Class 2A League Predictions & Previews (Metro, North, Southeast, and West)
I have decided to only do 3 or 4 leagues at a time instead of the full 7 leagues. I will be giving my league predictions & previews on who finishes where. This is all in fun and I do not wish bad on any teams. Good Luck to all teams this season.
Metro League
1. Classical Academy
2. D’Evelyn
3. Lincoln
4. Denver West
5. Alameda
6. Mitchell
The Metro League is a brand-new league with teams from 3 different leagues and two teams dropping from Class 3A down into Class 2A. Only one team in ranked in the MHPR Media/Coaches Poll in this league and no one else is receiving votes. This will be one of the weaker leagues in Class 2A. The Classical Academy is my pick to win the league. TCA is the #3 ranked team in the Media/Coaches Poll. TCA is coming off a 8-3 record and trip to the Quarterfinals. They return the bulk of their roster and looking for another deep run. POY Candidate QB Andrew Brown is back to lead the offense after a great first year performance along with RB Riley Romine. The WR position is the biggest hole for TCA. TCA also returns at least 4 starters on the offensive line and should anchor a potent offensive team. Defensively TCA returns 8 of their top 13 tacklers including Gabriel Wright and Elijah Wright. D’Evelyn is my pick to finish 2nd in league and be a playoff contender. D’Evelyn went 5-4 last season missing out on the playoffs. D’Evelyn offensively returns their core and should make the offense explosive. POY Candidate QB Kevyn Feldon, RB Noah Allen, and WR Adam Nguyen all return for D’Evelyn. The offensive line for D’Evelyn returns at least two starters with plenty of upcoming juniors returning. On defense D’Evelyn has the most question marks returning just 6 of their top 13 tacklers but return top tackler Kafui B. Fiadonu who will look to lead D’Evelyn on Defense. Lincoln is my pick to finish in 3rd. Lincoln finished the season at 1-9 last season in Class 3A. Their lone win was over fellow league member Alameda. Lincoln will hope the drop down in Classification helps them get the program going in the right direction. Lincoln returns QB Ash Myers and RB King Stancil who will look to take a big step forward this year. Defensively Lincoln returns 8 of their top 13 tacklers including their top 4 from last season in Stancil, Anthony Nava, and Orlando Reyes. Denver West is my pick to finish in 4th. Denver West went 5-4 last season behind a big senior class and will be looking to reload and push for the playoffs. Denver West will be looking for new skill position players with WR Robert Wittke as the lone offensive weapon returning. Defensively Denver West was also hit hard by graduation and will return just 5 of their top 13 tacklers. Only Aries Uong and Jarey Jones return on defense with players that had over 20 tackles during the season. Alameda is my pick to finish in 5th. Alameda went 1-8 last season with their lone winning coming against an Unknow opponent. Alameda will be looking to buck the trend of losing seasons and get back on track. Alameda last winning season was 2015. Alameda has key pieces back to possibly push for a .500 record if not have a winning season. QB Kato Garcia and RB Tez Glover are back for Alameda. The roster was young last season, but they must take steps to grow this year. Mitchell rounds out the Metro League. Mitchell did not field a football team last season and will be rebuilding their program this year.
My predictions for the Metro League
League Champion: The Classical Academy
Playoff Contenders: Classical Academy & D’Evelyn
Dark Horse: Who can step up and challenge the top two teams
Preseason Player of the League: QB Andrew Brown Sr. Classical Academy
Others to watch for: Riley Romine Sr. Classical Academy, TCA Offensive Line, Gabriel Wright Sr. Classical Academy, Elijah Wright Sr. Classical Academy, Kevyn Feldon Jr. D’Evelyn, Noah Allen Sr. D’Evelyn, Adam Nguyen Sr. D’Evelyn, Kafui Fiadonu Sr. D’Evelyn, Ash Myers Sr. Lincoln, King Stancil Jr. Lincoln, Anthony Nava Jr. Lincoln, Aries Uong Jr. Denver West, Jarey Jones Sr. Denver West, Kato Garcia Jr. Alameda, Tez Glover Sr. Alameda
North League
1. Wellington
2. Resurrection Christian
3. Eaton
4. Berthoud
5. University
6. Valley
The North League is one of the toughest leagues in Class 2A this season with possibly 5 playoff teams coming from this league. The North League was also well represented in the Media/Coaches Poll with 4 teams ranked inside the top 10 and another receiving votes. This league will be a battle! Wellington is my pick to win the league. Wellington will be entering their 3rd season as a program and will look to take the next step. They went 9-1 last season and return their entire roster for this year. QB Tanner Gray and POY Candidate RB Cash Altschwager are back for Wellington and combined they bring back over 2300 yards of total offense. The offensive line is also back for Wellington. Defensively Tyler Shaffer and Azuya Gracey return to lead the defense. Wellington was ranked #5 in the Media/Coaches Poll. Resurrection Christian is my pick to finish in 2nd. Resurrection Christian makes the drop from Class 3A to Class 2A. Last season Resurrection Christian finished 7-3 and made the playoffs. Offensively Resurrection Christian returns key talent with QB Jackson Pszanka and RB Hunter Hansen returning. Some other weapons will have to step up this year. Resurrection Christian will return at least two starters on the offensive line. Defensively Rez Christian returns 6 of their top 13 tacklers and just 1 of their top 4 in Mwanje Peterson. Resurrection Christian is known for their defense so don’t expect a big drop off. Resurrection Christian was ranked #4 in the Media/Coaches Poll. Eaton is my pick to finish in 3rd. Eaton went 8-4 last year and reached the semifinals and will look to push to the final step. Eaton will return key leadership with POY Candidate QB Connor Davey returning. He will be looking for new weapons at WR and RB a few players we could see step up our Liam Whalen and Cooper Nider. The offensive line was hit hard by graduation losing possibly 4 if not all 5 starters from last season. Defensively Eaton was also hit hard by graduation returning just 4 of their top 13 tacklers. Cooper Nider returns as the top tackler from last season and he will look to Andrew Loyd and Cal Sidwell to step up this year. Eaton was ranked #7 in the Media/Coaches Poll. Berthoud is my pick to finish 4th. Berthoud went 10-1 last season with a trip to the Quarterfinals. Berthoud lose a very talented senior class and will look to reload and make another push for the playoffs. At QB look for Skyler Streicher to jump back into the starting role and look for RB Cole Bialek to have a bigger role this season. The offensive line was also hit hard by graduation with 4 if not all 5 starters graduating. Defensively Berthoud returns 6 of their top 13 tacklers and will turn to Elisha Mosher and Benjamin Schroeder to be leaders this season. Berthoud was ranked #9 in the Media/Coaches Poll. University is my pick to finish 5th but still a playoff contender. University went 8-3 last season and made a trip to the Quarterfinals. University also was led by a good senior class, and they will look to reload. Offensively University will be searching for a new QB but POY Candidate RB Brevon Doss and WR Will Korby return to help the new QB. The offensive line for University will be a big strength with possibly 3 starters returning from last season. Defensively University returns 5 of their top 13 tacklers. University will return key leadership in Gage Schminke and Tytan Bentley. University would have been ranked #12 in the Media/Coaches Poll. Valley wraps up the North League. Valley went 2-7 last season and will hope to be the spoiler in a very competitive league. Valley returns QB Carson Adolf and WR Autin Moya. A new RB will have to step up for Valley. Defensively Valley returns 10 of their top 13 tacklers and this unit must take the big step forward for Valley to try and jump up the league standings this season.
My predictions for North League
League Champion: Wellington
Playoff Contenders: Wellington, Resurrection Christian, Eaton, Berthoud, University
Dark Horse: University (Can they challenge for the league title)
Preseason Player of the League: Cash Altschwager Sr. Wellington
Others to watch for: Tanner Gray Jr. Wellington, Caden Keller Jr. Wellington, Tyler Shaffer Jr. Wellington, Azuya Gracey Jr. Wellington, Jackson Pszanka Jr. Resurrection Christian, Hunter Hansen Sr. Resurrection Christian, Mwanje Peterson Jr. Resurrection Christian, Connor Davey Sr. Eaton, Cooper Nider Sr. Eaton, Andrew Loyd Jr. Eaton, Cal Sidwell Sr. Eaton, Skyler Streicher Sr. Berthoud, Cole Bialek Sr. Berthoud, Elisha Mosher Sr. Berthoud, Benjamin Schroeder Sr. Berthoud, Brevon Doss Sr. University, Will Korby Sr. University, Gage Schminke Sr. University, Carson Adolf Sr. Valley, Caden Surber Jr. Valley
Southeast League
1. Woodland Park
2. La Junta
3. Florence
4. Lamar
5. Banning Lewis
6. Manitou Springs
The Southeast League is basically last years Southwest League they lost Alamosa but added Banning Lewis. The Southeast League had no teams ranked in the MHPR Preseason Media/Coaches Poll, but three teams did receive votes. Woodland Park is my pick to win the League. Woodland Park had a down season a year ago going 3-6. Woodland Park should bounce back this year and return the weapons to do so. POY Candidate QB Marqus Schoenberger returns to lead the offense along with top WR Parker Shreeve and RB Aidan Hood. The offensive line should also make big improvements returning 4 if not all 5 starters from a year ago. Defensively Woodland Park returns 11 of their top 13 tacklers and should be a top unit in 2A this year. Shreeve and Hood return to be leaders for Woodland Park. Woodland Park did receive votes in the Media/Coaches Poll. La Junta is my pick to finish in 2nd in League. La Junta went 8-2 last season making the playoffs but falling in the first round. La Junta has some key holes to fill but return key leadership with POY Candidate QB Rylan Schmidt coming back. New weapons will have to step up around him this year. The offensive line could return 1 or 2 starters from last season. Defensively La Junta returns 6 of their top 13 tacklers from a season ago. Keo Fisher and Rylan Schmidt return to lead the defense this year. La Junta would be ranked #14 in the Media/Coaches Poll. Florence is my pick to finish in 3rd. Florence went 6-4 last season with a trip to the Playoffs. Florence has a lot of tradition, and they will be looking for another trip to the playoffs. Florence offensively will turn to QB Noah Howard but will be searching for more weapons with possibly Brady Hunsberger stepping up. The offensive line for Florence will be a anchor for the team as they return at least 3 starters from a year ago. Defensively Florence returns just 6 of their top 13 tacklers from last season. Wyatt Dudley and Tucker Anderson will be tasked with taking the leadership role on defense this year. The next two teams I had a hard time picking between. Lamar is my pick to finish in fourth. Lamar went 3-6 last season and were very young at most positions. Lamar will turn to QB Jacob Dunning and he will have a weapon at WR in Cael Buxton. The RB position will be the main hole to fill. The offensive line for Lamar returns at least 4 starters from a season ago. Defensively Lamar returns 8 of their top 13 tacklers and will look for Diego Estrada and Zaidyn Daniels to be leaders this season. Banning Lewis is my pick for 5th. Banning Lewis went 10-1 last season and reached the Quarterfinals. Banning Lewis lost a good senior class and will look to reload in their first season in Class 2A. POY Candidate RB Chase Riehle returns to lead the offense, but he will be looking for players to step up round him. We could see QB Sam Early step up and WR Jordan Jones step up this year. The offensive line for Banning Lewis could return 1 or 2 starters from a season ago. Defensively Banning Lewis returns 6 of their top 13 tacklers. Jordan Jones and Dylan Skinner return to be leaders on defense. Manitou Springs wraps up the Southeast League. Manitou Springs went 4-5 and missed the playoffs. Manitou Springs lose a key piece of their offense with graduation and will be looking for a new QB. Manitou Springs does return RB Logan Moore and WR Preston Rhoes. Defensively Manitou Springs should take a big step forward return 9 of their top 13 tacklers. Ashur Lavigne and Layton Little return as leaders for Manitou Springs.
My predictions for Southeast League
League Champion: Woodland Park
Playoff Contenders: Woodland Park, La Junta, Florence
Dark Horse: Manitou Springs (Return key pieces but can they improve enough to push for top 3)
Preseason Player of the League: Rylan Schmidt Sr. La Junta
Others to watch for: Marques Schoenberger Sr. Woodland Park, Aidan Hood Sr. Woodland Park, Parker Shreeve Sr. Woodland Park, Ben Summeril Sr. Woodland Park, Keo Fisher Sr. La Junta, Noah Howard Jr. Florence, Brady Hunsberger Sr. Florence, Wyatt Dudley Jr. Florence, Tucker Anderson Jr. Florence, Cael Buxton Sr. Lamar, Diego Estrada Sr. Lamar, Zaidyn Daniels Jr. Lamar, Chase Riehle Sr. Banning Lewis, Jordan Jones Jr. Banning Lewis, Dylan Skinner Jr. Banning Lewis, Logan Moore Sr. Manitou Springs, Preston Rhodes Sr. Manitou Springs, Ashur Lavigne Sr. Manitou Springs
West League
1. Delta
2. Basalt
3. Moffat County
4. Aspen
5. Coal Ridge
6. Middle Park
The West League is 4 teams from the Western Slope league plus Delta and Middle Park this year. The West League had a huge playoff run last season with 3 teams making the semifinals and the eventual state champions now coming from this league. Two teams are ranked in the MHPR Media/Coaches Preseason Poll with one other receiving votes. Delta is my pick to win the West League and are the defending State Champions. Delta lose a good senior class but have plenty of talent back to make a deep run including POY Candidate QB Ty Reed. A new RB will have to step up and possibly Nay Soe could be that player. The offensive line for Delta will return at least 1 starter and will have some reloading to do. Defensively Delta returns key leadership in Ripp Lockhart and Jordan Fraser but will need the youth to step up this season. Delta was ranked #1 in the Media/Coaches Poll. Basalt is my pick to finish in 2nd. Basalt went 7-3 last season and made the playoffs. Basalt offensively returns the majority of their offensive output with RB Will Tarallo and RB William Daniel coming back. Basalt will be searching for a new QB with possibly Karson Schneider stepping into that role. The offensive line could have a few holes to fill with possibly just 1 or 2 starters returning from a season ago. Defensively Basalt returns 7 of their top 13 tacklers from a year ago but will be looking for new leadership to step up. William Daniel and Kody Barton could be those players to step up this season. Basalt was ranked #8 in the Media/Coaches Poll. Moffat County is my pick to finish 3rd. Moffat County had a great run at the end of the season going 9-3 and reaching the semifinals. Moffat County lose a good senior class and will be looking to reload and make another playoff push. Moffat County is losing their QB and top RB from last season. #2 rusher Zachary Hedman does return for Moffat County and he will be the leader for the offense. The offensive line for Moffat County returns at least two starters and could be another anchor for the team. Defensively Moffat County was hit hard by graduation returning just 3 of their top 13 tacklers from a season ago. Zachary Hedman and Clayton Vandersluis will be tasked with stepping up as leaders this season. Aspen if my pick to finish 4th. Aspen went 3-6 last season and missed the playoffs. Aspen offensively lose a key piece to their offense with their QB graduating. Aspen will return their top RB Dylan Mika and WR/TE Henry Hurd. The offensive line for Aspen should return at least two starters from a season ago. Defensively Aspen returns 9 of their top 13 tacklers and this unit could be key early in the season. Aspen will look to Landen Thurber and Alec Slesinger-Hall to be leaders for the defense. Coal Ridge is my pick for 5th Place. Coal Ridge went 1-8 last season and will be looking to continue to rebuild and push for an improved record. Coal Ridge will return nearly their entire roster from a season ago and should help them improve QB Dylan Miller returns to lead the offense along with WR Ethan Sanchez. A new RB will look to take over as the main threat with possibly Carter Coon or Regan Powell filling that roll. Defensively Coal Ridge returns 9 of their top 13 tacklers including Grayson Isenhart who had over 150 tackles a season ago. Middle Park rounds out the west league. Middle Park went 4-5 last season in Class 1A and they jump back into Class 2A this year. Middle Park will have a few holes to fill mainly at RB as their top two rusher graduate. The QB position will be a battle between Jackson Salyards and Jacob Trail. Whoever wins that QB battle will have top WR Marques Pasillas as a weapon. Defensively Middle Park returns 7 of their top 13 tacklers with Jacob Trail and Jackson Salyards as the leaders.
My predictions for West League
League Champion: Delta
Playoff Contenders: Delta, Basalt, Moffat County
Dark Horse: Aspen (can they push for the top 3)
Preseason Player of the League: QB Ty Reed Sr. Delta
Others to watch for: Ripp Lockhart Sr. Delta, Jordan Fraser Sr. Delta, Will Tarallo Jr. Basalt, William Daniel Sr. Basalt, Kody Barton Sr. Basalt, Zachary Hedman Sr. Moffat County, Clayton Vandersluis Sr. Moffat County, Dylan Mika Jr. Aspen, Henry Hurd Sr. Aspen, Landen Thurber Sr. Aspen, Dylan Miller Jr. Coal Ridge, Grayson Isenhart Sr. Coal Ridge, Jacob Trail Jr. Middle Park, Jackson Salyards Sr. Middle Park
MileHigh Prep Reports Playoff Predictions
I am going to pick the 16 teams I think make it to the playoffs for the 2024 Football Season. Last season I got 12 of the 16 teams correct so I am expecting to have a few teams wrong. Regardless Good Luck to all teams this season.
Kent Denver
Strasburg
Gunnison
Pagosa Springs
Alamosa
Brush
Sterling
Classical Academy
Wellington
Resurrection Christian
Eaton
Berthoud
Woodland Park
La Junta
Delta
Basalt
Just Outside Top 16:
D’Evelyn, University, Elizabeth, Weld Central, Florence, Moffat County, Aspen, Lamar, Fort Lupton
MileHigh Prep Report 