MileHigh Prep Reports Top Returning Defense’s Class 1A
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 |
| Limon HS | Their defense gave up 210 points last year which was 15th best in Class 1A. Limon gave up 17.5 ppg which was a top 10 defense in Class 1A in terms of ppg. Limon will have a stacked roster this season returning 11 of their top 13 tacklers including their top 6 from a season ago. Limon should be a top 5 unit this season. |
| Buena Vista HS | Their defense gave up 190 points last year which was 12th best in Class 1A. Buena Vista played in the Semifinals and gave up just 15.8 ppg which was a top 10 defense in Class 1A. Buena Vista should be locked and loaded for a big year, returning 9 of their top 13 tacklers including 3 of their top 6. Look for this unit to be a top 5 unit this year. |
| Highland HS | Their defense gave up 121 points last year which was 3rd best in Class 1A. Highland was a top unit in Class 1A a year ago and they will look to continue that this year. Highland returns 9 of their top 13 tacklers, including 4 of their top 6. They should be a top unit again this year but replacing senior leadership is key. |
| Centauri HS | Their defense gave up 135 points last year which was 5th best in Class 1A. Centauri continues to be a top defensive team year in and year out. Centauri was once again a top 5 unit and should continue that again. Centauri returns 10 of their top 13 tacklers including 3 of their top 6. They do lose some key seniors but look for them to be a top unit again this year. |
| Wray HS | Their defense gave up 120 points last year which was 2nd best in Class 1A. Wray was a dominating force on defense last year and will have key leadership roles to fill this year. Wray will return 7 of their top 13 tacklers but just 1 of their top 6. Wray will look for some new players to step up and be leaders but look for this unit to still be a top unit this year. |
| Meeker HS | Their defense gave up 193 points last year which was 13th best in Class 1A. Meeker had a lot of new players stepping into roles last season and they gained valuable experience. This year Meeker returns 9 of their top 13 tacklers including 3 of their top 6. Meeker does lose 2 of their top 3 tacklers so leadership will have to step up this season. |
| Burlington HS | Their defense gave up 199 points last year which was 14th best in Class 1A. Burlington played in the toughest league in Class 1A and their defense really stepped-up last season. Burlington will once again be a top unit returning 9 of their top 13 tacklers including 3 of their top 6. Burlington will be a team to watch as they lost minimal seniors from a year ago. |
| C.S Christian | Their defense gave up 242 points last year which was 23rd best in Class 1A. C.S Christian took a step back last season defensively going from a top 10 unit to outside the top 20. C.S Christian should return to the top 15 this year with a loaded defensive roster. C.S Christian returns 11 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 6. |
| Yuma HS | Their defense gave up 257 point last year which was 24th best in Class 1A. Playing in the toughest league in Class 1A definitely hurt in terms of giving up points but look for Yuma to rebound to a top 20 unit this year. Yuma will have to replace key leadership including their top tackler from a year ago but return 9 of their top 13 tacklers from last season and 4 of their top 6. |
| Monte Vista HS | Their defense gave up 161 points last year which was 7th best in Class 1A. Monte Vista took a big step forward defensively last season, becoming a top 10 unit. They have key seniors to replace but will get some injured players back this season. Monte Vista returns 7 of their top 13 tacklers including 3 of their top 6. They should be a top 12 unit again this year. |
| North Fork HS | Their defense gave up 179 points last year which was 9th best in Class 1A. North Fork looked to their defense last season to be a top unit and it was. This year expect the same and they should improve on a year ago. North Fork returns 8 of their top 13 tacklers including 3 of their top 6. North Fork should be a top 10 unit again this year. |
| Forge Christian | Their defense gave up 67 points last year which was best in Class 1A. Forge Christian had one of the top defenses in Class 1A. Going into the state championship Forge had given up less than 20 points on the season. Forge Christian was hit hard by graduation and will look to replace key players this season. Forge Christian returns 5 of their top 13 tacklers and those players will be key leaders for this coming season. |
| Cedaredge HS | Their defense gave up 174 points last year which was 8th best in Class 1A. Cedaredge missed the playoffs last year and look for their defense to help get them into the playoffs this year. Cedaredge returns 9 of their top 13 tacklers from a year ago including 4 of their top 6. If this unit can anchor them again look for Cedaredge to get into the playoffs. |
| Platte Valley HS | Their defense gave up 231 points last year which was 19th best in Class 1A. Platte Valley will have key holes to fill this season but have the leadership back to help make this unit a top 15 unit this season. Platte Valley returns just 5 of their top 13 tacklers but returns 4 of their top 6. Leadership should help this unit get up to speed quickly this year. |
| Wiggins HS | Their defense gave up 210 points last year which was 16th best in Class 1A. If you look at ppg Wiggins gave up 19.1 ppg and would have been a top 12 unit. Wiggins will be hit hard by graduation returning just 3 of their top 13 tacklers. The returners are the top 6 tacklers from last year including All-State Players. Leadership should help the rest of the unit. |
| Ellicott HS | Their defense gave up 213 points last year which was 17th best in Class 1A. Ellicott took a big step forward last season and was in the hunt for the playoffs. Their defense was a big reason why and once again this unit must lead for them to push for the playoffs. Ellicott returns 11 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 6. If Ellicott wants to make the playoffs, they must be a top 14 unit this year. |
| Defensive Unit Watch List: | Holyoke (No Stats), Ignacio (No Stats), Peyton, Manual, Trinidad, Roaring Fork, Jefferson, Rye, Platte Canyon, Center, Flatirons Academy, Olathe |
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