Class 2A League Predictions & Previews (East, Intermountain, League 7)

Class 2A League Predictions & Previews (East, Intermountain, League 7)

I have decided to only do 3 or 4 leagues at a time instead of the full 7 leagues.  I will be giving my league predictions on who finishes where.  This is all in fun and I do not wish bad on any teams.  The 16 teams I think make the playoffs will be in Part #2 released tomorrow. Good Luck to all teams this season.

East League

1. Strasburg

2. Kent Denver

3. Elizabeth

4. Bennett

5. Englewood

The East League had two teams make the playoffs last season.  This season the East League should be competitive again and look for at least 3 teams to be in contention for the playoffs.  Strasburg is my pick to win the East League.  Strasburg played their first season in 2A Football since 2014 and they competed well and are in the mix to be a top team in 2A this year.  Strasburg went 9-2 last season, and they do have a few holes to fill this season mainly on the offensive line but plenty of weapons return for Strasburg.  QB Brody Hopwood, RB Ayden Dodge, and WR Cade Hemphill all return offensively for Strasburg.  The offensive line returns at least two starters and has the most question marks.  Defensively Strasburg returns 9 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 6.  Ethan Freeman, Jorge Parra, and Cameron Manahan all return for the Strasburg defense.  Kent Denver is my pick to finish in second.  Kent Denver went 5-4 last season and missed the playoffs.  They were expected to make the playoffs last season, and this year will have their eyes set on returning to the playoffs.  Offensively Kent Denver will have a few holes to fill on the offensive line, possibly losing 3 or 4 starters plus lose their top RB & WR.  Kent Denver will return QB Yianni Balafas who will be looking for a third straight season of over 1000 yards passing.  Kent Denver will look for new weapons to step up this year.  Defensively Kent Denver returns 10 of their top 13 tacklers including 5 of their top 6.  Max Fanale, Vedder Yates, and Brandon Cifuentes all return to lead the Kent Denver defense.  This unit could be a top unit this season.  Elizabeth is my pick to finish in 3^rd.  Elizabeth made the playoffs last season falling in the first round.  Elizabeth went 7-3 last season and are looking for a deeper playoff run.  Elizabeth offensively returns plenty of leadership with both QB back from last season in Joaquin Aviles and Griffin Widhalm.  Also, RB Tristan McCray is back to lead the offense, McCray rushed for over 1000 yards last season.  The major hole for Elizabeth is on the offensive line which could have lost all 5 starters from last season.  Defensively Elizabeth returns 7 of their top 13 tacklers but just 2 of their top 6.  Key leadership is gone from last year’s defense but look for Coalton Crowner, Jaden Francis, and Brody Aldridge to step up this season.  Bennett is my pick to finish in 5^th.  Bennett went 1-8 last season and struggled with a young team and inexperience team.  Bennett should build off last season and I think make a jump to be competitive this year.  Bennett will be searching for a new QB but return both RBs in Cougar Cronk and Austin Stiers.  The offensive line for Bennet should also be a strength returning at least 3 starters on the offensive line.  Defensively Bennett returns 8 of their top 13 tacklers from a year ago including 5 of their top 6.  Kenneth Jordan, Caycen Scholz, and Tommy Cearns all should take a big jump this year.  Englewood rounds out the East League.  Englewood went 5-4 last year just missing out on the playoffs.  Englewood I could easily see finishing higher in the league standing but a few holes do have me concerned.  Offensively Englewood returns QB Dylan Noll who threw for over 1000 yards last season and WRs Logan Mael and Nathan Owens.  Englewood does lose possibly 5 starters on the offensive line plus their top RB from last year.  Defensively Englewood returns just 5 of their top 13 tacklers including just 2 of their top 6.  Englewood will return Logan Mael and Yandel Munoz but will be looking for other players to step up this year.

My predictions for the East League

League Champion: Strasburg

Playoff Contenders: Strasburg, Elizabeth, Kent Denver

Dark Horse: Bennett

Preseason Player of the League: Ayden Dodge Jr. Strasburg

Others to watch for: Brody Hopwood Jr. Strasburg, Cade Hemphill Sr. Strasburg, Cameron Manahan Sr. Strasburg, Ethan Freeman Sr. Strasburg, Max Fanale Jr. Kent Denver, Vedder Yates So. Kent Denver, Brandon Cifuentes So. Kent Denver, Yianni Balafas Sr. Kent Denver, Coalton Crowner Sr. Elizabeth, Jaden Francis Sr. Elizabeth, Griffin Widhalm Sr. Elizabeth, Tristan McCray Sr. Elizabeth, Cougar Cronk Sr. Bennett, Austin Stiers Sr. Bennett, Kenneth Jordan Jr. Bennett, Caycen Scholz Sr. Bennett, Logan Mael Sr. Englewood, Nathan Owens Jr. Englewood, Dylan Noll Sr. Englewood

Intermountain

1. Alamosa

2. Pagosa Springs

3. Bayfield

4. Montezuma-Cortez

5. Salida

6. Gunnison

The Intermountain League had three teams qualify for the State Playoffs last season and this year could be like last year.  3 teams should be in contention for a playoff spot, and we could see a fourth rise to the occasion.  Alamosa is my pick to win the IML.  Alamosa went 6-4 last season and made the playoffs.  Alamosa will have some holes to fill but also return key leadership to help them be the favorite for the league title.  Alamosa will lean on their offensive line to lead them this season.  At least 4 starters are back on the offensive line.  Alamosa will be looking for new starters at QB, RB, and WR.  Alamosa will turn to Tony Griego at QB and look for weapons like AJ Baker and Brennon Maez to step up this year.  Defensively Alamosa will return 7 of their top 13 tacklers but new leaders will have to emerge this year.  Tony Griego, Josh Gonzalez, and Jo David could be some of those players.  Pagosa Springs is my pick to finish in 2^nd.  Pagosa Springs went 5-5 last year and made the playoffs.  Pagosa Springs ended the year on a sour note and would love to make a deeper push into the playoffs.  Pagosa Springs main hole is the offensive line losing 3 or 4 starters from last season.  Pagosa Springs will have the leadership back at QB in Creede Dozier and RB Colton Lucero together they bring back over 2000 yards of total offense.  Defensively Pagosa Springs returns 9 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 6.  Pagosa Springs could have one of the top defensive units in the IML this year.  Colton Lucero, Jayton Ross, and Aidan Vega all return to lead the Pagosa Springs defense.  Bayfield is my pick to finish in 3^rd.  Bayfield is my dark horse pick to win the Intermountain League this year.  Bayfield has a new coach but brings back plenty of firepower from last year’s 4-5 team.  Bayfield offensive line returns at least 3 starters from last season and could power an explosive offense.  QB Cole Mcwhirter, WR Tyler Harriman, and WR Estevan Gonzales also return for Bayfield but finding a new RB is key for Bayfield.  Defensively for Bayfield they return 9 of their top 13 tacklers.  Bayfield will lose their top two tacklers from last season but will turn to Caelan Ramos, Harrison Williams, and Justin Westbrook to lead this season.  Montezuma-Cortez is my pick to finish in 4^th.  Montezuma-Cortez went 7-3 last season, won the IML, and made the playoffs.  They will look to defend their title.  Cortez will have some big holes to fill this year including their QB and top RB from a season ago.  Montezuma-Cortez will look for players like Cody Case and Parker Conrad to step up this year offensively.  Defensively Montezuma-Cortez returns just 5 of their top 13 tacklers from a year ago.  Cortez does return their top 3 tacklers from last season, and they will have to lead a young defensive unit this year.  Rusty Snyder, Wyatt Oliver, and Parker Conrad will be the players to watch on defense.  Salida is my pick to finish in 5^th.  Salida went 3-6 last season and finished 5^th in the IML.  Salida will look to improve on their 5^th place finish but will look for some new pieces to step up this year.  QB Eli Schwarz is back to lead the offense along with WR Tyus Winkler.  Salida will have to look for a new RB to step up possibly Matthew Edgington.  Defensively Salida returns 6 of their top 13 tacklers but will be looking for new leadership to step up this season.  Salida will look for Matthew Edgington, Nick Jones, and John Bartha to step up this year.  Gunnison rounds out the IML.  Gunnison went 3-6 last season finishing in 3^rd in the IML.  Gunnison lost a good senior class from last season and will be looking to rebuild with their youth.  Gunnison will lose 3 or 4 starters on the offensive, their top two RBs from last year, and their top WR.  Gunnison will look for new weapons to step up this year like Jorge Perez, Cody Casebolt, and Nolan Frymoyer.  Defensively Gunnison will return 7 of their top 13 tacklers but just 2 of their top 6. Cody Casebolt and Nolan Frymoyer will be tasked with being the leaders for the Gunnison defense. 

My predictions for Intermountain

League Champion: Alamosa

Playoff Contenders: Alamosa, Pagosa Springs, Bayfield

Dark Horse: Bayfield

Preseason Player of the League: Colton Lucero Sr. Pagosa Springs

Others to watch for: Tony Griego Sr. Alamosa, AJ Baker Sr. Alamosa, Josh Gonzalez Sr. Alamosa, Brennon Maez Sr. Alamosa, Creede Dozier Sr. Pagosa Springs, Jayton Ross Sr. Pagosa Springs, Aidan Vega Sr. Pagosa Springs, Caelan Ramos Sr. Bayfield, Harrison Williams So. Bayfield, Cole Mcwhirter Jr. Bayfield, Tyler Harriman Sr. Bayfield, Rusty Snyder Sr. Montezuma-Cortez, Wyatt Oliver Sr. Montezuma-Cortez, Parker Conrad Sr. Montezuma-Cortez, Matthew Edgington Sr. Salida, Nick Jones Sr. Salida, Eli Schwarz Sr. Salida, Tyus Winkler Sr. Salida,  Cody Casebolt Sr. Gunnison, Nolan Frymoyer Sr. Gunnison

Patriot East

1. Brush

2. Sterling

3. Arvada

4. Fort Lupton

5. Weld Central

6. The Academy

The Patriot East League had two teams make the playoffs last season.  This season may be around the same number of teams, but we will see who steps up this year.  Brush is my pick to win the Patriot East League.  Brush was hit with some injuries last season that took some key pieces away that will be back this year.  Brush went 2-7 last year but look for them to get back into the playoffs this year.  Offensively Brush returns key pieces with QB Eric Rico, RB Jolani Thomas, and WR Thatcher Queen.  Brush will also get back RB/LB Ritchie Bruno who missed all last season.  Brush will also have plenty of experience back on the OL with at least 3 starters back on their offensive line.  Defensively Brush will return 8 of their top 13 tacklers from last season, including 4 of their top 6.  Austin Ley, Konrad Castrup, and Dylan Krob will all be back to lead the defense plus as mentioned adding Ritchie Bruno back into the mix.  Sterling is my pick to finish in second.  Sterling went 9-2 last season with a trip to the Quarterfinals.  Sterling will have some key holes to fill across the board, but Sterling is a traditional power who should still be competitive this year.  Offensively look for QB Memphis Dempcy, RB Hunter Hershfeldt, and RB Braydon Evans to move into bigger roles this season.  Defensively Sterling will return 6 of their top 13 tacklers and have some leadership back returning 3 of their top 5.  Sterling will look for some new players like Luke Petersen, Caleb Garcia, and Gabe Baray-Gress to step up this season.  Arvada is my pick to finish in 3^rd.  Arvada last season had some struggles, going 1-8 and 0-5 in league.  Arvada was young and inexperienced last season and should take big steps forward this year.  Arvada will look for QB Anthony Miller to take a big step forward this year.  RB Miguel Cortes and WR Jaiden Roybal also must take a step forward this year.  Defensively Arvada returns their core from a season ago and must take a step forward on that side of the ball.  Jaiden Roybal, Ethin Villegas, and Noah Austin-Davis could be some players to watch on defense for Arvada.  Fort Lupton is my pick to finish in 4^th.  Fort Lupton went 3-6 last season and lost some key pieces to injuries last year.  Fort Lupton will hope the experience gained will help them this year.  Offensively Fort Lupton will lose their starting QB and top two RBs from a year ago.  Fort Lupton will look for players like Josiah Gonzales and Donte Lenox to fill bigger roles this year.  Defensively Fort Lupton will return 5 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 5.  Fort Lupton will have the leadership back on defense and will lean heavily on Donovan Buschman, Joel Valadez, and Harold McClain to be leaders for a young Fort Lupton defense.  Weld Central is my pick for 5^th.  Weld Central went 5-4 last season and just missed out on the playoffs.  Weld Central will be in reloading mode this season after losing a good senior class plus will have a new head coach this year.  Offensively Weld Central will be searching for new players to step up at QB, RB, and WR this year.  Some players that could step up are Harley Nulsen, Luke Witzel, and Aiden Granier.  Weld Central this season will lean on their defense to be the anchor.  Weld Central returns 8 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 6.  Weld Central will look for Harley Nulsen, Memo Jaquez, and Aiden Granier to be leaders again this season.  Weld Central could easily jump up the standings if their defense plays up to expectations.  The Academy rounds out the Patriot East.  The Academy went 6-4 last season and made the playoffs.  The Academy had a great run to end the year finishing in second in the league and getting into the playoffs.  The Academy lose a very good senior class taking with them over 2000 yards of total offense.  New players like QB Ryland Chatterton, Valentino Duran, and Heath Allen must step up for The Academy this year.  Defensively The Academy will have some experience back returning 7 of their top 13 tacklers.  The Academy will lose 4 of their top 6 tacklers, including their top 3.  Heath Allen and Lucas Goebel must step up and be leaders this season for The Academy. 

My predictions for Patriot East

League Champion: Brush

Playoff Contenders: Brush, Sterling

Dark Horse: Arvada

Preseason Player of the League: Ritchie Bruno Sr. Brush

Others to watch for: Eric Rico Sr. Brush, Jolani Thomas Jr. Brush, Dylan Krob Sr. Brush, Austin Ley Sr. Brush, Memphis Dempcy Jr. Sterling, Hunter Hershfeldt Jr. Sterling, Braydon Evans Sr. Sterling, Anthony Miller So. Arvada, Miguel Cortes Jr. Arvada, Jaiden Roybal Jr. Arvada, Donovan Buschman Sr. Fort Lupton, Joel Valadez Sr. Fort Lupton, Josiah Gonzales Sr. Fort Lupton, Harley Nulsen Sr. Weld Central, Aiden Granier Sr. Weld Central, Luke Witzel Jr. Weld Central, Heath Allen Sr. The Academy, Lucas Goebel Sr. The Academy, Valentino Duran Sr. The Academy