finalize all these league changes. Once that vote happens, the schedules for the fall will be set in stone.

If you're a fan, keep an eye on the enrollment splits. Some of your favorite rivalries might be on ice for a couple of years as teams shift between 3A, 4A, and 5A. It’s a bit of a mess, honestly, but it’s designed to keep the games competitive. No one wants to see a 56-0 halftime score every Friday night.

Actionable Insights for Fans and Parents:

  • Check the new classifications: Visit the CHSAA website in February to see if your school has moved up or down for the 2026-2028 cycle.
  • Follow the recruits: Keep tabs on players like Brooklyn Bailey (Mountain Vista) and Marquise Reese, who are expected to dominate the 2026 season.
  • Bookmark local hubs: Save the Colorado Preps scoreboard link now; you'll need it when the Friday night lights return in August.