Class 2A League Predictions (Patriot-Central, Patriot-East, Southwest, Western Slope)

Class 2A League Predictions (Patriot-Central, Patriot-East, Southwest, Western Slope)

I have decided to only do 3 or 4 leagues at a time instead of the full 7 leagues.  I will be giving my league predictions on who finishes where.  This is all in fun and I do not wish bad on any teams.  Good Luck to all teams this season. At the end of this article I give the 16 teams I think make the playoffs.

Patriot-Central

1. Platte Valley

2. Wellington

3. Bennett

4. Valley

5. D’Evelyn

6. Prospect Ridge

The Patriot-Central League got two teams into the State Playoffs last season with Bennett and D’Evelyn.  The Patriot-Central could be one of the weaker leagues heading into the 2023 season with many teams losing key players.  My pick preseason pick to win the Patriot-Central League is Platte Valley.  Platte Valley went 5-4 last season and missed the playoffs.  Platte Valley returns their QB in Howdy Johnson but need other weapons to step up this season.  The offensive line for Platte Valley also has some holes but plenty of size does return.  The offensive line will be critical this year for Platte Valley.  Defensively Platte Valley must improve.  Platte Valley had the 21^st ranked defense last season and gave up over 25 ppg.  Platte Valley will return 8 of their top 13 tacklers so look for this unit to improve.  Wellington is my pick to finish second in league and be a playoff contender.  Wellington went 4-5 in their inaugural season.  Wellington will look to build off the success of last season and will be looking for their first playoff berth of their program history.  Wellington will return their entire roster (unless someone transferred) from last season and will look to build upon the success.  Wellington returns key players like Cash Altschwager and Tanner Gray.  We will see how much this team worked this offseason if they can push for a playoff spot.  My pick to finish 3^rd is Bennett.  Bennett last season reached the playoffs with a 7-3 record.  Bennett will have some key holes to fill this season on both sides of the ball.  Bennett will be searching for a new QB plus new RBs.  Jamonie Law and Triston Cronk are two players to watch on the offensive side of the ball this season.  Defensively Bennett returns just 5 of their top 13 tacklers but do have some leaders back in Brody Hawes and Triston Cronk.  My 4^th place and 5^th place teams are extremely close and was hard to separate them.  I went with Valley as my 4^th place pick.  Valley went 3-6 last season and did not make the playoffs.  Valley performed well inside league play but must make improvements if they plan on reaching the playoffs.  Valley is dark horse pick to push for a top 3 spot and possibly a playoff spot.  Valley returns QB Carson Adolf, RB’s Julian Ramirez & Marcus Vialpando, and WR Aidan Brownell.  Valley will look for their offensive line to take a big step this season.  Defensively Valley returns 8 of their top 13 tacklers and this unit should improve this season.  D’Evelyn is my pick to finish in 5^th place but don’t count this team out from pushing the top teams.  D’Evelyn went 7-3 last season and reached the playoffs falling in the first round to Alamosa.  D’Evelyn was hit hard by graduation on the offensive side of the ball losing their QB, RBs, and top WR.  D’Evelyn will be reloading on the offensive side of the ball but the same is not said on the defensive side of the ball.  D’Evelyn defensively returns 7 of their top 13 tacklers.  D’Evelyn will lean heavily on the defense to start the year and they must be a top unit this year for D’Evelyn to have success.  Prospect Ridge rounds out the Patriot Central League.  Prospect Ridge went 1-8 last season as they continue to rebuild the program.  Prospect Ridge will return some key pieces from last season in QB Chase Knopf and RB Torrin Bennett.  The defense for Prospect Ridge must also improve and they return 7 of their top 13 tacklers but lose key leadership. 

My predictions for the Patriot-Central

League Champion: Platte Valley

Playoff Contenders: Platte Valley, Wellington

Dark Horse: Valley (Can they get over the hump and push for a playoff spot)

Preseason Player of the League: QB Howdy Johnson Sr. Platte Valley

Others to watch for: Bryant Beaman Sr. Platte Valley, Julian Salazar-Marquez Sr. Platte Valley, Cash Altschwater Wellington, Tanner Gray Wellington, Jamonie Law Sr. Bennett, Triston Cronk Sr. Bennett, Brody Hawes Jr. Bennett, Carson Adolf Jr. Valley, Julian Ramirez Sr. Valley, Marcus Vialpando, Brad Fuller Sr. D’Evelyn, Kafui Fiadonu Jr. D’Evelyn, Chase Knopf Sr. Prospect Ridge, Torrin Bennett Sr. Prospect Ridge,

Patriot-East

1. University

2. Brush

3. Arvada

4. Sterling

5. Weld Central

6. Timnath

The Patriot-East League only got 1 team into the playoffs last season with University reaching the Quarterfinals.  I expect this league to be improved this season and see at least 3 playoff contenders.  University is my preseason pick to win the Patriot East.  University went 7-4 last season and reached the Quarterfinals.  They lost to Classical Academy in the Quarterfinals, but I expect University to use the momentum gained from last season to make a big run.  This season University brings back experience at QB with Coel Croissant, but he will be looking for targets at WR and RB.  The offensive line for University will bring back key leadership but will have holes to fill.  Defensively University brings back 6 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 7.  Key leadership is back across the board and will have to help the inexperience get up to speed.  Brush is my pick to finish in second place.  Brush went 5-4 last season and just missed out on a playoff berth.  Brush last season leaned heavily on their defense as they gave up just 15.0 ppg and were the 5^th best defense in Class 2A.  Brush will look to be a tough unit again this year with 8 of their top 13 tacklers coming back.  The main question marks for Brush are on offense.  Brush will be searching for a QB but do return RB Tanner Ludgate.  The Offensive Line for Brush will also look to make improvements and return at least 2 starters from last year.  If Brush gets the offense figured out this year, they will be tough.  Arvada is my pick to finish in 3^rd place but also my dark horse pick to push the top teams in league and possibly a playoff spot.  Arvada went 5-4 last season and will look to build off the success gained.  Arvada returns plenty of weapons on offense with QB Trevor Lucero returning who could push for Player of the League.  Arvada also returns RB Gabriel Munguia and WR Jerriah Arellano.  Arvada will look for their offensive line to make big strides this season.  Defensively Arvada returns 9 of their top 13 tacklers and this unit must be a top 16 unit this year to push for a playoff spot. Arvada is a team who could surprise teams this year.  Sterling is my pick to finish 4^th.  Sterling went 2-7 last season, and they will look to improve on that mark.  Sterling will be searching for new playmakers at QB and RB.  Sterling does return its top two WR from last season in Kaden Maikowski and Gage Parker.  Sterling defensively returns 8 of their top 13 tacklers and this unit should improve after giving up over 400 points last season.  Weld Central is my pick to finish 5^th.  Weld Central went 2-7 last season and they will also look to improve this year.  Weld Central will be searching for a new QB but return a key leader in RB Marcello Rossi.  The offensive line for Weld Central must also improve this year as the offense barely broke 2000 yards of total offense.  Defensively Weld Central returns 7 of their top 13 tacklers but only 1 of their top 5.  Timnath wraps up the Patriot East League.  Timnath went 0-8 in their inaugural season.  They will look to make big strides this year in year #2. 

My predictions for Patriot-East

League Champion: University

Playoff Contenders: University, Brush, Arvada

Dark Horse: Arvada (Are they a true league title & playoff contender)

Preseason Player of the League: Coel Croissant Sr. University

Others to watch for: Giovanni De Santiago Sr. University, Gabe Puga Sr. University, Tanner Ludgate Sr. Brush, Cole Curtis Sr. Brush, Trevor Lucero Sr. Arvada, Gabriel Munguia Sr. Arvada, Jerriah Arellano So. Arvada, Kaden Maikowski Jr. Sterling, Ayden Gandee Jr. Sterling, Gage Parker Sr. Sterling, Marcello Rossi Jr. Weld Central, Cyler Troutner Sr. Weld Central, Vince Hochhalter Jr. Timnath,

Southwest League

1. Alamosa

2. Woodland Park

3. La Junta

4. Florence

5. Lamar

6. Manitou Springs

The Southwest League had three teams reach the playoffs last season in Alamosa, Woodland Park and Florence.  Alamosa had the deepest run reaching the Quarterfinals.  Look for 4 playoff contenders if not 5 playoff contenders this season.  I think the Southwest League could be very competitive!  Alamosa is my pick to win the Southwest League.  Alamosa went 7-4 last season reaching the Quarterfinals.  Alamosa will look to build off the momentum gained last season and push for the league title.  Alamosa will be looking for a new QB but look for Dyson Woodward to move into the starting spot.  Alamosa does return their top rusher in RJ Meis and a few top WR’s in Brant Jackson and Michael Motz.  The offensive line for Alamosa will look to make big strides this season and return all 5 starters.  Defensively Alamosa will hope to improve on their 22^nd ranked defense.  Alamosa will return 9 of their top 13 tacklers.  Woodland Park is my pick to finish in second place.  Woodland Park went 6-4 last season and made a trip to the playoffs.  Woodland Park will hope last season success can translate into another playoff run this season.  Woodland Park will get key pieces back at QB with Bryce Broeker and RB Aidan Hood coming back.  The offensive line for Woodland Park will have some holes with possibly just 1 starter coming back.  Defensively Woodland Park had a top 10 defense last season and could stay in the top 10 this year.  Woodland Park returns 8 of their top 13.  La Junta is my pick to finish in 3^rd place.  La Junta went 5-4 last season and missed the playoffs.  La Junta will look to break that streak and make it back to the playoffs.  La Junta returns QB Rylan Schmidt and RB Ethan Leyba.  The biggest question mark for La Junta is their offensive line.  Defensively La Junta will look to build upon their top 10 defense from a season ago.  La Junta returns 9 of their top 13 tacklers including key leadership.  Florence is my pick to finish in 4^th but don’t count Florence out of the league title race as they have great tradition and could easily push for that league crown.  Florence will have some key holes to fill losing their QB and top RB from last season.  The offensive line for Florence will be the main stay.  Florence returns at least 2 starters on the offensive line but look for this unit to really dominate this year.  Defensively Florence returns 5 of their top 13 tacklers including key leadership in Gunner Busetti and Tanner Wrast.  Lamar is my pick to finish in 5^th place and my dark horse pick to reach the playoffs.  Lamar has been a young team, but can they put everything together and push for the playoffs.  Lamar went 2-7 last season winning their first game and their last game.  Lamar offensively returns QB Dylan Vasquez, RB Raif Kee, and WR Austin Thacker.  Defensively Lamar must improve, and they should returning 8 of their top 13 tacklers.  Manitou Springs rounds out the Southwest League.  Manitou Springs went 3-6 last season but 0-5 in league play.  Manitou Springs returns talent on offense with QB Nate Gentzel and RB Logan Moore.  Manitou Springs will be searching for new WRs, and the main question mark is their offensive line and they must improve!  Defensively Manitou Springs should see big improvement this season.  Manitou Springs to jump up in the standings must improve on giving up over 330 points last year and they should as they return 12 of their top 13 tacklers.

My predictions for Southwest League

League Champion: Alamosa

Playoff Contenders: Alamosa, Woodland Park, La Junta, Florence

Dark Horse: Lamar (They have been a young team can they make strides to push for a playoff spot)

Preseason Player of the League: RB RJ Meis Sr. Alamosa

Others to watch for: Dyson Woodward Jr. Alamosa, Brant Jackson Sr. Alamosa, Karter Tolsma Sr. Alamosa, Bryce Broeker Sr. Woodland Park, Aidan Hood Jr. Woodland Park, Griffin King Sr. Woodland Park, Rylan Schmidt Jr. La Junta, Luke Garner Sr. La Junta, Ethan Leyba Sr. La Junta, AJ Martinez Sr. La Junta, Gunner Busetti Sr. Florence, Tanner Wrast Sr. Florence, Logan Moore Jr. Manitou Springs, Nate Gentzel Sr. Manitou Springs

Western Slope League

1. Rifle

2. Basalt

3. Moffat County

4. Aspen

5. Grand Valley

6. Coal Ridge

The Western Slope League had 3 teams make the playoffs last season in Rifle, Basalt and Moffat County and Rifle had the biggest run reaching the Quarterfinals.  The Western Slope League could be down a bit this season, but I still expect at least two teams to reach the playoffs if not more.  Rifle is my preseason pick to win the Western Slope League.  Rifle had a great season a year ago and had one of the biggest upsets last season upsetting #3 Florence in the first round.  Rifle went 6-5 last season and reached the Quarterfinals.  Rifle will look to build off last season and return their main offensive weapon at QB Logan Gross.  Rifle will be searching for a new RB.  The offensive line for Rifle will lose some key pieces but have plenty of size coming back.  Gaining experience for the offensive line will be key.  Defensively Rifle will look to build off their 14^th ranked defense and should with 9 of their top 13 tacklers coming back.  Basalt is my pick to finish in second place. Basalt made the playoffs last season but fell in the Quarterfinals to eventual state champions Eaton.  Basalt has been a traditional power in the Western Slope league.  Basalt will have some holes to fill in their skill position group losing their QB and top RB to graduation.  The big thing for Basalt this year is they return their entire offensive line and will have to anchor the young skill group.  Defensively Basalt will also have holes as they return just 5 of their top 13 tackles but, return key leadership with 5 of their 7 top tacklers all coming back.  Moffat County is my pick to finish in 3^rd.  Moffat County reached the playoffs last season falling in the first round to TCA.  Moffat County had a 7-3 record a season ago but have some key holes to fill this year.  Moffat County loses their top two RBs from last season but return QB Evan Beaver and RB Aron Aguilar.  The offensive line for Moffat County will be doing some rebuilding as they possibly lose 3 or more starters.  Defensively Moffat County returns 7 of their top 13 tacklers but key leadership does graduate.  Aspen, Grand Valley, and Coal Ridge are the bottom 3 teams in the Western Slope and they are all my dark hose because who of the 3 can improve to push the top 3 teams and who also can push for a playoff spot.  Aspen gets my early edge for the #4 spot.  Aspen went 2-7 last season and they lose their #1 QB but their back Tanner Benson took plenty of snaps and should take over this year.  Aspen also returns 2 of their top 3 WRs from last season in Henry Hurd and Landen Thurber.  The offensive line for Aspen must also make strides this season.  Defensively Aspen returns 9 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 5.  This unit will have to make the biggest progress this season if Aspen plans on making a trip to the playoffs.  Grand Valley is my pick for 5^th place.  Grand Valley went 4-5 last season but did not make the playoffs.  Grand Valley offensively returns their QB in Andrew Horner but will be searching for RBs as the top 3 all graduates.  Defensively Grand Valley returns 7 of their top 13 tacklers but key leadership is gone with just 1 of their top 5 tacklers coming back.  Coal Ridge rounds out the Western Slope League.  Coal Ridge went 2-7 last season and 0-5 in league.  Coal Ridge will look to continue to rebuild the program and I think we see good strides this year with a junior heavy team.  Coal Ridge will look for QB Regan Powell to take a bigger role.  The other skill position will also be maned by juniors this season.  Defensively Coal Ridge should improve this year returning 9 of their top 13 tacklers including 3 of their top 5.

My predictions for Western Slope

League Champion: Rifle

Playoff Contenders: Rifle, Basalt, Moffat County

Dark Horse: Aspen, Grand Valley, Coal Ridge (Can any of these 3 teams push into the top 3 and push for a playoff spot)

Preseason Player of the League: QB Logan Gross Sr. Rifle

Others to watch for: Isaac Valencia Jr. Rifle, Parker Miller Sr. Rifle, Jesus Martinez Sr. Rifle, Offensive Line Basalt, Noah Johnston Sr. Basalt, William Daniel Jr. Basalt, Mav Dombrowski Sr. Basalt, Aron Aguilar Sr. Moffat County, Zachary Hedman Jr. Moffat County, Evan Beaver Sr. Moffat County, Tanner Benson Sr. Aspen, Henry Hurd Jr. Aspen, Landen Thurber Jr. Aspen, Andrew Horner Jr. Grand Valley, Mason Schoppner Jr. Grand Valley, Grayson Isenhart Jr. Coal Ridge, Carter Coon Jr. Coal Ridge

MileHigh Prep Reports Playoff Predictions

I am just picking the 16 teams I think make the playoffs, not in any order

Elizabeth

Englewood

Eaton

Berthoud

Delta

Montezuma-Cortez

Platte Valley

University

Brush

Arvada

Alamosa

Woodland Park

La Junta

Florence

Rifle

Basalt