Class 2A League Breakdown & Predictions (Colorado, Flatirons, Intermountain)
I have decided to only do 3 or 4 leagues at a time instead of the full 7 leagues. I am going to breakdown the league then at the end predict my champion and playoff contenders.
Colorado League
The Colorado League changes just a bit from the past two years. Gone from the league are Elizabeth and Sheridan and the new teams are Alameda and Riverdale Ridge. Alameda is dropping from 3A back into 2A after 0-10 and 1-8 seasons. Alameda does only lose 3 seniors and should improve this year. They return most of their skill players and most of their offensive lineman, but it will be interesting to see if Alameda can improve from last year. Riverdale Ridge is a brand-new school. Not a ton of information is known about this school but it’s in Thornton and is being coached by Wayne Voorhess who previously coach at 5A Legacy. The school picked up a very good coach but will be interesting to see if they can contend right away. Kent Denver, Machebeuf, Englewood, and Ridge View Academy all return and 3 of the 4 should be contenders this year. Ridgeview Academy is the school that is still not ready to be a contender. Ridgeview Academy loses 8 seniors off their 1-8 team. Ridgeview Academy also didn’t post any stats from last year so it’s hard to tell what they lost from last year’s team. Englewood has a new coach this year Mike Campbell who comes from 5A Arapahoe and was one of the longest Tenured coaches in Colorado. Coach Campbell may bring the winning attitude that Englewood needs. Coach Campbell will have some talent returning as well. Englewood has their workhorse RB back Ikaika Gonzalez-Bentosino who ran for 1,156 yards last year. Englewood also returns their core of their offensive line and a QB who must improve this year to make this offense more lethal. Englewood biggest hole is their defense which must improve from last year. Englewood will challenge for a playoff spot and if their defense can improve maybe a league title. Machebeuf had another solid year last year going 8-2 and making the playoffs. Machebeuf returns a solid group of seniors but does lose some talent from last year team mainly size on their offensive line. Machebeuf does have some upcoming seniors though who can fill the holes on the offensive line. Machebeuf will also have holes at their skill positions as well but with winning season players may be able to step up to the plate. Machebeuf does have the core of their defense coming back and may have to carry Machebeuf early on. Machebeuf had the 3rd best defense last year in terms of points allowed. Machebeuf should also challenge for a playoff spot and if they can develop skill players look out for Machebeuf. The favorite to win the Colorado League though is still Kent Denver. Kent Denver went 9-1 last year but were upset by Resurrection Christian in the first round of the playoffs. Kent Denver lost a big senior class (20). Included in that senior class was possibly 4 or 5 starters on the offensive line and their starting RB. Kent Denver will have to have some underclassman fill the holes on their o-line but of course I do see some size coming back. Kent Denver defensively had the second-best defense in 2A in terms of points allowed. Kent Denver will have some key pieces to replace on defense but have some leadership coming back. Kent Denver also returns their starting QB who must lead this team early on. Kent Denver could be the weakest they have been in a few years and could give Machebeuf and Englewood a shot to snag the league title.
League Champion: Kent Denver
Playoff Contenders: Kent Denver, Machebeuf, Englewood
Dark Horse: Riverdale Ridge
We don’t a lot about Riverdale Ridge, but they do have a solid coach and will be interesting to see how much they develop as a program. I am putting them as my dark horse for that reason not really to make the playoffs but to see what this program turns into.
Flatirons League
The Flatirons League changes a bit from last year losing Jefferson and adding Bennett. Bennett is coming up from 1A after going 11-1 and losing in the semifinals to eventual State Champion Strasburg. Bennett is losing a lot of talent from last year. Including their starting QB and 1 of their main RBs. Bennett possibly is losing 3 or 4 starting offensive lineman. It will be very interesting to see how Bennett adapts to the 2A game. Bennett is a run heavy offense that strikes big with their rushing attack. Bennett does return Mason Wakeham who was #2 in their rushing attack and will have to carry them early on. Defensively Bennett does lose some seniors, but they do return 3 of their top 6 tacklers. Depth and experience is what Bennett really loses on defense and will have to quickly replace those players. I expect Bennett to still compete for a playoff spot. With the Flatirons mainly staying intact the bottom of the league still looks to remain the same. Denver West went 1-8 last year and lose a massive senior class (15). Denver West could be rebuilding this year and could see their win total remaining about the same. Arvada went 3-6 last year improving from the prior year but are also losing a huge senior class (21). Arvada will be rebuilding at almost every position and will have to find a way to get their underclass man up to speed. I see Arvada also staying in the 2-3-win area. Middle Park went 4-5 last year and just missed out on making the playoffs. Middle Park loses 8 seniors but some key contributors from last year. Middle Park loses possibly 3 starting offensive lineman, their starting QB, and Starting RB. Middle Park does return experience on defense, but their defense was also torched for 305 points last year. Middle Park should finish around the same win amount, but I don’t think they are playoff Contenders this year. D’Evelyn went 5-5 last year but made the playoffs. D’Evelyn lost to Platte Valley in the first round but gave them a scare. D’Evelyn loses their starting QB from last year but return their main two RB’s from last year. D’Evelyn may also have some holes to fill on their offensive line but I see some size coming up. D’Evelyn will have to get their underclassman up to speed but I think in two years this could be a very dangerous team. D’Evelyn will still compete for a playoff spot but are about 1 year away from a league title. The Favorite to win the Flatirons league is Faith Christian. Faith Christian went 9-2 last year losing to Resurrection Christian in the Quarterfinals. Faith Christian is losing 8 seniors but have a lot of talent coming back. Faith Christian is returning starting QB Isaiah Krill and starting RB Jordan Abbott. Faith Christian does possibly lose 3 starters on their offensive line but have enough experience to quickly get the younger players up to speed. Defensively Faith Christian returns 2 of their top 5 tacklers and a lot of depth behind the departing seniors. Faith Christian also returns their main two pass rushers. I could see Faith Christian defense being a top 5 defense in terms of points allowed this year. I believe Faith Christian will walk away with the Flatirons, but I expect D’Evelyn and Bennett to at least contend.
League Champion: Faith Christian
Playoff Contenders: Faith Christian, D’Evelyn, Bennett
Dark Horse: Bennett
Bennett is moving from 1A to 2A and will be interesting to see how their offense handles 2A. Bennett lost a solid senior class but always find a way to reload.
Intermountain League
Intermountain changes a bit from last year losing Delta and adding Salida. The Intermountain League also lost another member when Gunnison decided to not field a team this year. The intermountain league is now a 5-team league and should be a battle between all 5 teams. Pagosa Springs is losing a ton of talent from last year’s 6-4 playoff team. Pagosa Springs loses 14 seniors but that seniors class may have established a winning attitude in these underclassmen. Pagosa Springs may be losing 5 starters on the offensive line but have a solid upcoming junior class that will have to step up to the plate this year. Pagosa Springs may have a slight fall of this year but Cade Cowan and Connor Aragon coming back in the backfield this option offense should be effective. Defensively Pagosa Springs was hit hard by graduation losing 6 of their 7 top tacklers. Pagosa Springs may still surprise a few teams this year but a slight drop could be expected. Montezuma-Cortez is coming of 3 straight losing seasons and are losing 11 seniors from last year teams. Montezuma-Cortez is possibly losing 4 starting offensive linemen but could have some upcoming seniors to fill the holes. Montezuma-Cortez does return some key skill players with QB Ike Dennison coming back and must lead this team. Montezuma-Cortez defensively must improve from last year and seems to have plenty of experience coming back. Montezuma-Cortez looks to be losing 3 of their top 10 tacklers and this unit should be much better than last year. I could see Montezuma-Cortez improving a lot this year, but I am not sure if they can break into the Top 3 in league. The main contenders in the Intermountain league this year will be Bayfield, Alamosa, and Salida. When these 3 teams meet up I expect some very good football games. Salida loses a huge talent in QB Bridger Russell to graduation and may be the biggest hole to fill. Salida does return 2 or 3 starters on their offensive line and have plenty of size coming up as well. Having an experienced offensive line could make up for a inexperience backfield. Defensively Salida looks very good. Salida was a top 10 defense last year and return their top 7 tacklers plus their top 2 pass rushers. Salida may lean heavily on their defense early on but this defense will keep them in games and probably help them win quite a few games. Salida I expect to make the playoffs. Alamosa continues the trend of dominating defenses in the intermountain league. Alamosa sported a top 5 defense and returns 5 of their top 6 tacklers. Alamosa was able to get some experience to some of their younger kids and will be huge this year. Alamosa offensively will need some work after losing their main workhorse Reis Martinez to graduation. Alamosa biggest weakness last year was their offense and QB John Lujan must lead this offense. Alamosa offensive line also lost some key starters but have plenty of experience and depth coming back to make them very effective. Alamosa should improve on their 5-4 record from last year and make the playoffs. My favorite still in the Intermountain League will be Bayfield. Bayfield is your defending State Champions and are hoping to defend their title. Bayfield returns plenty of weapons on offense with QB Hayden Farmer and RB David Hawkins coming back. Bayfield biggest concern on offense will be getting their offensive line to mesh and play up to championship standards. Bayfield on defense is a bit more of a concern. Bayfield lost the majority of their top tacklers and I can see Bayfield living or dying by their defense improving before the season begins. Bayfield I am not sure can run the table this year, but they have a very good coaching staff that gets their players ready to play. Bayfield will have their hands full holding off Salida and Alamosa for the league title, but I am going with them early on as the favorite to win the Intermountain League.
League Champion: Bayfield
Playoff Contenders: Salida, Alamosa
Dark Horse: Alamosa
I think Alamosa has the talent to win the league championship, but can their offense improve enough this year to carry them when needed.
MileHigh Prep Report 