MileHigh Prep Reports Top Returning Defense’s 8-Man Football
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 8-Man Football Top 10 tomorrow.
| High School | Stats |
| Haxtun HS | Their defense gave up 150 points last year which was 3rd best in 8-Man. Haxtun has been known for their defense and once again they look to sport a top 8 defense in 8-Man. Haxtun returns 7 of their top 11 tacklers plus 3 of their top 5. Plenty of experience and physicality comes back for the Bulldogs as they look to take that final step this season. Grant and Zach Statz along with Ryland Wolff look to be some of the key leaders coming back for Haxtun. |
| West Grand HS | Their defense gave up 164 points last year which was 6th best in 8-Man. West Grand took a huge step forward last season making the playoffs but also brining a top 10 unit to the table. West Grand will look to take another step forward this season and make a deeper playoff run. West Grand returns their top 11 tacklers from last season, and it will be on how much they improve during the offseason and regular season. Jackson Steinle, Evan Crandall, and Blake Terryberry look to be the leaders on defense this season. |
| McClave HS | Their defense gave up 155 points last year which was 4th best in 8-Man. McClave was another team who took a big step forward a season ago and will look to make a deeper playoff run. McClave bring back 8 of their 11 top tacklers from a season ago. McClave will also bring back plenty of leadership with 4 of their top 5 tacklers coming back. Will Pacino and Mason Barr both return as the top two tacklers from McClave last season. |
| Byers HS | Their defense gave up 194 points last year which was 11th best in 8-Man. Byers continues to build and pushed into the Quarterfinals last season. Byers has a talented senior class coming back and will look for that final push this season. Byers returns 8 of their top 11 tacklers including 3 of their top 5. The defensive line has the most question marks, and we will see how Byers will fill those holes. Kaleb Willoughby, Krayton Ebert, and Chase Long will be the mains leaders back for the Byers defense. |
| Hoehne HS | Their defense gave up 299 points last year which was 23rd best in 8-Man. Hoehne did not make the playoffs last season and will be looking to make it this year. Hoehne must improve on defense this season as they were outside the top 20 a year ago. Hoehne will return their 11 tacklers from a season ago and this unit must be a top 16 unit to push for the playoffs this season. Jayson Guzzo, Levon Bachicha, and Connor Knezel are some of the leaders returning for Hoehne. |
| Merino HS | Their defense gave up 321 points last year which was 26th best in 8-Man. Playing in one of the toughest leagues in 8-Man Merino gave up a lot of points last season ranking outside the top 24. Merino still made the playoffs but are looking for a deeper run this season. Merino returns 8 of their 11 top tacklers from a season ago along with 4 of their top 5. Merino should be a top 12 unit this season and should help push Merino deeper into the playoffs. Coen Schmidt, Jacob Frank, and Josiah Mackintosh are the top 3 tacklers returning from last season. |
| Akron HS | Their defense gave up 276 points last year which was 19th best in 8-Man. Akron last season was just inside the top 20 in defense last season and gave up just under 28 ppg. Akron will look to improve this season and should with plenty of talent coming back. Akron returns 7 of their top 11 tacklers including 4 of their top 5. Some key holes will need to be filled by Akron this offseason but look for this team to have a top 12 unit this year. Akron returns top tackler Anderson Filla along with #3 tackler Merek Charney and #4 Tackler Caleb Poss & Jakzon Livesay. |
| Sedgwick County HS | Their defense gave up 287 points last year which was 22nd best in 8-Man. Sedgwick County continues to reload their program and this season looks to be a big year for the Cougars. Sedgwick County returns 8 of their top 11 tacklers but they do lose some key leadership returning just 2 of their top 5 from a season ago. Sedgwick County will be a big threat this year and look for their defense to power them to a deep playoff run. Jaxon Carlson and Brady Mollendor both return as the top two tacklers from last season. |
| Simla HS | Their defense gave up 90 points last year which was the best in 8-Man. Simla had the top defense in 8-Man last season but will lose a lot of key pieces from that unit. Simla will still be a top unit this year and could be a top 8 unit by the end. Simla returns 6 of their top 11 tacklers from a year ago and just 2 of their top 6. Simla has some key holes to fill left by a good senior class. TJ Eurich and Treven Kocerha will be the leaders on defense this year. |
| Mancos HS | Their defense gave up 126 points last year which was 2nd best in 8-Man. Mancos is your defending State Champions from a season ago. Their defense was truly suffocating a season ago and they will have some key holes to fill left by a good senior class. Mancos will bring back some key contributors returning 5 of their 11 top tacklers from a season ago. Mancos will only return 1 of their top 5 but don’t look for this unit to take a step back as Mancos is well coached and look for their defense to still be a top unit this season. Kaiden Wyatt is the lone top 5 tackler returning but look for Jonah Ritter and Jacob Martin to step up this season. |
| Dayspring Christian | Their defense gave up 323 points last year which was 27th best in 8-Man. Dayspring Christian was hit hard by the injury bug last season and their defense showed being ranked outside he top 25 of total defense. Dayspring Christian will look to make improvements this season and should be inside the top 20 this year. Dayspring Christian returns 8 of their 11 top tacklers including 4 of their top 5. This unit could help Dayspring Christian get back into the playoffs this season. Logan Clark, Jackson Polk, and AJ Soucie are some of the leaders returning for Dayspring Christian. |
| Dove Creek HS | Their defense gave up 284 points last year which was 21st best in 8-Man. Dove Creek has sported a top 16 defensive unit most season and last year was not difference in terms of PPG as Dove Creek was #14 giving up just 25.8 ppg. Dove Creek will have some key holes to fill this season but look for a well-coached team to still have a top defensive unit. Dove Creek returns 6 of their 11 top tacklers but only 2 of their top 5. Nic Aragon and Liam Hassell are the two leaders who return for Dove Creek. |
| Elbert HS | Their defense gave up 304 points last year which was 24th best in 8-Man. Elbert just missed out on the playoffs last season and they will look to get over the edge this season and will turn to their defense to take a big step forward. Elbert returns 8 of their 11 top tacklers including 4 of their top 5. Elbert will need their defense to step up this season if they plan on making a playoffs push. Matt Dooley, Jeremiah Lachausse, and Kaleb Morano are the three top tacklers returning for Elbert. |
| Springfield HS | Their defense gave up 246 points last year which was 16th best in 8-Man. Springfield missed the playoffs last season but took a big step on improving on defense and had a top 16 unit. This season Springfield will have playoff aspirations and should have a top 12 unit this season. Springfield returns 10 of their 11 top tacklers from a season ago including their top 5. Springfield will be a playoff contender and their defense will be a reason why. Marcus Sandoval, Colby Batterton, and Jett Konkel are the top 3 returning tacklers from last season. |
| Crowley County HS | Their defense gave up 242 points last year which was 15th best in 8-Man. Crowley County missed the playoffs last season going 4-5 and they will look to build off last season and push for the playoffs. Crowley County returns 7 of their top 11 tacklers from a season ago including 3 of their top 5. Crowley County has a few holes to fill but should still be a top 16 unit this season. Keegan Halloran is the top returning tackler from last season and look for Donaven Bell and Derreck Buford to take a big step forward this season. |
| Fowler HS | Their defense gave up 213 points last year which was 12th best in 8-Man. Fowler made the playoffs last season and had a great run inside of league play going 5-0 and winning the league title. A big reason they won the league title was their defense which was a top 12-unit last season and will again look to anchor a young offensive team. Fowler will return 7 of their top 11 tacklers from a year ago including some leadership with 3 of their top 5 coming back. Dominic Armijo, Cael True, and Brock True are some of the names who could step up this season. |
| Holly HS | Their defense gave up 169 points last year which was 7th best in 8-Man. Holly rounds out the top returning defensive units. Holly missed the playoffs last season being the last team out and this year their eyes are set on a playoff run. Holly will have some key holes to fill on defense returning just 6 of their top 11 tacklers and just 1 of their top 5. Holly is well coached so don’t expect this unit to be outside the top 16 this season. Holly has the tradition of being a tough defensive team and leadership will have to step up this season for them to make a playoff push. Tripp Duvall is the lone top 5 tackler from last season but look for Dominic Torres and Jacob Noriega to step up this season. |
| Defensive Unit Watch List: | Rocky Ford, Sanford, Lyons, Sargent, Calhan, St. Mary’s, Swink, Walsenburg, Front Range Christian, Rangely, Vail Christian (No defensive stats), Belleview Christian, Plateau Valley, Las Animas |
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