Class 2A League Breakdown & Predictions (Patriot East, Patriot West, Tri-Peaks, Western Slope)
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. I know these articles get a bit lengthy but I try to at least mention every team in the league.
Patriot East League
The Patriot East league has no changes this year and all 6 teams return to a very competitive division. The Patriot East last year saw two teams rise to the top but the league overall had 5 very competitive football teams. Last year the bottom feeder of the league was Fort Lupton. Fort Lupton is heading into its third year as a 2A football team. Success has avoided this team with back to back 1-8 season. Fort Lupton is losing a big senior class of 21 kids and also didn’t post many stats from last year. Fort Lupton does look like their start QB will be coming back, but I am putting the win total for Fort Lupton once again around 2 wins. The next 5 teams from the Patriot League all won over 4 games last year. Valley went 5-4 last year but are losing a lot of talent and depth from their team. Valley offensively is losing their starting QB, starting RB, and possibly 4 starting offensive linemen. Valley defensively is also losing quite a bit, losing their top 5 tacklers and 7 of their 10 top tacklers. Valley could have a bit of a down year this year, but I still see them winning at least 3 games. Weld Central finished 5th last year in league going 1-4. Weld Central overall went 5-4 but did not make the playoffs. Weld Central enters this year losing 15 seniors which included their starting QB, RB and some valuable depth on the offensive line. Weld Central though does return enough experience on their offensive line to make this group effective. Weld Central defensively is another story. Weld Central loses 2 of their top 5 tacklers but return a lot of experience and depth. Weld Central defense will have to carry them early on until they develop an effective offense. Weld Central should improve were they finished in league last year and if things fall right could contend for a playoff spot. Brush improved last year going 4-5 and finishing 3rd in league. Brush did just miss the playoffs, but the improvement and experience gained will be important for this year. Brush offensively loses their starting QB and possibly 3 offensive linemen. Brush does return their leading two RB’s and enough experience and underclassman to make this offense click. Defensively Brush is losing some depth but return some key leadership. Brush will only improve if their defense can play better this year. I see Brush finishing around 3rd place again in league and contend for a playoff spot. Sterling enters the year losing 10 seniors to graduation and most of them were skill players or defensive backs. Last year Sterling went 7-3 but lost in the first round of playoffs. Sterling loses a huge piece to their offense in Bodie Hume. Sterling offensively does return their starting RB and he will be key to how this offense plays until a QB can get his feet under him. Sterling does return nearly every starter on an offensive line and this unit is the key to Sterling offense being effective. Defensively Sterling is also in good shape losing their top tackler but returning their next 7 tacklers and their main pass rushers. Sterling should improve defensively to a Top 10 defense. I believe Sterling can challenge for the League title but the lack of skill players on offense does concern me. I do believe a similar record is possible and a playoff berth. My favorite in the Patriot East this year is Platte Valley. I was way off last year on Platte Valley stating a 6-4 or .500 record would be all Platte Valley would get. Boy was I wrong. Platte Valley ran through the regular season going 10-0 and winning the Patriot East. Platte Valley once again loses a solid senior class of 16. Offensively Platte Valley loses some experience on their offensive line but looking at the upcoming junior class they have plenty of size coming into fill the holes. The biggest piece returning for Platte Valley is do it all QB Trevon Wehrman who had an exceptional season last year. Wehrman threw for 1911 yards and ran for 1160 yards. His continued development will be key to this season also Platte Valley must continue to get key contributions on the ground game from Ernesto Rios. Platte Valley will also need to develop another threat at WR but look to Josh Yancey or Brendan Bunting to fill those roles. Defensively Platte Valley is losing some depth and experience. They will need some underclassman to rise up and fill some of the holes left by graduation seniors. Platte Valley is my favorite to win the Patriot East.
League Champion: Platte Valley
Playoff Contenders: Platte Valley, Sterling, Brush, Weld Central
Dark Horse: Weld Central
Weld Central struggled in league last year but this year can they improve enough to finish in the Top 3 and contend for a playoff spot.
Patriot West
The Patriot West league has one change from last year. Gone is Pinnacle who is dropping to play in 1A. The Patriot West adds Berthoud who is dropping from 3A to 2A and should prove to be a player right away in the league battle. The Patriot West last year had two teams qualify for playoffs last year and really was dominated by those two teams. The Academy last year went 5-4 overall and 2-3 in league with their two wins over Prospect Ridge and Pinnacle. The Academy this year is losing quite a bit from last years team. The Academy is losing 13 seniors including their QB, RB, and possibly 4 starters on their offensive line. Defensively The Academy will be returning some experience including their to leading tackler. The Academy I see finishing more around the 3 to 4 win range and could go 0-5 in league. University loses 17 seniors to graduation after going 4-5 overall and 2-3 in league. University loses a lot of experience on their offensive line possibly losing all 5 starters. University does return their starting QB and starting RB. Defensively University is returning their top 2 tacklers and 3 of their top 5 tacklers. University does lose some experience, but I could see University being carried early on by their defense. University is looking at another 3 to 4-win season and not yet ready to be playoff contenders. Prospect Ridge continues to build their program and went 3-6 last year. Prospect Ridge does lose 12 seniors to graduation. Prospect Ridge offensively is losing some experience on their offensive line with possibly 3 starters graduation. They do have some upcoming juniors who could fill the holes Prospect Ridge also returns their starting QB and he will be key to Prospect Ridge improving this year. Defensively Prospect Ridge is losing 4 of their top 5 tacklers but should have some experience coming back. Prospect Ridge must improve on defense if they plan on increasing their win total again this year. I see Prospect Ridge winning 4 games but not making the playoffs. The next 3 teams are all contenders for the league title and should have some of the best games. Berthoud, Resurrection Christian, and Eaton all should be tough this year. Eaton of the 3 schools listed was hit the hardest by graduation losing a lot of talented seniors. Eaton possibly is losing all 5 starters on the offensive line, their starting QB, and starting RB. Eaton does have some size coming back next year with 2 players topping the 250 lb mark. Eaton defensively was also hit hard by graduation losing possibly 9 of 11 starters on defense. Henry Fritzler and Jackson Contreras are the two with the most experience coming back and will have to lead this unit. Eaton, I see as a 3rd place team in league and finishing around the 6-3 mark but competing for a playoff spot. Berthoud drops from 3A down to 2A and look to make a splash right away. Berthoud is losing some talent on both side of the ball but are returning nearly half of the starters on each side of the ball. Berthoud offensively will be looking to Jake Lozinski to replace QB Brock Voth who threw for over 2000 yards. Berthoud will also look for an upcoming junior to step up in the RB role. Berthoud offensive line has at least 3 starters coming back from last year and should be pivotal to helping develop their QB and RB. Defensively Berthoud is bringing back plenty of experience. Berthoud has 3 of their top 5 tacklers and at least 7 starters returning. Berthoud defensively should make be tough but replacing the seniors they lost will be key. Berthoud, I see as the biggest threat to upsetting my favorite for the league title. My favorite to win the Patriot West this year is Resurrection Christian. Once again, I was wrong about Resurrection Christian last year. They did struggle early on but once playoffs were here the experience gained during the regular season paid off. Resurrection Christian made a very good run in the playoffs falling to Bayfield in the semifinals. Resurrection Christian is losing some talent to graduation with 7 seniors graduating and possibly 3 starters on the offensive line. Resurrection Christian does seem to have a very good upcoming senior class that should be able to fill the holes left by the seniors. Resurrection Christian offensively also returns starting QB Isaac Crane and starting RB Kyle Lueck. Resurrection Christian last year struggled scoring points and must improve this year if they plan on winning a league title. Defensively Resurrection Christian defense is what won them games in the playoffs. They are returning a lot of experience with their top 6 tacklers returning and 8 of their top 11 tacklers coming back. Resurrection Christian should improve again on defense and be a Top 5 defense by the end of the year. Resurrection Christian is my favorite to win the Patriot West and make the playoffs but will have to hold off Berthoud for the league title.
League Champion: Resurrection Christian
Playoff Contenders: Resurrection Christian, Berthoud (Added to my Preseason Rankings they were left off by mistake), Eaton
Dark Horse: Eaton
Eaton is well coached and proved they can win playoff games with just their rushing attack and defense. They are losing a lot of talent and experience from last year. Does Eaton have enough coming back to push for a league title and can their tradition help develop players.
Tri-Peaks League
The Tri-Peak had some big changes from last year to this year. Gone are Florence and Salida two teams who have had their successes and their downs. Added into the Tri-Peaks is Woodland Park and Elizabeth. Woodland Park drops from 3A down to 2A and it has been a long time since Woodland Park has even had a .500 season I believe it was 2013 that they went 5-5. Woodland Park was not given any favors being dropped into one of the toughest leagues in 2A. Woodland Park loses 18 seniors from last year’s 3-7 team. Offensively Woodland Park is losing at least 3 starters on the offensive line but will have some experience coming back to make this group effective. Woodland Park also returns their QB from last year and their #2 RB. Defensively it looks like Woodland Park is losing about half their starters on defense and 3 of their top 5 tacklers. Woodland Park may improve from last year, but I don’t think they will make the playoffs. Lamar enters 2018 coming off 3 losing seasons and going 1-8 last year. Lamar is losing 13 seniors from last year. Lamar offensively looks like they could be losing 3 starters on the offensive line and will need some underclassman to step up. Lamar is losing starting QB and RB as well so finding replacement for them will be important. Defensively Lamar has some experience coming back and this group should improve from last year. Lamar returns 3 of their 5 top tacklers 2 of which were Freshman last year. I am guessing Lamar is probably a year or 2 away from making a splash again in the Tri-Peaks. The next 4 teams all will be very competitive and will all be fighting for the league title and playoff spots. Manitou Springs went 4-5 last year and missed the playoffs. Manitou Springs is only losing 7 seniors to graduation and have a few holes to fill. Offensively Manitou Springs is losing possibly 3 starters on their offensive line but have some solid experience coming back next year. Manitou Springs was hit hard in the skill position area losing their starting QB and their starting RB. Manitou Springs will have to find replacement for both, but behind a solid offensive line it will make this much easier. Defensively Manitou Springs will be solid. They are losing their top 2 tacklers and will need to find leadership, but they return a lot of experience including 8 of their 11 top tacklers. Manitou Springs defense will be very important until their skill players come along. I see Manitou Springs finishing around 4th place again but fighting for a playoff spot. Elizabeth moves into the Tri-Peaks after a successful 6-4 season and a playoff berth. Elizabeth is losing some experience from last year’s team including 17 seniors. Elizabeth loses possibly 3 starters on their offensive line, but I see size coming back as well and will come down to this group meshing. Elizabeth is ahead of some teams in the Tri-Peaks due to having their starting QB coming back and their workhorse RB Reece Ullery coming back. Elizabeth defensively should also be tough with 4 of their top 5 tacklers coming back but they are losing some experience with 5 of their 11 top tacklers graduating. Elizabeth should finish around the same at 6 wins and compete for a playoff spot. Classical Academy once again is losing a big senior class of 17 but Classical Academy tradition always seems to help them reload and compete. Classical Academy is losing some key players at the skill position losing 3 year starter Cade Bethany at QB and their starting RB. TCA is returning possibly 3 or 4 starters on the offensive line which will help this new group of skill players. TCA defensively was also hit hard by graduation losing 7 of their top 11 tacklers but are returning their leading tackler who must lead this defense. TCA is one of those teams you cannot discount, and I could see them with 7 wins and a playoff berth. My favorite to win the Tri-Peaks is still La Junta. La Junta seems to just keep reloading and rarely has a down year. La Junta is losing 12 seniors with possibly 3 starters on the offensive graduating. La Junta does return do it all QB Jon Nuschy who has been a starting since his Freshman year. La Junta has plenty of size coming back on their offensive line as well and will be tough. Defensively La Junta will have a bit of reloading ahead with 7 of their 11 top tacklers graduating but La Junta is always tough on defense and I expect the same this year. Underclassman developing will be key for La Junta this year. La Junta is my favorite to win the Tri-Peaks but will be challenged by TCA, Elizabeth, and Manitou Springs.
League Champion: La Junta
Playoff Contenders: La Junta, The Classical Academy, Elizabeth, Manitou Springs
Dark Horse: TCA
TCA always seems to just reload and with their offensively line all coming back it will be interesting to see if they can develop skill players to make this team dangerous. TCA is the main threat to La Junta for a league title.
Western Slope League
It was not long ago that the Western Slope league was the worst League in 2A. The Western Slope slowly is getting better, and this year could see this league really come together. The Western Slope League does change quite a bit losing Roaring Fork who is not fielding a team this year and Steamboat Springs who is moving back to 3A. Replacing those 2 teams are Rifle and Delta both of whom change the entire dynamic of this league. Aspen quickly rose to the top last year going 8-1 but coming up just short of the league title. Aspen though relied heavily on one player and could see this team drop back into the middle or bottom of the league. Aspen loses RJ Peshek who threw for over 2500 yards and led the team in rushing. Replacing him will be extremely tough and they will need a player to step up to the plate. Aspen also loses possibly 3 starters on their offensive line but have some experience to help develop the skill players. Aspen defensively is mixed with players graduation and experience coming back. Aspen defensively will have to step up this year and help carry this team. I see Aspen finishing around the 4-win mark and not making the playoffs. Delta moves into the league after playing in the Intermountain league for two seasons. This is Delta 3rd year in 2A and last year had their first losing season going 4-5 and not making the playoffs. Delta loses 17 seniors from last year’s team. Delta loses possibly 5 starters on their offensive line, their starting QB, and their starting RB. Delta offensively will be rebuilding this year but looking ahead they have some size coming up but Delta is about a year away from competing for a league title and playoff spot. Defensively Delta is in the same boat losing 9 of their 11 top tacklers. Delta is 1 year away from being a contender for a playoff spot and a league title contender. Moffat County went 4-5 last year and are losing 10 seniors from that team. Moffat County is losing some size on their offensive line with possibly 3 starters graduating. Moffat County does have some size coming back but will need players to step up. Moffat County does have their starting QB back but lose their starting RB. Moffat County defensively loses 6 of their 11 top tacklers including the top 2 tacklers. Leadership will be needed on defense for Moffat County, but this unit will be improved from last year. Moffat County I see around 5 wins this season but could be in the hunt for a playoff spot. Coal Ridge went 5-4 last year and just missed the playoffs they are losing 13 seniors from their team. Coal Ridge offensive line is possibly losing 4 starters on their offensive line but have some upcoming seniors and juniors who could fill the holes. Coal Ridge biggest lose will be RB Jacx Powers who topped the 1500-yard mark. Coal Ridge offense went mainly through him so developing another RB such as Jan Hernandez will be key. Defensively Coal Ridge is losing 6 of their 11 top tacklers but are losing their top 4 tacklers. Leadership will be key for their defense, but they seem to have some experience coming back. Coal Ridge will also be around the 5 wins mark this year and like Moffat County will be in the hunt for a playoff spot. My pick for the top two teams this year are Rifle and Basalt and these two teams are definitely the top of this league. Rifle moves from 3A down to 2A and played Basalt last year and beat them by 20 but Rifle loses 19 seniors from that team. Rifle offensively could possibly be losing 3 or 4 starters on their offensive line but have some upcoming Juniors who could fill the holes. Rifle also loses their starting QB but their biggest player coming back is RB Tanner Vines who ran for over 2000 yards last year. If the offensive line can come together this offense will be extremely though to stop this year. Defensively Rifle returns their top tackler but loses 8 of their 11-top tackler. Rifle played a lot of Sophomores last year and the experience gained will be important this year. Rifle will be right there to contend for that league title and a playoff spot. Currently I am giving the slightest edge for the league title to Basalt. I could go either way for the league title honestly, but I am running with Basalt. Basalt loses 11 seniors and could be losing 3 or 4 offensive linemen. Basalt does seem to have 4 upcoming seniors who could fill those holes and will just be about them messing as a unit. Basalt does lose a big piece in their offense losing RB Noah Williams, but Jake Reardon should fill the hole and also returning is QB Trevor Reuss. The slight edge I gave to Basalt is due to their defense. Basalt is returning 7 of their top 11 tacklers and 4 of their top 5 tacklers. Basalt defense will be much improved from a year ago and if they plan to beat Rifle it will be because of this unit. I have Basalt as the slight favorite and a playoff team.
League Champion: Basalt
Playoff Contenders: Basalt, Rifle, Coal Ridge, Moffat County
Dark Horse: Rifle
I am very intrigued to see how Rifle plays in 2A. They could be a very dangerous team after dropping down into the 2A rankings after being a power in the 3A ranks.
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