MileHigh Prep Reports Top Returning Defense’s 6-Man Football
Picking the best returning defenses is not an easy task but of course it’s always fun to take a look. Defense in 6-Man is very underrated but it can be the difference between winning a state championship and not. I am using PPG given up last year and seeing what teams are returning. This is one of my favorite articles to write and defense usually wins championships. I will release my preseason 6-Man Top 10 tomorrow.
| High School | Stats |
| Cheyenne Wells | Their defense gave up 262 point last year which was 6th best in 6-Man. Points per game they gave up 20.2 ppg which was 3rd best in 6-Man. Cheyenne Wells will return 4 of their top 8 tacklers from last season including 3 of their top 4. Cheyenne Wells will also get a small boost, getting some players from Kit Carson who will not have a team this season. Cheyenne Wells’ defensively plays very fast and physical, don’t expect that to change this season. |
| Idalia | Their defense gave up 251 points last year which was 5th best in 6-man. Points per game they gave up 19.3 ppg which was 2nd best in 6-Man. Idalia will be looking to take that step into the state championship game. Their defense could lead to that charge but must replace key senior leadership. Idalia returns 5 of their top 8 tacklers including 2 of their top 4. We will see if Idalia can take that next step. |
| Branson/Kim | Their defense gave up 244 points last year which was 3rd best in 6-man. Points per game they gave up 24.4 ppg which was 7th best in 6-Man. Branson/Kim does lose a big piece losing their top tackler, but they return plenty of talent to be a top 8 defense again this season. Branson/Kim returns 6 of their top 8 tacklers including 3 of their top 4. Look for Branson/Kim to challenge for the league title. |
| Stratton | Their defense gave up 307 points last year which was 9th best in 6-man. Points per game they gave up 21.9 ppg which was 4th best in 6-Man. Stratton lost some key pieces from last year’s defense including key seniors’ leadership. Stratton has the tradition and experience to remain a top defense this season. Stratton returns 5 of their top 8 tacklers including 2 of their top 4. |
| Otis | Their defense gave up 194 points last year which was the best in 6-Man. Points per game they gave up 14.9 ppg which was best in 6-Man. Otis will look to remain a top defense again this season but have some key holes to fill. Otis will return 5 of their top 8 tacklers including 2 of their top 4. Leadership will be key for Otis this season. |
| Granada | Their defense gave up 341 points last year which was 13th best in 6-man. Points per game they gave up 21.9 ppg which was 5th best in 6-Man. Granada lost some key leadership and will turn to their youth this season. Key sophomores and juniors will lead the charge. Granada returns 5 of their top 8 tacklers including 2 of their top 4. |
| Sierra Grande | Their defense gave up 284 points last year with was 8th best in 6-Man. Points per game they gave up 28.4 ppg which was 10th best in 6-Man. Sierra Grande will look to maintain as a top 10 defense and return the talent to hold onto that spot and once again challenge for the league title. Sierra Grande returns 5 of their top 8 tacklers including 2 of their top 4. |
| Arickaree/Woodlin | Their defense gave up 395 points last year which was 21st best in 6-Man. Points per game they gave up 35.9 ppg which was 15th best in 6-Man. Arickaree/Woodlin will return plenty of top talent from last season and look to improve to a top 12 defense this season. Of course, they did lose key senior leadership but have plenty of leadership back to replace those seniors. Arickaree/Woodlin returns 6 of their top 8 tacklers including 2 of their top 4. |
| Fleming | Their defense gave up 429 points last year which was 26th best in 6-Man. Points per game they gave up 39 ppg which was 19th best in 6-Man. Fleming will be looking to take big step forward and push for a deeper playoff run. Fleming will lean on their returning leadership this season and should be a top 12 unit this year. Fleming will return 6 of their top 8 tacklers including 2 of their top 4. |
| Eads | Their defense gave up 378 point last year which was 18th best in 6-Man. Points per game they gave up 37.8 which was 18th best in 6-Man. Eads last season was hit by the injury bug which gave key experience to the youth of Eads. Still, Eads must replace key senior leadership but look for the upcoming Juniors and Seniors to step up this year. Eads returns 5 of their top 8 tacklers including 3 of their top 4. |
| Cheraw | Their defense gave up 376 points last year which was 17th best in 6-Man. Points per game they gave up 34.2 ppg which was 13th best in 6-Man. Cheraw had a top 15 defense last season and will look to build on the success of last season. Cheraw does lose some key seniors but will have enough back to be a top unit again this year. Cheraw will return 5 of their top 8 tacklers including 2 of their top 4. |
| Peetz | Their defense gave up 518 points last year which was 30th best in 6-Man. Points per game they gave up 51.8 ppg which was 28th best in 6-Man. Peetz struggled at times defensively and they were also young most sophomores and juniors. This season they have the experience back and should be a top 20 unit this year. Peetz has playoff hopes and their defense could be the reason why. Peetz returns 7 of their top 8 tacklers including 3 of their top 4. |
| North Park | Their defense gave up 323 points last year which was 10th best in 6-Man. Points per game they gave up 35.9 ppg which was 14th best in 6-Man. North Park had a top defensive unit last season and will look to build on that and push for the playoffs. North Park will have to replace their top tackler from last season but return key pieces to remain a top unit. North Park returns 6 of their top 8 tacklers including 2 of their top 4. |
| Prairie | Their defense gave up 396 points last year which was 22nd best in 6-Man. Points per game they gave up 36.0 ppg which was 16th best in 6-Man. Prairie lost key players from their defense, losing their top two tacklers but Prairie also had some injuries last season that hurt their defense as well. Prairie will lean on a solid upcoming senior class to power the way. Prairie will return 5 of their top 8 tacklers including 2 of their top 4. |
| La Veta | Their defense gave up 403 points last year which was 24th best in 6-Man. Points per game they gave up 44.8 ppg which was 24th best in 6-Man. La Veta had a lot of inexperience last season, and it should be beneficial this season. La Veta will look to improve to a top 15 unit and push for the playoffs. La Veta will return 7 of their top 8 tacklers including 3 of their top 4. |
| Caliche | Their defense gave up 331 points last year which was 11th best in 6-Man. Points per game they gave up 27.6 ppg which was 9th best in 6-Man. Caliche lost a talented senior class, and they will have to replace those players to remain a top 10 defense. Caliche does return plenty of talent and will look to the returning leadership to take hold. Caliche returns 4 of their top 8 tacklers including 2 of their top 4. |
| Defensive Unit Watch List: | Genoa-Hugo, Flagler, Manzanola, Weldon Valley, Kiowa, Deer Trail, Wiley |
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