MileHigh Prep Reports Top Returning Defense’s Class 1A

Picture by OTSportsChek (Strasburg vs Wiggins)

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
Limon HS	Their defense gave up 154 points last year which was 4^th best in Class 1A. If you look at PPG given up Limon would be the #1 ranked defense giving up just 11.8 ppg. Limon played a brutal schedule last year and still had a top defense. Limon returns 8 of their top 13 tacklers including Treyton Marx, Keon Bandy, and Ahren Schubarth. Limon also return 5 of their top 7 tackles from a season ago.
Rye HS	Their defense gave up 162 points last year which was 7^th best in Class 1A. Rye gave up just over 16.2 ppg last season and they will look to improve on that number and push for a top 5 defense this season. Rye returns 9 of their top 13 tacklers including 6 of their top 7 tacklers from a season ago. Rye will have great leadership back power by Derick Bak, Codah Graber, and Jose Martinez.
Centauri HS	Their defense gave up 150 points last year which was 3^rd best in Class 1A. Centauri gave up under 14 ppg on defense and will look to stay as a top 5 defense this year. Centauri will return 7 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 7. Some keys holes must be filled mainly on the defensive line. Centauri will return a pair of 100+ tacklers from a season ago in Josh Polkowske and Troy Huffaker.
Strasburg HS	Their defense gave up 157 points last year which was 6^th best in Class 1A. Strasburg had a great defense a season ago holding teams to just 13 points and I believe the #2 defense in terms of ppg. Strasburg will return a lot of the depth from last season returning 8 of their top 13 tacklers from a season ago. Strasburg main concern will be leadership with just 2 of their top 7 tacklers returning. Al Dickens, Austin Velasco, and DJ Cannon could be the new leaders on the defense this season.
Wray HS	Their defense gave up 185 points last year which is 13^th best in Class 1A. Wray might be ranked 13^th best in terms of total points given up but they only gave up 14.2 ppg last season which would be a top 7 defense. Wray will have plenty of holes to fill defensively from last season with just 5 of their top 13 tacklers coming back. Key leadership does return with Samuel Meisner, Casey Midcap, and Ben Harms.
North Fork HS	Their defense gave up 217 points last year which was 20^th best in Class 1A. North Fork will look to make big strides this season to improve to a top 10 unit this season. North Fork gave up 24.1 ppg and that must improve this year for North Fork to make another run at the playoffs. North Fork brings back plenty on defense this season with 9 of their top 13 tacklers returning including 5 of their top 7 tacklers from a season ago. Daniel Owens, Josiah Peters, and Hayden Moreno are the three to watch this season.
Gunnison HS	Their defense gave up 127 points last year which was best in Class 1A. Gunnison gave up just over 12 ppg on the season and Gunnison staple last year was their defense. Against top challengers Gunnison only gave up over 21 points 1 last season. This year Gunnison will have some holes to fill but return 8 of their top 13 tacklers from a year ago including 4 of their top 7. Not a ton of stats exist for Gunnison but I believe their defense could have to carry the offense early in the season.
Banning Lewis	Their defense gave up 155 points last year which was 5^th best in Class 1A. Banning Lewis did have a top 5 defense in terms of point given up but Banning Lewis must improve on the 17.2 ppg surrender which may have dropped them out of the top 8. Banning Lewis will have plenty returning and should be a top 5 unit again this year. Banning Lewis returns 12 of their top 13 tacklers including 7 of their top 7 tacklers. Julien Ladderman, Ben Early, and Riley Dotson must lead the defense this year and prove they can play physical football again anyone.
Platte Canyon HS	Their defense gave up 196 points last year which was 16^th best in Class 1A. Platte Canyon will be looking to improve their defense this year into the top 10 but also help push their team into the playoffs. I believe Platte Canyon has not reached the playoffs since 2018 and look for their defense to help lead the way this year. Platte Canyon will return 10 of their top 13 tacklers including 5 of their top 7. Kamron Skouge leads the way on defense with over 100 tacklers but watch out for Dean McMahen, and Ian Twaddell.
Buena Vista HS	Their defense gave up 217 points last year which was 21^st best in Class 1A. Buena Vista will look to improve on their defense this season and they may have to anchor a very young offensive team this year. Buena Vista returns 8 of their top 13 tacklers from last season including 4 of their top 7. This unit must make big strides this season and look from key leadership from Colton Montoya, Elijah Flowers, and Aman Wingo.
Cedaredge HS	Their defense gave up 163 points last year which was 8^th best in Class 1A. Cedaredge may have been a top 10 unit in terms of total points, but they did give up over 18.0 ppg and they would be outside the top 10 in terms of ppg. Cedaredge will look to improve on their defense this season and have the players returning to do so. Cedaredge returns 8 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 7. Cedaredge does lose their top 2 tacklers from a year ago so they will turn to Logan Tullis, Brady Cooper, and Ethan Toothaker to be leaders this year.
Highland HS	Their defense gave up 245 points last year which was 22^nd best in Class 1A. Highland must improve their defense this year if they plan on making the playoffs this season. Highland will have plenty of depth back returning 9 of their top 13 tacklers from a season ago. Highland may be searching for the leadership lost but look for Ira Sittner, Dandre DeHoyos, and Brogan Palmer to become leaders this season.
Burlington HS	Their defense gave up 285 points last year which was 25^th best in Class 1A. Burlington played a very tough schedule with more than 50% of their schedule played against Playoff teams. Burlington though must improve on the defensive side of the ball and may need their defense to be leaders for a younger offensive unit. Burlington will return 10 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 7. Matthew Guiterrez Angel Vela should be the leaders on defense this season for Burlington.
Meeker HS	Their defense gave up 170 points last year which was 9^th best in Class 1A. Meeker continues to be a traditional power on the western slope and their defense is usually their calling card. Meeker will have some holes and leadership to replace on defense but they do return 7 of their top 13 tacklers from last year. Look for Cade Blunt, Buzz Clatterbaugh, and Hayden Shults to be leaders this season.
Holyoke HS	Their defense gave up 333 points last year which was 31^st best in Class 1A. Holyoke will be looking to improve on defense this season. They played a very tough schedule a year ago but they must improve on 33.3 ppg if they plan on a deep run this season. Holyoke returns nearly their entire defense with 11 of their top 13 tacklers returning. Holyoke also returns 7 of their top 7 tacklers from last season. Holyoke will look for Wyatt Sprague, Tyson Mosenteen, and Bryson Dirks to be leaders again this year.
Estes Park HS	Their defense gave up 171 points last year which was 10^th best in Class 1A. Estes Park will look to be a top 10 unit again this year but will look to improve on their 19.0 ppg. Estes Park did miss on the playoffs last year but have the talent coming back to try and push for a playoff spot this year. Estes Park will return 8 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 7. Estes Park will look for Jose Gonzalez, Calvin Larson, and Kenny Cromer to be the leaders this season.
Defensive Unit Watch List:	Wiggins, Monte Vista, Peyton, Yuma, Flatirons Academy, Del Norte, Middle Park, Ignacio, Denver Christian, Center, Manual, Roaring Fork, C.S Christian, Jefferson, Clear Creek

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