Colorado High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 15

Playoff time is nearly here in Colorado high school football, and the updated state rankings paint a picture of what should be a very exciting postseason.

While Cherry Creek remains at No. 1 — as it has all season — there’s been some movement in the bottom of the top 10 and elsewhere on the list.

Below are the top 25 teams in the state after Week 7, according to the On3 Massey Ratings.

The On3 Massey Ratings — which were officially used during the BCS era and have generated college high school sports team rankings since 1995 — rank sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule and margin of victory.

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1. Cherry Creek

Previous Rank: No. 1

The Bruins had no problem with Arapahoe in their top-10 showdown, handing the visitors a 41-7 loss to move to 6-1 on the season. They’ll close the regular season with two top-25 foes in their final three games, but are favored heavily in each.

2. Mountain Vista

Previous Rank: No. 2

A week after dominating then-No. 2 Valor Christian, Mountain Vista took area rival ThunderRidge to the woodshed in a 51-0 beatdown. Like Creek, they will face two ranked teams in their final three games but are heavily favored by the On3 Massey Ratings to finish the regular season 10-0.

3. Columbine

Previous Rank: No. 3

The Rebels used a staunch defense to rout rival Arvada West 35-14 and remain unblemished through seven games. Their biggest test of the season comes this week though with a huge game against No. 6 Ralston Valley.

4. Valor Christian

Previous Rank: No. 4

The Eagles dropped their first league game in nearly 10 years, dating back to the 2014-15 season, when they fell at Mountain Vista last week. They wasted no time getting back on track though with a 34-6 win over a ranked Castle View squad.

5. Legend

Previous Rank: No. 5

After getting a huge win over No. 7 Pine Creek two weekends ago, Legend had no hangover this week with a 55-0 shellacking of Chaparral. The Titans will be favored heavily in each of their next two games before closing the season with a big top-10 tilt at Regis Jesuit.

6. Ralston Valley

Previous Rank: No. 6

The Mustangs continued their winning ways with a 47-7 domination of Denver South on Thursday night, and will now turn their attention to a huge game on Friday against No. 3 Columbine.

7. Pine Creek

Previous Rank: No. 7

Pine Creek has played a daunting schedule through seven weeks and sits at 4-3 heading into the final third of the season. Back-to-back home dates with Chaparral and No. 8 Regis Jesuit are next.

8. Regis Jesuit

Previous Rank: No. 10 (+2)

The Raiders started the season 0-3 but have responded with four straight wins, outscoring their opponents 143-33 during that stretch. They’ll welcome Douglas County on Friday night before consecutive top-10 matchups against Pine Creek and Legend to end the regular season.

9. Fairview

Previous Rank: No. 9

Boulder Fairview got everything it could handle in a wild shootout with Fort Collins over the weekend, ultimately coming out on top with a 68-49 victory. The Knights are projected to finish 10-0 by the On3 Massey Ratings, as heavy favorites in each of their final three games.

10. Arapahoe

Previous Rank: No. 8 (-2)

The Warriors took a beating at the hands of No. 1 Cherry Creek but remain in the top-10, in large part due to the quality of their wins so far. Winless Smoky Hill is next on the schedule before games against Cherokee Trail and No. 21 Eaglecrest to close the season.

Teams 11-25 in latest Colorado High School Football Rankings

11. Montrose
12. Erie (+1)
13. Dakota Ridge (+2)
14. Palmer Ridge
15. Pueblo West (+2)

16. Chatfield (-4)
17. Castle View (-1)
18. Grandview (+1)
19. Broomfield (-1)
20. Arvada West

21. Eaglecrest
22. Rock Canyon (+3)
23. Fossil Ridge (previously unranked)
24. Lutheran-Parker (-1)
25. Mesa Ridge (-3)

Dropped out: Douglas County