PUEBLO & FORT COLLINS - Four Colorado High School Activities Association state champions in football were crowned on the first weekend (Nov. 29-30) of the football state championships at Dutch Clark Stadium in Pueblo, while the additional three were determined at CSU's Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Thompson Valley kicked off the three championship games in Fort Collins with its first-ever state title in football, holding on to beat Mead, 16-14, while Broomfield then erased a 21-point deficit to come-from-behind and defeated Montrose, 35-28. Cherry Creek capped off the day by using a second-half rally to knock off Legend, 13-10.
Capping off Saturday's action in Pueblo, The Classical Academy scored in the deciding touchdown in the final minute for a 42-36 victory over Wellington for the 2A state championship. Earlier, in the 1A game, Wray won a battle of unbeatens with a 48-21 victory over Forge Christian.
On Friday, Cheyenne Wells reversed the outcome of last year's 6-man championship game, turning the tables on Stratton in a 50-27 victory, while in the eight-man championship game Haxtun defeated Akron 46-20.
After each game, the most outstanding player of the game was recognized by the Colorado Chapter of the National Football Foundation.
- In the 6-man game, Cheyenne Wells' Trey Scheler, who had 214 rushing yards, scored five touchdowns and finished with 296 yards from scrimmage and recovered a fumble, was recognized.
- In the 8-man game, Haxtun's Ryland Wolff was honored after he ran for three touchdowns totaling 182 yards.
- In 1A, Samuel Meisner rushed for 259 yards and three touchdowns in the first half and finished with 291 yards to lead Wray to the championships.
- The 2A honoree was The Classical Academy's quarterback, Andrew Brown, who thre the game-winning touchdown with 30 seconds left to play.
- The 3A award went to Mead quarterback Christian Hiner, who threw for one touchdown and 106 passing yards.
- In 4A, Broomfield's Darien Jackson completed 11 of 16 passing attempts for 181 yards and two touchdowns.
- The 5A honoree was Cherry Creek's Elijah Cromwell, who rushed for 100 yards and two scores.
Recaps
5A Championship Recap:
Cherry Creek 13, Legend 10
4A Championship Recap:
Broomfield 35, Montrose 28
3A Championship Recap:
Thompson Valley 16, Mead 14
2A Championship Recap:
The Classical Academy 42, Wellington 36
1A Championship Recap:
Wray 48, Forge Christian 21
8-man Recap:
Haxtun 46, Akron 20
6-man Recap:
Cheyenne Wells 50, Stratton 27
State Champions
- 5A: Cherry Creek (14th overall, first since 2022)
- 4A: Broomfield (fifth overall, first since 2022)
- 3A: Thompson Valley (first overall)
- 2A: The Classical Academy (first football state championship)
- 1A: Wray (third overall, first since 1993)
- 8-man: Haxtun (ninth overall, first since 2021)
- 6-man: Cheyenne Wells (second overall, first was 2021)
Brackets with final scores