Class 1A League Predictions & Previews (South, Central, Tri-Peaks, Western Slope Leagues)

Class 1A League Predictions & Previews (South, Central, Tri-Peaks, Western Slope Leagues)

We wrap up my league predictions and previews with Class 1A.  I am splitting Class 1A into two articles.  I will have my prediction for the 16 teams who I think make the playoffs.  Good Luck to all teams this season.

South Central League

1. Centauri

2. Monte Vista

3. Ignacio

4. Del Norte

5. Center

6. Trinidad

The South-Central League has been a two-horse race for the past few season between Centauri and Monte Vista.  I don’t see that changing this season but can a third or a fourth team get in the hunt for the playoffs.  That is the main question for the South-Central League.  Centauri is my pick to win the South-Central League.  Centauri has been the dominate team in the South Central and went 7-3 last season with a trip to the playoffs.  They will have some huge holes to fill on the offensive line but return key pieces at the skill positions.  QB Sean Jarvies is back along with RB Parker Buhr and WR Carson Shawcroft.  As mentioned, the offensive line will be replacing 4 starters but will be anchored by Jace Creel.  Defensively Centauri returns 6 of their top 13 tacklers and will look to Spencer Smith, Parker Buhr, and Jace Haslett to be leaders this season.  Monte Vista is my pick to finish 2^nd and that is mainly due to Centauri being the controlling factor in league.  Monte Vista went 6-3 last season and was the first team outside of the playoffs.  Monte Vista had just 3 seniors on the roster last season and will return many key positions.  QB Kaden Madrid is back along with RB Jacob Pacheco, WR Azariah Hurtado, and WR Alex Marquez.  The offensive line also returns 4 starters and will have to show the most improvement to help lead the Pirates back to the playoffs.  Defensively Monte Vista returns 11 of their top 13 tacklers.  Jon Enderle, Carlos Sigala, Jeremiah Baumgardner, and Izzy Medina are a few names who could stand out this season for Monte Vista.  Ignacio is my pick for 3^rd.  Ignacio went 4-5 last season and have been in the 3^rd to 4^th place range in league.  They will be looking to punch their ticket into the playoffs but have key pieces that graduated.  Ignacio has not stats posted from last season.  Ignacio lose the majority of their offensive linemen and WR core but return their QB who will look to take a big step forward this season.  Del Norte is my pick for 4^th.  Del Norte went 3-6 last season and missed the playoffs.  They lose a big chunk of their offensive linemen and their QB who has been a big part of the offense.  Del Norte does return playmakers though with Kelby Mondragon and Paul Neal.  Defensively Del Norte will be at their strength returning 8 of their top 13 tacklers but they do lose 3 of their top 5.  Mondragon will be the leader but look for Jaedyn Estrada and Lashawn Trujillo to step up this season.  Center is my pick to finish in 5^th.  Center went 1-8 last season and missed the playoffs.  Center lose a large chunk of their offensive production to graduation and will be looking for new playmakers to step up.  Caden Ruggles, Angel Rios, Nicholas Palma, Noah Swanson are a few players who could step up on both sides of the ball for the Vikings.  Center will look for the inexperienced players to take a big step forward this season.  Trinidad rounds out the South-Central League.  Trinidad went 0-9 last season as they look to move out of the bottom of the south-central league.  Trinidad was young last season at almost every position, and we should start seeing this team make a move this year.  Trinidad will return QB Isaiah Moreno and will look for him to develop as a passer.  Trinidad also returns RB Xavier Garcia and WR David Romero.  The defense also returns 10 of their top 13 tacklers including leaders Andrew East, David Romero, and Cisco Duran.  This will be a big year if Trinidad plans on making a move up the standings. 

My predictions for the South Central

League Champion: Centauri

Playoff Contenders: Centauri & Monte Vista

Dark Horse: Ignacio, Del Norte, Center, Trinidad (Can anyone challenge the top two and push for the playoffs)

Preseason Player of the League: Jacob Pacheco Sr. Monte Vista

Others to watch for: Sean Jarvies Jr. Centauri, Parker Buhr Sr. Centauri, Jace Haslett Sr. Centauri, Spencer Smith Jr. Centauri, Jace Creel Sr. Centauri, Kaden Madrid Sr. Monte Vista, Azariah Hurtado Jr. Monte Vista, Alex Marquez Sr. Monte Vista, Jon Endrele Jr. Monte Vista, Jeremiah Baumgardner Sr. Monte Vista, Kelby Mondragon Jr. Del Norte, Jaedyn Estrada Sr. Del Norte, Paul Neal Jr. Del Norte, Caden Ruggles So. Center, Nicholas Palma Sr. Center, Angel Rios Sr. Center, Andrew East So. Trinidad, David Romero Sr. Trinidad, Isaiah Moreno So. Trinidad, Xavier Garcia Jr. Trinidad

Tri-Peaks League

1. C.S Christian

2. Buena Vista

3. Peyton

4. Rye

5. Ellicott

6. Dolores Huerta

The Tri-Peaks league has traditionally been one of the tougher leagues in Class 1A and this year is not much different with two top teams in Class 1A.  I think you could see a possible third team push for the playoffs this season in the Tri-Peaks.  C.S Christian is my pick to win the league.  C.S Chrisitan went 7-3 last season with a trip to the playoffs, the loss was to Buena Vista who joins the league this year.  C.S Christian return a lot of talent from last seasons team and will look to make that deep push.  C.S Christian returns QB Jace Velasquez who could eclipse the 5,000-yard mark for this career.  C.S Christian also returns RB Will Moore, RB Eddie Harmon, and WR Cody Glojek.  The offensive line for C.S Christian also returns at least 3 starters and will be a strength for the Lions.  Defensively C.S Christian returns 10 of their top 13 tacklers including their top 3 tacklers from a season ago.  Eddie Harmon, Nick Larson, and Cody Glojek are all back to be leaders for the Lions.  Buena Vista is my pick to finish 2^nd.  Buena Vista went 7-4 last season with a trip to the Quarterfinals.  Buena Vista lose a few key seniors but have plenty of weapons back to challenge for the league crown.  Buena Vista returns QB Hudson Wingo, RB Eli Schuknecht, and RB Tray Cardwell.  The offensive line for Buena Vista returns at least two starters and should power a tough offense.  Defensively Buena Vista returns 8 of their top 13 tacklers but they do lose key pieces returning just 1 of their top 4 from last year.  Abel Flowers, Knox Reid, and Oakley Robinson are a few names who will have to step up for Buena Vista this season.  Peyton is my pick to finish 3^rd.  Peyton went 4-5 last season and missed the playoffs.  Peyton is a team who will be looking to make improvements and push for a playoff spot.  Peyton returns QB Noah Martin, but he will be searching for weapons around him.  A few names who could step up this year are Josiah Zimmerman and Colton Cobb.  Peyton will have some holes to fill on the offensive line and that is the biggest hole for the Panthers.  Defensively Peyton will also have holes returning just 6 of their top 13 tacklers but return their top 3 from last season.  Hunter Trim, Josiah Zimmerman, and Chase Evans return as leaders for Peyton.  Rye is my pick to finish 4^th.  Rye went 6-3 last season and missed the playoffs.  They lose a good senior class and will have some holes to fill especially in the skill position group.  Rye will be looking for new names offensively to step up.  A few of those names could be Jheffrey Miller and Josh George.  The offensive line for Rye also returns at least 2 starters and they will look for their youth to step up this year.  Defensively Rye returns 9 of their top 13 tacklers and this unit will be key for Rye.  Jackson Bjorum, Dayton Blok, and Jheffrey Miller must be leaders this season.  Ellicott is my pick to finish in 5^th.  Ellicott went 2-7 last season and missed the playoffs.  Ellicott offensively will be searching for new playmakers after losing key pieces to graduation.  Tavon Flewellen and Dawson Pickett could be a few names to step up this year.  Ellicott defensively returns 9 of their top 13 tacklers but lose 4 of their top 5.  Xavier Hoyle is the lone top tackler back but look for Tavon Flewellen and Tavita Tunoa to step up this year.  Dolores Huerta rounds out the Tri-Peaks League.  Dolores Huerta moves up from 8-Man to Class 1A.  Dolores Huerta went 2-7 last season and will look to build their program in the 1A ranks.  QB Jose Rubio and RB Jose Garcia are back to lead the offense and they will look to take a step forward this year.  Dolores Huerta defensively should be improved as they return 9 of their top 13 tacklers.  Josh Wisthoff, Ray Molina, and Michael Gonzales will be key for the Scorpions this season.

My predictions for the Tri-Peaks League

League Champion: C.S Christian

Playoff Contenders: C.S Christian, Buena Vista, Peyton

Dark Horse: Rye (Lose a good senior class but can they still threat the league crown)

Player of the League: Jace Velasquez Sr. C.S Christian

Others to watch for: Jace Velasquez Sr. C.S Christian, Will Moore Sr. C.S Christian, Eddie Harmon Sr. C.S Christian, Nick Larson Sr. C.S Christian, Cody Glojek Sr. C.S Christian, Hudson Wingo Jr. Buena Vista, Eli Schuknecht Jr. Buena Vista, Tray Cardwell Sr. Buena Vista, Abel Flowers Jr. Buena Vista, Knox Reid Jr. Buena Vista, Noah Martin Sr. Peyton, Hunter Trim Sr. Peyton, Josiah Zimmerman So. Peyton, Chase Evans Sr. Peyton, Jackson Bjorum So. Rye, Dayton Blok Jr. Rye, Jheffrey Miller Sr. Rye, Xavier Hoyle Jr. Ellicott, Josh Wisthoff Sr. Dolores Huerta, Ray Molina Jr. Dolores Huerta, Jose Rubio Jr. Dolores Huerta, Jose Garcia Jr. Dolores Huerta

Western Slope League

1. Meeker

2. Cedaredge

3. North Fork

4. Grand Valley

5. Roaring Fork

6. Olathe

The Western Slope League is another league that is considered one of the toughest leagues in Class 1A.  This season the Western Slope League is going to be wide open with many of the top teams losing key seniors and a team dropping from Class 2A that bring a lot back.  Meeker is my pick to win the western slope league.  Meeker went 7-4 with a trip to the Semifinals.  Meeker was hit hard by graduation losing key seniors across the board.  Meeker will have some key leadership back on both sides of the ball.  Offensively Clay Crawford and Cade Blunt are back to lead the offense.  Meeker will have to find a QB and replace their graduating offensive linemen.  Defensively Cade Blunt will lead the defense, but he will be looking for some youth to step up like Said Rodriguez and Tristan Rollins.  Meeker will need their non-starters from last season to take a big step forward this season.  Cedaredge is my pick to finish in 2^nd.  Cedaredge went 3-5 last season and made the playoffs.  Cedaredge will be looking to make a return trip to the playoffs and push for the league title.  Cedaredge returns key pieces especially the offensive line which returns 4 starters from a season ago.  Cedaredge will have to find a new QB, but they will have weapons around them in Ethan Toothaker, Brady Cooper, and Ethan Hice.  Defensively Cedaredge could have one of the top defensive units in Class 1A.  Cedaredge returns 11 of their top 13 tacklers including their top 3.  Wylee Lorimor, Ethan Toothaker, and Kolter Mann all return to lead the Bruins defense.  North Fork is my pick to finish in 3^rd.  North Fork went 5-4 last season with a trip to the playoffs.  North Fork also lose a good senior class and will be looking to reload and go for the league title.  Offensively North Fork will be looking for new playmakers.  Payson Pene, Joe Hollembeak, and Skylar Anderson are a few names that could step up this year.  The offensive line for North Fork also has a few holes to fill with possibly 1 or 2 starters returning.  Defensively North Fork returns 6 of their top 13 tacklers.  Joe Hollembeak, Jakob Carver, and Gabriel Garcia could be leaders for the Miner defense next season.  Grand Valley is my pick to finish in 4^th.  Grand Valley moves from Class 2A down to Class 1A and I think could immediately be a contender for the league title and playoff spot.  Grand Valley returns QB Andrew Horner, RB Mason Schoppner, and at least four starters on the offensive line.  Defensively Grand Valley returns 11 of their top 13 tacklers including their top 4 from a season ago.  Gabriel Mendoza, Preston Johnston, and Richard Terrazas are a few names to watch on defense.  Grand Valley is a team who could be in the mix for the league title.  Roaring Fork is my pick for 5^th and Olathe is my pick for 6^th.  Neither Roaring Fork nor Olathe had a team last season.  Both programs will be rebuilding and trying to get back on track.  Since neither team had a team, we will be watching to see who takes steps forward to help rebuild their programs.

My predictions for Western Slope League

League Champion: Meeker

Playoff Contenders: Meeker, Cedaredge, North Fork, Grand Valley

Dark Horse: Grand Valley (Return the most upcoming SRs. And could push for the league title)

Preseason Player of the League: Cade Blunt Sr. Meeker

Others to watch for: Clay Crawford Sr. Meeker, Said Rodriguez So. Meeker, Joe Hollembeak Jr. North Fork, Jakob Carver Sr. North Fork, Gabriel Garcia Sr. North Fork, Wylee Lorimor Sr. Cedaredge, Ethan Toothaker Sr. Cedaredge, Kolter Mann Jr. Cedaredge, Ethan Hice Sr. Cedaredge, Brady Cooper Sr. Cedaredge, Andrew Horner Sr. Grand Valley, Mason Schoppner Sr. Grand Valley, Gabriel Mendoza Sr. Grand Valley, Preston Johnston Sr. Grand Valley, Richard Terrazas Sr. Grand Valley 

Class 1A Playoff Team 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.  These are not in order!

Forge Christian

Platte Valley

Highland

Holyoke

Limon

Wiggins

Wray

Yuma

Monte Vista

Centauri

Buena Vista

C.S Christian

Meeker

North Fork

Cedaredge

Grand Valley

Teams in the mix

Flatirons Academy, Burlington, Denver Christian, Rye, Peyton, Ignacio