MaxPreps 2017 Colorado preseason high school football Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: Blake Stenstrom's highlights Fountain-Fort Carson High School
See the Valor Christian quarterback in action last season.


1. Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch)
Head coach: Rod Sherman
2016 record: 11-3

Valor Christian continued its dominance of Class 5A last fall with its fourth 5A state championship in five years and seventh overall title in eight years. Even after dropping three of their first four games, the Eagles still found a way to the top of the mountain, capped by a 30-14 victory over Pomona in the championship game.

Quarterback Dylan McCaffrey, the reigning 5A Player of the Year, has moved on to the University of Michigan. University of Colorado commit Blake Stenstrom and junior Luke McCaffrey – Dylan's younger brother – figure to pace an Eagles offensive attack that scored more than 500 points in 2016.

Valor's nonleague schedule once again includes a pair of out-of-state teams, along with in-state opponents in Mullen, Pomona and Cherry Creek.

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2. Pomona (Arvada)
Head coach: Jay Madden
2016 record: 12-2

Pomona was devastated by injuries a year ago, but still returned to the 5A state title game before falling to Valor Christian.

Max Borghi was having another brilliant season as a junior before tearing his ACL and MCL in the playoffs. Borghi, who has committed to Washington State, is one of the state's biggest threats, and quarterback Ryan Marquez threw for more than 2,200 yards with 20 touchdown passes as a junior.

The Panthers have a regular-season rematch with Valor Christian on Sept. 22.

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3. Pine Creek (Colorado Springs)
Head coach: Todd Miller
2016 record: 12-2
After a one-year absence, Pine Creek returned to the 4A state title game last December and emerged with the team's third championship in four years – a 36-14 triumph over Broomfield.

All-State quarterback Brock Domann graduated, but the Eagles bring back sophomore running back David "dm3" Moore III (1,585 rushing yards, 18 touchdowns). A defense that didn't allow more than 14 points in its final 13 games is anchored by a pair of talented defensive linemen in Isaak Rolfe and Christion Louis.

Pine Creek has a tough early slate, including a road trip to 2015 state champion Windsor on Sept. 9.

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4. Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village)
Head coach: Dave Logan
2016 record: 9-4

Another team beset by a bevy of injuries in 2016, Cherry Creek still found its way into the 5A state semifinals before falling short to Valor Christian on a fourth-quarter field goal.

The Bruins will be led by All-State wide receiver/defensive back Dimitri Stanley (65 catches, 970 yards, 13 TDs as a junior), who has committed to the University of Colorado. Casey Randall had eight sacks as a junior.

Cherry Creek gets its rematch with Valor Christian on Sept. 29 in Highlands Ranch.

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5. Mullen (Denver)
Head coach: Tom Thenell
2016 record: 9-3

The Mustangs took 5A by storm last fall, defeating eventual state champion Valor Christian in the midst of a challenging early-season schedule. Mullen was the No. 2 seed in the playoffs before falling to Cherry Creek in the quarterfinals.

Mullen, which last won a state title in 2010, took its own hits to graduation but brings back plenty of talent. Senior A'jon Vivens (who has committed to Colorado State) caught 60 passes for 1,087 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior, and safety Adrian Jackson has committed to Oregon.

Just like last fall, the Mustangs kick off the season with a gauntlet that includes Pomona, Valor Christian and Regis Jesuit.