MileHigh Prep Reports Top Returning Defense’s Class 2A
Picking the best returning defenses is not an easy task but of course it’s always fun to take a look. I am using PPG given up last year and looking what teams are returning. This is one of my favorite articles to write and defense usually wins championships. I will release my preseason Class 2A Top 16 tomorrow. We are also going to continue doing are Media Polls if you are interested send me a message or email.
| High School | Stats |
| Wellington HS | Their defense gave up 211 points last year which was 11th best in Class 2A. Wellington is heading into their 4th year as a program and lost their first group of seniors last year. They return 11 of their top 13 tacklers including their top 6. Wellington will look to improve this season defensively and should improve on their 16.2 ppg mark which was outside the top 10 as well. |
| Strasburg HS | Their defense gave up 98 points last year, which was the best in Class 2A. Strasburg also gave up just 8.9 ppg which is also best in Class 2A. Strasburg will be playing their second season in Class 2A and look for them to take another big step forward. Strasburg returns 9 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 6. Strasburg should be a top 5 unit again this season. |
| Eaton HS | Their defense gave up 212 points last year, which was 21st best in Class 2A. Eaton will strive to improve on the defensive side of the ball this season. Eaton should be a top 5 unit this year, returning 10 of their top 13 tacklers including 5 of their top 6. Eaton will return plenty of key talent and look for their defense to be a top unit this year. |
| Basalt HS | Their defense gave up 151 points last year, which was 9th best in Class 2A. Basalt defensively gave up just 12.6 ppg which was 6th best in Class 2A. Basalt will have a few holes to fill but return plenty of key talent to help them improve this year. Basalt returns 8 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 6. |
| Lamar HS | Their defense gave up 165 points last year, which was 14th best in Class 2A. Lamar took a big step forward last season and improved on their defense. Lamar jumped into the top 10 for ppg as they gave up just 15 ppg. Lamar should improve again this season. Lamar returns 9 of their top 13 tacklers, including 4 of their top 6. |
| Resurrection Christian | Their defense gave up 216 points last year, which was 24th best in Class 2A. Resurrection Christian took a step backward defensively but also played in the toughest league in Class 2A. Resurrection Christian will look to bounce back this year and they should. Resurrection Christian returns 10 of their top 13 tacklers and bring back key leadership with 5 of their top 6 tacklers returning. |
| Classical Academy | Their defense gave up 143 points last year, which was 8th best in Class 2A. TCA had the 2nd best defense when looking at ppg as they gave up just 11 ppg. TCA will have key holes to fill from their state championship defense. TCA returns 6 of their top 13 tacklers including 3 of their top 6. TCA will look for the returners to be leaders this season. |
| Pagosa Springs HS | Their defense gave up 239 points last year which was 29th best in Class 2A. Pagosa Springs started the season on fire but ended the year on a sour note. Pagosa Springs will look to be dominate defensively this year. Pagosa Springs returns 9 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 6. |
| Kent Denver HS | Their defense gave up 212 points last year which was 22nd best in Class 2A. Kent Denver struggled against top teams last season, and they will look to improve defensively. Kent Denver should be a top 10 unit this coming season returning 10 of their top 13 tacklers including 5 of their top 6 tacklers from a year ago. |
| Coal Ridge HS | Their defense gave up 168 points last year which was 15th best in Class 2A. Coal Ridge took a huge step forward last season just missing out on the playoffs. Coal Ridge will look for their defense to improve again but will have to replace their top two tacklers from a year ago. Coal Ridge will return 9 of their top 13 tacklers and 4 of their top 6 tacklers. |
| Denver West HS | Their defense gave up 155 point last year which was 11th best in Class 2A. Denver West was a huge surprise last season and we will see if they can continue that success this year. Denver West returns nearly their entire defensive unit from a year ago. Denver West returns 12 of their top 13 tacklers including 5 of their top 6. This unit could be one of the best in Class 2A if they put the work in during the offseason. |
| Brush HS | Their defense gave up 192 point last year which was 18th best in Class 2A. Brush had some injuries that hurt their season early on last year, but Brush still had a top 20 unit, and they should improve on that this year. Brush returns 8 of their top 13 tacklers, including 4 of their top 6. Brush could make a push for the playoffs this year if the defense plays like a top unit again this year. |
| Bayfield HS | Their defense gave up 233 points last year which was 26th best in Class 2A. Bayfield went 4-5 last season, and they will look to build on that and have a good senior class coming back. Bayfield will have a new coach this year and we will see what he does. Bayfield returns 9 of their top 13 tacklers including 3 of their top 6. If this unit can improve, they could be contenders in the IML this season. |
| Elizabeth HS | Their defense gave up 116 points last year which was 3rd best in Class 2A. Elizabeth is always one of the top defensive teams in Class 2A. They will have some key holes to fill this year but look for them to still be a top unit. Elizabeth returns 7 of their top 13 tacklers including 2 of their top 6. |
| La Junta HS | Their defense gave up 236 points last year which was 27th best in Class 2A. La Junta took a step back last year defensively and they will look to make major improvements on that side of the ball. La Junta will look for leadership to step up as they return 4 of their top 6 tacklers and 7 of their top 13. La Junta will lean on their defense this season. |
| Delta HS | Their defense gave up 139 points last year which was 6th best in Class 2A. Delta is always a top defensive unit, but this year have key holes to fill. Delta will return just 6 of their top 13 tacklers and 2 of their top 6. Delta will look for youth to take a big step forward this season. |
| Defensive Unit Watch List: | Berthoud, Weld Central, Alamosa, Sterling, Montezuma-Cortez, Salida, Fort Lupton, The Academy, Florence, Gunnison, Bennett, Banning Lewis |
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