Class 1A League Breakdown & Predictions (Santa Fe, Southern Peaks, Tri-Peaks, and Western Slope)

Class 1A League Breakdown & Predictions (Santa Fe, Southern Peaks, Tri-Peaks, and 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 are a bit lengthy, but I try and mention every team.

Santa Fe League

The Santa Fe League has a few changes this year.  Only one team is being removed from the Santa Fe League and that is Dolores Huerta who is dropping down to 8-Man.  The Santa Fe League gets Peyton and John Mall added to their league.  Peyton will be an instant contender for a league title and increases the strength of the league.  John Mall moves from the Southern Peaks League to the Santa Fe League and John Mall has really struggled to move into the top two and last year went 0-8.  John Mall is extremely young with only 5 seniors graduating and most of the team is Sophomores and Juniors.  John Mall did not post many stats but should get more competitive as the year goes on and within the next two years they will be a big threat.  Ellicott may be in the process of rebuilding after losing 7 seniors and most of their offensive line.  Ellicott also loses their main offensive weapon and will be looking for underclassmen to step up.  Ellicott has only 5 upcoming seniors and could be a year or two away for competing again for a league title.  Ellicott may have a slight drop in wins with their offense being inexperience and a defense that will need new leaders to step up.  Trinidad moved from 2A down to 1A two years ago and that was also the last year that Trinidad was competitive going 5-4.  Trinidad last year went 2-7 and lose 9 seniors from that team.  Trinidad loses some size on the offensive line but also their starters at QB and RB.  Trinidad defensively returns 6 of their 11 top tacklers so the defensive unit should be improved as well.  Trinidad so far though has only 16 players on their roster on Maxpreps and I am guessing they just have not updated their roster or it will be interesting to see how many kids Trinidad has out.  The next 3 teams all should be competing for the league title and possibly a playoff spot.  Rocky Ford went 5-4 last year and just missed the playoffs.  Rocky Ford loses 11 seniors for their team with possibly 3 or 4 starters on their offensive line graduating but Rocky Ford does return some size with 3 upcoming juniors all toping 200 lbs.  Rocky Ford will have to get the younger kids up to speed but their offensive line should improve as the season goes.  Rocky Ford also returns starting QB Isiah Garcia who threw for over 900 yards last year, but he must improve his consistency this year and lower the amount of INT’s he throws.  Defensively Rocky Ford returns 7 of their 11 top tacklers so their defensive unit should improve this year.  Rocky Ford should finish around the 5-4 mark again but getting the 6^th win may be what Rocky Ford needs to get into the playoffs.  Crowley County last year went 8-2 and qualified for the playoff but lost in the first round to Limon.  Crowley County loses 9 seniors from last year team including 3 or 4 starters on the offensive line.  Crowley County will have some rebuilding on their offensive line but have some size coming back and will need some upcoming seniors to step up this year.  Crowley County also returns their starting RB but will be looking for a new QB, so the offense could struggle a bit early on for Crowley County.  Defensively Crowley County should be very effective and may need to carry this team early on.  Crowley County only loses 3 of their 11 top tacklers and have some depth coming back.  Crowley County is normally the favorite to win the Santa Fe League but with Peyton dropping into the league I do not have Crowley County as the favorite.  I still think Crowley County wins over 6 games this year and qualifies for the playoffs.  Peyton is my favorite to win the Santa Fe League.  Last year Peyton went 8-2 and qualified for the playoffs but lost in the first round.  Peyton does lose 10 seniors from last year team.  Offensively Peyton loses possibly 4 starters on the offensive line, but they do seem to have some size coming back and having success on their offensive line comes down to players stepping up.  Peyton also returns their starting QB from last year and their #2 & #3 RB’s from last year.  Peyton defensively returns 6 of their 11 top tacklers.  Peyton will need to fill a few holes, but this unit should be solid this year.  Peyton is the slight favorite over Crowley County for the League title.  When Peyton and Crowley County meet it will be a defensive game but should be a good one.

League Champion: Peyton

Playoff Contenders: Peyton, Crowley County, Rocky Ford

Dark Horse: Rocky Ford

Rocky Ford is returning some talent from last year’s team.  Rocky Ford just can never do enough to qualify for the playoffs, but this year can this win 6 or 7 games to snag a playoff spot.

Southern Peaks League

The Southern Peaks league makes one small move from last year to this year and that is losing John Mall.  The Southern Peaks League is now a 5-team league and all 5 are normal teams.  Center was able to field a team this year and they have 21 kids on their roster on Maxpreps.  Center has a sizable 8^th grade class as well so their numbers should improve next year as well.  Center has only 5 seniors this year and have some players who played at various schools last year.  Center will look to Carlos Lopez and Cosme Cordova to lead them early on.  More will be learned about Center as the year goes on, but this will be a rebuilding year for this team.  Dolores last year went 4-5 and improved from previous year but Dolores loses 8 seniors from that team.  Dolores loses possibly 3 or 4 starters on their offensive line but have some size coming up.  Dolores will need some younger kids to really step up this year.  Dolores was hit hard by graduation in the skill position area and are losing their starting QB and their starting RB.  Dolores will need some players to step up this year on the skill position side.  Defensively Dolores does return 6 of their 11 tacklers but loses 3 of their top 5.  Dolores does return leadership with Forest Pejsa coming back.  Dolores may have a slight drop off this year after losing the skill position players they lost.  If Dolores can get their underclassmen to step up they could still be finishing in the top 3 in league but just out of playoff contention.  Ignacio did not post any stats from last year but according to Maxpreps are only losing 4 seniors from last year’s team.  If true, then Ignacio could improve on their 4-5 record from a year ago.  It’s always tough to judge how good Ignacio will be and we will have to keep an eye on Ignacio this year.  The Southern Peaks League has been determined by two teams most of the time and this year will be no different.  Monte Vista and Centauri once again will be the two teams to battle for the League Crown.  Monte Vista went 7-4 last year including a first round playoff win over Clear Creek.  Monte Vista though does lose 10 seniors to graduation including 4 starters on the offensive line.  Monte Vista though always produces solid offensive linemen and this unit should improve as the year goes on.  Monte Vista also returns starting QB Zach Hindes, starting QB/RB Kaidon Wenta, and #2 RB Tyler Vigil.  Monte Vista offensively should improve as the year goes on.  Defensively Monte Vista will need players to really step up.  Monte Vista returns just 4 of their 11 tacklers but will have the leadership needed to make this unit tough.  Monte Vista is playing a tough schedule once again but 6 wins maybe 7 and a playoff spot for Monte Vista is very likely.   Centauri last year had a great season but came up just short in the state championship losing in overtime to Strasburg.  Centauri loses 9 seniors from last year team.  On the offensive line Centauri loses 3 or 4 starters but have the leadership needed to make this group effective.  Centauri was hit the hardest at the skill position losing their starting QB and #2 RB.  Centauri biggest hole to fill this year is at the QB position and having a player step up will be key.  Centauri early on will lean on starting RB Taj Cornum who lead Centauri in rushing last year.  Defensively Centauri loses some key leadership losing 6 of their 11 top tacklers.  What Centauri does return is their top two tacklers in Bennie Chacon and Adam Chacon both of whom broke 100 tackles last year.  Both players will be key to this defense being dominate once again.  Centauri is looking for another deep run in the playoffs and I see possibly 8 or 9 wins again this season.  Centauri is my favorite to win the Southern Peaks League.

League Champion: Centauri

Playoff Contenders: Centauri and Monte Vista

Dark Horse: Ignacio

Ignacio improved quite a bit from two years ago winning 4 games last year.  If Ignacio can keep improving they may give themselves a shot at a playoff spot or maybe pulling an upset of the top 2.

Tri-Peaks League

The Tri-Peaks league makes a few changes as well losing Lake County and Peyton.  The Tri-Peaks league adds one new member and that is Florence who is dropping from 2A down to 1A.  The Tri-Peaks now only has 5 members in their league and should be interesting to see who rises to the top.  St. Mary’s struggled last year going 1-8.  St. Mary’s loses 11 seniors from last year team.  St. Mary’s was hit the hardest in the skill position area losing their starting QB, #2 RB, and #1 WR.  St. Mary’s did only lose 2 offensive linemen, but I think St. Mary’s is a year out from really competing for a league title.  I think St. Mary’s will improve this year, but I think next year will really compete for a league title.  Rye last year went 2-7 and just 1-4 in league.  Rye loses 7 seniors from last year’s team.  Rye loses possibly 2 starters on their offensive line, so the core of this unit does return this year.  Rye was hit hard in the skill position area losing their starting QB and starting RB.  Rye like St. Mary’s may be a year away from competing for a league title.  Rye should improve this year to 3 or 4 wins.  I believe 3 teams from the Tri-Peaks will all compete for the league title and possibly a playoff spot.  Colorado Springs Christian kicks off the three.  CSCS went 6-4 last year and did qualify for the playoffs.  CSCS loses 10 seniors from last year’s team.  CSCS could be losing possibly 4 starters on the offensive line and will need the upcoming juniors to really step up this year.  CSCS was also hit hard in the skill position area losing their starting QB and their starting RB.  CSCS defensively will return 6 of their 11 top tacklers and this unit will be key to how CSCS does.  CSCS may struggle on offense until their skill players get up to speed but I expect the defense to really step up.  CSCS will need to find a leader on defense but have some key experience coming back.  CSCS I think will finish around 5 or 6 wins again this year but will compete for a playoff spot.  Florence moves from 2A down to 1A and last year Florence struggled going 2-7.  Florence loses 9 seniors from last year teams which included possibly 3 or 4 starters on the offensive line.  Florence looks like they have some size coming up but will need some players to really step up this year.  Florence skill position wise was also hit hard losing their starting QB and starting RB.  It will be interesting to see if Florence’s offense can improve after struggling for a few years.  Florence defensively loses 6 of their 11 top tacklers but Florence always seems to play tough on defense.  Florence will need their defense to really rise to the occasion this year and help carry their team until their offense can figure out the problems.  Florence should improve record wise and like CSCS could be around the 5 or 6-win mark.  My favorite to win the Tri-Peaks is Buena Vista.  Buena Vista is just a slight favorite over CSCS and Florence and mainly due to returning more at the skill positions.   Buena Vista finished 4-5 last year and missed the playoffs something Buena Vista has not done since dropping to 1A.  Buena Vista does lose 11 seniors from last year’s team.  Buena Vista loses possibly their entire offensive line and this unit could be the deciding factor this year if Buena Vista will return to the playoffs.  Buena Vista will need some players to really step up this year.  Buena Vista does return some talent at the skill positions with QB Parker Johnson coming back and their #2 rusher Nick Villalobos coming back.  Defensively Buena Vista will be tough returning 7 of their 11 top tacklers but will need someone to step up as the leader on defense.  Buena Vista is my favorite, but their offensive line must develop.  I can see Buena Vista, CSCS, or Florence winning this league.

League Champion: Buena Vista

Playoff Contenders: Buena Vista, Florence, Colorado Springs Christian

Dark Horse: Florence

I am very interested to see how Florence plays at the 1A level.  They lost quite a bit from last year’s team but can Florence return to their former glory this year.  Florence could be a very interesting team to watch.

Western Slope

The Western Slope League stays in tact from last year and should once again be very competitive.  Hotchkiss is coming off a 5-4 season and just missed the playoffs.  Hotchkiss loses 10 seniors from last year team including 4 or 5 starters on the offensive line.  Hotchkiss has a very small upcoming senior class and are looking towards the upcoming Junior Class.  Hotchkiss was hit hard by graduation losing the majority of their starters at the skill positions and defensively losing 8 of their 11 top tacklers.  I think Hotchkiss is a year out from competing again for a league title but should still be tough this year.  Cedaredge went 4-5 last year and missed the playoffs.  Cedaredge loses 13 seniors from last year’s team.  Cedaredge loses possibly 3 starters on the offensive line and should return enough to make this group effective.  Cedaredge offensive line will have to play very well to help develop the skill players.  Cedaredge loses their starting QB and starting RB.  Cedaredge did split time at QB last year so that will be a big plus.  Defensively Cedaredge is returning 5 of their 11 top tacklers including their top tackler.  Cedaredge did get some underclassmen varsity time so that experience will be key.  Cedaredge, I think will be around the 3 or 4-win mark again this year and not make the playoffs.  Grand Valley took a step back last year after making the playoff two years ago.  Grand Valley went 2-7 last year but only lose 4 seniors and they were skill players.  Grand Valley returns all 5 starters on the offensive line and this is the group that may get them back to the playoffs.  Grand Valley does lose starting QB Jeff Holbrook who led the team in passing and rushing.  Grand Valley will have to develop a starting QB but will have their starting RB back who will have to step up this year.  Grand Valley defensively will be returning 7 of their 11 starters but this unit will have to improve.  If Grand Valley wants a shot at the Top 3 teams it will need to improve to a Top 10 defense this year.  I have Grand Valley as a 5 or 6-win team and could be the dark horse in the league.  Paonia went 8-3 last year and lost in the quarterfinals.  Paonia though was hit hard by graduation on both sides of the ball with 10 seniors graduating.  Paonia could be losing all 5 starters on the offensive line and most of the offensive yards gained last year are graduating.  Most of the upcoming seniors will fill the holes by the skill players but the upcoming juniors will have to fill the holes on the offensive line which could show some growing pains early on.  Defensively Paonia will return 5 of their 11 top tacklers and will need players like Sackett Chesnik and Anthony Felice to step up and lead this defense.  Paonia always develops players very well so it will be interesting to see how Paonia plays this year.  I see Paonia at 6 wins but fighting for a playoff spot.  Olathe is the one team in league that may surprise teams this year and will challenge for a league title.  Olathe went 4-5 last year but have been building towards this class.  Olathe loses just 5 seniors from last year team including possibly 3 starters on the offensive line.  Olathe upcoming senior class is a big class and may be their best shot at the league title.  Olathe will be hurt at the QB position losing their starter, but Olathe does return their #1 and #2 RB.  Olathe offensively needs a few players to step up but the biggest key for Olathe this year will be their defense.  Olathe defensively returns 10 of their 11 top tacklers and this unit will be the key to Olathe season.  If Olathe can improve to a top 10 defense this year they will challenge for a league title.  My favorite to win the Western Slope is Meeker.  Meeker went 10-1 last year and were upset in the quarterfinals.  Meeker does loses 10 players from that team but only 1 starter on the offensive line.  Meeker offensive line must keep improving from last year and I believe most of them are upcoming juniors.  Meeker was hit the hardest at the skill positions losing their starting QB, starting RB, and leading WR.  Meeker does have a talented back up QB and will attack with 3 different RBs next year with Jorgen Stagg, Eli Hanks, and Tannen Kennedy.  Defensively Meeker returns 6 of their 11 top tacklers and 4 of their top 5 tacklers.  Meeker defense is always tough, and I expect the same this year.  Meeker will have some holes to fill on both sides of the ball but they are still my favorite to win the Western Slope, but they will have to watch out for Olathe.

League Champion: Meeker

Playoff Contenders: Meeker, Olathe, Paonia, Grand Valley

Dark Horse: Grand Valley

Grand Valley enough talent returning but can they mesh as a team and challenge for a top 3 spot in league.  Grand Valley could shock a few teams this year, but it will come down to them coming together as a team.