MileHigh Prep Report Preseason 8-Man Football Rankings
We are getting closer and closer to the start of the football season. Here is my top 16 preseason rankings. 8-Man will be a battle this year with plenty of talent returning. Plenty of holes exist on many teams and I am very interested to see how 8-Man turns out. We are doing a media poll once again if you are interested in voting shoot me a message. We are also still looking for a few more sponsor/advertisers for the year, if interested shoot me a message. I move to 6-Man Football next week. Good Luck to all teams this season!
8-Man
| Rank | Team | Notes |
| #1 | Haxtun Made the playoffs, Runners Up | Haxtun was your runner up a season ago falling to Mancos in the State Championship game. Haxtun will have a few holes to fill by departing seniors but return a solid core to push for the State Title. Haxtun returns QB Ryland Wolff and RB Grant Statz who combined for over 3,300 yards of total offense. Defensively returns 7 of their top 11 tacklers including 3 of their top 5. Haxtun will have to replace their top tackler from last season but look for Grant and Zach Statz to step up this season. |
| #2 | Simla Made the playoffs, lost in the Semifinals | Simla reached the Semifinals last year falling to Haxtun. Simla will return a solid core this season as they look to push for the state title. Simla returns QB Caston Cox and RB TJ Eurich who had over 3000 yards of total offense. Simla will have some key departures and will look for some youth to step up this season. Defensively Simla was hit the hardest by graduation. Simla returns 6 of their top 11 tacklers and just 2 of their top 5. Simla will look for players like Wyatt Stanko and Treven Kocerha to step up this season. |
| #3 | Byers HS Made the playoffs, lost in the Quarterfinals | Byers made the playoffs last season and reached the Quarterfinals falling to Haxtun in that round. Byers will return a core group this season as they look to push deeper into the playoffs. Offensively Byers returns QB Chase Long and RB Kaleb Willoughby. Both were critical to Byer’s success. The offensive line could have a few holes to fill but Byers does have some size coming up to help fill those holes. Defensively Byers returns 8 of their top 11 tacklers including 3 of their top 5. Krayton and Parker Ebert are a few players who could see their defense roles increase this season. |
| #4 | Merino Made the playoffs, lost in the Quarterfinals | Merino made the playoffs last season and reached the Quarterfinal round before falling to Simla. Merino will have a few holes left by the departing seniors mainly at RB as they lose their top rusher from last season. Merino will return QB Coen Schmidt who had over 2500 yards of offense last season. Look for WR Jacob Frank to see their offensive roles increase this season. Defensively Merino returns 8 of their top 11 tacklers including 4 of their top 5. The defensive unit is also led by Coen Schmidt but look for Josiah Mackintosh and Aidan Sherman to step up this season. |
| #5 | Mancos Defending State Champions | Mancos is your defending State Champions. They had a great run last season and leaned on a senior led team that produced a State Championship. Mancos will have a lot of holes to fill but are well coached so don’t look for a big drop off. Mancos will look to possible QB Evan Woody and RB Jonah Ritter to take big steps this season. Another key piece will be Kaiden Wyatt and Brandon Vannest as both will also be big pieces somewhere in the offense. Defensively Mancos returns 5 of their top 11 tacklers. Kaiden Wyatt will lead the defense and Brandon Vannest and Jacob Martin must step up this year. |
| #6 | McClave Made the playoffs, lost in the First Round | McClave made the playoffs last season but fell in the opening round to Merino 16 to 14. McClave will look to build off last season and return the core of the unit with only four seniors graduating. Offensively McClave returns QB Ethan Bronniman who took a big step last season throwing for over 1000 yards. McClave will be searching for a new RB but look for Mason Barr or Will Pacino to step up this year. Defensively McClave returns 8 of their top 11 tacklers including 4 of their top 5. Will Pacino returns as the top tackler but look for a player like Zack Owens to step up this season. |
| #7 | Akron Made the playoffs, lost in the First Round | Akron made the playoffs a season ago falling in the First Round to Lyons. Akron will lose some key pieces from last years team including their starting QB but have plenty of talent back to push for a deep playoff run. #1 RB Anderson Filla along with #2 RB Jakzon Livesay are both back and will probably be the main focal point of the offense. Also look for the offensive line of Akron to take a big step forward this year. Defensively Akron returns 7 of their top 11 tacklers but have key leadership back with 4 of their top 5 tacklers coming back. Merek Charney and Caleb Poss are a few names to keep an eye on for defense this year. |
| #8 | Sedgwick County Made the playoffs, lost in the Quarterfinals | Sedgwick County continues their reload and made the playoffs last season after going 2-7 in 2022. Sedgwick County reached the quarterfinals this season before falling to eventual state champions Mancos. Sedgwick County returns their core from last season as they push for a deeper playoff run. Sedgwick County returns QB Jaxon Carlson along with top RB Brady Mollendor. Offensively Sedgwick County has key weapons back that could make their offense deadly. Defensively Sedgwick County returns 8 of their top 11 tacklers including 3 of their top 5. Carlson and Mollendor lead the defense for Sedgwick County but look for players like Owen Harris and Tate Renquist to step up this season. |
| #9 | West Grand Made the playoffs, lost in the First Round | West Grand continues to be a perennial playoff team and this season they will look to push deeper into the playoffs. West Grand lost in the first round a team ago. West Grand returns key offensive weapons in QB Blake Terryberry, RB Evan Crandall, and WR Joe Probst. The offensive line also returns key pieces with plenty of size coming back. Defensively West Grand returns their top 11 tacklers from a season ago. West Grand defensively could be a top 4 unit this year and look for players like Jackson Steinle, John Butler, and Ryan Van Oosten to step up this year. |
| #10 | Dove Creek Made the playoffs, lost in the Quarterfinals | Dove Creek is another team who constantly in the playoffs and a top team. Dove Creek will have some big holes to fill this season on offense losing their starting QB and top rushers. Some names offensively that could step up are Cael Beanland at QB, Josh Kibel and Teagan Larimore. Dove Creek will have a big offensive line to run behind and look for whoever steps into the skill position group to find success. Defensively Dove Creek returns 6 of their top 11 tacklers and two of their top 5. Nic Aragaon returns as the top tackler and leader of the defense. Liam Hassell and Sheldon Gardner are also some names to keep an eye on. |
| #11 | Holly Missed the Playoffs, went 6-3 last season | Holly missed the playoffs last season going 6-3 and being the first team on the outside looking in. Holly will return key pieces offensively but will have some key holes to fill. Holly returns QB Devin Eaton who will look for a big season this year. Holly will be looking for new skill position players to step up this season. Jessie Pizarro, Tripp DuVall, and Dominic Torres are a few names you could see step up this season offensively. Defensively Holly returns 6 of their t11 top tacklers but new leadership will be needed returning just 1 of their top 5. Tripp DuVall, Jacob Noriega, and Dominic Torres are a few names you could see step up for Holly. |
| #12 | Hoehne Missed the Playoffs, went 4-5 | Hoehne missed the playoffs last season going 4-5. Hoehne will be looking for that trip to the playoffs this season and have the talent back to do so. Hoehne will have a QB battle to start camp with Jake Magninat and Bobby Terry both took snaps last season, and both threw for over 400 yards. Running the ball will be key for Hoehne with RB Levon Bachicha and RB Anthony Sandoval both back. Combined they rushed for over 1600 yards and 20 TDs. Defensively Hoehne will return their top 11 tacklers from a season ago. Jayson Guzzo led all tacklers last season but look for Connor Knezel to also be a top tackler this season. |
| #13 | Crowley County Missed the playoffs, went 4-5 | Crowley County missed the playoffs last season going 4-5. Crowley County should be in the mix this season for a playoff berth. QB Aiden Vowles will look to take a big step forward this season. RB Keegan Halloran broke the 1000-yard mark last season and will look to be the main focal point for the Chargers. Defensively Crowley County returns 7 of their top 11 tacklers including 3 of their top 5. Keegan Halloran is back to be the leader for Crowley County, but he will look for Donaven Bell, Derreck Buford, and Briar Meyer to step up this season. |
| #14 | Dayspring Christian Missed the Playoffs, went 2-7 last season | Dayspring Christian missed the playoffs last season going 2-7 and getting hit by the injury bug. This season Dayspring Christian will have the core of their team back and look for a playoff berth. Dayspring Christian returns QB Peyton Coleman and RB Logan Clark. Both will look to have breakout seasons this year. Defensively Dayspring Christian returns 8 of their top 11 tacklers including 4 of their top 5. Logan Clark leads the defense but look for Jackson Polk and AJ Soucie to be bigger parts of the defense this year. |
| #15 | Sanford Made the Playoffs, lost in the First Round | Sanford made the playoffs last season falling in the first round to Byers. Sanford will have a big senior class to replace and will look for depth to step up this year. Sanford returns QB Trason Gartrell but will be searching for new weapons around him. Kaden Cary and JD Faucette could be a few names to step up this year. Defensively Sanford returns 6 of their 11 top tacklers from last season and 2 of their top 5. Trason Gartrell will be the leader on defense as well but look for William Malouff and Rylan Mortensen to step up this year. |
| #16 | Springfield Missed the playoffs, went 4-5 last season | Springfield missed the playoffs last season going 4-5. Springfield will look to build off the success they had towards the end of the season and push for a playoff spot. Springfield returns QB Colin Swanson, RB Marcus Sandoval, and WR/RB Colby Batterton. Springfield will also look for their offensive line to step up this year. Defensively Springfield will return 10 of their 11 top tacklers from last season including their top 5. A few players to keep an eye on are Jett Konkel and Wyatt Cohoon. Springfield had a top 16 defense last year and if they can improve they should be in the mix for a playoff spot. |
| Other Teams to Watch | 17-Elbert, 18-Rangely, 19-Lyons, 20-Vail Christian, Sargent, Fowler, Belleview Christian, Rocky Ford, Front Range Christian, Plateau Valley, Swink, Hayden, |
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