MileHigh Prep Report Preseason Football Class 2A Rankings
We are getting closer and closer to the start of the football season. This is my top 16 preseason rankings. Class 2A looks to be wide open this season with many top teams losing key pieces. I think we could be in for a very exciting season in Class 2A. We are going to be doing a Media/Coaches Poll again this season. If you are interested in voting shoot me a message. This is just my preseason rankings and as I do more research and talk to more coaches, I may make changes come closer to the season. I am moving to Class 1A next week.
Class 2A
| Rank | Team | Notes |
| #1 | Wellington HS Runners Up | Wellington is your runners up from a season ago. This will be the first year Wellington will have to replace seniors. Wellington lost 11 seniors last season including their top RB from a season ago. Wellington will return plenty of leadership skills including POY Candidate QB Tanner Gray, RB Cyle Kisner, and Tyler Shaffer. Wellington returns 11 of their top 13 tacklers including 5 of their top 6. Wellington will look for Matt Brown & Seamus Pike to step up again this year. |
| #2 | Eaton HS Made the playoffs, lost in the Semifinals | Eaton reached the Semifinals yet again and will look to take the next step forward this year. Eaton lost 9 total seniors from a year ago including 3 of their top 13 tacklers. Eaton will return key leadership roles on both sides of the ball. Offensively POY Candidate Andrew Loyd & Liam Whalen are back to lead a potent offense along with 10 Jr & Sr offensive/defensive linemen. Defensively Eaton returns 10 of their top 13 tacklers including 5 of their top 6. Vinnie Juarez & Jackson Savona are back to lead the defense. |
| #3 | Basalt HS Made the playoffs, lost in the Semifinals | Basalt took a big step forward last season reaching the Semifinals and will look to be a State Title Contender this year. Basalt will have a few holes to fill losing 7 seniors from last season. Defensively Basalt returns 8 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 6. Parker Sims & Connor Anthes will be back to lead the defense. Offensively QB Karson Schneider is back and will be his second year at QB and POY Candidate RB Will Tarallo is also back to lead the offense. Basalt also returns 8 Jr & Sr Offensive & Defensive Linemen. |
| #4 | Classical Academy HS Defending State Champions | Classical Academy is your defending State Champions for the 2024 Football Season. TCA had a huge season last year but will have a good group of seniors to replace. TCA lose 22 seniors from a season ago along with over 2400 yards of total offense. Returning for TCA offensively is RB Jackson Schipfer who is the main skill position player back for TCA. TCA also returns 11 Jr & Sr offensive linemen. Defensively TCA returns 6 of their top 13 tacklers from last season including 3 of their top 6. Andrew Richins & Joshua Knuckles are back to lead the defense. |
| #5 | Strasburg HS Made the playoffs, lost in the Quarterfinals | Strasburg made the jump from Class 1A to Class 2A last season, and they found success right away reaching the Quarterfinals. Strasburg is looking to make a deeper run this year and return plenty of top talent. Strasburg lost just 6 total seniors last year. Offensively Strasburg returns POY Candidate RB Ayden Dodge, QB Brody Hopwood, and WR Cade Hemphill. Along with at least 2 starters on the offensive line they also return 8 Jr & Sr Offensive & Defensive linemen. Defensively Strasburg returns key starters, 9 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 6. Ethan Freeman & Jorge Parra are both back as leaders for Strasburg. |
| #6 | Lamar HS Made the playoffs, lost in the Quarterfinals | Lamar made a big jump last season reaching the Quarterfinals and this year are looking for a deeper postseason run. Lamar lose some key seniors from a year ago with 7 total seniors graduating. Lamar will have plenty of leadership back and top talent. Offensively POY Candidate QB Jacob Duning is back to lead Lamar along with RB Alex Aguilar & WR Alexander Williams. Lamar also returns at least 3 starters on the offensive line plus 10 Jr & Sr offensive/defensive linemen. Defensively Lamar returns 9 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 6. Adriel Gonzalez, Cason Pollart, and Braxen Shelton return to lead the Thunder. |
| #7 | Resurrection Christian Missed the playoffs, went 5-4 | Resurrection Christian missed the playoffs a season ago going 5-4 and being #17 in the Seeding Index. A game against Palm Beach Christian probably cost them a trip to the playoffs. Resurrection Christian will have their eyes on a playoff berth this year. Defensively Resurrection Christian returns 10 of their top 13 tacklers including 5 of their top 6. Ethan Carter & Camden Davis return to lead the Defense. Offensively Resurrection Christian lose their top RB but return QB Jaxson Pszanka & RB Britton Walston. Resurrection Christian also return 8 Jr & Sr Offensive/Defensive Linemen. |
| #8 | Elizabeth HS Made the playoffs, lost in the First Round | Elizabeth made the playoffs last season falling in the first round. Elizabeth has fallen in the first round three straight years, and they look to break thru this season. Elizabeth will lose 10 seniors from last season. Defensively Elizabeth returns 7 of their top 13 tacklers but just 2 of their top 6. Elizabeth will look for Coalton Crowner & Jaden Francis to be leaders this year. Offensively Elizabeth returns RB Tristan McCray along with QB’s Joaquin Aviles & Griffin Widhalm. Elizabeth also returns 7 Jr & Sr Offensive/Defensive Linemen. |
| #9 | Delta HS Made the playoffs, lost in the Semifinals | Delta fell in the first-round last season playing the eventual state champions to the end and falling by 4. Delta will have some retooling to do this season, losing 9 seniors including over 2500 yards of total offense. Delta will be young offensively next season but look for RB Dom Teal & WR Deacon Shean to step up next year. Delta also returns 6 Jr & Sr Offensive/Defensive Linemen. Defensively Delta returns 6 of their top 13 tacklers including 2 of their top 6. Alex McKenna & Jhett Ryan are back to lead the Panther defense. |
| #10 | Kent Denver HS Missed the playoffs, went 5-4 | Kent Denver missed the playoffs last season, going 5-4. Kent Denver will look to return to the playoffs this season and build off last year. Kent Denver lose 9 seniors from last season. Offensively Kent Denver returns QB Yianni Balafas but he will be looking for new weapons at RB & WR this season. The offensive line for Kent Denver should be a positive. Kent Denver returns at least two starters on the offensive line and have 6 Jr & Sr Offensive/Defensive lineman back this year. Defensively Kent Denver returns their core including 10 of their top 13 tacklers and 5 of their top 6. Max Fanale & Vedder Yates both return to lead the defense. |
| #11 | Berthoud HS Made the Playoffs, lost in the Quarterfinals | Berthoud once again reached the playoffs and fell in the Quarterfinals again this past year. Berthoud will have some reloading to do this year losing 14 seniors from a year ago including a 2500-yard passer & top 3 targets. Berthoud offensively this year will look for RB Gavin Kirk, WR Jayce Newbill, and backup QB Evan Schmidt to step up this season. Berthoud does return key Jr & Sr Offensive/defensive Linemen with 9 coming back. Defensively Berthoud was hit hard and return just 5 of their top 13 tacklers, including 2 of their top 6. Sam Smith & Sean Barajas must be leaders for Berthoud this season. |
| #12 | Coal Ridge HS Missed the playoffs, went 5-4 | Coal Ridge took a big step forward last season, going 5-4 and finishing just outside the playoff bubble. Coal Ridge does have some holes to fill losing 10 seniors from last season including 4 or 5 starters on the offensive line. Coal Ridge offensively returns POY Candidate QB Dylan Miller, RB Jayden Emery, and WR JL Houston. The main question mark is the offensive line which returns just 4 Jr & Sr Offensive/Defensive Linemen. Defensively Coal Ridge should be a top unit returning 9 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 6. Tasen Collard, Evan Dujka, & Kai Oesterle are all back to lead the defense. |
| #13 | Brush HS Missed the Playoffs, went 2-7 last year | Brush missed the playoffs last season going 2-7. Injuries hurt Brush a season ago, but they are returning an experience roster and could make a run this year. Brush offensively returns QB Eric Rico, along with RB Jolani Thomas & RB Dylan Krob. Brush also returns at least 3 starters on the offensive line and 10 Jr & Sr Offensive/Defensive Lineman. Defensively Brush still was a top 18-unit last season, and they return 8 of their top 13 tacklers, including 4 of their top 6. Austin Ley & Konrad Kastrup both should be leaders defensively for Brush. |
| #14 | Aspen Missed the Playoffs, went 5-4 | Aspen missed the playoffs last season, going 5-4 and finishing third in the Western Slope League. Aspen will be looking to reach the playoffs this season. Aspen Offensively is loaded with talent including POY Candidate RB Dylan Mika. QB Brett Eggleston and RB Carter Kuhlman will also be players to watch this season. The offensive line for Aspen should also be a big positive with at least 3 starters returning and 9 Jr & Sr Offensive/Defensive Lineman back. Defensively Aspen was hit hard by graduation returning just 5 of their top 13 tacklers and just 2 of their top 6. Dylan Mika and Asher Smith will be leader for Aspen this year. |
| #15 | Denver West HS Made the Playoffs, lost in the first round | Denver West was a big surprise a season ago making the playoffs. Denver West will look to take a big step forward and contend for the league title this year. Denver West lose just 5 seniors from last season and return a loaded roster. Offensively Denver West returns QB Marcelo Ortiz, RB Freddy Lucero, and RB Jose Valencia. The offensive line for Denver West should also be solid with 8 Jr & Sr Offensive/defensive linemen returning. Defensively Denver West could be a top unit returning 12 of their top 13 tacklers including 5 of their top 6. Aries Uong & Robert Wittke both should be leaders for Denver West this season. |
| #16 | Pagosa Springs HS Made the playoffs, lost in the First Round | Pagosa Springs made the playoffs last season falling in the first round. Pagosa Springs lose just 6 seniors from last year but were hit very hard on the Offensive Line losing at least 4 starters. POY Candidate RB Colton Lucero is back to lead the offense along with QB Creede Dozier. As I said Pagosa Springs returns just 3 Jr & Sr Offensive/Defensive Lineman from a year ago. Defensively Pagosa Springs could be a top unit returning 9 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 6. Colton Lucero along with Jayton Ross & Aidan Vega return Defensively for the Pirates this season. |
| Other Teams to Watch | Alamosa, University, Bayfield, Florence, La Junta, Sterling, Salida, Montezuma-Cortez, Fort Lupton, Gunnison, Bennett, Banning Lewis, D’Evelyn, Moffat County |
Notes for Teams not Ranked in Top 16:
Getting down to the top 16 was not easy and this is just my preseason rankings, and I will probably have changes once we get close to the season. Alamosa, University, Bayfield, and Florence were all very close to entering the top 16 but I left them just outside. A few teams farther down could also get in the mix like Salida and Fort Lupton, but they have a few question marks that needed answered. As we move closer to the season and more information is passed along, I may move a few teams.
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