MileHigh Prep Report Preseason Rankings Class 1A

MileHigh Prep Report Preseason Rankings Class 1A

Note: I am just going to quickly give the rankings and a quick breakdown of what they are returning. Later on in August full league breakdown.

Class 1A

Rank	Team	Notes
#1	Colorado Springs Christian Made the Playoffs, Lost in the Semifinals	C.S Christian is returning a lot of talent and are nearly loaded at every position. C.S Christian is losing just 4 seniors from last year’s Semifinal team. C.S Christian will have to replace some offensive linemen but have the core coming back. C.S Christian has a pair of backs to watch out for in Peyton Brones and Joe Dunn. C.S Christian could also have a potential Top 3 defense. C.S Christian is looking to take the final step to the state championship.
#2	Holyoke HS Made the playoffs, lost in the first round	Holyoke was an extremely young team just losing 3 seniors from last year’s team. Holyoke loses just 1 offensive linemen and could have the best returning core in 1A. Holyoke also returns Blake Mosenteen and QB Miles Sprague. Holyoke defensively will be brining back 10 of their 11 top tacklers. Holyoke defense will need to find a leader but this defense should remain a Top 3 defense this year.
#3	Limon HS Defending State Champions	Limon capped off a undefeated season with a state championship but they are losing a great senior class. Limon has some holes to fill on their offensive line plus losing long time starting QB Cannan Bennett. Logan Marx and Kory Tacha will be leaders on this team offensively and should have them firing on all cylinders. Defensively Limon is only returning 3 of 11 top tacklers but key leaders will help this team.
#4	Meeker HS Made the playoffs, lost in quarterfinals	Meeker turned heads last year going 7-3 and their offense will be potent again this year. Meeker will have some holes to fill on the offensive line some returning leaders will help. QB Ryan Phelan is a potential player of the year and this offense will be tough to stop. Defensively Meeker will have some holes to fill. If Meeker defense can quickly get up to speed then they could push for a deep playoff run.
#5	Centauri Made the playoffs, lost in the Semifinals	Centauri is looking to keep the crown of the SPL. Centauri returns QB Eric Maez, RB Taj Cornum, and WR Mason Claunch. These three are very explosive but Centauri does have some holes on the offensive line. Gone is long time starter Bennie Chacon but look for Adam Chacon and Remi Lucero to lead this group. Defensively Centauri loses 4 of their 5 top tacklers and this unit will need some leaders to step up this year.
#6	Strasburg Made the playoffs, Runner Ups	Strasburg nearly won their third straight state championship but came up just short against Limon. Strasburg will have a new head coach but this teams just seems to reload and go again. I think the same is true this year. Strasburg will return QB Collin Russel and RB Michael Burns. Defensively Strasburg will need to find leadership but A.J Hemphill should be able to lead this young defense.
#7	Monte Vista Made the playoffs, Lost in first round	Monte Vista had a tough season last year but was able to get into the playoffs and then scored 31 points on a tough C.S Christian team in the playoffs. Monte Vista will need to find a new QB but look for Colton Mellot to jump into the position. Monte Vista offensive line returns 3 of their 5 starters plus key weapon Kaidon Wenta who must have a big year. Defensively Monte Vista must improve to a Top 15 defense. Monte Vista returns leading Tackler Cobi Garcia and he must lead this defense.
#8	Paonia Made the playoffs, lost in first round	Paonia took a slight step back last year but this year this team looks poised for a deep run. Paonia returns 3 or 4 starters on the offensive line. Paonia also returns QB Grey Neal. Paonia does need to find a new RB but this offense should be a tough one to stop. Defensively returns 6 of their 11 top tacklers but need to find leadership on this side of the ball. Paonia defense was a top 10 defense and I expect them to be there again this year.
#9	Wray HS Made the playoffs, lost in the first round	Wray offensively loses a key player in Cade Hillman but this offense should still be a big threat. Wray loses 3 or 4 starters on the offensive line. Wray though does return QB Tyler Collins and #2 Rusher Emmanual Huerta. Wray defensively returns 8 of their 11 top tacklers. Wray defensively could be one of the tougher group returning and if Wray gets their offense going could make this a team to watch.
#10	Peyton HS Made the playoffs, lost in the quarterfinals	Peyton could be hit hard by graduation losing possibly 4 starters on the offensive line. Peyton though has some leadership with Antonio Reza and Jase Lantto coming back. Peyton offensively must find a new QB and look for Colton Murray to step up at the RB position. Peyton defensively had the best defense in 1A last year. Peyton does return 5 of their 11 top tacklers and this unit must carry Peyton early on until some skill players can be developed.
#11	Florence Made the playoffs, lost in quarterfinals	Florence moved from 2A down to 1A last year and played well going 8-3. Florence will have the core of their offensive line coming back but are losing 2 or 3. Florence also returns RB Owen Busetti but will need QB Joshua Martinez to step up this year. Defensively Florence returns just 5 of their 11 top tacklers and have some holes to fill Owen Busetti and Javier Lancaster must step up on defense.
#12	St. Mary’s Missed the playoffs, went 4-5 last year	My first team to not make the playoffs in the Top 15. St. Mary’s is losing just 5 seniors from last year’s team and will return their entire offensive line. St. Mary’s could be a team to watch this year but must find some skill players to step up. St. Mary’s will need Robbie Muehlbauer to step up at QB and Andrew Sorensen at RB. Defensively St. Mary’s is returning a ton of talent. St. Mary’s returns 10 of their 11 top tacklers but their defense must improve to a Top 15 defense if they plan to make it to the playoffs.
#13	Crowley County Made the playoffs, lost in first round	Crowley County keeps up the consistency and made the playoffs once again. Crowley County is losing some key pieces with 4 of 5 starters on the offensive line graduating. Crowley County Does have a solid Senior Class returning and this should help fill those holes. Crowley County also returns QB Adam Schulz but need to find a RB. Defensively Crowley County returns 6 of their 11 top tacklers. Leadership will be key for this unit as someone must step up and lead this defense.
#14	Highland Made the playoffs, lost in first round	Highland had a solid season last year going 6-4 and making the playoffs. Highland will have some holes to fill including their #1 RB Logan Stewart. Look for Holden Morgan to step up though and fill that hole. Highland on the offensive line must find a new starting group and this is the reason they are at #14. Defensively Highland does return 7 of their 11 top tacklers and this unit will be key for Highland early on. Highland defensively will need to lead this team and look for Blake Fabrizius to have a solid season.
#15	Rocky Ford Missed the playoffs, went 4-5 last year	Rocky Ford is looking to take that next step and make the playoffs. Rocky Ford went 4-5 last year and are returning some key pieces. QB Isiah Garcia returns this year after a much-improved season last year. Rocky Ford must find a new RB. Rocky Ford will return their entire offensive line as well. Rocky Ford offensively should be a real threat. Defensively will return 10 of their 11 top tacklers. Rocky Ford I think is a team to watch for but they must get over the hump this season.
#16	Buena Vista Made the playoffs, lost in first round	Buena Vista was able to get back into the playoffs last year going 4-6. Buena Vista is just 6 seniors from last year’s team and only 1 offensive linemen. Buena Vista should be tough on the offensive line this year and must have a big year. At the skill positions Buena Vista will be hurting losing their QB plus their top 3 rushers. Defensively Buena Vista returns 8 of their 11 top tacklers and this unit will also be key for Buena Vista.
	Other Teams to Watch
	Flatirons Academy	Flatirons Academy is losing a big senior class including their entire offensive linemen plus they are losing most of their skill players. Flatirons Academy defense will still be very tough with 6 of their 11 top tacklers coming back.
	Clear Creek	Clear Creek has a new coach and will have plenty of holes to fill at the skill positions. Clear Creek will lose their do it all QB. Clear Creek will return 2 of their starters on the offensive line but defensively have plenty of holes.
	Burlington	Burlington lost plenty of talent with a good senior class. Burlington may take a step back this year with a much younger team. Burlington will need to find a new QB plus a new RB. Defensively they also were hit hard by graduation and this could be a year that they replace some key pieces and be ready for next year.
	Center	Year two for center since they did not have a team and they will also have a new coach. Center returns some key pieces at QB and RB, but their offensive line has some big holes to fill. Center defensively also will have some key pieces coming back.
	John Mall	John Mall took a step in the right direction last year going 3-6 and winning 2 league games. John Mall found a workhorse on offense and Wesley Van Mart must have a big year for John Mall. Defensively John Mall must continue to improve.
	Rye	Rye has a ton of talent coming back with just 4 seniors graduating. If there is a team not in the Top 16 to make a run for the playoffs it could be Rye. They must put everything together, but this could be a good year for Rye.
	Estes Park	Estes Park took a huge step forward going 4-5 and just missing out on the playoffs. Estes Park loses just 4 seniors to graduation but two of them were offensive linemen. Estes Park will return their starting QB Collin Reetz and their #1 rusher. Defensively Estes Park will need to find leadership especially with their top two tacklers graduating.
	Hotchkiss	Hotchkiss loses just 2 seniors and are another team who could get into the playoffs. Hotchkiss will return their entire offensive line and could be the Darkhorse this year. Hotchkiss will lean heavily on Jace Peebles and must have an improved year from Yahir Chavez. Defensively Hotchkiss returns their top 11 tacklers and this side of the ball must step up.
	Platte Canyon Made the playoffs, lost in first round	The lone team that made the playoffs last year not ranked in the top 16. Platte Canyon loses their longtime head coach and this could affect Platte Canyon. Platte Canyon also loses 7 seniors including some key offensive linemen plus their QB and leading two rushers. Platte Canyon defensively does return their leading tackler but only return 4 of their 11 top tacklers. Platte Canyon is one of the most consistent teams in 1A so they still could make a run.