On November 25, 2023, the Cherry Creek Bruins will face off against the Ralston Valley Mustangs in the Class 5A football championship at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins. This matchup carries significant personal history, as coaches Dave Logan and Jared Yannacito share a connection that dates back to their childhoods.
The story begins in 1999 when Logan, then coaching at Arvada West, delivered a turkey to the home of Yannacito’s grandparents. With the oven malfunctioning, Logan’s mother sent him to their neighbors, who happened to be the grandparents of Yannacito. This moment marked the first meeting between the future coaches, with Yannacito being just a seventh-grader at the time. “Jared was there that day, and we got a photo in the living room after his grandparents helped us by using their oven,” Logan recalled.
Full-Circle Moment for Both Families
The bond between the families deepened over the years, with Yannacito’s grandmother often keeping him updated on Logan’s coaching achievements. “My grandma would always let me know like, ‘Well, Dave Logan’s got another team in the state championship,’” Yannacito said. “This Saturday is kind of a full-circle moment for both families.”
Logan, who attended Wheat Ridge High School alongside several members of the Yannacito family, has watched Yannacito’s coaching journey closely. After a successful playing career at Pomona, Yannacito started as an assistant coach at Boulder in 2009 and eventually rose to head coach at Ralston Valley in 2022. Their friendship has flourished as they have navigated their coaching careers.
Logan, now seeking his 13th state title, sees parallels between the Bruins and the Mustangs. “(Yannacito’s) done a really good job in terms of the way he’s structured his program,” Logan noted. “There’s a discipline to his teams. There’s a toughness to his teams.”
Mustangs Looking to Make History
The Mustangs are entering their first championship appearance, having previously fallen short in the playoffs over the past three seasons. Ralston Valley boasts an undefeated record of 13-0, mirroring Cherry Creek’s impressive season. In their semifinal game, the Mustangs staged a thrilling comeback against Mountain Vista, winning with a last-second field goal.
Yannacito, who has experience coaching in two previous state title games, is determined to lead his team to victory. “They were arguably the worst team in 4A when I took over, and my first year we were able to make the playoffs for the first time in 16 years,” he said, reflecting on his development as a coach. “More than anything, it really made me learn how to work with the players that we had.”
Logan, who has achieved considerable success during his tenure, recognizes Yannacito’s potential. “Jared is one of those really bright, young coaches where if he decides to continue coaching at this level, he’s going to be around for a long time,” Logan stated. “I don’t mean he’s going to get to the state championship every single year, but I’ll promise you this: They will be in contention every single year.”
As the championship game approaches, excitement builds for what promises to be a memorable showdown. Kickoff is scheduled for 17:00 at Canvas Stadium, with both teams eager to claim the title and add another chapter to their storied legacies.
