Thu, Sep 10, 2026 / Week 4
vs. Legend (CO)
W 34-28
FinalHomeRegular seasonCounts toward record
CO Public School Football
Colorado
2026 record
3-0
Thu, Sep 10, 2026 / Week 4
vs. Legend (CO)
W 34-28
Fri, Sep 4, 2026 / Week 3
vs. Ralston Valley (CO)
W 38-7
Thu, Aug 20, 2026 / Week 1
at Chatfield (CO)
W 28-15
No upcoming games are connected to this team yet.
Current national rank
No. 11Head coach
Dave Logan
Cherry Creek’s 2026 schedule stays entirely within Colorado, but the Bruins will face several of the state’s strongest programs. August 20 — at Chatfield September 4 — vs. Ralston Valley September 10 — vs. Legend September 18 — at Valor Christian September 24 — at Cherokee Trail October 2 — vs. Arapahoe October 8 — Northfield October 15 — at Eaglecrest October 23 — vs. Mullen October 30 — at Grandview The September 4 matchup against Ralston Valley is an immediate rematch of the 2025 Class 5A championship game. The Mustangs finished 13-1 last season, with their only loss coming against Cherry Creek in the final. Six days later, the Bruins face Legend, the team they defeated 13-10 for the 2024 state championship. The September 18 trip to Valor Christian could be Cherry Creek’s most difficult regular-season test. Valor pushed the Bruins to the final play in last year’s state semifinal before Cherry Creek escaped with a 21-13 victory. The Eagles have not defeated Cherry Creek since the 2018 state championship game. The regular season concludes at Grandview in a matchup that could carry significant league and playoff-seeding implications. Cherry Creek does not have an out-of-state opponent, so the Bruins will have fewer opportunities to build a national résumé than several teams ranked around them. Their schedule does however, include most of the programs capable of challenging them inside Colorado. With that said, it will take near perfect games to keep Cherry Creek in this position throughout the year.
Jackson Roper — OL, Senior Roper is the centerpiece of the 2026 offense and one of the best offensive linemen in the country. The 6-foot-5, 305-pound interior lineman is a four-star prospect, the top-ranked 2027 recruit in Colorado and a UCLA commit. He helped anchor an offensive line that cleared the way for more than 2,700 rushing yards and 37 touchdowns last season. Roper has the versatility to play multiple positions across the line and gives Cherry Creek an experienced player around whom it can build its new offense. With a new quarterback and new leading rusher, the Bruins’ ability to control games up front will be especially important early in the season. Elijah Cromwell — RB, Junior Cromwell is expected to take on a much larger role following Fox’s graduation. As a sophomore, the four-star running back rushed for 287 yards and four touchdowns on 44 carries while adding 15 receptions for 172 yards. His ability to contribute as both a runner and receiver gives the next quarterback a versatile option out of the backfield. Cromwell has already delivered in a championship setting. As a freshman in 2024, he rushed for ~100 yards and scored both Cherry Creek touchdowns in its 13-10 state-title victory over Legend. He will enter 2026 as one of the most important offensive players in Colorado. Chance Phillips — RB, Junior Phillips gives Cherry Creek another proven option in the backfield. He rushed for 324 yards and a touchdown on 39 carries last season, averaging more than eight yards per attempt. With Fox gone, Phillips should receive additional opportunities alongside Cromwell. The combination of Cromwell and Phillips gives Cherry Creek a strong starting point as it rebuilds the rest of the offense. Edward Huettner — OL, Senior Huettner is another key piece of an offensive line expected to become the identity of the team. His presence alongside Roper gives the Bruins continuity up front and should help protect an inexperienced quarterback. Cherry Creek may not immediately replace all the explosiveness it lost at the skill positions, but its line should allow the offense to remain physical and productive. Alijah Landrum-Hamilton — WR, Senior Landrum-Hamilton is one of the returning receivers expected to compete for a larger role following the graduation of Goettsche and Hodge. The Bruins must rebuild their passing-game hierarchy, and Landrum-Hamilton has an opportunity to emerge as one of the new quarterback’s primary targets. Karson McKenzie — DB/WR, Senior McKenzie was one of Cherry Creek’s most productive defensive backs in 2025, recording 90 tackles, two interceptions and five pass breakups. Although recruiting services also list him as a receiver, most of his impact last season came on defense. His experience and versatility should make him one of the leaders of the 2026 secondary. Colton Heimlicher — EDGE, Senior Heimlicher is one of the key returning players in Cherry Creek’s front seven. The Bruins lost significant senior leadership from last year’s defense, creating an opportunity for Heimlicher to take on a larger role as a pass rusher and edge defender. Jaxson Flores — S, Senior Flores adds another athletic defensive back to the secondary. His presence alongside McKenzie gives Cherry Creek multiple experienced options on the back end of the defense. Reeve Thomas — EDGE, Senior Thomas provides additional depth and experience along the edge. Cherry Creek’s defense has consistently been one of the program’s defining strengths, and the development of Thomas and Heimlicher will be important as the Bruins replace several members of last season’s championship unit.
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