Top Returning Defense’s Class 2A
Picking the best returning defenses was much easier than the Offensive Line. I am using PPG given up last year and also seeing what teams are returning. I am also planning on releasing my full Class 2A Rankings before moving into the 1A position group. I will post a complete overview of my rankings once all 4 classes are done. After my rankings are completed I will also do a league by league breakdown later in August.
| High School | Stats |
| Resurrection Christian | Their defense gave up 183 points last year which was good for 15th in Class 2A. Their defense also helped carry them to a semifinal appearance. Resurrection Christian also returns their top 6 tacklers plus their top pass rusher. |
| Salida HS | Their defense gave up 152 points last year which was good for 10th in Class 2A. Their defense was one of the reasons for the huge turn around. Salida returns their top 7 tacklers plus their top two pass rushers. |
| Faith Christian HS | Their defense gave up 140 points last year which was good for 7th in Class 2A. Faith Christian always seems to have a top defense and that carries true to this year. Faith Christian returns 2 of their top 5 tacklers but have plenty of depth behind the departing seniors. Faith Christian also returns their top two pass rushers from last year. |
| Alamosa HS | Their defense gave up 114 points last year which was good for 4th in Class 2A. Their defense will need to lead the way if Alamosa plans to make the playoffs this year. Alamosa is returning their 5 of their top 6 tacklers and are very young on defense. What Alamosa will need to replace is their pass rushers. |
| Sterling HS | Their defense gave up 208 points last year which was good for 20th in Class 2A. Sterling will also need to lean heavily on their defense until their offense comes up to speed. Sterling is losing their to tacklers but return 7 of their top 8 tacklers. Sterling also returns their top 5 pass rushers. |
| Basalt HS | Their defense gave up 179 points last year which was good for 14th in Class 2A. Basalt will need their defense to be top notch this year and Basalt could make a solid run in Class 2A. Basalt loses their #2 tacklers but return 6 of their top 7 tacklers. Basalt will need to develop more of a pass rush this year as well. |
| Elizabeth HS | Their defense gave up 191 points last year which was good for 16th in Class 2A. Elizabeth improvement on defense and running the ball was the reason for their run to the playoffs. Elizabeth returns their top 2 tacklers and tons of depth on defense. Elizabeth does lose most of their pass rushers and must develop their pass rush. |
| Bayfield HS | Their defense gave up only 56 points last year which was the best in the Class 2A. Bayfield though was hit hard by graduation and are losing their top 5 tacklers. Bayfield though has some depth and leadership returning but will have to replace some very key pieces. Bayfield success this year will rest on how well they can replace players on their defense. |
| Kent Denver HS | Their defense gave up 96 points last year which was good for 2nd in Class 2A. Like Bayfield Kent Denver will have to replace some key pieces on their defense. Kent Denver does return their leading tackler from last year and his leadership will be key to their defense returning to form. |
| Weld Central HS | Their defense gave up 216 points last year which was good for 23rd in Class 2A. Weld Central will need their defense to carry them this year to have a shot to make it back to the playoffs. Weld Central loses 2 of their top 5 tacklers but return plenty of depth and experience. |
| La Junta HS | Their defense gave up 131 points last year which was good for 6th in Class 2A. La Junta is losing some key pieces on defense but La Junta is know for their solid play on defense. La Junta does return 2 of their top 5 tacklers and will need some younger players to step up. |
| Platte Valley HS | Their defense gave up 145 points last year which was good for 8th in Class 2A. Platte Valley played solid defense last year which helped carry them to a 10-1 record. Platte Valley is losing some leaders on defense but Platte Valley does seem to have some leaders returning which will help develop this defense. |
| Machebeuf HS | Their defense gave up 111 points last year which was godo for 3rd in Class 2A. Machebeuf has slowly been rising in terms of wins and making the playoffs. Their defense will be needed again this year if they plan to make the playoffs again. Machebeuf is losing 3 of their top 5 tacklers but return a ton of experience. |
| Rifle HS | Their defense gave up 269 points last year in Class 3A. Rifle lost a ton of experience on offense but defensively are returning some key pieces that will need to carry them early on. Rifle is returning their leading tacklers and he will need to help lead this defense. |
| Englewood HS | Their defense gave up 224 points last year which was good for 25th in Class 2A. If Englewood plans to make the playoffs this year they will need their defense to improve drastically this year. Englewood is returning 3 of their top 5 tacklers and plenty of depth. Englewood could be a big surprise team this year but will come down to their defense improving from 25th in Class 2A to a Top 10 defense. |
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