Mullen is Colorado's best high school football team in the MaxPreps era.
Photo by Ray Chen
It has been 10 years now that MaxPreps has put out football computer rankings, presented by the Army National Guard.
That's plenty of time to come up with a solid list of which programs have been the most dominant during the MaxPreps era.
For the purpose of the rankings, each team will be awarded points based off where it finished in the computer rankings after each season. For example, if a team finished No. 1 overall it receives 25 points. If the team finished No. 25 overall, it would get one point. A team also receives 30 points for winning a state title and 15 for being the runner-up.
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@MaxPrepsView Colorado rankings for the past 10 yearsMost dominant Colorado football programs in the MaxPreps era
1. Mullen (Denver) - 357 pointsOverall record: 107-24
The Mustangs have compiled three No. 1 rankings and nine Top 10 finishes since 2004, all on their way to claiming four 5A state titles.
2. Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch) - 269Overall record: 68-12
Valor Christian cracked the Top 25 rankings in 2009 for the first time since 2004, and have not looked back since. They have won a state championship every year from 2009-13, totaling the count at five since 2004. Since cracking the rankings in 2009, they have not fallen outside the Top 5.
3. Columbine (Littleton) - 234Overall record: 105-20
Over the past 10 years, the Rebels have finished in the Top 25 every year, claiming the No. 1 rank and one of their two 5A state titles in 2006.
4. Faith Christian (Arvada) - 196Overall record: 107-17
Faith Christian has racked up three 2A state championships as well as four Top 10 finishes since 2004.
5. ThunderRidge (Highlands Ranch) - 194Overall record: 100-23
The Grizzlies won back-to-back 4A state titles from 2004-05, while also notching an undefeated season and the No. 1 ranking in 2005.
6. Akron - 184Overall record: 94-22
Akron stepped into uncharted territory from 2006-08. It completed a three-peat, winning three straight 1A state titles while also notching three straight undefeated seasons.
7. Grandview (Aurora) - 181Overall record: 88-35
Despite only missing the Top 25 once since 2004, the Wolves captured their only state title and a No. 1 ranking in 2007.
8. Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village) - 154Overall record: 79-38
Cherry Creek has eight Top 25 finishes and two runner-up finishes over the past 10 seasons.
9. Pomona (Arvada) - 146Overall record: 81-33
Since 2006, Pomona hasn't missed the Top 25, but the Panthers fell just short of their first state title in 2009, finishing as the runner-up.
10. Monarch (Louisville) - 144Overall record: 108-16
The Coyotes have seven Top 20 finishes and one 4A state championship since 2004.
11. Wheat Ridge - 143Overall record: 86-33
Wheat Ridge has been in three state championship games over the past 10 years, coming out the victor in 2006 and 2008.
12. Douglas County (Castle Rock) - 127Overall record: 70-43
The Huskies captured their lone 5A state title since 2004 by downing Mullen in 2005.
13. Platte Valley (Kersey) - 125Overall record: 83-30
Despite having only four Top 25 finishes over the past 10 years, two have been accompanied by 2A state championships.
14. Limon - 121Overall record: 105-14
Limon won back-to-back 1A state titles from 2004-05 and finished as the runner-up in 2007.
15. Cherokee Trail (Aurora) - 106Overall record: 81-36
The Cougars have three Top 5 finishes since 2004 to go along with one runner-up finish.
16. Pine Creek (Colorado Springs) - 104Overall record: 93-25
In 2013, Pine Creek captured its first 4A state championship since 2004.
17. Ralston Valley (Arvada) - 102Overall record: 91-29
The Mustangs have seven Top 25 finishes over the past 10 years, reaching their highest ranking at No. 4 in 2012.
18. Florence - 98Overall record: 99-22
Florence has cracked the Top 25 just three times since 2004, winning state titles two of those times.
19. Kent Denver (Englewood) - 93Overall record: 89-28
Kent Denver has made two state championship appearances over the past 10 seasons, capturing its first state title in 2012 on the way to an undefeated season.
20. Olathe - 84Overall record: 76-32
Despite having made only two Top 25 appearances since 2004, the Pirates captured 2A state titles in both of those years.