MileHigh 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 8-Man Top 10 tomorrow, along with a different article than normal.
Also, we are not doing offensive lines for 8-Man. We have not in the past but next year we will!!
| High School | Stats |
| Simla HS | Their defense gave up 137 points last year which was 2nd best in 8-Man. Simla was the best rated defense in terms of PPG given up last season giving up 10.5 ppg. Simla will be looking for another deep run and they return the talent to do so. Simla returns 7 of their top 10 tacklers including 3 of their top 5. They will have to replace their leading tackler from a year ago but look for TJ Eurich, Jared Hodgson, and Brent Bowker to fill leadership roles. |
| Haxtun HS | Their defense gave up 157 points last year which was 4th best in 8-Man. Haxtun defensively will look to improve on their 13.1 ppg mark but also look to make it back to the state championship after falling in the semifinals. Haxtun will return 7 of their top 10 tacklers from last season including 3 of their top 5. Haxtun will return their tackle leader from last season in Kailin Kelley but also look for Keegan Colglazier and Ryland Wolff to rack up the tackles this season. |
| Mancos HS | Their defense gave up 227 points last year which was 10th best in 8-Man. Mancos was much better than the 10th ranked defense in terms of ppg as they were closer to a top 5 defense last season. Mancos will look to build off last season success defensively and also the defense could be needed as the offense replaces key pieces. Mancos will return 8 of their top 10 tacklers including 4 of their top 5. Kail Wayman, Andrew Jaime, and Chris Medina look to be the leaders returning from last season. |
| Lyons HS | Their defense gave up 130 points last year which was the best in 8-Man. Lyons will look to build off last seasons success and stay as a top defensive unit in the state. Lyons will return plenty of key pieces and look for a deeper playoff run. Lyons will return 7 of their top 10 tacklers including 3 of their top 5. Lyons will return tackle leader Keenan Young but will look for Maregu Sullivan and Finn Oetting to step up and fill the #2 and #3 tackler role. |
| Akron HS | Their defense gave up 222 points last year which was 9th best in 8-Man. Akron will look to improve defensively from last season after giving up 22.2 ppg. Akron still was a top 10 defense but will look to shore up that end. Akron will return plenty of talent with 7 of their top 10 tacklers coming back. Akron will have the leadership back with 4 of their top 5 tacklers coming back including Anderson Filla, Ryan McCaffrey, and Brock Swedlund. |
| Dove Creek HS | Their defense gave up 203 points last year which was 5th best in 8-Man. Dove Creek is your defending State Champions and lose a lot of key pieces from last years team. Dove Creek will return key leadership that helped lead them to a state title. Dove Creek will return 3 of their top 10 tackles but return 2 of their top 5. Dove Creek will lean heavily on Tyson Beanland and Taber Dejane to be leaders on a young defensive team. |
| Merino HS | Their defense gave up 290 points last year which was 21st best in 8-Man. Merino will look to improve defensively after being outside the top 15 defenses. Merino will also look to improve on giving up 26.4 ppg. Merino will return key pieces from last season but will look for some depth to step up. Merino returns 6 of their top 10 tacklers from last season including 3 of their top 5. Coen Schmidt, Kaden Piel, and Josiah Mackintosh will be tasked with becoming leaders and helping Merino improve defensively. |
| Holly HS | Their defense gave up 273 points last year which was 19th best in 8-Man. Holly will look to improve on their 24.8 ppg mark from last season and look to improve to a top 10 defense this season. Holly will have the leadership back returning 3 of their top 5 tacklers. Holly also returns 6 of their top 10 tacklers but depth will have to step up this season. Holly returns their top 2 tacklers in Dylan Tamayo and Rueben Maldonado but what other depth can step up this season. |
| Byers HS | Their defense gave up 266 points last year which was 17th best in 8-Man. Byers had a solid season a year ago and just missed out on the playoffs. Byers will look to improve on their 29.5 ppg mark and look to become a top 12 defense this season. Byers will return 9 of their top 10 tacklers including 4 of their top 5. Byers will aim for a playoff berth this year and look for Kaiden Powell, Chase Long, and AJ Engle to step up as leaders. |
| Sanford HS | Their defense gave up 247 points last year which was 14th best in 8-Man. Sanford at times had a stingy defense but they will also look to improve on 22.4 ppg given up. Sanford will have the leadership back, but depth must step up this year. Sanford will return 6 of their top 10 tacklers including 3 of their top 5. Sanford will continue to look for Cash Caldon, Lincoln Reynolds, and Roj Larson to be leaders on defense. |
| Front Range Christian | Their defense gave up 218 points last year which was 8th best in 8-Man. Front Range Christian was a top 10 defense last season in terms of total points but I think they would be outside the top 10 in terms of ppg as they gave up 24.2 ppg. FRC regardless will be looking to stay as a top 10 defensive unit. I also think Front Range Christian will need their defense to be the anchor as they will have a young offensive team this year. Front Range Christian will return 9 of their top 10 tackles including 4 of their top 5. Jack Edwards, Caedan Whatmore, and Jaden Giannatala will all be back to lead the defense this season. |
| Calhan HS | Their defense gave up 238 points last year which was 12th best in 8-Man. Calhan just missed out on the playoffs last season and they will look to make it back this year. Calhan will lean heavily on their defense this year as they lose key pieces from the offense. Calhan defensively though should remain a top 12 unit and should improve. Calhan brings back 8 of their top 10 tackles including 3 of their top 5. Calhan will have to replace their top tackler from last year but look for Logan Jack, Austin Cochran, and Riley Cochran to step up this year. |
| Caliche HS | Their defense gave up 346 points last year which was 28th best in 8-Man. Caliche was near the bottom last season in terms of defense being outside the top 25 and giving up 38.4 ppg. This year you could see a big turnaround for Caliche defensively. Caliche will return 8 of their top 10 tacklers including 4 of their top 5. Caliche must improve on this side of the ball to be competitive in the brutal Plains League. Chance Mitchell, Orran Adolf, and Dylan Harms will be tasked with being leaders this season. |
| Belleview Christian | Their defense gave up 248 points last year which was 15th best in 8-Man. Belleview Christian played their first season of Varsity football since 2017 and they did find some success with a top 15 defense and winning 4 games. Belleview Christian will now look to improve defensively and push for a playoff spot. Belleview Christian returns 7 of their top 10 tacklers including 3 of their top 5. Top tacklers Ryan Reyes and Kevin Nayyar will be tasked with Belleview Christian staying a top 15 defense. |
| Walsenburg | Their defense gave up 324 points last year which was 26th best in 8-Man. Walsenburg took big step last season winning 4 games and being in the playoff hunt. If Walsenburg wants to take the next step and reach the playoffs their defense must improve this year. Walsenburg will have they pieces back but it will come down to effort on that side of the ball. Walsenburg will return 7 of their top 10 tacklers including 3 of their top 5. Walsenburg will have to replace 2 of their top 5 tacklers but look for Elton Chavez, Giovanni Aldretti, and Dante Pino to be the leaders this year. |
| Fowler HS | Their defense gave up 261 points last year which was 16th best in 8-Man. Fowler missed out on the playoffs last season and that is something they will look to get back to this year. Fowler will look to improve on the defensive side of the ball but will have key pieces to replace. Fowler will return 5 of their top 10 tacklers and just 2 of their top 5. Fowler will bring back their top 2 tacklers from a year ago in Harrison Proctor and Dominic Armijo but they will be looking for depth and some inexperience to step up. |
| Defensive Unit Watch List: | Swink, West Grand, McClave, Dayspring Christian, St. Mary’s, Sedgwick County, Plateau Valley, Crowley County, Rangely, Vail Christian, Wiley, Hayden, Gilpin County, Sargent |
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