6-Man League Predictions (All Leagues)

6-Man League Predictions (All Leagues)

We move into the 6-man ranks and I will give my league predictions.  I will be doing 8-Man and 6-Man different than 1A and 2A because Kerry Sherman will have a full Season Preview out next week!  I am not splitting 6-Man into two articles.  At the end I will have the 16 teams I think will make the playoffs.

6-Man Central

1. Kiowa

2. Deer Trail

3. Hanover

4. Manzanola

5. Bethune

6. Miami-Yoder

The Central League had just one team make the playoffs last season and is considered one of the weaker leagues in 6-Man.  Kiowa is my pick to win the Central League this year.  Kiowa returns key pieces from last season and will look to build on their success.  Kiowa returns QB James Brewer but lose their top RB from last season and we will see if Ryker Robinett can step into that role.  Defensively Kiowa returns their top tackler from last season but lose some key leadership.  John White will lead the defense again this year but also look for Zayden Kalisch and Antonito Vigil to step up and be leaders.  Deer Trail is my pick to finish in second and possibly contend for a playoff spot.  Deer Trail went 3-7 last season and finished in 3^rd in league.  Deer Trail found success at the end of the season and will hope to build on that momentum.  QB Chris Manriquez-Bustamante, WR Jayden Mingee, and WR Mursal Hussein all return for Deer Trail but replacing their RB will be key.  Defensively Deer Trail lose just 2 of their top 8 tacklers and will lean on Mursal Hussein, Preston Bertram, and Jackson Burdick to step forward this season.  Hanover is my pick to finish in 3^rd.  Hanover won the league last season and made the playoffs falling in the first round.  Hanover lost a talented senior class, and they will look to reload and defend their league title.  Hanover lost their QB and top two RBs from last season but do have some talent back at WR in Tanner Lindsey and Thomas Griffin.  Defensively Hanover does have leadership back in Lindsey and Griffin but they will look for Nolan Sweazy and Edgar Vera-Wences to step up this year.  Manzanola is my pick to finish 4^th.  Manzanola went 3-5 last year and finished in 4^th in the Central League.  Manzanola was young at many positions last year but, will have to find a new QB this year.  Manzanola does return both RB in Danner Carroll and Craig Pittmann.  Defensively Manzanola returns their top 5 tacklers and look to improve on defense.  Jimmy James, Danner Carroll, and Craig Pittmann all return to lead the defense.  Bethune is my pick to finish in 5^th.  Bethune was young at many of the offensive positions and will return talent on that side of the ball.  Bethune returns QB Josh Salinas and RB Ismael Perla both must take big steps forward this year.  Defensively Bethune loses their top three tacklers from last year and will turn to Ismael Perla, Josh Salinas, and Logan Mullis to step up.  Miami-Yoder rounds out the Central League.  Miami-Yoder started the year on a high note but ended up struggling in league going 1-4 and finishing in 5^th.  Miami-Yoder loses a key pieces to last years team taking over 2000 yards of total offense and their top tackler.  Miami-Yoder offensively will look for new pieces to step up in Robert Book and Christopher McGilvray.  Defensively Robert Book will be a leader but also look for Jack Ejlersen and Carson Gann to step up for Miami-Yoder.

My predictions for the Central League

League Champion: Kiowa

Playoff Contenders: Kiowa, Deer Trail, Hanover

Dark Horse: Hanover

Preseason Player of the League: Mursal Hussein Jr. Deer Trail

Others to watch for: James Brewer Sr. Kiowa, John White Jr. Kiowa, Ryker Robinett Jr. Kiowa, Antonito Vigil Sr. Kiowa, Jayden Mingee Sr. Deer Trail, Preston Bertram Sr. Deer Trail, Chris Manriquez-Bustamante Jr. Deer Trail, Thomas Griffin Sr. Hanover, Tanner Lindsey Sr. Hanover, Nolan Sweazy So. Hanover, Jimmy James So. Manzanola, Craig Pittmann Jr. Manzanola, Danner Carroll Jr. Manzanola, Ismael Perla Jr. Bethune, Josh Salinas Jr. Bethune, Robert Book So. Miami-Yoder, Jack Ejlersen Sr. Miami-Yoder, Christopher McGilvray Sr. Miami-Yoder

East Central League

1. Idalia

2. Stratton

3. Otis

4. Arickaree/Woodlin

5. Genoa-Hugo

The East Central League is considered one of the toughest leagues in 6-Man and this season looks to be no different with all 5 teams looking for playoff berths.  Idalia is my pick to win the East Central League.  Idalia made the Semifinals last season and fell just short of upsetting eventual state champions Cheyenne Wells.  Idalia has their eye on the prize this year and have the talent back to make some noise.  Idalia returns QB Broderick Kite, RB Gabe Kechter, and RB Hayden Drullinger.  They do lose some depth at WR and RB from last year.  Defensively Idalia returns 6 of their top 8 tacklers and will look for players like Hunter Drullinger, Carson Helling, and Edward Keller to step up to fill the holes.  Stratton is my pick to finish in 2^nd.  Stratton was your runner up last season falling to Cheyenne Wells in the state championship.  Stratton lost some key pieces from last year’s team but have plenty of talent back to not only win the league but also win a state title.  QB Von Isenbart is back to lead the offense, but new weapons must step up this year.  Judson Isenbart, Nolan Notter, and Gavin Ruhs could be some of those players to step up for Stratton this year.  Defensively Von Isenbart leads the defense as well but also look for Nolan Notter, Haxden Mills, and Drew Fox to play pivotal roles this year.  Otis is my pick to finish in 3^rd.  Otis reached the Semifinals last year, falling to Stratton in an exciting game.  Otis does lose some key pieces but like the other top teams in this league return plenty of talent to challenge for the league crown and state title.  Otis returns QB Austin Hornung and RB Mitchell Stivers but lose key pieces at WR.  Defensively Otis does lose 2 of their top 3 tacklers but returns leading tackler Cambric Klinzmann along with Austin Hornung and Malakye Reese.  Arickaree/Woodlin is my pick to finish in 4^th.  Arickaree/Woodlin made the playoffs last season and reached the Quarterfinals before falling to Cheyenne Wells.  Arickaree/Woodlin will lose some key pieces defensively from last season losing 2 of their top 4 tacklers.  Jorge Ramos will return to lead the defense along with Luis Machado and Keith Page.  Offensively Arickaree/Woodlin returns the main cog of the offense in QB Austin Wright.  Other pieces around him must step up this year like Jorge Ramos and Angel Palomo.  Genoa-Hugo went 2-7 last season and was very young at many positions.  This year Genoa-Hugo will look to get into the playoffs and compete with the top dogs of the East Central League.  Genoa-Hugo returns QB Ryker Lockhart but weapons around him must step up this year.  Isiah Yoder and Tayler Thelen could be some of those players.  Defensively Genoa-Hugo returns key pieces and will look for Spoke Carr, Clayton Nelson, and Isiah Yoder to step into leadership roles this year.

My predictions for the East Central League

League Champion: Idalia

Playoff Contenders: Stratton, Idalia, Otis, Arickaree/Woodlin, Genoa-Hugo

Dark Horse: Genoa-Hugo

Preseason Player of the League: Gabe Kechter Jr. Idalia

Others to watch for: Hayden Drullinger Sr. Idalia, Broderick Kite So. Idalia, Hunter Drullinger Jr. Idalia, Von Isenbart Sr. Stratton, Nolan Notter So. Stratton, Gavin Ruhs Jr. Stratton, Haxden Mills Sr. Stratton, Cambric Klinzmann Jr. Otis, Austin Hornung Sr. Otis, Mitchell Stivers Sr. Otis, Malakye Reese Jr. Otis, Austin Wright Sr. Arickaree/Woodlin, Jorge Ramos Jr. Arickaree/Woodlin, Keith Page Sr. Arickaree/Woodlin, Spoke Carr Jr. Genoa-Hugo, Isiah Yoder Sr. Genoa-Hugo, Ryker Lockhart So. Genoa-Hugo

North League

1. Fleming

2. Peetz

3. Caliche

4. North Park

5. Prairie

6. Briggsdale

7. Weldon Valley

The North League is also considered one of the tougher leagues in 6-Man.  Last season the North League had just three teams make the playoffs and this season looks to be the year where we could see 3 or more teams push for the playoffs.  Fleming is my pick to win the North League.  Fleming made the playoffs last season and fell in an epic 81-66 game in the opening round to Arickaree.  Fleming will look to build on last season and have the pieces back to make a deep run.  Fleming returns QB Treyson Kirkwood, RB Conner Marchant, and WR Pierson Japp all will be key to Fleming have an explosive offense.  Defensively Fleming does lose 2 of their top 3 tacklers but have key leadership back in Conner Marchant.  Also look for Mason Mollohan and Dane Cunningham to fill big roles this season.  Peetz is my pick to finish in 2^nd.  Peetz went 3-7 last season and were young and inexperienced at many positions.  Peetz this year is locked and loaded for a playoff run.  Peetz will return most of their offensive weapons with QB Logan Vallier, RB Dylan Wagner, RB Conner Schumacher, and WR Sam Naegele all back for the Bulldogs.  Defensively Peetz returns 7 of their top 8 tacklers led by Dylan Wagner.  Some other players to watch are Parker Reker and Korbin Segelke.  Caliche is my pick to finish in 3^rd.  Caliche played their first year of 6-Man Football and they found success making the playoffs and winning the North League.  Caliche will have some big holes to fill losing a talented senior class but still have weapons back to push for another playoff berth and defend their league title.  Caliche will return QB Avery Bell along with RB Zachary Yost and WR Riley Becker.  Defensively Caliche will lose 3 of their top 5 tacklers but leadership is back in Avery Bell but also look for Cooper Rockwell and Mason Hernandez to play a big role this year.  Prairie is my pick to finish in 4^th in the North League.  Prairie has been a constant for making the playoffs and they are hoping to keep that rolling and push for the league crown.  Offensively Prairie does lose some key pieces but has some weapons back to keep their offense competitive.  RB Brennan Bringelson will be back to lead the offense and look for Derek Dollarschell, Riar Holloway, and Tyler Troudt to pick up bigger roles this year.  Defensively Prairie loses their top two tacklers but have plenty of depth back.  Wyatt Walker, Brennan Bringelson, and Dylan Chase all return to lead the defense.  North Park is my pick to finish in 5^th and are my dark horse pick to challenge the top teams.  North Park went 3-6 last year and finished 6^th in the North League.  North Park was young at all position expect RB where they lost key contributors.  North Park will bring back experience at QB in Aiden Pittington and WR in Levi Seely.  North Park will look for new RB to step up and one could be Tristan Telck.  Defensively North Park returns 6 of their top 8 tacklers and will look for Curtis Hopkins and Aiden Pittington to lead an improved North Park defense.  Briggsdale is my pick to finish in 6^th.  Briggsdale went 4-5 last season and finished 5^th in league.  Briggsdale will be looking for new weapons on both sides of the ball to step up this year.  Offensively Briggsdale returns QB Scot Francis, but he will look for new weapons as his top three RBs and top 4 WR all graduated.  Koy Gebauer and Sering Pino could be some of those players to step up.  Defensively Briggsdale also has some holes and will be searching for new players to step up this year Francis, Gebauer, and Pino will be leaders on this side of the ball as well.  Weldon Valley rounds out the North League.  Weldon Valley went 2-7 last year and continue to look to rebuild their program.  Weldon Valley does have pieces back in RB August Filter, QB Zander Braun, and WR Seth O’Patik but can everything come together to jump into the mix in the North League.  Defensively Weldon Valley returns 4 of their top 5 tacklers and will look for Blake Davis and Adrian Lopez to step up this year.

My predictions for North League

League Champion: Fleming

Playoff Contenders: Fleming, Peetz, Caliche, North Park, Prairie

Dark Horse: North Park

Preseason Player of the League: Conner Marchant Jr. Fleming

Others to watch for: Treyson Kirkwood Jr. Fleming, Mason Mollohan Sr. Fleming, Pierson Japp Sr. Fleming, Dane Cunningham Jr. Fleming, Dylan Wagner Jr. Peetz, Logan Vallier Sr. Peetz, Conner Schumacher Jr. Peetz, Sam Naegele Sr. Peetz, Avery Bell Jr. Caliche, Zachary Yost Sr. Caliche, Cooper Rockwell Jr. Caliche, Curtis Hopkins Sr. North Park, Aiden Pittington Sr. North Park, Tristan Telck Sr. North Park, Scot Francis Sr. Briggsdale, Koy Gebauer Jr. Briggsdale, Sering Pino So. Briggsdale, Zander Braun Jr. Weldon Valley, August Filter Sr. Weldon Valley

Southeast League

1. Cheyenne Wells

2. Granada

3. Eads

4. Cheraw

5. Wiley

6. Walsh

The Southeast League has been one of the top leagues in 6-Man and once again come into the 2025 season with three teams ranked in the MHPR Preseason Media/Coaches Poll.  Cheyenne Wells is my pick to win the Southeast League.  Cheyenne Wells is your defending State Champions and were the unanimous #1 team in 6-Man to start the year.  Cheyenne Wells will have some key holes to fill but will return plenty of talent to push for another title.  Cheyenne Wells would have had a hole at QB but since Kit Carson did not have a team QB Mason Marriott should jump in and take over.  At RB POY Trey Scheler is back and is looking to surpass his 2024 campaign.  Trevin Smith is another name to watch this year at RB along with C Cory Hill.  Defensively Cheyenne Wells has the most holes, losing 4 of their top 8 tacklers.  Trey Scheler will lead that unit as well but look for Kelby Leonard, Cory Hill, and Kooper Brossman to step up this season.  Granada is my pick to finish in 2^nd.  Granada made the playoffs last year and fell in the Quarterfinals to Idalia.  Granada was young in many positions, but they do lose key leadership at QB and on defense.  Granada this season will look for RB Fernando Cadena, RB Sebastian Pizarro, and WR/RB Alejandro Perez to step up this year.  Defensively Granada loses 3 of their top 8 tacklers but are led by the same trio for Cadena, Pizarro, and Perez.  Granada will still be young this year but look for the youth to step up this year.  Eads is my pick to finish in 3^rd.  Eads went 5-5 last year and finished 3^rd in league.  Eads made the playoffs but had some injuries hit them early in the season but that could be a silver lining with players getting key experience last season.  Eads will return QB Adyn Hough, RB Shaine Winder, and TE/RB Karsten Buller.  These 3 gained valuable experience last season to power the Eagles offense.  Defensively Karsten Buller is back to lead the defense but look for Gaige Rittgers and Alyxx Egley to step up this season.  Cheraw is my pick to finish in 4^th.  Cheraw went 5-6 last year and made the playoffs.  They will look to build on last season’s success and push for a top spot in league this year.  Cheraw will lose some key pieces at RB, WR, and on defense from last season.  Cheraw offensively will have plenty of firepower back with QB Rhett Dutton and RB William Ledbetter.  Other weapons must step up this year and look for Colton Bruna to be one of them.  Defensively Cheraw loses their top 2 tacklers from last season but look for new names like Jacob Herman and Samuel Goheen to be leaders this season.  Wiley is my pick to finish in 5^th.  Wiley played their first year of 6-Man last year and should improve heading into year #2.  Wiley has the weapons back but can players step up around them.  QB Grant Mauch is back to lead the offense but he will be searching for some new weapons.  RB Erik Gonzales and WR Isaiah Lucero could be some of those weapons.  Wiley did not have defensive stats but they will look to improve on that side of the ball.  Walsh round out the Southeast League.  Walsh went 1-9 last year and will look to improve from a season ago.  Walsh has the pieces back to push for a better finish in league this year especially with QB Hudson Gourley back.  Walsh will look for other players to step up around him like WR Samuel Wright, WR Maddox Gourley, and WR Beau Foster.  Defensively Walsh does lose some key pieces losing 3 of their top 4 tacklers.  Samuel Wright is back to lead the defense but he will look for Grady Mundell and Maddox Gourley to step up this year.

My predictions for the Southeast League

League Champion: Cheyenne Wells

Playoff Contenders: Cheyenne Wells, Eads, Granada, Cheraw

Dark Horse: Wiley

Preseason Player of the League: Trey Scheler Sr. Cheyenne Wells

Others to watch for: Cory Hill Sr. Cheyenne Wells, Mason Marriott Sr. Cheyenne Wells, Kelby Leonard Jr. Cheyenne Wells, Trevin Smith So. Cheyenne Wells, Fernando Cadena So. Granada, Sebastian Pizarro So. Granada, Alejando Perez Jr. Granada, Angelo Martinez Jr. Granada, Karsten Buller Sr. Eads, Shaine Winder Sr. Eads, Adyn Hough Jr. Eads, Jacob Herman Sr. Cheraw, Rhett Dutton Jr. Cheraw, William Ledbetter Jr. Cheraw, Grant Mauch Jr. Wiley, Isaiah Lucero Sr. Wiley, Samuel Wright Sr. Walsh, Hudson Gourley So. Walsh

Southwest League

1. Sierra Grande

2. Branson/Kim

3. La Veta

4. Primero

5. Cotopaxi

6. Mountain Valley

The Southwest League continues to get better and has had some success in the playoffs.  The Southwest League had 3 teams qualifying for the playoffs last year and possibly 4 teams could push for it this year.  Sierra Grande is my pick to win the Southwest League.  Sierra Grande went 9-1 last year and won the Southwest League.  Sierra Grande reached the Quarterfinals and will look to build on that success.  Sierra Grande does have a few big holes to fill mainly at QB and on defense.  Sierra Grande will have plenty of weapons back with WR Jadyn Martinez back along with WR Rolando Najera.  It will be interesting to see what changes the Panthers make on offense.  Defensively Sierra Grande returns 6 of their top 8 tacklers.  Jadyn Martinez returns to lead the defense but also Carlos Lopez and Carlos Maestas.  Branson/Kim is my pick to finish in 2^nd.  Branson/Kim went 6-4 and made the playoffs last season.  Branson/Kim will look to push for the league title this season and have the pieces back to contend for the league crown.  QB Cooper Winter is back along with RB/WR Will Doherty and RB Acoya Bartlett.  Defensively Branson/Kim returns the core of their defense but lose their top tackler from a year ago.  David Gamez, Cameron Rosas, and Will Doherty are all back to lead the Bearcat defense.  La Veta is my pick to finish in 3^rd.  La Veta went 2-7 last season but finished 4^th in league.  La Veta was young at many positions a year ago and will look to use the experience gained to push for the league crown.  La Veta will return QB David Roel, RB Sunny Kent, RB Kendall Ingram, and WR Kaydyn Kent.  La Veta offensively will be tough to stop.  Defensively La Veta returns 7 of their top 8 tacklers and will look for leading tackler Theisen Tolbert to lead them once again.  Other players to watch defensively are Tayten Medina and Kyle Presely.  Primero is my pick to finish in 4^th.  Primero went 6-3 last year, took 3^rd in league, and made the playoffs.  Primero lose a talented senior class and will be reloading this year.  Primero offensively lose their QB, top RB, and 2 of their top 3 WRs.  Primero will look for new players like Ralsten lePlatt and Joseph Chavez to step up alongside WR Gabe Sintas.  Defensively Primero returns just 3 of their top 8 tacklers and those 3 must be leaders for a young Bulldog defense.  Ralsten LePlatt, Kailain Sanford, and Josh Pachorek must be leaders for Primero.  Cotopaxi is my pick to finish in 5^th.  Cotopaxi restarted their program last year after missing the 2023 season.  Cotopaxi went 1-8 last year but look to be going in the right direction.  Cotopaxi returns QB William Fong to lead the offense.  RB Landen Pearce and WR Kenny Teter look to take a bigger role in the offense for Cotopaxi as well this year.  Defensively Cotopaxi loses their top two tacklers from last year but look for Jamison Thurston and David Sovocool to be leaders this season.  Mountain Valley wraps up the Southwest League.  Mountain Valley did not have a program last year and will be rebuilding their program.  We will have to see what they have in store and they will be looking to the incoming freshman class to get the program going in the right direction. 

My predictions for the Southwest League

League Champion: Sierra Grande

Playoff Contenders: Sierra Grande, Branson/Kim, La Veta, Primero

Dark Horse: La Veta

Preseason Player of the League: Jadyn Martinez Sr. Sierra Grande

Others to watch for: Carlos Lopez Sr. Sierra Grande, Rolando Najera Sr. Sierra Grande, Carlos Maestas Jr. Sierra Grande, Will Doherty Sr. Branson/Kim, Cooper Winter Jr. Branson/Kim, David Gamez Jr. Branson/Kim, Theisen Tolbert Jr. La Veta, Kendall Ingram Sr. La Veta, Sunny Kent Jr. La Veta, David Roel So. La Veta, Kailain Sanford Sr. Primero, Ralsten LePlatt Jr. Primero, Gabe Sintas Sr. Primero, Jamison Thurston Jr. Cotopaxi, William Fong Jr. Cotopaxi, Kenny Teter So. Cotopaxi

Playoff 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 14 of the 16 teams correct so I am expecting to have a few teams wrong. Regardless Good Luck to all teams this season.

Kiowa (Central)

Idalia (East Central)

Stratton (East Central)

Otis (East Central)

Arickaree (East Central)

Fleming (North)

Peetz (North)

Caliche (North)

Prairie (North)

Cheyenne Wells (Southeast)

Granada (Southeast)

Eads (Southeast)

Cheraw (Southeast)

Sierra Grande (Southwest)

Branson/Kim (Southwest)

La Veta (Southwest)

Just Outside

Genoa-Hugo, North Park, Wiley, Walsh, Primero, Deer Trail, Hanover