MileHigh Prep Reports Top Returning Defense’s Class 1A
Picking the best returning defenses is not an easy task but of course it’s always fun to take a look at. I am using PPG 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 Class 1A Top 10 tomorrow.
| High School | Notes |
| Wray | Their defense gave up 270 points last year which was 25th best in Class 1A. If you look at PPG Wray only gave up 22.5 PPG which was near the top 15 in Class 1A. Wray will return a loaded defense this season with 12 of their top 13 tacklers coming back including their top 6 tacklers from last season. Wray should have a top 10 defense this year. |
| C.S Christian | Their defense gave up 219 points last year which was 16th best in Class 1A. C.S Christian only gave up 21.9 ppg and would be a top 10 defense in terms of ppg. C.S Christian will look to make improvements on defense this year and they return 10 of their top 13 tacklers this season including 5 of their top 6. C.S Christian will be very tough on all 3 levels brining back their top 3 sack leaders and top 3 DBs. |
| Forge Christian | Their defense gave up 200 points last year which was 13th best in Class 2A. Forge Christian will return a solid core to their defense brining back 10 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 6. Forge Christian will look to improve to a top 10 defense this year and they should make an impact in their first year in Class 1A. |
| Limon | Their defense gave up 166 points last year which was 5th best in Class 1A. Limon gave up just 12.8 ppg last season and are the defending State Champions. Limon will have some reloading to do this season brining back just 6 of their top 13 tackles and just 1 of their top 6. Limon is still a threat this season and cannot be overlooked. Expect their defense to still be a top 12 unit. |
| Monte Vista | Their defense gave up 198 points last year which was 10th best in Class 1A. Monte Vista will be looking for a return trip to the playoffs and their defense will be key. Monte Vista returns 11 of their top 13 tacklers from a season ago including 5 of their top 6. They do lose their top tackler so who steps up as a leader will be key for Monte Vista. |
| Platte Valley | Their defense gave up 168 points last year which was 9th best in Class 2A. Platte Valley moves from Class 2A down to Class 1A and they bring a top defensive unit to the table. Platte Valley returns 8 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 6. This unit should be a top defensive unit this season. |
| Buena Vista | Their defense gave up 190 points last year which was 8th best in Class 1A. Buena Vista will bring back a solid defensive core from last year with 8 of their top 13 tacklers coming back. Buena Vista will also have solid leadership back with 3 of their top 6 tacklers coming back. Buena Vista will have to improve on the pass rush part of their defense as they lose their top 3 sack leaders from a season ago. |
| Holyoke | Their defense gave up 89 points last year which was 2nd best in Class 1A. Holyoke is losing a ton of fire power on the offensive side of the ball, but their defense should still be a top unit this year. Holyoke returns 8 of their top 13 tacklers and 3 of their top 6. The defense for Holyoke may have to carry a young skill position group but look for this defense to help keep them in games. |
| Cedaredge | Their defense gave up 195 points last year which was 9th best in Class 1A. Cedaredge will be looking to make back-to-back appearance to the state tournament and their defense could be why. Cedaredge returns 10 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 6. Cedaredge may lean heavy on their defense early until the skill position group develops. |
| Wiggins | Their defense gave up 207 points last year which was 13th best in Class 1A. Wiggins has been a tough defensive team for the past few seasons and don’t expect much to change this year. Wiggins returns 9 of their top 13 tacklers including 3 of their top 6. Wiggins should have a top 8 defense this season and this unit could be even better than the 20.7 ppg they gave up a season ago. |
| Highland | Their defense gave up 222 points last year which was 17th best in Class 1A. Highland had a solid run defensively to end the year and we will see if they can use that momentum and try and be a top 10 defense this year. Highland returns 9 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 6. Highland will hope for a better start to the season and look for this defense to come out hot this year. |
| Yuma | Their defense gave up 250 points last year which was 23rd best in Class 1A. Yuma gave up just 23 ppg in the toughest league in Class 1A a season ago. Yuma defensively should be a top 8 unit this year brining back 10 of their top 13 tacklers. Leadership should also be intact with 4 of their top 6 tacklers coming back. Yuma could be a team to really keep an eye on with all the returners coming back. |
| Burlington HS | Their defense gave up 355 points last year which was 31st best in Class 1A. Burlington played a very tough schedule this past season and they were also young at many positions. Burlington should see their defense improve this season with 8 of their top 13 tacklers coming back. Burlington also has key leadership back with 4 of their top 6 tacklers coming back. Don’t expect Burlington to be outside the top 20 in defense this year. |
| Rye | Their defense gave up 223 points last year which was 18th best in Class 1A. Rye is losing a talented senior class this season and will look to their defense to be the anchor. Rye will return 9 of their top 13 tacklers from a season but lose their top 3 tacklers. Rye will have some leadership back with their #4, #5, and #6 tacklers coming back. Rye will need their defense to be a top unit this season to push for the playoffs. |
| Centauri | Their defense gave up 125 points last year which was 3rd best in Class 1A. Centauri lose a talented senior class that hits both sides of the ball hard. Centauri will look to reload their defense this year. Centauri returns 6 of their top 13 tacklers from a year ago but will look for leadership to step up returning just 2 of their top 6. Centauri has been a top 10 defense for the past 3 seasons in a row and don’t expect much to change. |
| North Fork | Their defense gave up 173 points last year which was 6th best in Class 1A. Defensively North Fork will lose a solid senior class. North Fork will reload and make a push for a top 12 defense yet again. North Fork returns 6 of their top 13 tacklers from a season ago. Who steps up and becomes the leader is my biggest concern as North Fork returns just 1 of their top 6 tacklers from a season ago. |
| Defensive Unit Watch List: | Meeker, Platte Canyon, Peyton, Grand Valley, Ignacio, Del Norte, Estes Park, Center, Denver Christian, Flatirons Academy, Jefferson |
MileHigh Prep Report 
don’t forget Grandvalley is now back down to 1A! Returning a lot of kids.
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Yes I remember.
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