MileHigh Prep Report Preseason Rankings 8-Man
For 8-Man I think we have some incredibly talented teams and the battle to make it into the final 8 should be very good. I will do a league by league breakdown next week for all classes. Remember this is just my take on the rankings and is a starting point on the 2020 Football season and not who I think will make the playoffs. I will have those predictions out next week. I am only including teams playing in the Fall. (Also, if teams have players not playing due to covid I may make changes to the rankings.)
Note: I am just going to quickly give the rankings and a quick breakdown of what they are returning. Closer to the season I will go league by league and breakdown each league!
8-Man
| Rank | Team | Notes |
| #1 | Sedgwick County Made the playoffs, 5 Time Defending State Champs | Sedgwick County starts the year off at #1 in the 8-Man Ranks. Until they can be knocked off they deserve to be the #1 team. Sedgwick County is loaded with talent once again this season. Offensively Sedgwick County returns QB Jared Ehmke, WR Terrance Heath, and #2 RB Kaleb Fowler. The offensive line will lose a few key pieces but once again offensively Sedgwick County is just reloading. Defensively Sedgwick County gave up 50 points last season which was #1 in 8-Man. Sedgwick County will be loaded on that side of the ball returning 7 of their top 10 tacklers. |
| #2 | Fowler HS Made the playoffs, Runner-ups | Fowler starts the season as the #2 team in the 8-Man Ranks. Fowler was your runner up and return plenty of talent to try and make a return trip. Fowler offensively will be looking for a new QB and top WR. Fowler will return most of their offensive line and a pair of 1000 yard rushers in Jackson Bates and Joshua Daniels. Defensively Fowler gave up 171 points last season which was 7th best in 8-Man. Fowler will return their top 2 tacklers along with 6 of the top 10 tacklers from a season ago. |
| #3 | Sanford HS Made the playoffs, lost in Quarterfinals | Sanford football program has improved yearly and look for that to continue this season. Sanford offensively lose two key seniors from last years team but look for possibly starting QB Josh Holman and RB Kelton Gartrell to really step up and lead the offense this season. Sanford will have a few holes on the offensive line to fix but will be anchored by Omar Guerrero. Defensively Sanford gave up 116 points which was 3rd best in 8-Man. Sanford returns 6 of their top 10 tacklers including their leading tackler from a year ago. |
| #4 | Merino HS Made the playoffs, lost in Quarterfinals | Merino was struck hard by injuries to end the season a year ago but still managed to reach the quarterfinals and give valuable experience to some key returns this season. Merino will be looking for a new starter at QB but look for Deacon Trenkle to step into that role. At RB Andrew Frank returns along with Trent Elliott. The offensive line looks to be in solid shape with 3 seniors returning on the line. Defensively Merino gave up 254 points which was 18th best in 8-Man. Merino will look to improve on the defensive side of the ball. Merino returns 6 of their top 10 tacklers including their top 3 tacklers from a year ago. |
| #5 | Mancos HS Made the playoffs, lost in the Quarterfinals | Mancos reached the quarterfinals a year ago and came up just short again runner up Fowler in the Quarterfinals. Mancos returns plenty of talent to make another deep run. Mancos will be looking for a new QB. Mancos does return top RB Chase Moore who had a breakout season a year ago with 1,900 yards rushing. Mancos will be looking for secondary weapons to Moore but have talent like Christian Cova and Ty Everett coming back. The offensive line also looks to be in great shape. Defensively Mancos gave up 171 points which is tied for 7th best in 8-Man. Mancos returns 6 of their top 10 tacklers including their top 3 tacklers from a year ago. |
| #6 | Dayspring Christian Made the playoffs, lost in the Semifinals | Dayspring Christian had a solid season last year reaching the Semifinals before running into Sedgwick County in the Semifinals. Dayspring Christian will be returning plenty of talent on the offensive side of the ball. QB Christian Still returns for his senior season and he leads a very solid offensive. The RB position will need to be filled but look for Garrett Krehbiel or Wyatt Eichman to fill the hole. The WR position also returns Ethan Pratt. The offensive line could have a few holes to fill but offensively Dayspring Christian will be tough. Defensively Dayspring Christian gave up 247 points which was 17th best in 8-Man. Dayspring Christian will return 5 of their top 10 tacklers but will be looking for leaders with their top 3 tacklers all graduating. |
| #7 | Sargent HS Made the playoffs, lost in the first round | Sargent had a bit of a reloading year last year and come back with a talented senior class this season. Sargent lose just 2 seniors from last years team one of which will be a huge role to fill on the offensive line. Sargent will return QB Kage Pepper, RB Blake Behil, and WR/RB Peyton Brown. The offensive line will be looking for one spot to fill but will be tough this season. Defensively Sargent gave up 267 points which was 20th best in 8-man. Sargent will look to improve this season. Sargent returns 9 of their top 10 tacklers including their top 5. |
| #8 | Crowley County Missed the playoffs in Class 1A, 5-4 record in 1A | Crowley County moves down to 8-man this season and without seeing how they adjust I am placing them at the #8 spot. Crowley County is returning a lot of talent on offense. QB Tach Brewer and RB Adam Schulz return for Crowley County. I am interested to see how Crowley County adjust to the 8-Man game on offense. Defensively Crowley County returns 7 of their top 10 tacklers. We will learn more quickly with Crowley County as they adjust to the 8-Man game. |
| #9 | West Grand Made the playoffs, lost in the first round | West Grand also had a bit of a reloading season last year but return a lot of talented players this season and should make a push for a playoff spot. West Grand returns QB Jakob Buller, RB Rene Dominguez, and RB/WR Jesus Dominguez. The offensive line for West Grand will have a few holes to fill but should be very tough with a young group needing not step up. Defensively West Grand gave up 138 points which was 4th best in 8-Man. West Grand returns 6 of their top 10 tacklers including their top 5 tacklers from a year ago. |
| #10 | Holly HS Made the playoffs, lost in the first round | Holly made a run to the playoffs a season ago with a few inexperience skill players and now return some talented players after a year of experience. Holly returns QB Dakota Eaton along with RB Donovan Pecina. Holly will be looking for a few WR’s to step up this season. The offensive line may have a hole to fill but should be anchored by a few big offensive linemen. Defensively Holly gave up 306 points which was 24th best in 8-Man. Holly will return 6 of their top 10 tacklers but will be looking for a leader with the top 3 graduating. |
| #11 | Rangely HS Made the playoffs, lost in the First Round | Rangely returns a very talented senior class that helped Rangely reach the playoffs a year ago. Offensively Rangely returns QB Anthony Lujan, RB Zane Varner, and WR Ryan Richens. Rangely had a lot of Juniors step up a year ago and look for them to really take off this season. The offensive line for Rangely may have a spot or two to fill but have plenty coming back to fill the holes. Defensively Rangely gave up 318 points which was 27th best in 8-Man. Rangely must improve on defense if they plan to make a deep run this season. Rangely will return 7 of their top 10 tacklers including their top 5 tacklers form a year ago. |
| #12 | Dove Creek Made the playoffs, lost in the first round | Dove Creek finished 4th last season in the very tough Mountain League and once again that league will be loaded with tough teams. Dove Creek lose just 2 seniors from last years team and return plenty of talent. Dove Creek return QB Chorbin Cressler, RB/WR Gauge Thompson, and RB Gage Bailey. The offensive line should remain nearly in tact but could have a hole to fill. Defensively Dove Creek gave up 292 points which 21st best in 8-man. Dove Creek will return 9 of their top 10 tacklers including their top 2 from a year ago. |
| #13 | Simla HS Made the Playoffs, lost in the first round | Simla reached the playoffs a year ago and will be looking to do the same once again. Simla returns QB Coletin Mazerall and RB Brayden Glover. Simla will be looking for some secondary weapons but have the main weapons to give teams fits on offense. Defensively Simla gave up 214 points which was 12th best in 8-Man. Simla will return 7 of their top 10 tacklers including their top 3 from a year ago. |
| #14 | Haxtun HS Missed the playoffs, went 4-5 last season | Haxtun missed the playoffs last season. Haxtun had a lot of sophomores starting last season and were rebuilding. Haxtun lost just 1 senior from last years team and now return some key pieces this season. Haxtun returns QB Owen Knode and RB Ike Andersen. The offensive line will have another year of experience and should improve this season. Defensively Haxtun gave up 304 points which was 23rd best in 8-Man. Look for the Defensive unit to really improve this season. Haxtun returns 9 of their top 10 tacklers including their top 5 tacklers. |
| #15 | Calhan Missed the Playoffs, went 4-4 last year | Calhan continues to rebuild their program and had some key success last season going 4-4 and beating a playoff team in Simla. Calhan will be returning some key pieces as they try and make a run for the playoffs. QB Brandon Eglinton and RB Ryan Campbell both return and should lead a very tough offense. Defensively Calhan gave up 302 points which was 22nd best in 8-man. Calhan will return 8 of their top 10 tacklers including their top 5 tacklers from a season ago. |
| #16 | Soroco Missed the playoffs, went 6-3 last year | Soroco missed the playoffs last year despite going 6-3 with their RPI just keeping them out. Soroco will be looking this season to push for the league title and have the talent to do so. QB Tyler Wixom and RB Kody Logan both return to lead a talented offensive unit. The offensive line may have a few holes to fill but should be tough. Defensively Soroco gave up 206 points which was 10th best in 8-Man. Soroco will return 5 of their top 10 tacklers so they will have a few holes to fill but Soroco returns their leading tackler. |
| Other Teams to Watch | Pikes Peak Christian, Vail Christian, Caliche, Swink, Norwood, Denver Christian, Akron |
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