8 Man League Breakdowns and League Predictions
Northwest League
The Northwest league is a combination of the old western slope and some of the old Central league. This league had one playoff qualifier last year and looks to be very similar again this year. I could see a second maybe. This league is going to be hard to predict because the teams are coming from different league. All 6 have a chance at a league title. Hayden went 1-7 last year and they are losing 5 seniors. Of those 5 one of them was a lineman. They are returning most of their defense from last year, their QB, and their main RB. This should help them tremendously. I could see Hayden being more competitive than they were last year. They will benefit being in an easier league and could push for a league title due to their experience returning. Next up is Rangely. Rangely went 2-7 last year and this might be the only team that could not push for a league title. They are losing 6 seniors and most of them played. Of those 6 seniors 3 of them where linemen and they also lost their starting QB and RB. Their defense is in a little better shape than their offense but not by much. They have 3 starters returning on defense. I don’t see Rangely battling for the league title this year. Soroco is the next team but due to the lack of information I have on them I cannot accurately give a breakdown of their team. They went 4-4 last year and missed the playoffs. That is really all the information I have. Next up is Plateau Valley. They went 5-4 last year but where hit very hard by graduation. They lost 13 seniors from their team which included their offensive and defensive lines and their starting running back but they have a very capable backup. The biggest thing going for Plateau Valley is they return their starting QB from last year and their return all their secondary and Linebackers. If they can replace their OL and DL they could be in the fit for a league title and a playoff spot. These last two teams I feel are the favorites to win the league and make the playoffs. First up is Gilpin County. They lost 7 seniors which included their offensive and defensive lines and they also lost their starting QB. They do return their Linebackers and Secondary and also their starting RB from last year. Gilpin County has enough talent returning that they should be able to fill the holes left and compete for a league title. They also could snag a playoff spot if they don’t win league. The favorite and the only playoff team from last year is West Grand. West Grand was struck with tragedy last year when their starting QB passed away in a car accident. They did rebound from their loss and win their next game and get into the playoffs. They went 8-2 last year and lost 7 seniors. They lost 2 lineman and their starting RB. They do return most of their defensive playmakers and their backup QB saw time last year as well. I feel they have plenty of talent returning and should win the league.
League Champs: West Grand
Playoffs: West Grand and Gilpin County
Plains
The best league in 8 Man continued to hold form again last year with another state championship and also getting 5 teams into the playoffs. There were no changes to the league and once again I feel they are the best league in 8 Man. I bet they once again get 4 maybe 5 teams into the playoffs. I will start with the one team that will not be in contention again this year. Caliche was your state champion two years ago but they were once again hit hard by graduation. They only lost 4 seniors but those 4 seniors where the leaders of this team. They were the starting QB, RB, and WR’s. They also where the 4 of the 5 leading tacklers on the team. The biggest thing going for Caliche is they return their offensive lines. I don’t think that will be enough to compete in the toughest league in 8 Man. From here on out all 5 of the teams are going to be competitive once again. I will start with last year state champion. Sedgwick County was hit very hard by graduation. They lost 9 seniors and most of them where starters. They lost their starting QB, their top 3 running backs, and most of their offensive and defensive lines. The due return their main WR and some very talented players on the defensive side of the ball. I don’t want to jump the gun of Sedgwick County but I don’t think they will repeat as league champions this year due to the amount of talent lost. They will still be very competitive and should still grab a playoff spot. This year will be tough for them but we should still see them in fifth and grabbing the playoff spot. Next up is Haxtun. Haxtun took a big leap last year getting back into the playoffs. They went 5-5 and are only losing 4 seniors. Those 4 seniors where all big pieces though. They lost their starting QB, one Lineman, and their top 3 tacklers on defense. Haxtun is returning their main RB and the other 5 people on defense all where very solid. Haxtun should once again improve and finish higher than last year. They must quickly find a replacement at QB but until then they will have to lean on their ground game. Haxtun should make the playoffs once again. Next up is Akron who went 10-3 and where the runner ups. They were also hit hard by graduation losing 7 seniors. The biggest loss was two of their 1000 yard running backs. They do return their starting QB and a good backup running back. Their defense which was one of the best in the state took a hit but they are returning more than enough talent to replace the holes created. They return their top two tacklers and their leader on offense. I feel Akron could once again compete for the league crown but due to the losses I have them finishing third and still competing very well in the state playoffs. The last two teams are who I feel are the favorites to win league. Merino had a good season last year going 6-4 and making the playoffs. They only lost 4 seniors, two lineman, a WR, and their main RB. They are returning their starting QB, their backup running back who plenty of carries last year, and their defense returns their top play makers. Their offense will be improved a lot which is why I have them higher than Akron. Merino biggest improvement must be on defense if they plan on winning league this year and competing for a state championship. The league favorite in my books is Dayspring Christian. They went 8-3 last year and made the playoffs they are only losing 6 seniors of which 2 were on the line and some defensive playmakers. They are returning their starting QB, RB, and their top WR’s. They also are bringing back some very talented players on the defensive side of the ball. Dayspring Christian will have their eyes sent on a state championship but they must replace the players lost on the offense line. This league I fill once again will produce a state champion but the league title race will also be very fun to watch yet again.
League Champ: Dayspring Christian
Playoffs: Dayspring Christian, Merino, Akron, Haxtun, and Sedgwick County
Central
The Central league is the old Central league plus Belleview, South Park and Miami-Yoder who is moving from 6 Man to 8 Man. This league I feel could be the worst in 8 Man this year. They have 0 teams that made the playoffs last year. I also have limited information on a few teams as well which does not give an accurate picture of the league. I will start off with Justice. Justice went 0-8 last year and I have no other information on their team. Belleview is a brand new team and also have very limited information on them. Next up will be Nederland. Nederland is one of the few teams who went about .500 last year but were hit very hard by graduation. They lost 12 seniors and that was almost all of their starters. They are not returning very much. They have a few defensive playmakers coming back but they will be rebuilding this year. I don’t think they will be above .500 this year and won’t compete for a league title. Next up is Rocky Mountain Lutheran. They went 4-4 last year and were also hit hard by graduation losing 7 seniors. They are losing most of their offensive and defensive lineman, their starting RB, and most of their defensive playmakers. They are returning their Starting QB, and their very capable backup RB. They have a ton of holes to fill in the defensive side which is why I don’t think they will compete for a league title or playoff spot either. Pikes Peak Christian is up next and I think they could be one of the three teams to make the playoffs. Pikes Peak Christian went 3-5 last year and lost 7 seniors as well. They are losing 2 lineman and their starting RB. They are returning their starting QB, their backup RB, and most of their defensive playmakers. This is the reason why I feel they will be competitive for the league title. They have some holes but they are smaller than the other teams already listed. Next up is Miami-Yoder who is moving from 6 Man to 8 Man. They went 2-6 last year in 6 Man but only lost 2 seniors and they were a Lineman and a line back/Running back. Besides that they are returning everyone else and should be very competitive if they can adjust to the 8 Man game. If that adjustment happens they could easily win the league due to the amount of starters returning. Last up and league title favorites will be South Park. They went 3-5 last year and only lost 3 seniors. They were a lineman, and two running back. They are returning a lot of talent. The 3 seniors that left will need to be replace on the defensive side of the ball which is where they made their biggest impact. They are returning though their top tackler and their leader on the offense which is their QB. They should win the league title and grab the only playoff spot from this league.
League Champs: South Park
Playoffs: South Park and maybe Miami-Yoder
Southern
The new Southern League had two playoff teams last year they were Hoehne and Kiowa. One of them returns a ton of talent and the other lost a lot of talent and will need to rebuild this year. I will start off though with Custer County. They went 1-8 last year and only lost 2 seniors. I feel though that Custer County is a year or two away from really competing. I think they will win more than one game but just not enough to compete for a playoff spot. Next up is Kiowa. Kiowa lost 9 seniors. Of which most of them where starters. They are returning very little and most of that is on the defensive side of the ball. Kiowa will have to rebuild this year. They lost way too much talent to compete for a playoff spot. Watch out for them in a couple years once they had a chance to rebuild the talent again. Next up is Simla who is normally a traditional power in 8 Man. Simla went 4-5 last year and missed the playoffs they lost 5 seniors all of them started. They lost 2 lineman, their QB, their starting RB, and half of their defensive playmakers. Simla is returning a very talented RB and some good players on defense. They will have a ton of holes to fill if they plan on making a run for the league title and for the playoffs. I don’t see them doing that this year but they have surprised teams in the past. Swink is up next and are looking to take a huge jump after going 2-7 last year. Swink lost 4 seniors which included 1 lineman and their starting RB. They are returning most of their defensive playmakers, their backup running back, and their starting QB. They have some great leaders coming back this year and could very well make it to the playoffs. They could also compete for the league title. They must improve on the defensive side of the ball again this year if they plan on doing this. Next up is Fowler who is looking to make the playoffs this year after missing it last year. They went 5-4 last year and are losing 6 seniors. The 6 seniors they are losing are big hole to replace but there are returning their main player makers on offense in their QB and RB. They will have to replace a lot on their offensive and defensive lines but have leadership on both side to do so. Fowler should be able to finish second or even compete for first and should make the playoffs this year. The league favorite once again will be Hoehne. Hoehne went 8-3 and made the playoffs. They only lost 4 seniors and are looking to make a state championship run this year. The 4 seniors lost were a lineman, two WR’s, and their starting QB. Luckily for Hoehne they are a power run offense and they return two Very talented running backs and a very good defense. Hoehne must replace their QB and find someone to step up to the leadership role but if they do they should be competing not only for the league title but also for a state championship.
League Champ: Hoehne
Playoffs: Hoehne, Fowler, and maybe Swink
Southeast
The Southeast league is normally a top 3 league and once again that is no different. They had 3 teams make the playoffs last year and should grab 3 again this year. A lot of the teams were hit hard by graduation but there is plenty of talent left. I will begin with McClave they went 2-7 last year and I couldn’t find much information on them. Next up is Las Animas who has struggled since dropping to 8 man. They went 1-8 last year and are losing four seniors. Those for seniors where all lineman. They are returning their skill position players but still need to figure out how to win in the 8 Man ranks. This could be the year they take the first step. Up next is Springfield who was hit very hard by graduation. They lost 6 seniors and all of them where important to this team. They lost their Lineman, both RB’s, their main WR, most of their defensive playmakers, and their starting QB. Springfield has a lot of talent to replace this year which is why I have them not making the playoffs this year. It always seems like a bad idea to count them out but they are replacing a ton of talent and feel they will be a couple year before competing again. The next two teams also were hit hard by graduation but are returning a good amount of defensive players. Holly went 6-3 last year and missed the playoffs barely. They lost 8 seniors which included their starting QB, 3 RB’s and 3 lineman. They are returning a talented WR and some playmakers on Defense. Which is why I have them making the playoffs over Springfield. Next up is Wiley. Wiley made the jump last year and made the playoffs with a 5-5 record. They are losing 10 seniors. They are returning though a very talented group of players on the defensive side of the ball. They will have to replace their starting QB and Running back but have a good back up RB already in place. Wiley has enough talent coming back which is why I feel comfortable putting them into the playoffs and finishing second in league. The league favorite this year is Granada. Granada went 7-3 last year and are only losing 4 seniors. They are losing two very talented running back but return their starting QB. Granada also has a few holes to fill in their defense but should be very talented once again. Granada if they can fill their defensive needs should be a force to reckon with come playoffs.
League Champ: Granada
Playoffs: Granada, Wiley, and Holly
Southwest
The Southwest league I feel is the second best league in 8 Man. They have added 8 man powerhouse Norwood and playoff qualifier Mancos. They now have 4 teams that made the playoffs last year and should be able to get 3 maybe 4 in again this year. I will start with the only team who I don’t think will compete for a playoff spot. Del Norte went 1-8 last year and they are losing 10 seniors. Once again they are looking at a very similar record. Del Norte is still in rebuilding mode and won’t compete again this year. I think 4th, 5th, and 6th are going to be fighting it out for the final playoff spot and should be a fun race to watch. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd should all make the playoffs it just depends which are they will be in. Competing for the final playoff spot will be Sanford, Mancos, and Sangre De Cristo. Sanford I feel has the worse change of the three. They went 3-6 last year and are losing 6 seniors. In those 6 seniors they lost their starting RB, and their starting Linebackers. They are returning a very talented backup RB and their starting QB from last year. Sanford is going to have to figure out their defense but have great leadership on the offensive side of the ball. Sanford might have to score a ton of points this year if they want to grab the 4th playoff spot. Next up is Mancos. Mancos went 6-4 last year and made the playoffs. They were hit hard by graduation losing 5 seniors all who were very important to this team. They lost their starting QB, RB, defensive line, and Linebackers. Mancos does return a very talented running back but they have huge holes to fill in their defense. If Mancos cannot fill the needs I could see them slipping back to 6th place and not make a run at all for the playoffs. The team I feel will finish in 4th will be Sangre De Cristo. They went 3-6 last year and are only losing 4 seniors. All four played of the defensive line and on offense 2 were lineman and 1 was a running back. Sangre biggest return will be their starting QB and a good set of skill position. They have some holes on defense to fill but could challenge even for a top 3 spot in the league. I think Sangre will make the playoffs but will need some good leadership from their QB. The top three teams will Dove Creek, Norwood, and Sargent. All three of the teams made the playoffs last year and all three return some good playmakers. Dove Creek was hit the hardest of the three teams. They lost 7 seniors which included 2 lineman, QB, two Rb’s, and some of their defensive playmakers. Dove Creek will return a good RB though and their top tackler from last year. Dove Creek will need to find replacement for the players lost or they could slip to fourth behind Sangre De Cristo. Dove Creek will need to rely on their ground attack to control the game if they want to finish third. The real battle will be for first and second. Last year Norwood beat Sargent and both made it to the Semi-Finals losing to Akron and Sedgwick County. This year both teams are looking to take that final step and grab a state championship. Sargent was hit a little bit by graduation but are returning some very dynamic play makers. The biggest lose from graduation will be their offensive and defensive lines. Which will be a priority to fill. They are returning their QB and top two running back from an offense that racked up a ton of rushing yards. They are also returning key parts to their defense. Sargent should be make a run for the league title and also a run for a state championship. Norwood is also in a similar boat to Sargent. They lost 5 seniors most of them are on the line as well. They are returning their main playmakers as well. Norwood must replace a little more on defense than Sargent but these two teams are going to battle it out for the league title. Both teams will be in the running for a state title.
League Champs: Sargent
Playoffs: Sargent, Norwood, Dove Creek, and Sangre De Cristo.
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