MileHigh Prep Reports Top Returning Defense’s Class 2A
Picking the best returning defenses is not an easy task but of course it’s always fun to take a look. 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 2A Top 10 tomorrow.
| High School | Stats |
| Delta HS | Their defense gave up 89 points last year which was best in Class 2A. Delta continues to have outstanding defenses and will look for another dominate year. Delta will return 7 of their top 13 tacklers but lose key leadership from last season. Talan Hulet and Tucker Johnson are key pieces that must step up for Delta this season. Delta should be a top 5 defense again this season. |
| Elizabeth HS | Their defense gave up 161 points last year which was 8th best in Class 2A. Elizabeth returns 9 of their top 13 tacklers from last season. Elizabeth has plenty of leadership returning as well with 5 of their top 7 tacklers returning. Elizabeth main concern for me is the lack of sacks a season ago with just 2 players registering a sack. Elizabeth defensively will be tough after giving up just 17.8 ppg (points per game) a season ago. |
| Berthoud HS | Their defense gave up 189 points last year which was 13th best in Class 2A. Berthoud will return 9 of their top 13 tacklers from last season. Berthoud also return 6 of their top 7 tacklers and will have the leadership back for a deep run. Berthoud will have to improve this season to a top 7 defense for a deeper run in the playoffs. |
| Montezuma-Cortez HS | Their defense gave up 225 points last year which was 20th best in Class 2A. Montezuma-Cortez will be looking to improve their defense during the regular season because once the playoffs hit last year their defense was top notch. Montezuma-Cortez will return 9 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 7. Montezuma-Cortez will have their eyes on a playoff run again this season but defensively must take a big step this year. |
| Eaton HS | Their defense gave up 103 points last year which was 3rd best in Class 2A. Eaton will have plenty of holes to fill from their state championship defense. Eaton will return just 5 of their top 13 tacklers but, they have key leadership back with 3 of their top 7 tacklers back. Eaton has been a top defense for the past few years, and I don’t expect much of a drop off this season. |
| Rifle HS | Their defense gave up 190 points last year which was 14th best in Class 2A. Rifle will be looking for a playoff berth again this season and will have a top defense again this season. Rifle returns 9 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 7 tacklers. Rifle will be looking to improve to a top 8 defense this year and improve on their 17.3 ppg mark. |
| Woodland Park HS | Their defense gave up 158 points last year which was 7th best in Class 2A. Woodland Park had a top 10 defense a season ago and will look for similar results this season. Woodland Park gave up under 16.0 ppg a season ago. Woodland Park will have the talent back this season returning 8 of their top 13 tacklers. Woodland Park also has the leadership back with 5 of their top 8 tacklers back. |
| La Junta HS | Their defense gave up 175 points last year which was 10th best in Class 2A. La Junta had a disappointing season a year ago missing the playoffs, but they will look for their defense to anchor them this season. La Junta will return 9 of their top 13 tacklers. La Junta also returns key leadership with 4 of their top 7 tacklers coming back. La Junta will look to stay as a top 10 defense but must improve on their 19.0 ppg mark. |
| Alamosa HS | Their defense gave up 229 points last year which was 22nd best in Class 2A. Alamosa defensively must take over this season as Alamosa will have a new look offense this year. Alamosa will return 9 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 7. Alamosa must improve this year defensively and will look for their defense to push for a top 10 spot this year. |
| Basalt HS | Their defense gave up 182 points last year which was 11th best in Class 2A. Basalt had a great season a year ago but lose a lot of key depth from their defense last season. Basalt as mentioned lost a lot of depth from last year returning just 5 of their top 13 tacklers. What Basalt does return is leadership with 5 of their top 7 tacklers returning this year. The leadership should power Basalt to a top defense again this year. |
| Brush HS | Their defense gave up 135 points last year which was 5th best in Class 2A. Brush missed the playoffs last year, but their defense was a big bright spot from a year ago. Brush gave up just 15.0 ppg last season and will look to improve or stay the same this year. Brush will return 8 of their top 13 tacklers from a season ago plus key leadership is back with 4 of their top 7 tacklers back. Brush to reach the playoffs will need the same effort on defense this season. |
| University HS | Their defense gave up 192 points last year which was 15th best in Class 2A. University continues to play tough defense year in and year out and look for them to be a top 15 defense yet again this year. University will have some holes to fill returning just 6 of their top 13 tacklers from a year ago. What University does return is leadership with 4 of their top 7 tacklers coming back. University will look again to be a top defense this season. |
| Wellington HS | Their defense gave up 273 points last year which was 31st best in Class 2A. Wellington is year one took a big step going 4-5. The main thing Wellington must improve on is their defense. Wellington will return their entire defensive unit, but the main question is can they make the leap in year two. Wellington will need to improve at least to a top 20 defense this year if they plan on a making a push for the playoffs. |
| Platte Valley HS | Their defense gave up 225 points last year which was 21st best in Class 2A. Platte Valley missed out on the playoffs last season and will look to rebound this year. Defensively Platte Valley must improve after giving up 25 ppg on the season. Platte Valley will return key depth with 8 of their top 13 tacklers returning. Platte Valley biggest concern is leadership with just 3 of their top 8 tacklers coming back. |
| Florence HS | Their defense gave up 102 points last year which was 2nd best in Class 2A. Florence continues to play tough defense every season and they will be looking to reload this year. Florence will return just 5 of their top 13 tacklers but have key leadership back in Gunner Busetti and Tanner Wrast. Florence will need their defense again to be a top 10 unit especially with a young offense this year. |
| Pagosa Springs HS | Their defense gave up 242 points last year which was 23rd best in Class 2A. Pagosa Springs barely missed out on the playoffs a year ago and will look for their defense to improve this year to push for that playoff spot. Pagosa Springs last year gave up over 26 ppg and that must be the area of improvement. Pagosa Springs will have the pieces back to make improvements with 8 of their top 13 tacklers back and 4 of their top 7. |
| Defensive Unit Watch List: | Englewood, Moffat County, Denver West, Lamar, Arvada, Sterling, Salida, Valley, Bayfield, Forge Christian, Manitou Springs, Bennett |
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