MileHigh Prep Report Preseason Football Class 2A Rankings
We are getting closer and closer to the start of the football season. Here is my top 16 preseason rankings. I think 2A is wide open this season. Most teams have plenty of holes to fill and who adapts quickest could win a state title this season. I believe we am going to try and do somewhat of a media poll this season but here are my Preseason Rankings. I am excited to see what the Coaches Poll looks like come August if they continue to do a coach’s poll. I move to Class 1A next week. Good Luck to all teams this season!
Class 2A
| Rank | Team | Notes |
| #1 | Eaton HS Defending 2X State Champions | Eaton is your 2X defending State Champions and once again will be looking to defend their title. Eaton will return key leadership on offense with QB Walker Martin returning and key targets from him to throw to. Eaton will be looking to replace key RB’s and key leadership on the offensive line. Eaton always plays tough on defense and this year they return 7 of their top 13 tacklers to lead the defense. Eaton is once again a threat to win it all. |
| #2 | Delta HS Made the playoffs, lost in the Quarterfinals | Delta reached the Quarterfinals last season before falling in that game. Delta will return key leadership with QB Ty Reed coming off a great freshman campaign. Delta does have some holes offensively replacing key RB position and replacing a big offensive line that loses at least 4 starters. Defensively Delta could be a top 5 unit returning 9 of their top 13 tacklers. Delta could push for another deep playoff run but some key holes to fill. |
| #3 | Platte Valley HS Made the playoffs, lost in the First Round | Platte Valley made the playoffs a year ago and fell in the first round. Platte Valley was young last season and should see a big improvement this year. Platte Valley returns QB Howdy Johnson and the core of their offensive line. Defensively Platte Valley will be searching for leaders with just 1 of their top 5 tacklers returning. The biggest strength for Platte Valley will be their defensive line. |
| #4 | Florence Made the playoffs, lost in Quarterfinals (1A) | Florence makes the move from Class 1A to Class 2A and should be competitive right away. Florence returns key leadership at QB in Levi Paxton and RB in Lincoln Nix. The offensive line will return at least 3 starters as well. Defensively Florence will return 7 of their top 13 tacklers but key depth will be gone. Lincoln Nix and Ryan Howard should be the leaders of another top defensive unit. |
| #5 | Classical Academy Made the playoffs, lost in the Quarterfinals | Classical Academy reached the Quarterfinals last season. TCA will have a few key positions to replace mainly at QB. TCA will return a solid RB in Ethan Aragundi who must step up this season. The QB position will be the battle to watch. The offensive line for TCA will be big and return plenty of experience. Defensively TCA returns 8 of their top 13 tacklers from the #1 defense last season. TCA defense could be a big anchor until the QB position is figured out. |
| #6 | La Junta Made the playoffs, lost in the first round | La Junta made the playoffs last season falling in the first round. La Junta returns one of the more experienced skill position groups. La Junta returns QB Luke Garner and RB Jeremiah Martinez. The offensive line has the most question marks with La Junta possibly losing 3 or more starters. Defensively La Junta must improve this season and should with 8 of their top 13 tacklers and key leadership returning with 4 of their top 5 tacklers returning. |
| #7 | Moffat County Made the playoffs, lost in the first round | Moffat County made the playoffs last season but was upset in the first round. Moffat County will have a hole at QB but key leadership returning in RB Evan Atkin. The offensive line for Moffat County could lose just 1 starter and could have the most experience returning. Defensively Moffat County returns just 6 of their top 13 tacklers but key leadership does return with 3 of their top 5 coming back. |
| #8 | Alamosa Made the playoffs, lost in the first round | Alamosa made the playoffs last season but fell in the first round. Alamosa this season return key leadership at QB in Kasey Jones but must develop a rushing attack this season. The offensive line for Alamosa returns at least 3 starters and should help improve the rushing attack for Alamosa. Defensively Alamosa has some holes returning just 6 of their top 13 tackles. Leadership will be key to replace but look to Brant Jackson & Cody Lopez to step up. |
| #9 | Basalt Made the playoffs, lost in the first round | Basalt made the playoffs last season but fell in the first round. Basalt returns key pieces at the skill positions in QB Kade Schneider and RB Cooper Crawford. The offensive line for Basalt has the most question marks with just 1 or 2 starters returning. Defensively Basalt returns 6 of their top 13 tacklers. Basalt has key leadership to replace on defense, but this unit could improve this year. |
| #10 | The Academy Missed the playoffs, went 5-4 last season | The Academy missed the playoffs a year ago but had a 5-4 record. The Academy will look to make the playoffs this season. QB Isaiah Eliot returns to lead the offensive unit. The offensive line for The Academy returns at least 3 starters and the offensive unit for The Academy could be a top 5 unit this season. Defensively The Academy must make big strides and should returning 8 of their top 13 tacklers. The Academy could make the playoffs but improvement on defense will be key. |
| #11 | Kent Denver Made the Playoffs, lost in the first round | Kent Denver made the playoffs last season but fell in the first round. Kent Denver will have key holes at the skill position to replace. A new QB and new RBs will need to be found. The offensive line for Kent Denver will also have a few holes to fill will possibly just 1 starter coming back. Defensively is where Kent Denver has its biggest strength. Kent Denver returns 9 of their top 13 tacklers including 3 of their top 5. Kent Denver defense must anchor this team early in the season. |
| #12 | D’Evelyn Missed the playoffs, went 3-6 last season | D’Evelyn missed the playoffs a year ago and had a record of 3-6. Offensively you must see improvements from QB Austin Bushlack. The offensive line will be solid in front of him with at least 3 starters returning. Defensively D’Evelyn also must improve from last season where they gave up 253 points. D’Evelyn will return 10 of their top 13 tacklers including key leadership. D’Evelyn must be a top 16 defense this season if they plan on making the playoffs. |
| #13 | Faith Christian Missed the playoffs, went 5-4 last season | Faith Christian missed the playoff last season but had a record of 5-4. Faith Christian will look to right the ship this year. Faith Christian will be looking for a new QB and RB and those battles will be fun to watch. Whoever wins the position battle will have a very good offensive line in front of them with Faith Christian returning possibly 4 starters. Defensively we could see Faith Christian improve to a top 10 defense with 9 of their top 13 tacklers. New leadership will be needed but plenty of depth will have a shot to step up. |
| #14 | Englewood Missed the playoffs, went 3-5-1 last season | Englewood missed the playoffs a season ago and went 3-5-1. Englewood was very young last season except at the QB and RB position both of which will need to be replaced. Englewood offensively line is in very good shape with all 5 starters returning. Defensively Englewood will also be in good shape with 10 of their top 13 tacklers returning but leadership is key to replace this year. |
| #15 | Elizabeth Made the playoffs, lost in the first round | Elizabeth made the playoffs a year ago but fell in the first round. Elizabeth returns key leadership at QB in Jason Weber and RB Cooper Connelley. The offensive line for Elizabeth will have holes to fill with possibly just 1 starter returning. Defensively Elizabeth will return 6 of their top 13 tacklers but only 1 of their top 5. Elizabeth will look for new leaders on defense, but this team always has good tradition. |
| #16 | Pagosa Springs Missed the playoffs, went 2-7 last year. | Pagosa Springs had a bit of a down year last year going 2-7 and missing the playoffs. Pagosa Springs was very young last season and return key starters at QB in Aaron Aucoin and RB Gavin Lindahl. The offensive line for Pagosa Springs will also return key pieces with at least 2 starters coming back. Defensively Pagosa Springs was near the bottom in Class 2A but look for this team to take big strides returning 10 of their top 13 tackles and key leadership. |
| Other Teams to Watch | Bennett, Brush, University, Manitou Springs, Rifle, Montezuma-Cortez, Lamar, Woodland Park, Middle Park, |
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