Mile High Prep Reports Top Returning Defense’s Class 1A
Picking the best returning defenses is not an easy task but of course it’s always fun to take a look at. I am using PPG given up last year and seeing what teams are returning. This is one of my favorite articles to write and defense usually wins championships. I will release my preseason Class 1A Top 10 tomorrow.
| High School | Stats |
| Wray HS | Their defense gave up 165 points last year which was 12th best in Class 1A. Wray played a brutal schedule last year including playing both the State Champions and runners up (x2). Wray still nearly had a top 10 defense and look for this unit to be a top 10 unit this year. Wray returns 8 of their top 10 tacklers including Brady Collins, Tell Wade, and Chris Arambula. Look for this unit to push for a top 5 spot this year. |
| Limon HS | Their defense gave up 122 points last year which was 4th best in Class 1A. Limon was your runner ups and defensively in the playoffs were on a different level. Limon will have some holes to fill this year returning 6 of their top 13 tacklers. Limon will turn to Gabe Schubarth, Michael Hoffman, and Treyton Marx to step up as leaders |
| Buena Vista HS | Their defense gave up 172 points last year which was 14th best in Class 1A. Buena Vista will look to improve on that side of the ball and push for a top 8 defense this year. Buena Vista returns 9 of their top 13 tackles but will have to replace key leadership returning just 2 of their top 5 tacklers. Buena Vista will lean on Elijah Evans and Ethan Flavin to become leaders on defense. |
| Centauri HS | Their defense gave up 96 points last year which was 2nd best in Class 1A. Centauri did not play a easy schedule and won a state championship and gave up less than 100 points on a season is very impressive. Centauri will have holes to fill. Centauri returns 6 of their top 13 tacklers but return just 2 of their top 8 tacklers. Blade Absmeier and Devon Brady must step up as leaders but look for this unit to be a top 10 unit again. |
| Monte Vista HS | Their defense gave up 161 points last year which is 11th best in Class 1A. Monte Vista made the playoffs last year and a big part was their improvement on defense. Monte Vista will return 8 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 6. Deangelo Archuleta, Jack Noonan, and Alex Felix are the 3 names to look out for this season. |
| Meeker HS | Their defense gave up 155 points last year which was 9th best in Class 1A. Meeker will lean heavily on their defense this year until the offense gets going. Meeker returns 8 of their top 13 tacklers including 3 of their top 6. Elijah Leblanc, Buzz Clatterbaugh, and Connor Blunt are three names to step up as leaders. |
| Wiggins HS | Their defense gave up 220 points last year which was 20th best in Class 1A. Wiggins will look to improve on the defensive side of the ball this year. For Wiggins to push for a deeper playoff run they must improve their defense and I think could push for a top 8 unit. Wiggins returns 11 of their top 13 tacklers including Pepper Rusher, Laith Ibrahim, and Cole Kerr. If Wiggins improves on defense this team could make a big push this year. |
| Holyoke HS | Their defense gave up 256 points last year which was 26th best in Class 1A. Holyoke will also look to improve on this side of the ball and look for a top 12 unit this year. Holyoke will have some holes to fill but return 7 of their top 13 tacklers. Leadership will have to be replaced returning just 2 of their top 6. Wyatt Sprague and Tyson Mosenteen are the players to watch become leaders this season. |
| Banning Lewis HS | Their defense gave up 119 points last year which was 3rd best in Class 1A. Banning Lewis missed out on the playoffs last year but bring back a very solid defense this year. Banning Lewis returns 10 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 5. Banning Lewis will be looking to prove they are a playoff team and we will see if this unit stays in the top 10. |
| Flatirons Academy | Their defense gave up 149 points last year which was 5th best in Class 1A. Flatirons Academy also missed the playoffs, but their defense was solid and should be a top 10 unit again this year. Flatirons Academy returns 10 of their top 13 tackles and could push for a playoff spot. |
| Burlington HS | Their defense gave up 239 points last year which was 24th best in Class 1A. Burlington played a brutal schedule, and they will look to improve off last season. Burlington defensively will solid returning 8 of their top 13 tacklers. Leadership will be the main replacement as Burlington only returns 2 of their top 5 tacklers. Garrett Richardson and Dominic Conrardy must become the leaders. |
| Gunnison HS | Their defense gave up 173 points last year which was 15th best in Class 1A. Gunnison took a big step last season reaching the playoffs and a big part was their defense. Gunnison will return the core of their defense returning 9 of their top 13 tacklers. The biggest thing for Gunnison to replace is their leadership losing 3 of their top 5 tacklers. Peyton Frias and Royce Uhrig are the two players that could be the leaders this season. |
| C.S Christian | Their defense gave up 222 points last year which was 21st best in Class 1A. C.S Christian missed the playoffs last season and if they plan on making it back their defense must improve. C.S Christian will return 8 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 5. If the defense can improve to a top 14 unit they could reach the playoffs. |
| Rye HS | Their defense gave up 249 points last year which was 25th best in Class 1A. Rye missed the playoffs and their defense is the big thing to improve this year. Rye will return 9 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 5. Rye must show improvement on defense if they plan on making the playoffs this season. |
| Peyton HS | Their defense gave up 155 points last year which was 8th best in Class 1A. Peyton made the playoffs last year and their defense was a big part. Peyton will return 7 of their top 13 tacklers but only 2 of their top 5. Replacing leadership and key defensive linemen will be key. Robert Graham and Caden Trim are the two players who could be leaders for Peyton. |
| Strasburg HS | Their defense gave up 152 points last year which was 6th best in Class 1A. Strasburg was hit hard by graduation but return 6 of their top 13 tacklers. Strasburg will have some key leadership back returning 4 of their top 6 tacklers. Depth will be key to replace but with the leadership this defensive unit could be a top 10 unit once again. |
| Defensive Unit Watch List: | North Fork, Yuma, Platte Canyon, Manual, Jefferson, Cedaredge, Center, Rocky Ford, Estes Park |
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