AURORA -- The Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) has released its preseason coaches' polls for football.
The 2024 state champion was chosen as the favorite in five of the seven polls, with Cherry Creek (5A), Broomfield (4A), Wray (1A), Haxtun (8-man) and Cheyenne Wells (6-man) claiming the top spot. In 3A, Pomona was selected in the No. 1 spot, with Thompson Valley - the 2024 state champion - checking in at No. 3, and in 2A, Wellington finished atop the preseason poll with the defending state champion, The Classical Academy, taking second.
Football games can start next Thursday, Aug. 21. The 6-man and 8-man state championship games will be played on Friday, Nov. 28, with the 1A and 2A title games on Saturday, Nov. 29. All four contests will be at the CSU Pueblo Thunderbowl. The 3A, 4A and 5A championship games will be played on Saturday, Dec. 6 at CSU's Canvas Stadium.
The preseason polls:
Class 5A
| Rank |
Team |
| 1 |
Cherry Creek |
| 2 |
Valor Christian |
| 3 |
Legend |
| 4 |
Ralston Valley |
| 5 |
Columbine |
| 6 |
Fairview |
| 7 |
Regis Jesuit |
| 8 |
Erie |
| 9 |
Arapahoe |
| 10 |
Mountain Vista |
Also receiving votes: Arvada West, Castle View, Chaparral, Chatfield, Cherokee Trail, Denver East, Eaglecrest, Fountain-Fort Carson, Grandview, Mullen, Pine Creek.
Class 4A
| Rank |
Team |
| 1 |
Broomfield |
| 2 |
Montrose |
| 3 |
Dakota Ridge |
| 4 |
Palmer Ridge |
| 5 |
Mesa Ridge |
| 6 |
Pueblo West |
| 7 |
Heritage |
| 8 |
Ponderosa |
| 9 |
Riverdale Ridge |
| 10 |
Vista Ridge |
Also receiving votes: Air Academy, Durango, Frederick, Gateway, Golden, Grand Junction, Longmont, Loveland, Monarch, Northfield, Rampart, Silver Creek.
Class 3A
| Rank |
Team |
| 1 |
Pomona |
| 2 |
Windsor |
| 3 |
Thompson Valley |
| 4 |
Roosevelt |
| 5 |
Mead |
| 6 |
Green Mountain |
| 7 |
Lutheran |
| 7 |
Holy Family |
| 9 |
Pueblo East |
| 10 |
Severance |
Also receiving votes: Cañon City, Conifer, Discovery Canyon, Lewis-Palmer, Mountain View, Northridge, Palisade, Pueblo Central, Pueblo County, Pueblo South, Timnath.
Class 2A
| Rank |
Team |
| 1 |
Wellington |
| 2 |
The Classical Academy |
| 3 |
Eaton |
| 4 |
Berthoud |
| 5 |
Strasburg |
| 6 |
Basalt |
| 7 |
Delta |
| 8 |
Elizabeth |
| 9 |
Resurrection Christian |
| 10 |
Lamar |
Also receiving votes: Alamosa, Aspen, Bayfield, Brush, Coal Ridge, Florence, Kent Denver, Montezuma-Cortez, Pagosa Springs, Sterling, The Academy, University, Woodland Park.
Class 1A
| Rank |
Team |
| 1 |
Wray |
| 2 |
Limon |
| 3 |
Buena Vista |
| 4 |
Forge Christian |
| 5 |
Meeker |
| 6 |
Centauri |
| 7 |
Highland |
| 8 |
Platte Valley |
| 9 |
Holyoke |
| 10 |
Monte Vista |
Also receiving votes: Burlington, Denver Christian, Flatirons Academy, Ignacio, North Fork, Peyton, Wiggins, Yuma.
Class 8-Man
| Rank |
Team |
| 1 |
Haxtun |
| 2 |
Akron |
| 3 |
Mancos |
| 4 |
Sanford |
| 5 |
Mcclave |
| 6 |
Byers |
| 6 |
Sedgwick County |
| 8 |
Simla |
| 9 |
Dayspring Christian Academy |
| 10 |
West Grand |
Also receiving votes: Crowley County, Dolores, Dove Creek, Fowler, Gilpin County, Hoehne, Merino, Norwood, Rangely, Springfield.
Class 6-Man
| Rank |
Team |
| 1 |
Cheyenne Wells |
| 2 |
Stratton |
| 3 |
Idalia |
| 4 |
Otis |
| 5 |
Granada |
| 6 |
Fleming |
| 7 |
Caliche |
| 7 |
Sierra Grande |
| 9 |
Primero |
| 9 |
Eads |
Also receiving votes: Cheraw, Hanover, Peetz, Prairie.