MileHigh Prep Report Preseason 6-Man Football Rankings

MileHigh Prep Report Preseason 6-Man Football Rankings

The start of the season is right around the corner.  Scrimmages kick off next week and we are just two weeks away from the start of the 2023 Football Season.  6-Man should be a great year and look for some top teams to remain atop the Rankings.  Good Luck to all teams going into 2023.

6-Man

Rank	Team	Notes
#1	Stratton   Defending State Champions	Stratton is your defending State Champions.  They are reloaded and looking to repeat and will be the heavy favorites this season.  Stratton offensively returns their QB Charlie Tagtmeyer, #2 rusher Cyler Notter, and a big chunk of their offensive line from last season.  Stratton will be looking for a new #2 rusher to step up but look for a pair of names if not three names to step up in Stockton Fye, Avery Archuleta, and Von Isenbart.  Defensively Stratton returns the top defense from last season and don’t expect that to dip much as they return 6 of their top 8 tacklers including 3 of their top 4.  Brody Webb, Dawson Thompson, and Cyler Notter all return to lead the defense.
#2	Otis   Made the playoffs, lost in the Semifinals	Otis had a good season a year ago reaching the Semifinals before falling to eventual state champions Stratton.  Otis will look to build off the momentum gained last season and look to reach the state title game.  Otis offensively will look for a clear leader at QB possibly Carter Wells, but Austin Hornung did have the most attempts last season.  The RB position is solid with 1800 yards rusher Tayte Smith coming back but look for a #2 rusher to emerge in Erick Thorn or Charlie Kendrick.  Defensively Otis will have some work to do as they were the #16 defense a year ago.  Otis should improve as they return 5 of their top 8 tacklers including 3 of their top 4 in Charlie Kendricks, Tayte Smith, and Bohden Klinzmann.
#3	Genoa-Hugo   Made the playoffs, lost in the Quarterfinals	Genoa-Hugo last season reached the Quarterfinals before falling to Fleming.  Genoa-Hugo will lose a few key pieces from last seasons team but return plenty to try and make a deeper run this season.  Offensively Genoa-Hugo returns 2200-yard passer in Trey Smith along with #1 RB Konner Rowden-Stum.  The main question marks will be who steps up at WR as Genoa-Hugo graduates 2 of their top pass catchers.  Defensively Genoa-Hugo was ranked #19 last season and that must improve.  Genoa-Hugo returns 5 of their top 8 tacklers including 3 of their top 4.  Genoa-Hugo will look for Trey Smith, Konner Rowden-Stum, and Brady Simmons to all step up and lead Genoa-Hugo to an improved defense.
#4	Branson/Kim   Made the playoffs, lost in the First Round	Branson/Kim reached the playoffs last season but fell in the first round to Arickaree 26-22.  Branson/Kim will look to use that as motivation and look for a deeper playoff run this year.  Branson/Kim offensively returns QB Owen Doherty and #2 RB Brock Doherty.  Replacing their #1 option at RB will be key to this season.  Defensively Branson/Kim had the #9 ranked defense and should improve this year as they return 6 of their top 8 tacklers.  Branson/Kim returns Brock Doherty and Kolter Cranson to lead the defense, but other kids must step up this season.
#5	Cheyenne Wells   Made the playoffs, lost in Quarterfinals	Cheyenne Wells reached the playoffs last season before falling to Otis in the Quarterfinals.  Cheyenne Wells was young and inexperienced last season and heading into this year that has changed as many kids will have experience.  Cheyenne Wells offensively will look to a new QB possibly in Perry Chadwick.  Cheyenne Wells will be searching for a new #1 & #2 rusher and that is the main question mark for Cheyenne Wells.  Defensively Cheyenne Wells was the #5 defense a season ago and they are returning a stacked defense including 7 of their top 8 tacklers.  Trey Scheler, Zach Dickey, and Bryson Hyle will be tasked with being leaders this season.
#6	Fleming     Made the Playoffs, Runners UP	Fleming is your Runners Up from last season falling in the State Championship to Stratton.  Fleming is losing some key pieces from last years team but with Coach King don’t expect to much of a drop off from Fleming.  Fleming offensively will be looking for a new QB possibly Derek Houser fills that role.  The RB position also must be replaced but look for Wyatt Sonnenberg and Travis Johnson to fill that role.  Defensively Fleming returns just 3 of their top 8 tacklers and expect those 3 to be leaders.  Matix Haney, Wyatt Cochran, and Travis Johnson all must step up to be leaders this year.
#7	Granada   Made the playoffs, lost in the Semifinals	Granada made the playoffs last season but fell in the Semifinals to Fleming in a shootout as this was one of the best games of the year.  Granada will have some key players to replace but return key leadership that should make them a competitor this year.  Offensively Granada returns QB/RB/WR Maddox Coleman and RB Jonus Guevara.  Both will be key to finding success for Granada.  Defensively Granada returns 3 of their top 8 tacklers.  Granada will look to improve on the #19 ranked defense and look for Maddox Coleman, Jonus Guevara, and Terence Hainer to be leaders.
#8	Walsh     Missed the Playoffs, went 4-6	Walsh is the first team ranked that missed the playoffs a season ago.  Walsh took big steps last season going 4-6 and competing against some of the top teams in 6-Man last year.  Walsh will look to take the next step this season and make the playoffs.  Offensively Walsh returns QB Cody Malone and top 2 RBs Leyton Jones and Ethan Barwick.  Defensively Walsh must improve as they were the #24th ranked defense.  Walsh returns their entire roster so they should improve on defense.  Leyton Jones, Axeton Bishop, and Wyatt Beecham were the top tacklers from last season.
#9	Deer Trail     Missed the Playoffs, went 7-3	Deer Trail missed the playoffs last season but had a 7-3 record and one of their most improved seasons in a while.  Deer Trail will look to improve on last season and become more physical.  Deer Trail offensively returns QB Raul Manriquez, RB Elvin Castro, and WR Dominik Mingee.  Deer Trail defensively returns the #2 defense but they struggled against top teams so they will look to improve on this end.  Deer Trail returns 7 of their to 8 tacklers including their top 4 from a season ago.  Julian Guevara, Dominik Mingee, and Elvin Castro all return to be leaders again this season for Deer Trail.
#10	Sierra Grande     Made the playoffs, lost in the First Round	Sierra Grande made the playoffs last season before falling to Otis in the First Round.  Sierra Grande has turned into a regular to make the playoffs and they will look to continue that streak this season.  Sierra Grande offensively will have a big hole to fill at RB losing their top rusher from a season ago.  Look for Brian Ontiveros or Adrian Casados to possibly fill the #1 RB spot.  QB Aron Ojeda does return to be a leader in his second season at QB.  Defensively Sierra Grande returns 5 of their top 8 tacklers including 2 of their top 4.  Tyler Kester and Brian Ontiveros are the main leaders, and they will be crucial for the defense this year.
#11	Idalia     Missed the playoffs, went 2-7	Idalia missed the playoffs a season ago and went 2-7 overall.  Injuries and a very tough schedule hurt Idalia last season.  The experience gained last season for the younger kids will be crucial heading into this year.  Offensively Idalia returns QB Tate Towns but will be searching for new RBs.  Look for Garrett and Hayden Drullinger to possibly fill those holes.  Defensively Idalia was the #11 defense, and they return 5 of their top 8 tacklers including 2 of their top 4.  Kagen Hoyda and Tate Towns were the top two tacklers last season and return to lead the defense.
#12	Arickaree   Made the playoffs, lost in the Quarterfinals	Arickaree made the playoffs last season and fell to Granada in the Quarterfinals.  Arickaree will have some big holes to fill but don’t expect much of a drop off.  Arickaree will have to replace their do it all QB from last season.  Look for Nic Hermes, Jake King, and Austin Wright to fill the voids at QB and RB.  Defensively Arickaree had the #8 defense last season.  They should still be a tough defense this year as they return 5 of their top 8 tacklers including 2 of their top 4.  Zarron Skubal and Austin Wright are back and both had over 100 tackles last season the main question is who else steps up for Arickaree this year.
#13	La Veta   Missed the playoffs, went 6-4	La Veta missed the playoffs last season but had success going 6-4 and gaining key experience heading into 2023.  La Veta offensively returns QB Jessey Montunnas who had a break out season last year.  La Veta will look to replace their #1 rusher from last season but have a solid option in Brayden Nix.  The WR position will also be in good shape with Kade Andreatta and Trey Medina coming back.  Defensively La Veta was the #22 defense last season and do take a hit returning just 3 of their top 8 tacklers.  La Veta does return Brayden Nix and Kade Andreatta both were the leading tacklers from last season and will be tasked with being leaders again this year.
#14	Prairie     Made the playoffs, lost in the first round	Prairie made the playoffs last season before falling to Stratton in the first round.  Prairie will have some key holes to fill offensively losing their QB and top RB from last season.  At QB look for Wyatt Butler to possibly fill the role and at RB Justin Schreiner.  Defensively Prairie was the #7 defense last season, and they return some key depth from last season to try and push them into the top 10 again.  Prairie returns 5 of their top 8 tacklers including Justin Schreiner, Wyatt Butler, and Brennan Bringelson.
#15	Peetz   Missed the playoffs, went 3-5	Peetz missed the playoffs last season going 3-5.  Peetz played a tough schedule including 5 playoffs teams from a year ago.  Peetz will look to use the experience gained from last season and push for a playoff spot this year.  Peetz offensively returns QB Chance Segelke, RB Rhyder Bayne, and WR Noah Naegele.  Peetz offensively has the weapons but staying healthy and improving is key.  Defensively Peetz was the #15 defense last season, and they must improve this year.  Peetz returns 7 of their top 8 tacklers including 3 of their top 4.  Rhyder Bayne, Noah Naegele, and Joe Fehringer all are back to be leaders for Peetz on defense.
#16	Hanover   Made the Playoffs, lost in the First Round	Hanover made the playoffs last season losing in the first round to Fleming.  Hanover is a upcoming JR lead team and look for them to take a big step this season.  Hanover could be a dark horse to finish higher up in the standings.  Hanover offensively returns QB Tyler Decker along with RBs David Byers & Ronquez Ackerson.  Defensively Hanover was the #6 defense last season, and they should be a top unit again this year returning 6 of their top 8 tacklers including 3 of their top 4.  Hanover will have to replace their top tackler from last season but look for David Byers, Junior Diaz, and Tyler Decker to be those players.
	Other Teams to Watch	Mountain Valley, Cheraw, North Park, Briggsdale, Primero