MaxPreps Preseason Rankings for Football

AURORA – With the first contest of the 2023 football season today, check out MaxPrep’s Top-10 Preseason Rankings.

5A Football
Cherry Creek has owned the state title for four-consecutive seasons now and has earned that title by beating Valor Christian in the championship game each of the past three seasons. Ralston Valley, with the help of first-team All-State quarterback Logan Madden, will be looking to snap that streak though.

1. Cherry Creek
2. Valor Christian
3. Pine Creek
4. Ralston Valley
5. Regis Jesuit
6. Grandview
7. Columbine
8. Arapahoe
9. Rock Canyon
10. Legend

4A Football
The Broomfield-Erie rivalry could end up deciding the 4A State Champion, as both schools enter the season with loaded rosters and dazzling quarterbacks. Don’t overlook the tremendous defenses of Palmer Ridge and Loveland though, who, along with Erie, are looking for revenge after how last season ended.

1. Broomfield
2. Palmer Ridge
3. Loveland
4. Erie
5. Montrose
6. Ponderosa
7. Vista Ridge
8. Dakota Ridge
9. Heritage
10. Denver South

3A Football
Roosevelt will look to carry over their dominance from the 2022 playoffs into the 2023 regular season, as they outscored their postseason opponents 153-47 on their way to a State Championship. Lutheran, who was leading Roosevelt in the fourth quarter of the title game, is a major challenger to watch, though.

1. Roosevelt
2. Lutheran
3. Green Mountain
4. Durango
5. Holy Family
6. Northridge
7. Frederick
8. Thompson Valley
9. Evergreen
10. Palisade

2A Football
After meeting in an epic State Championship game a season ago, both Eaton and Delta are looking set for a rematch, thanks to returning most of the talent to their respective rosters. That said, The Classical Academy nearly knocked Delta from their perch a season ago and will continue to present a sizable threat.

1. Eaton
2. Delta
3. The Classical Academy
4. Florence
5. The Academy
6. Elizabeth
7. Basalt
8. Alamosa
9. University
10. Montezuma-Cortez

1A Football
Limon’s extremely physical brand has helped the program reach the 1A State Championship four straight times, but their new potential foes atop the class, Wray and Wiggins, are looking to put an end to their run. That might be easier said than done though, as Simon returns first-team All-State quarterback/defensive back Jordan Rockwell.

1. Limon
2. Wray
3. Wiggins
4. Strasburg
5. Holyoke
6. Yuma
7. Monte Vista
8. Centauri
9. Buena Vista
10. Gunnison

8-Man Football
Led by Caston Cox, who made first-team All-State as a sophomore last season, Simla was one of the best stories in Colorado high school football in 2022. That said Haxtun and Dove Creek remain in their way of a state title, and have their own first-team All-State members returning.

1. Haxtun
2. Dove Creek
3. Simla
4. Mancos
5. Lyons
6. Merino
7. Sanford
8. Akron
9. Crowley County
10. Holly

6-Man Football
Stratton’s 83-18 victory over Fleming in the State Championship was a declaration that they belong atop the 6-man rankings until proven otherwise. Granada, who lost to Fleming in the semi-finals, could be a challenger to watch, as they return star player Maddox Coleman, who made first-team All-State as a sophomore in 2022.

1. Stratton
2. Fleming
3. Granada
4. Otis
5. Cheyenne Wells
6. Eads
7. Genoa-Hugo
8. Arickaree
9. Cheraw
10. North Park