HIGHLANDS RANCH — Teenagers. Few seem to have any sense of sports history. From the freshman who’s simply thrilled to get a shiny uniform to the star recruit who can name what college he wants to attend, the days of kids knowing where they stand in relation to the past appear to have been overtaken by interest in things such as Facebook, texting, Twitter and energy drinks.
However, in the case of Christian McCaffrey, there’s another reason he’s not into sports history.
Humility.
The 6-foot, 195-pound Valor Christian senior has scored 128 touchdowns — tops in state history among 11-man players — and also is tops in 11-man scoring (776 points) in a career that may be extended by three more games in the Class 5A playoffs. But he has no idea of where he stands as a running back in state annals. Nor does he care.
“As far as rankings go, I’m only 17 years old,” said the second of four sons of former Broncos wide receiver Ed McCaffrey. “I grew up watching guys like Terrell Davis play. I would say he’s the best running back I’ve seen live in person and best player live I’ve seen.”
Still, the multitalented 2012 player of the year as named by The Denver Post, has posted video game-type numbers that surely will put him in any discussion of the great running backs of the past few decades, in a group with Darnell McDonald (Cherry Creek), Kevin McDougal (Arvada West) and LenDale White (Denver South and Chatfield).
McCaffrey also ranks third all time in pass receptions for a touchdown (44). “And he’s on track to average 10 yards per carry for his career, which is pretty good,” said Valor Christian coach Rod Sherman, who calls his three-sport star a throwback.
McCaffrey will earn 12 letters in his decorated career, as he has been a regular starter in basketball and a threat statewide in track’s sprints.
Most everyone who has watched McCaffrey has noted his speed (he ran 10.92 seconds in the 100 meters last spring, although he appears faster in football speed), quickness, athleticism, versatility and intelligence.
“He’s probably in the top five I’ve seen play,” said Pomona coach Jay Madden. “He’s tough and you can’t tackle him. He’s definitely, in my 20 years of coaching, as good a back as I’ve seen.”
Put McCaffrey on Fairview, Eaglecrest coach Mike Schmitt said. Or ThunderRidge, or any of the playoff bracket’s higher seeds such as Columbine, Cherry Creek, Cherokee Trail, Pomona or Regis Jesuit. And that team would be the favorite.
“He’s so special,” Schmitt said. “He would make them untouchable.”
A team player
Of his 128 touchdowns, McCaffrey has scored in just about every conceivable fashion. He has 78 rushing touchdowns, 44 receiving, four on punt returns, one on a kickoff return and another by returning an interception. He also has thrown for a touchdown.
McCaffrey, bound for Stanford, has 4,710 yards rushing. That total probably should be listed with an asterisk because for the past two seasons, the coaching staff has limited his carries against lesser opponents. In the month of October, for instance, McCaffrey had a combined 17 carries over four games (he scored five times). And never whined about it.
“It makes him a blessing to coach, that’s for darn sure,” Sherman said. “There was one game in particular. One of our backup running backs is a senior, a really good safety for us, Jace LaMunyon, and we got the ball at the 1. We pulled Christian out and Jace scored, and Christian was the first one running on the field to congratulate him.”
For McCaffrey, it’s more about the team than the stats.
Besides, McCaffrey said, “I get to rest my body up, no risk of injury there. I think every one of our seniors understands why we come out early.”
While the Eagles won it all in Class 3A in 2009, in 4A from 2010-11 and in 5A a year ago, and are 47-6 during his career, preparing for the next opponent with an eye toward the playoffs takes precedence.
And no one can question his performances when they matter most. In 15 playoff games McCaffrey has rushed for 1,779 yards and 22 touchdowns, and has 873 receiving yards with 17 touchdowns.
Sharing the credit
Sherman, who credits McCaffrey’s character to his parents — Ed and Lisa were top student-athletes at Stanford — said other college powers were interested in McCaffrey at positions other than running back.
“He’s such an explosive player that can hurt you in so many different ways,” Cherry Creek coach Dave Logan said. “And he can carry, he can catch, block punts, he plays defense … just a great high school football player. But he’s the most dangerous back that we’ve seen in quite some time with his hands on the ball.”
With McCaffrey in the lineup, Valor Christian has won 15 consecutive playoff games. Make no mistake, now in the playoffs, he will carry the ball as much as necessary. And he knows that he won’t be doing it alone. The Eagles’ offensive front may be the best in Colorado.
“I couldn’t ask for a better O-line, all five of those guys,” McCaffrey said. “The film stands for itself. Watch it. They’re incredible.”
Sherman isn’t surprised his star credits others.
“His character’s important. He has values and it proves he’s not about stats, or wins or losses,” Sherman said. “It’s about the journey.”
And for McCaffrey, it’s not about his place in history.
“My mind doesn’t wander that way at all,” he said. “The team aspect is what really matters.”
Neil H. Devlin: ndevlin@denverpost.com or twitter.com/neildevlin