As the 2024 CHSAA football season kicks off with Week 0 this week, 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): FBS talent all over the field, an experienced quarterback and coach Dave Logan. Tough to beat.
2. Mountain Vista (9-3): While most of 5A reloads, Golden Eagles have experience all over the field … and QB Austyn Modrzewski.
3. Legend (9-4): Coach Monte Thelen has built a machine in Parker. The Titans are your 5A dark horse.
4. Columbine (14-0): Defending champs have a lot to replace. But coach Andy Lowry almost always finds a way.
5. Regis Jesuit (6-5): Raiders will play anyone anywhere. Last year’s rough road should have them ready for 2024.
6. Ralston Valley (10-3): Exit of QB Logan Madden and strong Class of 2024 will be difficult to replace.
7. Grandview (8-5): Speaking of QB departures, there’s no more Liam Szarka in Aurora. Back to ground-and-pound at Grandview?
8. Arapahoe (8-3): There was a point last fall when the Warriors looked like the best team in 5A.
9. Valor Christian (6-5): Addition of offensive coordinator Bob Stitt is going to make Eagles must-watch football.
10. Arvada West (5-6): A young Wildcats roster was dangerous by the end of 2023. What will they have in store for 2024?
Class 4A
1. Broomfield (10-3): Year 2 with Robert O’Brien wearing the headset and lots of talent back in blue. Watch out for the Eagles.
2. Palmer Ridge (13-1): Bears were a win away from perfection in ’23. Time to fill in the gaps with several starters graduated.
3. Mesa Ridge (8-4): Back-to-back eight-win seasons set Grizzlies up for a shot at a deep run in the 4A playoffs.
4. Heritage (7-5): Eagles play yet another rugged nonleague schedule. With the talent they have, that shouldn’t be an issue.
5. Golden (9-3): Demons have had staying power under coach Matt McDougal. QB Kalin Hufford’s return is no small thing.
6. Montrose (10-3): Brett Mertens’ teams are always tough, physical and disciplined. This one should be no different.
7. Vista Ridge (6-5): Return of QB Zayden Stevens and skill talent should have Wolves in the mix.
8. Ponderosa (7-4): Early exit from the 4A state playoffs will have the Mustangs plenty motivated.
9. Loveland (8-4): It says something about Loveland that last year’s 8-4 campaign was considered a down year.
10. Pueblo West (7-5): In QB Gavin Lockett we trust.
Class 3A
1. Windsor (10-3): Wizards’ drop down to 3A comes at a perfect time, with several starters back from a 4A quarterfinal run.
2. Lutheran (11-3): Plenty of holes to fill from last year’s 3A runner-up squad, but coach Stephen Robbins has earned benefit of the doubt.
3. Holy Family (13-1): Rylan Cooney is a big loss, but weapons remain if the Tigers have an answer at quarterback.
4. Thompson Valley (10-3): Coming off their first 10-win season since 2005, can Jamie Steele’s Eagles back it up?
5. Mead (5-6): A young Mavs team took its lumps last fall grinding through a brutal schedule. Time for those lessons to pay off.
6. Roosevelt (9-3): Significant roster turnover doesn’t change fact that coach Lane Wasinger’s got it rolling in Johnstown.
7. Pueblo Central (9-2): A program that hasn’t won 10 games since 2009 is ready to make a big splash.
8. Green Mountain (12-1): Strong senior class and coach Jesse German are gone. Can Anthony Rankin, who arrives from D’Evelyn, keep it going?
9. Lewis-Palmer (9-3): Rangers took a big step forward notching a playoff win last fall. The start of something big?
10. Pomona (1-9): Is this a total dart throw? Yes. But after dropping down from 5A, the Panthers may have found their level.
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