CLASS 5A
Cherry Creek is perhaps the state’s deepest team and is the early favorite to retain its state championship crown. The Bruins brought several freshmen off the bench during its playoff run, adding young talent to a solid mix that includes a veteran defense and All-Colorado midfielder Karsten Hanlin. ThunderRidge returns its entire lineup from last year’s semifinal run and will compete for playoff positioning with Fairview, Grandview and Arapahoe.
Top teams
1. Cherry Creek
2. ThunderRidge
3. Fairview
4. Grandview
5. Arapahoe
6. Boulder
7. Fort Collins
8. Ralston Valley
9. Liberty
10. Abraham Lincoln
Returning all-state players: Karsten Hanlin, Cherry Creek, Sr.; Jack Huettel, Boulder, Sr.; Erin Kronenberg, Fairview, Jr.; Lexington Leitmayr, ThunderRidge, Sr.; Jake Martinez, Liberty, Sr.; Jesus Martinez, Fort Collins, Sr.; Christian Nicolosi, Mountain Vista, Sr.; Shane O’Neill, Fairview, Sr.; Israel Robledo, Abraham Lincoln, Sr.
CLASS 4A
Air Academy boasts the classification’s best player in Mark Dotseth, but the loss of several key contributors will drop the Kadets closer to the pack. Broomfield, as always, will be a factor, and Evergreen could make a title run if it is able to find a consistent scoring punch without 23-goal scorer Danny Jensen.
Top teams
1. Air Academy
2. Broomfield
3. Mullen
4. Evergreen
5. Cheyenne Mountain
6. D’Evelyn
7. Durango
8. Palmer Ridge
9. Lewis-Palmer
10. Pueblo Centennial
Returning all-state players: Danny Childs, Sand Creek, Sr.; Mark Dotseth, Air Academy, Sr.; Skyler Erickson, Mullen, Sr.; Ben Grieve, Evergreen, Sr.; Akio Ohtake-Gordon, Wheat Ridge, Sr.; Peter Vogrin, Air Academy, Sr.
CLASS 3A
The classification’s top powers hail from the Colorado Springs area, as The Classical Academy, Colorado Springs Christian and defending champion St. Mary’s will vie for the state crown. Faith Christian, which boasts three all-state players and a veteran lineup, is the class of the rugged 3A Metro League.
Top teams
1. The Classical Academy
2. C.S. Christian
3. Faith Christian
4. St. Mary’s
5. Kent Denver
6. Denver Christian
7. Colorado Academy
8. Roaring Fork
9. Coal Ridge
10. Peak to Peak
Returning all-state players: Adrian Alegria, Weld Central, Sr.; Jacob Calhoun, St. Mary’s, Jr.; Sam Carpenter, Roaring Fork, Sr.; Ben Fetter, St. Mary’s, Sr.; Adam Finnefrock, Faith Christian, Sr.; Jesse Ham, Denver Christian, Sr.; Sawyer Lincoln, Manitou Springs, So.; Cameron McCaslin, Faith Christian, Sr.; Matthew McGinley, Heritage Christian, Jr.; Josh Mesward, The Classical Academy, Sr.; Joe Morales, St. Mary’s, Sr.; Andrew Myres, Colorado Academy, Sr.; Rod O’Dorisio, Faith Christian, Sr.; Josh Perkins, Community Christian, Sr.; Willy Salamancha, Basalt, Jr.; Kiefer Solarte, Kent Denver, Sr.; Peter Tonsits, The Classical Academy, Jr.; Ryan Urwiller, Peak to Peak, Sr.; Evan Young, C.S. Christian, Jr.
