MileHigh Prep Report Preseason Class 1A Football Rankings
We are getting closer and closer to the start of the football season. Here is my top 16 preseason rankings. 1A will be battle this year with plenty of talent returning. The top of 1A again is dominated by the blue bloods but look for some new teams to push for the top. We are doing a media poll again this season. If you are interested in voting shoot me a message. I move to 8-Man Football next week. Good Luck to all teams this season!
Class 1A
| Rank | Team | Notes |
| #1 | Limon HS Defending State Champions | Limon is your defending state champions and return to the top of Class 1A after losing in the final two years ago. Limon will be looking to repeat something they have done in the past and they return plenty of talent from a season ago. Limon offensively returns their QB in Jordan Rockwell as well as their #2 rusher in Logan Bottjer. The offensive line for Limon will also return their core and should power a very potent offense. Defensively Limon will return 8 of their top 13 tacklers including 5 of their top 7 with key leaders like Treyton Marx and Keon Bandy coming back. |
| #2 | Strasburg HS Made the playoffs, lost in Semifinals | Strasburg reached the Semifinals last season before falling to Wray. Strasburg will be looking to reach the state championship this season and return plenty of talent to do it. Strasburg offensively will return QB Landen Martin along with his top WR target in Austin Velasco. Strasburg does lose a 1600 yard rusher but their #2 RB Thomas Devlin will look to step into the lead role. Strasburg offensive line will return all but 1 starter from a year ago and this group should help the offense go to a next level. Defensively Strasburg returns 8 of their top 13 tacklers but only return 2 of their top 7 tacklers. Strasburg will search for new leadership on defense and look for Al Dickens and DJ Cannon to step into that role. |
| #3 | Wray HS Made the playoffs, Runner ups | Wray is your runner up from a season ago and it was a great state championship game. Wray will have some key holes to fill this season including some great senior leadership. Wray offensively will return key leadership position with QB Casey Midcap and RB Samuel Meisner. The offensive line for Wray will be reloading this year but could have some inexperience early in the season. Defensively Wray was also hit hard by graduation, but they do return 5 of their top 13 tacklers including 2 of their top 5. Samuel Meisner who had over 135 tackles is back along with Ben Harms. |
| #4 | Centauri HS Made the playoffs, lost in the Quarterfinals | Centauri made it to the Quarterfinals last season before falling to Strasburg. Centauri will look to build off the Junior class many of whom made their first starts last season. Centauri offensively will have a QB battle at hands when camp starts but whoever wins that battle will have plenty of weapons. RB Deven Brady is back after an injury sidelined him for all of last season but, also look for Keegan Huffaker to have an increased role. WR position is also reloaded with WR Chaz Holman and Kiler Ullery being the top targets. The offensive line for Centauri will return their core and will need to replace just 1 or 2 starters from last season. Defensively Centauri returns 7 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 7 including key leadership with Josh Polkowske and Troy Huffaker coming back. |
| #5 | Meeker Made the playoffs, lost in the first round | Meeker made the playoffs last season before falling in the first round to Wray. Meeker will look to build off the inexperience of last season and return key pieces to push for a deeper playoff run this year. Offensively Meeker returns QB Ryan Sullivan along with #2 rusher Clay Crawford and WR Jace Mobley. The offensive line for Meeker returns 4 starters from last season and should help anchor a tough offense. Meeker defensively will return 7 of their top 13 tacklers but will be searching for leadership as they only return 3 of their top 7 tacklers. Look for Cade Blunt and Buzz Clatterbaugh to be the leaders early in the season on defense. |
| #6 | Rye HS Made the playoffs, lost in the first round | Rye made the playoffs last season before falling in the first round to Yuma. Rye gained valuable experience and will look to use that experience for a deeper playoff run this season. Rye offensively returns a lot of talent with QB Nolan Schauer and RB Dylan Hurne returning. Rye also returns key WR in Codah Graber and Derick Bak. Rye offensive line will have some holes to fill but return at least 3 starters from last season. Defensively Rye returns 9 of their top 13 tacklers including 6 of their top 7. Rye will lean on Derick Bak and Codah Graber to be leaders this season. |
| #7 | North Fork HS Made the playoffs, lost in the first round | North Fork made the playoffs last season before falling in the first round to Wiggins. North Fork had a lot of inexperience last season and will look to the experience gained to have a deeper playoff run this season. North Fork offensively will return key weapons with QB/RB/WR Hayden Moreno, QB Hunter Moreno, and #2 rusher Daniel Owens. North Fork offensive line will also look to retool after losing possibly 3 starters but have the senior leadership back to help on the offensive line. Defensively North Fork will look to improve after giving up 24.1 ppg. North Fork will return 9 of their top 13 tacklers including 5 of their top 7. Look for Daniel Owens and Josiah Peters to be the leaders on a improved defensive team. |
| #8 | Banning Lewis Missed the playoffs, went 5-4 | Banning Lewis is the first team to miss the playoffs a season ago and be ranked. Banning Lewis went 5-4 last season and just missed out on the playoffs. Banning Lewis will look to reach the playoffs this season as they enter year 4 of their program. Offensively Banning Lewis returns their QB Sam Bell, RB Chase Riehle, and top WR Ben Early. The offensive line for Banning Lewis will also look to take a step forward with physicality as they return their entire offensive line from last season. Defensively Banning Lewis returns 12 of their top 13 tacklers including their top 7 tacklers from a year ago. We will look to see Banning Lewis be a top 5 defense this year and look for Julien Laderman and Ben Early to be leaders. |
| #9 | Holyoke Made the playoffs, lost in the first round | Holyoke made the playoffs a season ago before falling in the first round to Monte Vista. Holyoke will look to build off the successful campaign of the juniors. Holyoke offensively returns most of their skill position players from their pass heavy offense. QB Wyatt Sprague is back after a 1900 yards season. RB Tyson Mosenteen, along with WR Cash Weber, and WR Bryson Dirks are also back. The offensive line for Holyoke will lose just 2 seniors from last season but they were key leaders on the offensive line. Defensively Holyoke will look to change their mindset and improve on their 31st ranked defense from last season. Holyoke will return 11 of their top 13 tacklers including their top 7 from a season ago. |
| #10 | Platte Canyon Missed the playoffs, went 5-4 | Platte Canyon missed the playoffs a season ago but finished the regular season with a 5-4 record. I believe Platte Canyon has not made the playoffs since 2018 and they will look to change that this season. Platte Canyon offensively will be searching for a new QB. Platte Canyon does return their top 2 rushers from last season in Sam Patterson and Greg Oramas. The offensive line for Platte Canyon will return their core from last season but leadership will be key. The offense for Platte Canyon has had the most question marks and they will look to fix that this year. Defensively Platte Canyon returns 10 of their top 13 tacklers from last season including 5 of their top 7. Look for Kamron Skouge who broke 115 tackles last season to be the leader along with Dean McMahen. |
| #11 | Burlington Made the playoffs, lost in the first round | Burlington made the playoffs last season despite their 2-8 record, as they played one of the toughest schedules in Class 1A. Burlington lost in the first round to Strasburg. Burlington this season will look to build off last years success and make another run to the playoffs. Offensively Burlington returns QB Angel Vela but he will be searching for new skill players round him but keep eyes out for Matthew Guiterrez and Daniel Chacon. The offensive line for Burlington could be returning a few key pieces but will have some big holes to fill this season. Defensively Burlington has the most upside as they return 10 of their top 13 tacklers from a year ago including 4 of their top 7. Burlington will look for Matthew Guitereez and Angel Vela to be leaders. |
| #12 | Monte Vista Made the playoffs, lost in the Quarterfinals | Monte Vista made the playoffs last season before falling to eventual state champions Limon in the Quarterfinals. Monte Vista will be young this season but most played big minutes in the second half as Monte Vista had big leads. Monte Vista offensively will look different in the backfield but look for QB Kaden Madrid to take over in that spot. I also look for RBs Kevin Cisneros and Jacob Pacheco to see an increased role this season. WR position does have some big play capabilities with Azariah Hurtado & Izzy Medina coming back. Defensively Monte Vista returns 4 of their top 13 tacklers but have key leadership back at LB with Jack Noonan, Kevin Cisneros, and Jacob Pacheco. The main question mark will be on the defensive line. |
| #13 | Gunnison Made the playoffs, lost in the first round | Gunnison made the playoffs last season before falling in the first round to Centauri. Gunnison will look to build off the success of last season but have key holes to fill. Gunnison did not post many stats from last season but looking thru their roster they will be looking for a new QB and top rusher. Gunnison does return Royce Uhrig who was the #2 rusher. The offensive line for Gunnison should be a strength heading into the 2023 season as they return at least 3 starters from last year. Defensively Gunnison has limited stats to go from. I will say Gunnison had the top ranked defense last season and was a staple for them last season. |
| #14 | Cedaredge Missed the playoffs, went 4-5 last season | Cedaredge missed the playoffs last season but had a 4-5 record. Cedaredge will look to improve from last season and return plenty of talent to make a run for the playoffs. Cedaredge offensively has plenty of talent back with QB Luke Maxey, RB Ethan Toothaker, and top WR targets Brady Cooper & Logan Tullis. The main question mark for Cedaredge is the offensive line. Cedaredge possibly returns just 1 offensive linemen from last year. Cedaredge will need their offensive line to step up this year. Defensively Cedaredge returns 8 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 7. Cedaredge will lean on Logan Tullis and Brady Cooper to be leaders |
| #15 | Wiggins Made the playoffs, lost in the Quarterfinals | Wiggins made the playoffs last season reaching the Quarterfinals before falling to Wray. Wiggins was hit hard by graduation losing key pieces across the board. Wiggins has built a solid tradition so don’t expect much of a drop off this year. Wiggins will be searching for a new QB and top WR target. Wiggins will look for #3 rusher Tyler Dilka to step up this season. The offensive line for Wiggins will return at least 2 starters from last season and could be the anchor for a young offense. Defensively Wiggins will return 7 of their top 13 tacklers but only return 2 of their top 7 tacklers. Wiggins will lean on Jr Meyer and Americo Lorenzini to be leaders. |
| #16 | Buena Vista Made the playoffs, lost in the first round | Buena Vista made the playoffs last season falling in the first round to C.S Christian. Buena Vista will look to rebound after falling in the first round and will look for some new faces on offense to take over. Buena Vista will be looking for a new QB and top rusher. Buena Vista has #3 rusher Tray Cardwell and top WR Caleb Camp back. The offensive line for Buena Vista will also look to retool this season. The defense for Buena Vista will be the strong point this season. Defensively Buena Vista returns 8 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 7. This unit must be the strong point this season and look for key leaders in Colton Montoya, Elijah Flowers, and Aman Wingo. |
| Other Teams to Watch | Yuma, Highland, C.S Christian, Peyton, Estes Park, Denver Christian, Roaring Fork, Manual, Del Norte, Center, Middle Park |
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