Milehigh Prep Report
Class 1A
#1 Bennett: Last season 10-2, lost in semifinals to Meeker, graduated 15 seniors
Bennett is losing some big guys up front losing 3 lineman which were over 200 pounds and also losing 5 of their top 6 tacklers. Bennett though will not be rebuilding and I think will be very dangerous. Their upcoming senior class has 4 lineman over 215 pounds so just gaining experience will be the key for their new lineman. Bennett is returning two key pieces from last year that will be huge to going farther in the playoffs. Bennett is returning starting QB Rocky Lechman 432 yards passing 1,281 yards rushing and starting RB Jesse Rodriquez 1,317 yards rushing. Bennett biggest key for this season is developing lineman. I have Bennett winning the Foothills league.
#2 Meeker: Last season 12-1, lost in State Championship to Strasburg, graduated 9 seniors
Meeker is losing 3 lineman one of which was 255 pounds so replacing those lineman will be a big key. They are also losing its top 5 tacklers from last year so replacing their leadership on defense will be very important. Meeker is returning a bunch of very talented players and will be a huge threat. Meeker is returning their starting RB Doak Mantle 1,058 yards rushing but the biggest piece returning is Logan Hughes 2,529 yards passing 31 TD’s and 10 INT’s having him as the leader of the team will help this young offensive line. Meeker also must find WR’s as they are losing their top 3 pass catchers. Meeker will be looking to repeat as the Western Slope champion and are my favorite to win it this year.
#3 Strasburg: Last season 13-0, Defending State Champion, graduated 13 seniors
Strasburg will be looking to defend their state championship but are losing some major pieces to that team. They are losing 6 lineman to graduation and also 2 of their top 4 tacklers. Strasburg does look to have 5 lineman upcoming in their senior class to getting them experience will be key. Strasburg is also losing standout QB Conner Martin 1,478 yards passing 23 TD’s and 0 INTs finding a replacement for him is a huge key to the success of this team. Strasburg will be returning their starting RB Hunter Bergstorm 1,110 yards rushing so they can lean on him until their passing attack develops. Strasburg will be the favorite to win the Northern League.
#4 Limon: Last season 6-4, lost in first round to Peyton, graduated 6 seniors
Limon a normal in the top ten once again makes an appearance and they appear to be ready to make a run in the playoffs. Limon is only losing 6 seniors 1 of which was a lineman so they are returning the majority of the offensive lineman. Limon is losing a big piece in RB Braden Kappel 1,104 yards rushing and 3 of their top 5 tacklers but have plenty of experience to go around. Limon is returning starting QB Cannan Bennett and their #2 running back Hauk Hubbard. Finding another RB will be a key and also finding some players to step up on defense. Limon will be the favorite to win the North Central League.
#5 Grand Valley, Last season 5-5, lost in first round to Strasburg, graduated 5 seniors
Grand Valley is a team on the rise and only losing 5 seniors will keep this team looking up. Grand Valley has a huge junior class so getting them to step up this year will be a huge key for success this year and next year. Of the 5 senior 4 of them were lineman all of them over 190 lbs. the other senior was a WR/DB. Grand Valley success will depend on if they can develop lineman which they possibly have 6 potential lineman over 190 pounds. Grand Valley will be returning some key leadership as well in QB Jeff Holbrook and also their top two RB. Defensively they lose their top tackler but have plenty of people returning to step up into his spot. Grand Valley is dependent on their lineman developing and if they do watch out for this team. I have them with a top 3 finish in the Western Slope League.
#6 Wray, Last season 4-5, missed the playoffs, graduated 4 seniors
Wray just missed the playoffs last year and finished second in the North Central league. Wray will have a ton of talent returning only losing 4 seniors. The 4 seniors graduating are WR/QB, DE/TE, C/DL, and RB. The biggest lose from the group of 4 is RB Sam Wynkoop who ran for 1,643 yards and 15 TD’s replacing him will be the biggest need for this team. They are returning second leading rushing Cade Hillman. Wray must also develop a good answer at QB but this is a run heavy offense. Wray is looking to take the big step of making the playoff this year and with the amount of talent returning they will be very tough. I have Wray finishing second in the North Central.
#7 Paonia: Last season 10-2, lost in semifinals to Strasburg, graduated 11 seniors
Paonia is losing 11 seniors and since they don’t put positions next to most of their positions I am not sure exactly what they are losing. I do know they are losing QB Dagan Rienks 1,361 yards passing and their top WR Trevor Smith. Defensively they are also losing 4 of their top 5 tacklers as well. Paonia will need to develop a QB but until they do they are returning starting RB Jaden Miller 977 yards rushing. Paonia is a threat every year and finding some key replacements will be a huge key for this team. I still have Paonia finishing in the top 3 in the Western Slope.
#8 Peyton: Last season 10-1, lost in quarterfinals to Bennett, graduated 11 seniors
Peyton blew past expectations last year nearly running the table. Peyton will need to retool to make a similar run this year. Peyton is losing 5 lineman which is a big lose in their run heavy offense they are also losing 2 of its top 4 tacklers. Another hole will be at RB they are losing their top two rushers Trystan Hanks and Wyatt Lee. Peyton will be returning their starting QB Trevor Walker but finding replacements at RB is a big key. Peyton does look to have 7 possible lineman coming up 4 seniors and 3 juniors of which 3 are over 200 pounds. Peyton grabbed the Tri-Peaks from Buena Vista last year and will be the favorite again this year.
#9 Centauri: Last season 6-3, missed the playoffs, graduated 2 seniors
Centauri was hurt by the RPI last season finishing #17 and barley missing the playoffs. That will be fuel to the fire especially only losing 2 seniors from that team. The two seniors are OLB/RB Jacob Gallegos and RB/CB Dustin Sowards. Centauri biggest hole will be RB position but they are moving top WR Brandon Buhr over to RB to fill that hole. Centauri will need better play from QB Nate Anderson this year 810 yards passing 8 TD’s and 6 INT’s and 600 yards rushing. Nate Anderson will need to step up and be the leader of this year. Centauri offensively struggled last year so improving their will be a key for this team. Defensively they are very good and are returning their top 6 tacklers including sophomore Adam Chacon. Centauri will be extremely good this year and the battle between them and Monte Vista for the SPL will be a great football game. Monte Vista and Centauri will be #1 and #2 in the SPL.
#10 Monte Vista: Last season 5-5, lost in first round to Platte Canyon graduated 9 seniors
Monte Vista had a slight down year last year losing a very talented senior class but were still able to grab the Southern Peak title. Monte Vista is looking to reload this year of the 9 seniors only 6 played significant time. Two of them were offensive lineman but with plenty of upcoming seniors and juniors they will be replaced. They are losing some depth at DB/WR as well but are moving players around to fill those positions. Monte Vista biggest loss will be QB/RB/CB Keshaun Duran but with Duran playing RB a lot last year it allowed now Junior Zach Hindes to get some very valuable experience at QB. Monte Vista must get their offense figured out this year as they struggled on offense. Monte Vista will return their top 3 tacklers on defense as well. Like I said with Centauri, Monte Vista and Centauri will play for the SPL title again this year and I expect both in the playoffs.
Others (11-15)
#11 Crowley County: Last season 7-2, lost in first round to Cedaredge, graduated 8 seniors
Crowley County is losing 4 lineman and their top RB so replacing them is key. They are returning starting QB and their back up RB. They are still the favorite to win the Santa Fe League.
#12 Platte Canyon: Last season 9-2, lost in Quarterfinals to Meeker, graduated 10 seniors
Platte Canyon lost 3 lineman and their starting QB in a run heavy offense replacing these players is a big key. They are returning their starting RB and 2 of their top 5 tacklers from last year. I expect Platte Canyon to finish second in the Foothills league behind Bennett.
#13 Burlington: Last season 8-3, lost in quarterfinals to Paonia, graduated 10 seniors
Burlington is possibly losing 5 lineman, their starting QB, and their starting RB. Burlington did have good depth at RB last year so they have a good replacement at RB. Burlington also returns their top 3 tacklers from last year. I am picking Burlington to finish 3rd in the North Central behind Limon and Wray.
#14 Cedaredge: Last season 8-3, lost in quarterfinals to Strasburg, graduated 11 seniors
Cedaredge is losing 5 lineman and some monster pieces on defense. They are also losing their starting RB. Cedaredge is returning both players who played QB so one of them will probably shift to RB. Cedaredge does have 5 lineman upcoming but getting them experience is key. I have Cedaredge finishing 4th in the Western Slope.
#15 Clear Creek: Last season 7-2, missed playoffs, graduated 6 seniors
Clear Creek is losing 1 lineman ad 6 skill positions players but are returning a huge weapon in QB Ty Judge 1,973 yards passing and their starting RB. Clear Creek must improve defensively if they want to make the playoffs. With the different RPI formula if they go 7-2 again they should make the playoffs. Clear Creek will be looking to knock off Platte Canyon out of the #2 spot or Bennett out of the #1 spot. I have them finishing 3rd in the Foothills league but grabbing a playoff spot.
Teams who made playoffs who will have a down year
Highland: Last season 6-4, lost in first round to Bennett, graduated 11 seniors
Losing their starting QB, 3 lineman, and 3 of their top 5 tacklers.
Ellicott: Last season 5-5, lost in first round to Meeker, graduated 7 seniors
Only losing 7 players but all were huge contributors. Losing their biggest two lineman, also their starting QB who threw over 1400 yards and their starting RB.
Buena Vista: Last season 6-4, lost in first round to Paonia, graduated 6 seniors
Losing 2 lineman, starting RB, and top 3 tacklers 2 of which broke the 100 tackle mark. They do return their starting QB and backup RB but I don’t see much size yet in terms of lineman. Will be a rebuilding year.
Center: Last season 6-4, lost in first round to Burlington,
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