MileHigh Prep Reports Top Returning Defense’s 6-Man Football
Picking the best returning defenses is not an easy task but of course it’s always fun to take a look. Defense is 6-Man is very underrated but physical defenses can take over a game. I am using points 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 6-Man Top 10 tomorrow.
| High School | Stats |
| Stratton | Their defense gave up 196 points last year which was best in 6-Man. Stratton is your defending state champions, and they are returning one of the best defenses in 6-Man yet again. Stratton will return 6 of their top 8 tacklers including 3 of their top 4. Brody Webb, Dawson Thompson, and Cyler Notter all return to lead a very physical Stratton defense. |
| Cheyenne Wells | Their defense gave up 282 points last year which was 5th best in 6-man. Cheyenne Wells had a very young defense last year due to some injuries and it will pay off this season as they return one of the tougher defenses in 6-Man. Cheyenne Wells return 7 of their top 8 tacklers including 3 of their top 4. Trey Scheler, Zach Dickey, and Bryson Hyle all return to be leaders for a young but experience Cheyenne Wells defense. |
| Otis | Their defense gave up 351 points last year which was 16th best in 6-Man. Otis must improve defensively to make a deeper run into the playoffs this season. They return the talent but must change their mindset on defense. Otis will return 5 of their top 8 tacklers including 3 of their top 4. Charlie Kendrick, Tayte Smith, and Bohden Klinzmann will all be tasked will leading Otis to improve this season. |
| Branson/Kim | Their defense gave up 325 points last year which was 9th best in 6-man. Branson/Kim continues to be competitive year in and year out and they will look to push for a top 5 defense this year. Branson/Kim returns 6 of their top 8 tacklers including 2 of their top 4. Brock Doherty and Kolter Cranson return to be leaders but who else steps up will be key to success for Branson/Kim. |
| Deer Trail | Their defense gave up 259 points last year which was 2nd best in 6-man. Deer Trail had a resurgent season last year reaching the playoffs but now they look to build off the success and push for a deeper playoff run. Deer Trail will return the talent for a deep run but they will have to play more physical. Deer Trail returns 7 of their top 8 tacklers including their top 4 tacklers from a season ago. Julian Guevara, Dominik Mingee, and Elvin Castro all return for Deer Trail and can this team take the next step. |
| Idalia | Their defense gave up 330 points last year which was 11th best in 6-man. Idalia had some key injuries last season but allowed some youth to step up and this year they will look to build off the experience. Idalia will return 5 of their top 8 tacklers including their top 2 tacklers from a season ago. Kagen Hoyda and Tate Towns return to be the leaders but who else steps up and become a leader this season. |
| Genoa-Hugo | Their defense gave up 377 points last year which was 19th best in 6-man. Genoa-Hugo will look to improve on the defensive side of the ball this season and push for a top 10 defense this year. Genoa-Hugo will return key pieces from last season including 5 of their top 8 tacklers. Genoa-Hugo also returns key leaders with 3 of their top 4 tacklers coming back including Trey Smith, Konner-Rowden Stum, and Brady Simmons. |
| Hanover | Their defense gave up 298 points last year which was 6th best in 6-man. Hanover had a top 6 defense last season and had some success going 7-4. Hanover will look to build off last season and make a deeper run this year. Hanover will return 6 of their top 8 tacklers including 3 of their top 4. Hanover will be searching for a new top tackler but look for David Byers, Junior Diaz, and Tyler Decker to step up this season. |
| Granada | Their defense gave up 450 points last year which was 23rd best in 6-man. Granada had injuries early on that hurt their defense, but some younger players gained some valuable experience. Granada will have some reloading to do this year as they return just 3 of their top 5 tacklers. Granada does return leadership with 3 of their top 6 tacklers coming back. Maddox Coleman, Jonus Guevara, and Terence Hainer will be tasked with being leaders this season. |
| Arickaree | Their defense gave up 314 points last year which was 8th best in 6-Man. Arickaree had a top 10 defense last season, and they will look to replicate that again this year. Arickaree will return 5 of their top 8 tacklers including 2 of their top 4. Zarron Skubal and Austin Wright return to lead the defense, but Arickaree will be looking for some players to step up and fill key positions on defense. |
| Prairie | Their defense gave up 301 points last year which was 7th best in 6-Man. Prairie has been a constant inside the top 10 for defense and they will look to stay there again this season. Prairie returns key pieces from the defense including 5 of their top 8 tacklers. Prairie will lose their top 2 tacklers from last season and will look to Justin Schreiner and Wyatt Butler to step up and be leaders for Prairie. |
| Sierra Grande | Their defense gave up 335 points last year which was 13th best in 6-Man. Sierra Grande will look to push into the top 10 for defense this season and they return some key pieces but will look to be more physical this season. Sierra Grande returns 5 of their top 8 tacklers but just 1 of their top 4. Tyler Kester will be the leader but look for Brian Ontiveros and Jadyn Martinez to step up this season. |
| Walsh | Their defense gave up 485 points last year which was 24th best in 6-Man. Walsh had some success last season winning 4 games and setting the table for this year. Walsh has plenty of key pieces back to be not just a top defense but a top team in 6-man. Walsh returns their entire team from last season and will come down to what work they put in. Walsh return Leyton Jones, Axeton Bishop, and Wyatt Beecham. |
| Peetz | Their defense gave up 340 points last year which was 15th best in 6-man. Peetz found some success last season going 3-5 but this year they will look to take the next step and reach the playoffs. Peetz will need their defense to step up this year if they plan on making the playoffs. Peetz returns 7 of their top 8 tacklers including 3 of their top 4. Peetz will look to Rhyder Bayne, Noah Naegele, Joe Fehringer to be leaders this season. |
| North Park | Their defense gave up 270 points last year which was 4th best in 6-man. North Park had a successful season last year going 7-3 and reaching the playoffs. North Park will look to build off the success and their defense will be a big part. North Park will have some reloading to do just returning 4 of their top 8 tacklers. North Park does return 3 of their top 4 tacklers and these leaders will be key. Makeon Crum, Levi Wofford, and Cameron Gonzales will be vital to North Park have success this season. |
| Fleming | Their defense gave up 354 points last year which was 17th best in 6-man. Fleming has been a regular in terms of top defenses and last season their defense had success and they reached the state championship. Fleming will have some reloading to do returning just 3 of their top 8 tacklers. Fleming is well coached so don’t expect much of a drop off. Fleming returns key players in Matix Haney and Wyatt Cochran. |
| Defensive Unit Watch List: | Cheraw, Briggsdale, Mountain Valley, La Veta, Cotopaxi, Bethune, Eads, Kit Carson, Primero |
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