6-Man League Predictions (All Leagues)
We move into the 6-man ranks and I will give my league predictions. I will be doing 8-Man and 6-Man different than 1A and 2A because Kerry Sherman did a full break down of each team, that article is posted below. I am not splitting 6-Man into two articles. For this article I will explain why I am doing my predictions. At the end I will have the 16 teams I think will make the playoffs.
6-Man Season Preview Article:
6-Man League 1
1. Fleming
2. Peetz
3. Prairie
4. North Park
5. Briggsdale
6. Weldon Valley
League One has traditionally been one of the tougher leagues in 6-Man Football. I do think this league will take a small step backwards this season due to many teams being younger and inexperienced but still look for this league to get 3 maybe 4 teams into the playoffs. Fleming is my preseason pick to win League 1. Fleming reached the state championship last season falling to Stratton and they will have some big holes to fill. Fleming will be searching for new playmakers at the skill positions on offense. Defensively Fleming returns 3 of their top 6 tacklers and this unit will be young but still a tough unit. The reason I have Fleming winning the league is coaching. Coach King is the x-factor, and he will have his kids ready to go. Peetz is my pick to finish in second, but I expect them to be in the league title race. Peetz I my opinion returns the most in terms of skill position players, but their lack of recent success is why I have them at #2. Peetz key to the season is staying healthy. Peetz will return QB Chance Segelke, RB Rhyder Bayne, and WR Noah Naegele. Defensively Peetz returns 7 of their top 8 tacklers and returns leading tackler from 2021 in Aidan Hill. I think Peetz could easily be in the league title hunt. Prairie is my pick to finish in third place. Prairie will also be inexperienced at the skill positions. Prairie does return 5 of their top 8 tacklers on defense and this unit will be very important early until players step up on offense. Prairie will be inexperienced but still expect them to be a factor in the league title and playoff contention. Peetz is my pick to finish third, but I expect them to be in the league title race. Peetz I my opinion returns the most in terms of skill position players, but their lack of recent success is why I have them at #2. Peetz key to the season is staying healthy. Peetz will return QB Chance Segelke, RB Rhyder Bayne, and WR Noah Naegele. Defensively Peetz returns 7 of their top 8 tacklers and returns leading tackler from 2021 in Aidan Hill. I think Peetz could easily be in the league title hunt. North Park is my pick to finish in 4th place, but I also believe could still be a playoff contender. North Park lose a good senior class but have weapons back offensively that could make them a threat. North Park will be searching for a new QB but return their top 3 rushers from a year ago in Makeon Crum, Gavin Pittington, and Cameron Gonzales. My main concern for North Park this season is defense. North Park returns 4 of their top 8 tacklers but lose their #1 tackler. If North Park gets the QB situation figured out and the defense watch out for them again this season. Briggsdale is my pick to finish 5th and my dark horse pick to make the playoffs. Briggsdale offensively will be in good shape returning QB Tanner Fiscus along with #2 rusher Kaeden Gebauer. I think the key for Briggsdale will be keeping QB Tanner Fiscus healthy and this offense could have a big season. Defensively Briggsdale will have the most hills to fill returning 4 of their top 8 tacklers and just 1 of their top 4. I do think Briggsdale could be in the league title discussion but will have to improve on defense and look for a big season from the QB. Weldon Valley rounds out league 1. Weldon Valley went 2-7 last season and they are looking for some youth to step up this season. They did not post stats last season.
My predictions for the League One
League Champion: Fleming
Playoff Contenders: Fleming, Prairie, Peetz, Briggsdale, North Park
Dark Horse: Briggsdale (Can the build on what is returning and make a push for the playoffs.)
Player of the League: Rhyder Bayne So. Peetz
Others to watch for: Matix Haney Sr. Fleming, Wyatt Cochran Sr. Fleming, Wyatt Butler Sr. Prairie, Justin Schreiner Jr. Prairie, Chance Segelke Sr. Peetz, Noah Naegele Sr. Peetz, Aidan Hill Sr. Peetz, Tanner Fiscus Sr. Briggsdale, Dallas Glass Jr. Briggsdale, Kaeden Gebauer Sr. Briggsdale,
East Central League
1. Stratton
2. Otis
3. Genoa-Hugo
4. Idalia
5. Arickaree
6. Hi-Plains
The East Central league will be one of the tougher leagues in 6-Man this season. It is also home to the defending State Champions in Stratton. Stratton will again be the favorite to not only win league but win the State Title. Stratton is my preseason pick to win the East Central League. Stratton offensively will be loaded with QB Charlie Tagtmeyer, RB Cyler Notter, and the offensive line returning. Also look for back up RBs in Stockton Fye, Avery Archuleta, and Von Isenbart to have bigger roles this season. Defensively Stratton returns 6 of their top 8 tacklers including 3 of their top 4. Stratton is reloaded and looking for another state title. Otis is my pick to finish in second. Otis will look to build off last season’s success which saw them reach the Semifinals. Otis offensively will also return plenty of talent including QB Carter Wells who was hurt last season. Otis does return RB Tayte Smith and he will be the main workhorse. I will be interested to see who steps up around Smith on offense. Defensively Otis returns 5 of their top 8 tacklers including 3 of their top 4. Otis will be a huge threat this season. My only concern is who else steps up on offense. Genoa-Hugo is my pick for third place. Genoa-Hugo offensively will be explosive with QB Trey Smith and RB/WR Konner Rowden-Stum. Genoa-Hugo will need other playmakers to step up. Defensively Genoa-Hugo must improve. They return 5 of their top 8 tacklers including 3 of their top 4. Genoa-Hugo will need to see their defense improve if they plan on threating for the league crown. Idalia is my pick to finish in 4th. Idalia was hit hard by the injury bug last season but could be a silver lining as many younger players got big experience. Offensively Idalia returns QB Tate Towns but will be searching for new running backs to step up. Defensively Idalia returns 5 of their top 8, including their top two tacklers from last season. Idalia will have plenty of question marks to answer on both sides of the ball and that is why I have them at #4. Arickaree falls into the #5 spot but also my dark horse to push for the playoffs. Arickaree will have some big holes to fill on offense losing their main weapons from a season ago. Defensively Arickaree returns 4 of their top 8 tacklers including 2 of their top 4. If Arickaree gets the offense going I think they could push for the playoffs especially with the experience returning on defense. Hi-Plains rounds out the East Central League. Hi-Plains went 1-8 last season and will hope to continue to rebuild their program. Hi-Plains did not post stats from last season.
My predictions for the East Central League
League Champion: Stratton
Playoff Contenders: Stratton, Genoa-Hugo, Otis, Idalia, Arickaree
Dark Horse: Arickaree (Can their youth step up this season to get them into the playoffs)
Player of the League: RB/LB Cyler Notter Sr. Stratton
Others to watch for: Charlie Tagtmeyer Sr. Stratton, Avery Archuleta Sr. Stratton, Stockton Fye Jr. Stratton, Brody Webb Jr. Stratton, Dawson Thompson Sr. Stratton, Charlie Kendrick Jr. Otis, Tayte Smith Jr. Otis, Bohden Klinzmann Sr. Otis, Carter Wells Sr. Otis, Trey Smith Sr. Genoa-Hugo, Konner Rowden-Stum Sr. Genoa-Hugo, Brady Simmons Jr. Genoa-Hugo, Zarron Skubal Jr. Arickaree, Austin Wright So. Arickaree, Nic Hermes Sr. Arickaree,
6-Man League Three
1. Hanover
2. Deer Trail
3. Kiowa
4. Miami-Yoder
5. Bethune
6. Manzanola
League Three is one of the weaker leagues in 6-Man. They had just 1 team make the playoffs last season and could see just 2 teams be in playoff contention this season. Hanover is my preseason pick to win League three. Hanover is a junior led team and could be a huge year for this team. Hanover offensively returns QB Tyler Decker along with running backs David Byers and Junior Diaz. Hanover should see their offense take a big step forward this year. Defensively Hanover returns 6 of their top 8 tacklers including 3 of their top 4. Hanover must see growth this season. Deer Trail is my pick to finish in second place. Deer Trail had their most successful year in a long time going 7-3 and they will look to build on that. Deer Trail offensively returns key weapons with QB Raul Manriquez and RB Elvin Castro coming back. Who else steps up around them will be key for Deer Trail to have a big season. Defensively Deer Trail returns 6 of their top 8 tacklers including 3 of their top 4. Deer Trail falls behind Hanover in my predictions because Deer Trail needs more playmakers to step up. After the top two teams things get much more murky. I am leaning Kiowa to finish in 3rd place. Kiowa went 4-6 last season. They return a key pieces offensively with RB Austin Brogger and Aj Gonzales coming back. Defensively they return 4 of their top 8 tacklers but lose their leading tacklers from last season. I am going Kiowa in the #3 spot due to what is coming back their recent success. Miami-Yoder is my pick to finish in 4th. Miami-Yoder won 2 games last season including wins against the two teams behind them in my predictions. Miami-Yoder will look to finish the season and stay healthy. Miami-Yoder has key pieces back offensively with RB Gavin Howard who ran for over 1000 yards in 4 games. If he can stay healthy Miami-Yoder could push for a top 3 finish. Defensively Miami-Yoder returns their entire roster. That is the key for Miami-Yoder is health. Bethune is my pick to finish in 5th place. Bethune completed their first varsity season last year since 2015. Bethune will hope to grow from last season and will look for Jesus Barraza to carry the offense. Bethune will need players to step up around him to find more success this year. Manzanola rounds out League 3. They went 0-10 last season and did not post any stats.
My predictions for League 3
League Champion: Hanover
Playoff Contenders: Hanover & Deer Trail
Dark Horse: The rest of the league (Who else steps up after Hanover and Deer Trail to push for a playoff spot)
Player of the League: QB Tyler Decker Jr. Hanover
Others to watch for: David Byers Jr. Hanover, Junior Diaz Jr. Hanover, JJ Aguilar Jr. Hanover, Julian Guevara Jr. Deer Trail, Elvin Castro Jr. Deer Trail, Raul Manriquez Jr. Deer Trail, Austin Brogger Jr. Kiowa, AJ Gonzales So. Kiowa, Zayden Kalisch So. Kiowa, Gavin Howard Jr. Miami-Yoder, James Orozco Sr. Miami-Yoder, Jesus Barraza Sr. Bethune, Carlos Ortiz Sr. Bethune,
East League
1. Cheyenne Wells
2. Granada
3. Walsh
4. Cheraw
5. Eads
6. Kit Carson
The East League is another very tough league with the winner usually making an impact in the playoffs. Last season the East league had 4 teams make the playoffs. Cheyenne Wells is my preseason pick to win the East League. Cheyenne Wells built well off a inexperienced team last season and they will look to take the next step this year. Cheyenne Wells will lose two seniors who were very important offensively and that is my main concern is who steps up this year. Cheyenne Wells offensively will look for QB Perry Chadwick and WR Carson Noe to step up. The RB position will be the one to watch who steps up. Defensively Cheyenne Wells will be tough returning 7 of their top 8 tacklers. Cheyenne Wells has the main question marks on offense, but I still see this team as a top team in the state. Granada is my pick to finish in second. Granada will have some key holes to fill on both sides of the ball but return key leadership to make them a very dangerous team. Granada returns Ath. Maddox Coleman and RB Jonus Guevara. These two will make the offense very tough to handle. Defensively Granada will look for other players to step up returning just 3 of their top 8 tacklers. Granada, I have in the #2 spot due to what they lost but they have the leadership back and great coaching to make them a threat for the league title. Walsh is my pick to finish in 3rd but be a playoff contender. Walsh continue to build success and they took a big step last season going 4-6 and being competitive against playoff teams. Walsh will now look to take the next step and reach the playoffs. Walsh returns key pieces in QB Cody Malone and RBs Leyton Jones and Ethan Barwick. Offensively Walsh will be very physical this season. Defensively Walsh returns their entire roster. We will see if Walsh grew as a team this offseason and what sort of noise they can make this year. Cheraw is my pick to finish in 4th but still be a playoff contender. Cheraw returns key players offensively to push them into the playoffs. Cheraw returns QB Tim Provost and #2 RB Trenton Rader. Cheraw will be searching for new WR to step up this year. Defensively Cheraw returns 4 of their top 8 tacklers including 2 of their top 4. Cheraw falls into the #4 spot because I think they lost some key pieces from last seasons team. I still think Cheraw has enough talent back to push the top teams in league. Eads is my pick to finish in 5th place and my dark horse pick to make the playoffs. Eads will have some big holes to fill, especially if Porter Spady is out the entire season with an injury. Eads will lean heavily on RB Stockton Mitchek until some youth can step up around him. Defensively Eads returns 5 of their top 8 tacklers. Eads will lean heavily on some depth this year to step up. Kit Carson rounds out the East League. Kit Carson went 2-7 last season and will look to build on last year’s success. Kit Carson did not post any stats.
My predictions for the East League
League Champion: Cheyenne Wells
Playoff Contenders: Cheyenne Wells, Granada, Walsh, Cheraw, Eads
Dark Horse: Eads (They lose some key talent to injuries and transfers who else steps up)
Player of the League: Athlete Maddox Coleman Jr. Granada
Others to watch for: Trey Scheler So. Cheyenne Wells, Zach Dickey Jr. Cheyenne Wells, Perry Chadwick Sr. Cheyenne Wells, Carson Noe Sr. Cheyenne Wells, Maddox Coleman Jr. Granada, Jonus Guevara Sr. Granada, Terence Hainer Jr. Granada, Leyton Jones Sr. Walsh, Ethan Barwick Jr. Walsh, Axeton Bishop Sr. Walsh, Wyatt Beecham So. Walsh, Tim Provost Jr. Cheraw, Trenton Rader Sr. Cheraw, Braden Stoker Jr. Cheraw, Porter Spady Sr. Eads (If Healthy), Stockton Mitchek Jr. Eads, Keenan Smith Sr. Eads,
Southwest League
1. Branson/Kim
2. Sierra Grande
3. La Veta
4. Mountain Valley
5. Primero
6. Sangre De Cristo
The Southwest League continues to get better and has had some success in the playoffs. The Southwest League still lacks a deep run but has been competitive against the Eastern Plain teams. Branson/Kim is my preseason pick to win the Southwest League. Branson/Kim has been one of the more consistent teams in 6-Man. They will look to continue that this season and make a deeper playoff run. Branson/Kim lose a huge piece with their top running back graduating. Branson/Kim does return their QB Owen Doherty, #2 RB Brock Doherty, and WR Kolter Cranson. Branson/Kim has the talent offensively to be a top team. Defensively Branson/Kim returns 6 of their top 8 tacklers. Branson/Kim has some holes to fill but I think could be a top team this year. Sierra Grande is my pick for second place. Sierra Grande is another team who has become a consistent playoff contender. Sierra Grande will have some key holes to fill losing their top running back. Sierra Grande does return QB Aron Ojeda who is coming off a successful sophomore season. Sierra Grande will look for some other playmakers to step up around him. Look for Brian Ontiveros and Adrian Casados to be some of those players. Defensively Sierra Grande returns 4 of their top 8 tacklers. Sierra Grande will be a team who could be dangerous if they find some other big playmakers. La Veta is my pick to finish in 3rd place and a playoff contender. La Veta just missed the playoffs a season ago and will return some key pieces to push for the playoffs. La Veta returns QB Jessey Montunnas, #2 RB Brayden Nix, and WR Kade Andreatta. La Veta defensively will have the most question marks returning just 3 of their top 8 tacklers. La Veta does return their top 2 tacklers to be leaders on the defense. La Veta is in the #3 spot due to their defense. Mountain Valley is my pick for fourth place and my dark horse pick to reach the playoffs. Mountain Valley is another team returning key skill players that could push the top teams in league and push for a playoff spot. Mountain Valley returns QB Riley Heater and RB Jacob Martinez. These two plus some incoming freshman will make this team very dangerous on offense. Defensively Mountain Valley returns 4 of their top 8 tacklers but returns key leadership. I am putting Mountain Valley in fourth place because they have some key losses and will lean heavily on incoming freshman. Primero is my 5th place pick. Primero went 1-8 last season but were and still are very young going into this season. Primero is led by Junior and look for them to take a step forward this year and be a huge threat next year. Primero is led by QB Xavier Garcia, RB Marcus Hahn, and RB Brett Kendall. Primero defensively returns their entire roster. I think Primero is still one year away from winning the league title but expect a huge step this year. Sangre De Cristo rounds out the Southwest League. Sangre De Cristo went 2-7 last season in their first year of 6-Man. Sangre De Cristo will look to rebuild this once storied program. They did not post stats from last year.
My predictions for the Southwest League
League Champion: Branson/Kim
Playoff Contenders: Branson/Kim, Sierra Grand, La Veta
Dark Horse: Mountain Valley (returns key pieces and have a talented freshman class)
Player of the League: QB Aron Ojeda Jr. Sierra Grande
Others to watch for: Owen Doherty Sr. Branson/Kim, Brock Doherty Sr. Branson/Kim, Kolter Cranson Jr. Branson/Kim, Tyler Kester Sr. Sierra Grande, Brian Ontiveros Sr. Sierra Grande, Adrian Casados Sr. Sierra Grande, Jessey Montunnas Sr. La Veta, Brayden Nix Sr. La Veta, Kade Andreatta Sr. La Veta, Jacob Martinez Sr. Mountain Valley, Riley Heater Sr. Mountain Valley, Xavier Garcia Jr. Primero, Marcus Hahn Jr. Primero, Brett Kendall Jr. Primero, Kevin Acuna Jr. Primero,
Playoff Predictions
These are the 16 teams I think will make the playoffs, no particular order.
Fleming
Peetz
Prairie
North Park
Stratton
Otis
Genoa-Hugo
Idalia
Hanover
Cheyenne Wells
Granada
Walsh
Cheraw
Branson/Kim
Sierra Grande
La Veta
Just Outside
Briggsdale, Arickaree, Deer Trail, Eads, Mountain Valley
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