FORT COLLINS — The dynasty continues.
For the sixth time in the past seven years, top-seeded Cherry Creek has crowned itself Class 5A state champions. Head coach Dave Logan’s state-record 13th career title came Saturday via a commanding 56-28 win over No. 2 Ralston Valley at CSU’s Canvas Stadium.
“It was a full team effort today: defense, special teams and offense,” said Cherry Creek quarterback Brady Vodicka, who threw for 291 yards and four touchdowns, en route to being named the National Football Foundation's Colorado Chapter Most Oustanding Player. “We knew we came in here with a goal to start off strong and just create the tempo pretty early and that's what we did and then never took the foot off the pedal.”
Except for its 2023 championship game loss to Columbine, Cherry Creek has won the 5A state title every year since 2019. In total, the Bruins are now 15-time state champions.
“I'm blessed,” Logan said. “It's been a great run. Again, it's about the kids you coach and the coaches you work with. You try to establish the kind of culture that's going to be able to withstand certain things that happen in the season.”
The 56 points scored mark a new state-title game high for Cherry Creek and is tied for the Class 5A championship game record, as Pomona (2017) and Valor Christian (2013) also scored 56 points in a title game.
Running back Jayden Fox was one of several Bruins who stepped up big in Cherry Creek’s second-straight state championship game victory. The fourth-year varsity standout rushed for three touchdowns and totaled 149 yards from scrimmage.
“It's a great feeling helping the team,” Fox said. “I just love the offensive line. I couldn't have done it without them there. I think they're the best O-line in the country.”
Fox, who signed with the UCLA Bruins earlier this week, closed his dominant senior season with 25 rushing touchdowns.
In a battle of unbeatens, Cherry Creek jumped out to a 21-0 lead with three first-quarter touchdowns, including two rushing scores from Fox. Vodicka also threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Zai Davis in the first quarter and later connected with Ty Goettsche for a 44-yard score the following quarter.
Ralston Valley’s defense did little to slow Cherry Creek, but its offense found some success in the first half, highlighted by two rushing touchdowns from quarterback Zeke Andrews. Still, the Mustangs found themselves down 35-14 at the break.
Ralston Valley opened the third quarter with a 2-yard touchdown pass from Andrews to Brady Warren, cutting its deficit to 35-21. Cherry Creek answered with a 12-yard rushing touchdown from Vodicka and a 40-yard score from Fox to close the quarter.
Vodicka - a Louisiana Tech signee - threw his final of four touchdown passes midway through the fourth quarter on a 9-yard throw to Anthony Betti.
“It's an absolute blessing to be a part of this program and coaching staff who has sacrificed so much,” Vodicka said. “Being able to end my senior year on a good note is something I could never ask for.”
Goettsche led all Bruins receivers with 102 yards and two touchdowns and Maxwell Lovett had 83 receiving yards. Defensively, Tufanua Ionatana Umu-Cais led the Bruins with seven tackles and half a sack.
“We have some dogs on offense and defense,” Fox said. “Just great players all across the board. It's just hard to beat us because we just got so much talent.”
For Ralston Valley, Andrews threw for 241 yards and one touchdown, wide receiver Ethan Shirazi totaled 90 receiving yards Colby Kurtz had nine tackles. Head coach Jared Yannacito’s Mustangs closed their season at 13-1 and will continue their search for state title No. 1 next year.