Prediction: Cherry Creek (Colo.) returns to the top

The 2025 high school football season will be getting underway in just a few short weeks, which means it’s officially preview season. Rivals is breaking down the nation’s top teams from coast-to-coast, and today we make our way to over to Colorado to checkout the 14-time state champion Cherry Creek. Having won five times in the past six state championship visits, the Bruins are on the hunt this fall for the program’s 15th banner overall. A loaded backfield returning along with experience on the defensive side of the ball, will Cherry Creek waltz their way right back into the CHSAA’s Class 5A state title game this season?

Player Spotlight: RB Jayden Fox

Getting your workhorse at running back for his senior season is always a plus when you’re chasing a state championship. The 2026 three-star tailback is already committed to Jim Mora‘s UConn Huskies and is aiming at breaking 2,000 yards this fall after almost doing so in 2024. Jayden Fox last season through 14 games rushed for over 1,800 yards on just 186 touches and found the endzone 19 times. Paired with sophomore sensation Elijah Cromwell, the two make for the top running back tandem in the state.

Others to watch: TE Ty Goettsche, DL Tufanua Umu-Cais, LB Braylon Hodge, WR Maxwell Lovett, OL Oliver Miller, QB Brady Vodicka, EDGE Cade Holles, WR Alijah Landrum-Hamilton

Season Prediction: 9-1

When Cherry Creek opened up the 2024 regular season, it all began with a loss to Utah’s Skyridge. What came in succession was a 13-game winning streak and a state championship. This year’s 10-game slate might be even more difficult, but may amount to the same record from a year ago. The Bruins open the season up on the road against Regis Jesuit and Cardinal Mooney out of Sarasota, Fla. in Orlando. The latter game of those two will be a challenge as the Cougars are a state championship-contending program in Florida’s Class 2A classification. Getting past Skyridge during the season ends up a touchdown short, handing the Bruins their lone loss. We think this all amounts to another deep playoff push this fall and the program’s 15th state crown.

Game-By-Game Predictions

Aug. 21 – at Regis Jesuit (Co.) Raiders – W
Kicking off the season with a 37-12 victory over the Raiders is the perfect start for the Bruins.

Aug. 29 – at Cardinal Mooney (Fla.) Cougars – W
So this one is not exactly in Sarasota as it will be played in Orlando at a neutral site. Cherry Creek comes away with the win and a 2-0 record.

Sept. 5 – Millard North (Neb.) Mustangs – W
Colorado vs. Nebraska matchup goes to the hosts as Cherry Creek runs away with this one ahead of a showdown with Skyridge.

Sept. 12 – Skyridge (Utah) Falcons – L
Lone loss of the season comes against the very team that handed them their only one from 2024. Coincidence indeed?

Sept. 25 – at Pine Creek (Colo.) Eagles – W
Needing to bounce back from loss No. 1, the Bruins win by 20-plus over the Eagles on the road.

Oct. 3 – Cherokee Trail (Colo.) Cougars – W
For the first time in the season, Cherry Creek plays two teams from Colorado in a row and they do it by double digits.

Oct. 9 – at Arapahoe (Colo.) Warriors – W
Though the Warriors are ranked among the state’s best, they are no match for the Bruins in this one.

Oct. 16 – Eaglecrest (Colo.) Raptors – W
As the regular season winds down, the Cherry Creek offense just gets better as they roll up over 40 points in this blowout win.

Oct. 24 – at Smoky Hill (Colo.) Buffaloes – W
Ahead of the regular season finale, the Bruins look like a well oiled machine in a rout of the Buffaloes.

Oct. 31 – at Grandview (Colo.) Wolves – W
Cherry Creek heads into the CHSAA 5A playoffs riding a 6-game winning streak after this victory.