Class 1A League Predictions (North Central, Frontier, Longs Peak)
I have decided to only do 3 or 4 leagues at a time instead of the full 6 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.
North Central League
1. Limon
2. Wray
3. Holyoke
4. Burlington
5. Wiggins
6. Yuma
The North Central League had all 6 teams make the playoffs last season and of course the State Champion was Limon from this league. The North Central League is touted as the toughest league in Class 1A and it’s hard to argue against that. The North Central this season will again be one of the toughest leagues with all 6 teams in playoff contention. Limon is my preseason pick to win the North Central and the preseason favorite to win the State Championship. Limon went 13-0 last season and is your defending state champions. 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. Wray is my pick to finish in second place and a playoff contender. Wray went 9-4 last season and reached the state championship falling to Limon. 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. Holyoke is my pick to finish in 3rd place. Holyoke went 4-6 last season with a trip to the playoffs. Holyoke lost in the first round to Monte Vista but will look to build off last season success. 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. Burlington is my pick to finish in 4th but also a playoff contender. Burlington went 2-8 last season but reached the playoffs losing in the first round to Strasburg. Burlington this season will look to build off last year’s 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. 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. Wiggins is my pick to finish in 5th place and my dark horse pick to finish higher in the league standings. Wiggins went 7-4 last season with a trip to the Quarterfinals where they fell in a close matchup with 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. Yuma round out the North Central League. Yuma finished 7-4 with a trip to the Quarterfinals. Yuma will have some big holes to fill this season but still considered a playoff contender. Yuma will be searching for new playmakers across the board, but we will see who steps up and fills those rolls. Silas Baucke could be one of those players on the offensive side of the ball. Defensively Yuma was also hit hard by graduation but have some players back to help be leaders this season. Yuma has the most holes to fill this year but have had great tradition so don’t expect much of a drop off.
My predictions for the North Central
League Champion: Limon
Playoff Contenders: Limon, Wray, Holyoke, Burlington, Wiggins, Yuma
Dark Horse: Wiggins (They lose a great senior class but have built a tradition can they challenge for the league crown and a playoff spot)
Player of the League: LB/OL Treyton Marx
Others to watch for: Jordan Rockwell Sr. Limon, Logan Bottjer Sr. Limon, Treyton Marx Sr. Limon, Keon Bandy Sr. Limon, Ahren Schubarth Sr. Limon, Casey Midcap Jr. Wray, Samuel Meisner Jr. Wray, Ben Harms Sr. Wray, Wyatt Sprague Sr. Holyoke, Tyson Mosenteen Sr. Holyoke, Cash Weber Sr. Holyoke, Bryson Dirks Sr. Holyoke, Reid Sprague Jr. Holyoke, Angel Vela Sr. Burlington, Matthew Guiterrez Sr. Burlington, Treton Smith Sr. Burlington, Stanton Cure Jr. Burlington, Tyler Dilka Jr. Wiggins, Jr Meyer Jr. Wiggins, Americo Lorenzini Sr. Wiggins, Silas Baucke Sr. Yuma, Trey Stegman Sr. Yuma
Frontier League
1. Strasburg
2. Platte Canyon
3. Denver Christian
4. Middle Park
5. Jefferson
6. Clear Creek
The Frontier League was one of the weaker leagues in Class 1A last season and I don’t expect much to change heading into 2023. The Frontier League had just 1 team make the playoffs last season, but I could see 2 maybe 3 teams push into contention this season. Strasburg is my preseason pick to win the Frontier League. Strasburg went 10-2 last season and made a trip to the playoffs. Strasburg lost in the Semifinals to Wray 28-0, and they will be looking to duplicate & exceed that result this year. 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. Platte Canyon is my pick to finish in second and I believe are a playoff contender. Platte Canyon went 5-4 last season and missed the playoffs. 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. Denver Christian is my pick to finish in third and my dark horse pick to make a run for a playoff spot. Denver Christian completed their first season of 11-man football last season and went 4-5. Denver Christian will look to build off last seasons success and make the playoffs. Denver Christian offensively returns QB Nathan Buehrer, RB Luke Booysen, and WR Calvin Davidson. The Offensive line for Denver Christian returns at least 3 starters and could be the backbone for the team this year. Defensively Denver Christian must improve and will have some holes to fill returning just 7 of their top 13 tacklers and just 2 of their top 6. Middle Park is my pick to finish 4th. Middle Park went 5-4 last season and missed the playoffs. Middle Park will hope to build off last season and make the playoffs. Middle Park will have some holes to fill offensively like the QB position. #1 & #2 RBs Lucas Conger and Marques Pasillas both return and look for their roles to increase. Defensively Middle Park should improve this season returning 9 of their top 13 tacklers but lose their top 2 from last season. Middle Park could also be a dark horse to make a push for a playoff spot. Jefferson is my pick to finish in 5th place. Jefferson went 2-7 last season. They have playmakers but can they put everything together to push for a playoff spot. Jefferson returns QB Demitrias Martinez, but he will be looking for new playmakers around him. Defensively Jefferson returns 10 of their top 13 tacklers and this unit must improve and help carry a young offense. The final team to mention in the Frontier League is Clear Creek. Clear Creek went 2-7 last season but struggled to put together multiple wins. Clear Creek will return some key pieces from last season as they try and make a run for the playoffs. Clear Creek returns QB Jacob Young and #2 RB/WR Logan Ginter. Clear Creek must improve on the offensive line this season. Defensively Clear Creek was young last season starting many sophomores and juniors so this side of the ball should improve drastically. Clear Creek returns 11 of their top 13 tacklers.
My predictions for the Frontier League
League Champion: Strasburg
Playoff Contenders: Strasburg, Platte Canyon, Denver Christian
Dark Horse: Denver Christian (Can they truly be a playoff contender)
Player of the League: QB Landon Martin Sr. Strasburg
Others to watch for: Thomas Devlin Sr. Strasburg, Austin Velasco Sr. Strasburg, Al Dickens Sr. Strasburg, DJ Cannon Sr. Strasburg, Sam Patterson Sr. Platte Canyon, Kamron Skouge Sr. Platte Canyon, Dean McMahen Sr. Platte Canyon, Nathan Buehrer Sr. Denver Christian, Calvin Davidson Sr. Denver Christian, Lucas Conger Sr. Middle Park, Marques Pasillas Jr. Middle Park, Demitrias Martinez Jr. Jefferson, Sebastian Torres Sr. Jefferson, Tim Gomez Sr. Jefferson, Sebastian Torres Sr. Jefferson, Enzo Hernandez So. Jefferson, Logan Ginter Jr. Clear Creek, Jacob Young Jr. Clear Creek, Asher Isaacson Jr. Clear Creek
Longs Peak League
1. Manual
2. Highland
3. Estes Park
4. Flatirons Academy
5. Pinnacle
6. Sheridan
The Longs Peak League had just 1 team qualify for the playoffs last season and that was Flatirons Academy. The Longs Peak League is considered to be the weakest league in Class 1A. They should see a slight improvement with possibly 2 or 3 teams fighting for a playoff spot. Manual is my preseason pick to win the Longs Peak League. Manual went 5-4 last season and missed the playoffs. Manual has a ton of weapons coming back but the question is can they put a whole season together. Manual returns QB Cartail Dickey along with RB Deamonte Maynard and WR Deshawn Fox. The offensive line must make the biggest improvements this season. Defensively Manual returns 9 of their top 13 tacklers but lose 3 of their top 5. Leadership must step up for Manual on defense, but this could be their year to make the playoffs. Highland is my pick to finish in second. Highland, I think is also a playoff contender but needed to put the offseason work in. Highland went 3-6 last season but were young and inexperienced. Highland this year returns QB John Bingley, RB Issac Desantiago, and WR Brogan Palmer. The offensive line will need to make the biggest improvement and I believe return at least 3 starters. Defensively Highland returns 11 of their top 13 tacklers but the seniors they lost were the leaders. Highland should improve this year and I think be playoff contenders. Estes Park is my pick to finish in 3rd place. Estes Park went 7-2 last season but did not make the playoffs, mainly due to their weaker schedule. Estes Park this year will hope to make the playoffs this season. Estes Park returns one of the better QBs in 1A with Ryland Reetz who threw over 2700 yards last season. He will have his main weapon back with Jose Gonzalez and Matthew Asche. Estes Park will have some holes to fill on the offensive line with possibly just 1 starter coming back. Defensively Estes Park must improve against top rushing teams. Estes Park will return 8 of their top 13 tacklers including 3 of their top 5. Flatirons Academy is my pick to finish 4th. Flatirons Academy went 7-3 last season and made the playoffs falling in the first round to Limon. Flatirons Academy was hit hard by graduation losing their QB and top RB and that takes over 1900 yards off the board. Flatirons Academy will be searching for new playmakers, but they run a run heavy system and should find some new RBs. Defensively Flatirons Academy returns 8 of their top 13 tacklers but lose key leadership. Flatirons Academy will lean on Angela Marie-Burgess and Rex Beck to step up this year. Pinnacle is my pick for 5th place. Pinnacle went 2-7 last season and picked up one win by FF. Pinnacle will look to continue to rebuild the program and make a push to improve this season. Pinnacle will be searching for a new QB and RB this season. Defensively Pinnacle returns 6 of their top 13 tacklers with key leadership back in Alfredo Zamudio Moctezuma and Jacob Madrid. The final team to mention is Sheridan. Sheridan went 0-9 last season and did not finish the season forfeiting their final 5 games. Sheridan will look to finish the season and start a rebuild of their program.
My predictions for Long Peak League
League Champion: Manual
Playoff Contenders: Manual, Highland, Estes Park
Dark Horse: Longs Peak League (Can the league produce more than one Playoff Contender)
Player of the League: Cartail Dickey Sr. Manual
Others to watch for: Deamonte Maynard Sr. Manual, Deshawn Fox Sr. Manual, Ryland Reetz Sr. Estes Park, Jose Gonzalez Sr. Estes Park, John Bingley Jr. Highland, Issac Desantiago Sr. Highland, Ira Sittner Jr. Highland, Rex Beck Jr. Flatirons Academy, Angela Maria-Burgess Jr. Flatirons Academy, Alfredo Zamudio Mocezuma Sr. Pinnacle, Jacob Madrid Sr. Pinnacle,
Class 1A Playoff Team Predictions
I am just giving the 16 teams I think make the playoffs, no particular order.
Meeker
North Fork
Gunnison
Buena Vista
Centauri
Monte Vista
Rye
Banning Lewis
Limon
Wray
Holyoke
Burlington
Wiggins
Strasburg
Platte Canyon
Manual
Teams in the mix
Highland, Cedaredge, Yuma, Estes Park, Denver Christian, Center, C.S Christian, Peyton
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