The 24-team Class 5A and 4A football playoff fields are set , with first-round games beginning Friday night. Here’s what to watch for in Colorado’s biggest classifications leading up to the state championship game on Dec. 6 at Canvas Stadium.

Class 5A

The Favorite

Cherry Creek: No surprise here. The Bruins have won five of the last six 5A titles, and this year’s team hasn’t trailed in a fourth quarter yet. Both sides of the ball are loaded with FBS talent. Senior running back Jayden Fox (1,231 yards, 17 TDs rushing) is a TD waiting to happen. And a Creek defense led by Oregon LB commit Braylon Hodge and Washington DL commit Tufanua Ionatana Umu-Cais has almost twice as many takeaways (23) as touchdowns allowed (12). Good gravy.

The Challengers

Ralston Valley : The No. 2 Mustangs ju

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