MileHigh Prep Reports Top Returning Defense’s 6-Man Football
Picking the best returning defenses is not an easy task but of course it’s always fun to take a look. Defense in 6-Man is very underrated but it can be the difference between winning a state championship and not. 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 6-Man Top 10 tomorrow.
| High School | Stats |
| Stratton | Their defense gave up 150 points last year which was best in 6-Man. Stratton gave up just 11.5 ppg last year which was by far the best in 6-man. Stratton is your defending state champions, and they will have a few holes to fill. Stratton returns 4 of their top 8 tacklers from last season but just 1 of their top 4. Stratton will return their top tackler in Brody Webb and he will look for Von Isenbart, Haxden Mills, and Gavin Ruhs to step up this season. |
| Idalia | Their defense gave up 321 points last year which was 10th best in 6-man. Idalia only gave up 26.7 ppg which was 4th best in 6-man. Idalia will look to make a few improvements this season and they return plenty of top talent this year. Idalia returns 6 of their top 8 tacklers from a year ago including 3 of their top 4. Tate Towns, Garret Drullinger, and Gabe Kechter all return to lead a top defensive team. |
| Arickaree | Their defense gave up 301 points last year which was 6th best in 6-Man. Arickaree gave up 30.1 ppg last season which had them ranked 8th best in 6-man. Arickaree will look to improve this season and move into the top 5 defensively. Arickaree has plenty of leadership back returning 6 of their top 8 tacklers and their top 4 tacklers from a season ago. Zarron Skubal, Austin Wright, Jorge Ramos, and Dillon Noletubby all return to lead the Bison defense. |
| Eads | Their defense gave up 371 points last year which was 16th best in 6-man. Eads gave up 33.7 ppg last season which ranked them 14th in 6-Man. Eads will look to be a top 10 defense this season after having to start a younger team last season. Eads returns 6 of their top 8 tacklers including 3 of their top 4. Gabe Headley-Valdez, Stockton Mitchek, and Shaine Winder all return to be leaders for Eads as they hope to be a top 10 defense this year. |
| Cheyenne Wells | Their defense gave up 538 points last year which was 29th best in 6-man. Cheyenne Wells gave up 43.4 ppg last year which was 23rd best in 6-man. This season look for Cheyenne Wells to make huge improvements defensively after a tough defensive year. Cheyenne Wells played one of the toughest schedules in 6-man so their defense will make improvements. Cheyenne Wells returns 6 of their top 8 tacklers from last season including 3 of their top 4. Trey Scheler returns to lead the Tigers but also look for Chason Turner and Bryson Hyle to step up this season. |
| Hanover | Their defense gave up 310 points last year which was 8th best in 6-man. Hanover took big steps defensively giving up just 28.2 ppg which was 6th best in 6-man. Hanover has a senior class looking for a deeper playoff run. Hanover returns 6 of their top 8 tacklers including 3 of their top 4. David Byers returns for Hanover who had over 130 tackles. Thomas Griffin and Junior Diaz also both return to lead a tough Hornet defense. |
| Cheraw | Their defense gave up 383 points last year which was 20th best in 6-man. Cheraw was mostly juniors a season ago and this year they will look to improve on their 38.3 ppg mark. Cheraw will need to be a top 15 unit this season to push for the playoffs. Cheraw returns their top 8 tacklers from last season. Braden Stocker and Tim Provost both return to lead Cheraw but who else steps up for Cheraw will be key. |
| Otis | Their defense gave up 363 points last year which was 14th best in 6-man. Otis last season reached the Semifinals, and they will be looking to take that final step. Otis gave up 30.3 ppg last season which put them at 10th best in 6-Man. Otis will look to keep improving defensively and they return 5 of their top 8 tacklers including 2 of their top 4. Charlie Kendrick and Tayte Smith both return to lead Otis but will look for some depth to step up this year. |
| Branson/Kim | Their defense gave up 379 points last year which was 19th best in 6-man. Branson/Kim gave up 34.5 ppg a season ago which put them as the 15th best defense in 6-man. Branson/Kim will have a few holes to fill this season but should be a top 15 unit once again. Branson/Kim returns 5 of their top 8 tacklers including 2 of their top 4. Kolter Cranson and Will Doherty both return for the Bearcats this season. |
| Primero | Their defense gave up 432 points last year which was 25th best in 6-Man. Primero made the playoffs last season, and they will be looking for a deeper run this season. They are a senior heavy team this year and they will look to improve on their 43.2 ppg mark. Primero returns their top 8 tacklers from last season. Jairo Dominguez, Kevin Acuna, and Deshawn Sanchez will be the leaders for Primero, but this defense must be a top unit this year to push for a deeper playoff run. |
| Prairie | Their defense gave up 214 points last year which was 3rd best in 6-Man. Prairie has been a constant inside the top 10 for defense and they will look to stay there again this season. Prairie gave up just 19.5 ppg last season which was 2nd best in 6-Man. Prairie will have key pieces back this season but also lose a few seniors. Prairie returns 6 of their top 8 tacklers but just 2 of their top 4. Lane Schock and Brennan Bringelson but return for Prairie but look for the Mustangs to be a top unit once again. |
| Granada | Their defense gave up 323 points last year which was 11th best in 6-Man. Granada had a top 10 defense last year in terms of ppg giving up 29.4 ppg. Granada will have some holes to fill this season returning just 3 of their top 8 tacklers from last year. Granada will return their top 2 tacklers from last season in Maddox Coleman and Terence Hainer. Granada will be looking for their youth to take a big step forward this season to replace some key holes. |
| Briggsdale | Their defense gave up 318 points last year which was 9th best in 6-Man. Briggsdale had a top defensive unit last season giving up 31.8 ppg and they will look to build off last season. Briggsdale will return plenty of talent from last season with 7 of their top 8 tacklers returning. Briggsdale does lose their top tackler from last season. Dallas Glass, Kaeden Gebauer, and Scott Francis all return to lead the Falcons this season. |
| North Park | Their defense gave up 309 points last year which was 7th best in 6-man. North Park may have only give up 309 points last year but they did give up 44.1 ppg last year which ranked them as the 24th best defense in 6-man. North Park will return key pieces from last season as they look to improve this year. North Park returns 7 of their top 8 tacklers including 3 of their top 4. Levi Wofford, Gavin Pittington, and Aiden Pittington all return to help push North Park this season. |
| Fleming | Their defense gave up 473 points last year which was 27th best in 6-man. Fleming gave up 47.3 ppg last season and they will look to improve on that mark this year. Fleming was a mix of seniors and underclassmen last season, and they will look to take a run at the playoffs. Fleming returns 5 of their top 8 tacklers from last season including 3 of their top 4. Conner Marchant, Pierson Japp, and Peter Brekel return as leaders for Fleming this season. |
| Defensive Unit Watch List: | Walsh, Peetz, Sierra Grande, Genoa-Hugo, Miami-Yoder, Kiowa, Deer Trail, Kit Carson |
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