Mile High Prep Reports Top Returning Defense’s 8-Man Football

Picture by Wildcat Pride Photography (Holly vs Dove Creek)

Mile High Prep Reports Top Returning Defense’s 8-Man Football

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
Haxtun HS	Their defense gave up 130 points last year which was best in 8-Man. Haxtun is your defending state champions, and their defense was tested multiple times last season. Haxtun will have some holes to fill on defense but return 6 of their top 10 tacklers including 3 of their top 5. Look for Grant Statz, Kailin Kelley, and Michael Gerk to have big season defensively for Haxtun.
Dove Creek HS	Their defense gave up 174 points last year which was 6^th best in 8-Man. Dove Creek had a solid defense last season and look for their defense to step up again this season. Dove Creek returns 8 of their top 10 tacklers including 4 of their top 5. Quaden Huffaker, Tyson Beanland, and Cole Taber should be leaders and look for this unit to push for a top 3 spot this year.
Simla HS	Their defense gave up 191 points last year which was 9^th best in 8-Man. Simla will look to improve defensively again this season and they should. Simla will return 8 of their top 10 tacklers but some leadership will need to be replaced losing their top tackler from last season. Brayden Glover, TJ Eurich, and Brent Bowker are 3 who could step into the top tackler spot. Simla could also be a top 3 defensive unit this season.
Mancos HS	Their defense gave up 146 points last year which was 2^nd best in 8-Man. Mancos reached the state championship but will have some holes to fill on defense. Mancos will lose 4 seniors from last years team, but Mancos will return 4 of their top 5 tacklers. Ayden Mathews, Chris Medina, and Kail Wayman should continue to be leaders for what I think could be a top 5 defense again this season.
Swink HS	Their defense gave up 168 points last year which is 3^rd best in 8-Man. Swink continues to improve every year and last year reached the playoffs. Swink will look again to improve on defense but will have some holes to fill. Swink will return 6 of their top 10 tacklers but only 3 of their top 5. New leadership must step up and look for Ben Miner and Garlon Guerin to become leaders this season.
Merino HS	Their defense gave up 283 points last year which was 23^rd best in 8-Man. Merino defensively must improve this season and they should. Merino returns 7 of their top 10 tacklers including 4 of their top 5. Deacon Trenkle, Coen Schmidt, and Kaden Piel all return to lead the defense this year. Merino will look to jump from outside the top 20 to inside the top 10 on defense this season.
Crowley County HS	Their defense gave up 199 points last year which was 10^th best in 8-Man. Crowley County reached the playoffs last season behind a strong effort defensively but look for this unit to improve again this year. Crowley County will return 7 of their top 10 tacklers including 4 of their top 5. Crowley County will look for Dalton Carroll and Skeater Baker to stays as leaders this season. I do believe Crowley County has a top 10 defensive unit again this year.
Wiley HS	Their defense gave up 207 points last year which was 14^th best in 8-Man. Very little stats on Wiley from last season but we know they do not lose any seniors on a top 15 defense so this unit should improve. Wiley, I believe make another jump this season and look for this defensive unit to push for a top 10 spot.
McClave HS	Their defense gave up207 points last year which was 15^th best in 8-Man. McClave continues to improve and look for this season for them to take the biggest step. McClave returns 9 of their top 10 tacklers and 4 of their top 5. McClave will look to Aiden Martinez, Will Pacino, and Braden Marks to stay as leaders and this defensive unit could be a top 4 unit if they come together.
Holly HS	Their defense gave up 256 points last year which was 20^th best in 8-Man. Holly will look to improve defensively this season and this unit could be crucial until the offense gets going. Holly returns 7 of their top 10 tacklers including 4 of their top 5. Daunte Maldonado, Dominique, and Colby Swopes lead a tough defensive unit. Holly could need a top 12 defense this season to reach the playoffs and I think this unit could do it.
Akron HS	Their defense gave up 322 points last year which was 29^th best in 8-Man. Akron at times struggled defensively but I believe this unit makes a big jump this season. Akron returns 6 of their top 10 tacklers including 3 of their top 5. Anderson Filla and Ivan Losa should be leaders for Akron this season. If Akron defensively improves to a top 16 unit you could see a deep playoff push for this team.
Sanford HS	Their defense gave up 376 points last year which was 32^nd best in 8-Man. Sanford must have their defense step up this season with key pieces leaving on offense. Defensively Sanford returns 6 of their top 10 tacklers including 3 of their top 5. Cash Caldon and McCray Larsen must continue to be leaders for Sanford this season.
Fowler HS	Their defense gave up 296 points last year which was 26^th best in 8-Man. Fowler did some retooling last season and look for this defense to make big strides this season. Fowler will return 7 of their top 10 tacklers including 3 of their top 5. Harrison Proctor and Boyd Rogers must continue to be leaders for Fowler. If Fowler can improve to a top 15 defense this could be a big season for Fowler.
Caliche HS	Their defense gave up 375 points last year which was 31^st best in 8-Man. Caliche has been young the past two season, but I expect big changes for Caliche this season. Caliche returns 8 of their top 10 tacklers including 4 of their top 5. Tanner Gerk, Dylan Harms, and Seth Marick must continue to be leaders but if Caliche can improve to a top 20 defense, I think a playoff run could be in the cards.
Hayden HS	Their defense gave up 206 points last year which was 13^th best in 8-Man. Hayden made big strides last season and nearly made the playoffs. Hayden this year will be looking for the playoffs and their defense will be key to that. Hayden will return their entire defense from last season. Sabyn Hager, Cody Hawn, and Jake Lindley should be leaders this season. Hayden can make the playoffs this year and it will come down to their defense.
Byers HS	Their defense gave up 294 points last year which was 25^th best in 8-Man. Byers made the playoffs last season and this team made big strides last season. Byers will look to improve defensively again this season. Byers will return 8 of their top 10 tacklers including 3 of their top 5. Kaiden Powell and Zach Cary look to be the leaders defensively but look for Byers to push for a top 16 defense this season.
Defensive Unit Watch List:	West Grand, Hoehne, Lyons, Vail Christian, Sedgwick County, Pikes Peak Christian, Front Range Christian, Elbert, Plateau Valley, Sargent