Class 1A League Predictions & Previews (South Central, Tri-Peaks, Western Slope Leagues)
We wrap up my league predictions and previews with Class 1A. I am splitting Class 1A into two articles. I will have my prediction for the 16 teams who I think make the playoffs. Good Luck to all teams this season.
South Central League
1. Monte Vista
2. Centauri
3. Ignacio
4. Trinidad
5. Center
6. Del Norte
The South-Central League has been a two-horse race for the past few seasons between Centauri and Monte Vista. I don’t see that changing this season, but I do think a third team will be in the mix for playoff spots and possibly challenge the top two teams. Monte Vista is my pick to win the South Central League. Monte Vista went 7-3 last season with a trip to the playoffs. Monte Vista won the league title last season and will look to defend. Monte Vista offensively does lose some key pieces with their QB and top RB both graduating. Monte Vista does return their entire offensive line from a season ago and will look for QB Manny Jiron, RB Kelby Mondragon, and returning WR Azariah Hurtado to lead the offense. Defensively Monte Vista returns 7 of their top 13 tacklers from a year ago including 3 of their top 6. Azariah Hurtado, Jon Enderle, and Mason Mondragon will look to lead the Pirates defense this season. Centauri is my pick to finish in second. Centauri went 8-2 last season with a trip to the playoffs. Centauri was upset in the opening round and will look for a deeper run this season. Centauri lost a few key pieces last season but return a loaded roster to try and reclaim the league title. Offensively Centauri returns at least 3 starters on the offensive line plus QB Sean Jarvies, and WR Carson Shawcroft. Centauri will look for Dallyn King and Blake Johnson to fill in on offense this season. Defensively Centauri returns a loaded defense returning 10 of their top 13 tacklers including 3 of their top 6. Ryder Norton, Spencer Smith, and Cole Jackson look to lead an experienced Falcon defense into 2025. Ignacio is my pick to finish in 3rd. Ignacio went 4-5 last season and missed the playoffs. If Ignacio can get a better start to their season they may have a shot at the playoffs. Ignacio does have a few holes to fill offensively losing possibly 3 or 4 starters from the offensive line. Ignacio does return key skill position players like QB Zane Pontine, Dewayne Hendren, Aven Bourriague, and Lincoln DeKay. Ignacio did not put stats in from last season. Ignacio will have a new head coach this season and seeing what he does with a solid roster could push them into the playoffs or challenge the top two teams. Trinidad is my pick to finish in 4th. Trinidad went 2-6 last season finishing in 5th in league. Trinidad will return key pieces from last season plus a new head coach that will look to get Trinidad back on the map. Trinidad offensively returns QB Isaiah Moreno, RB Xavier Garcia, and WR Matthew Garduno. The offensive line for Trinidad should also return at least 3 starters this season. Defensively Trinidad returns 11 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 6. Trinidad could improve this season, but it all depends on the work they put in during the offseason. Center is my pick to finish in 5th. Center went 2-7 last season and 2-3 in league. Center will have a new coach once again this season which marks four coaches in 5 years. Center will look for some stability as they look to rebuild their program. Center has some talent back offensively with QB Devan Garcia and RB/WR Jaiden Martinez. Defensively Center will return 8 of their top 13 tacklers including 3 of their top 6. Jaiden Martinez, Mario Mendoza, and Alejandro Puentes will be leaders for the Vikings this season. Del Norte is the final team to mention in the South Central League. Del Norte did not field a varsity team last season instead playing a JV schedule. Del Norte will hope the year of JV will help their team this season. Not much will be known about Del Norte till they play but they do have at least one starter back in Paul Neal from two years ago.
My predictions for the South Central
League Champion: Monte Vista
Playoff Contenders: Centauri, Monte Vista, Ignacio
Dark Horse: Ignacio
Preseason Player of the League: Sean Jarvies Sr. Centauri
Others to watch for: Manny Jiron So. Monte Vista, Kelby Mondragon Sr. Monte Vista, Jon Enderle Sr. Monte Vista, Azariah Hurtado Sr. Monte Vista, Mason Mondragon So. Monte Vista, Carson Shawcroft Sr. Centauri, Ryder Norton Sr. Centauri, Spencer Smith Sr. Centauri, Dallyn King Jr. Centauri, Zane Pontine Sr. Ignacio, Dewayne Hendren Sr. Ignacio, Aven Bourriague Sr. Ignacio, Lincoln DeKay Sr. Ignacio, Isaiah Moreno Jr. Trinidad, Xavier Garcia Sr. Trinidad, Andrew East Jr. Trinidad, Andreas Bowman Sr. Trinidad, Jaiden Martinez So. Center, Mario Mendoza So. Center, Alejandro Puentes Sr. Center, Devan Garcia So. Center, Paul Neal Sr. Del Norte
Tri-Peaks League
1. Buena Vista
2. C.S Christian
3. Ellicott
4. Rye
5. Peyton
The Tri-Peaks league has traditionally been one of the tougher leagues in Class 1A and this year is not much different with two top teams in Class 1A. I think you could see a possible third team push for the playoffs this season in the Tri-Peaks. Buena Vista went 9-3 last season winning the Tri-Peaks League and making it to the Semifinals a season ago. Buena Vista has their eyes set on the prize this season and return a loaded roster to make that push. Offensively Buena Vista returns 3 or 4 starters on the offensive line plus bring back QB Hudson Wingo, RB Eli Schuknecht, and WR Knox Reid. Buena Vista offensively could be one of the top offensive units in 1A. Defensively Buena Vista brings back a loaded unit returning 9 of their top 13 tacklers including 3 of their top 6. Buena Vista will look for Abel Flowers, Knox Reid, and Carter Stromer to lead the Demons defense. C.S Christian is my pick to finish in 2nd. C.S Christian went 5-5 last season with a trip to the playoffs. C.S Christian should remain a playoff contender but have a few holes to fill offensively. C.S Christian lost their QB from last season, their #2 WR, and possibly 3 starters on the offensive line. C.S Christian does bring back weapons for the new QB with RB Daniel Hoggard, WR Mikey Orawiec, and Micah Akpata. Defensively C.S Christian should remain a top unit returning 10 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 6. Mikey Orawiec, Danniel Hoggard, and Brock Oneal will lead the C.S Christian defense and this unit will be key for some early success. Ellicott is my pick to finish in 3rd and be a playoff contender. Ellicott went 4-5 last season, going 2-3 in league. Ellicott was young at many positions last year and are senior led this season plus gained valuable experience. Ellicott offensively returns at least 4 starters on the offensive line plus QB Jacob Nikluski, RB Jairus Martin, and WR Braydon Epps. Ellicott should improve on this side of the ball. Defensively Ellicott returns their core from a season ago. Ellicott returns 11 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 6. Xavier Hoyle, Tavita Tunoa, and Jairus Martin all return to lead an improved Ellicott defense. Rye is my pick to finish in 4th. Rye went 2-7 last season and 2-3 in league play. Rye will be looking to build on the success they had last season and make a push for the playoffs. Offensively Rye will have some key pieces back but will have to replace possibly 2 or 3 starters on the offensive line plus their top two RBs from last season. Returning for Rye this year is QB Chris Scott and WR Wyatt Scheid. Rye will look for Jackson Bjourm to step up this year. Defensively, Rye will have their core back and should improve. Rye returns 8 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 6. Beau Hicks, Anthony Adams, and Grant Clennin should be leaders for an improve Rye defense. Peyton is my pick to round out the Tri-Peaks league. Peyton went 6-3 last season and just missed out on the playoffs dropping their final game of the season. Peyton will look to stay in the top 3 this year and will have to find some new play makers to step up. Peyton offensively will have to replace possibly 3 starters on the offensive line, their QB and top RB. Peyton will look for Josiah Zimmerman, John Finlay-Wagner, and Marcus Clemons to step up this year. Defensively Peyton returns key pieces but has a few holes to fill. Peyton returns 7 of their top 13 tacklers but just 2 of their top 6. Joey Zimmerman and Liam Mcinroy are the leaders back for Peyton but must get other players to step up this year.
My predictions for the Tri-Peaks League
League Champion: Buena Vista
Playoff Contenders: Buena Vista, C.S Christian, Ellicott
Dark Horse: Ellicott
Player of the League: Hudson Wingo Sr. Buena Vista
Others to watch for: Eli Schuknecht Sr. Buena Vista, Tucker Montoya Sr. Buena Vista, Knox Reid Sr. Buena Vista, Abel Flowers Sr. Buena Vista, Carter Stromer Sr. Buena Vista, Daniel Hoggard Sr. C.S Christian, Micah Akpata Sr. C.S Christian, Mikey Orawiec Sr. C.S Christian, Brock Oneal Sr. C.S Christian, Jacob Nikulski Sr. Ellicott, Jairus Martin Jr. Ellicott, Xavier Hoyle Sr. Ellicott, Tavita Tunoa Jr. Ellicott, Chris Scott Sr. Rye, Jackson Bjourm Jr. Rye, Beau Hicks Sr. Rye, Anthony Adams Sr. Rye, Josiah Zimmerman Jr. Peyton, Liam Mcinroy Jr. Peyton, John Finlay-Wagner Sr. Peyton
Western Slope League
1. Meeker
2. Cedaredge
3. North Fork
4. Grand Valley
5. Olathe
The Western Slope League is another league that is considered one of the toughest leagues in Class 1A. We could see possibly 3 teams push for playoff spots this year. Meeker is my pick to win the Western Slope League. Meeker went 8-3 last season, won the Western Slope League, and reached the Quarterfinals. Meeker had some inexperience on the offensive line last season and now will be a huge strength for them this year. Meeker also returns QB Cade Mills and RB/WR Said Rodriguez. Meeker will have to replace their top two RBs from last season. Defensively Meeker will have some leadership to replace but return plenty of depth and new leaders this season. Meeker returns 9 of their top 13 tacklers from last season including 3 of their top 6. Tristin Rollins, Said Rodriguez, and Samuel Conrado will be tasked with becoming leaders for the Cowboys this season. North Fork is my pick to finish in 2nd. North Fork went 6-4 last season with a trip to the playoffs. North Fork finished second in the Western Slope and hope to contend for the league title this year. North Fork returns plenty of key players from a season ago but will have a few holes to fill this year. North Fork returns at least three starters on the offensive line plus QB Braeden Flores, RB Derick Sievertsen, and RB Joe Hollembeak. Defensively North Fork will bring back their core from a season ago. North Fork returns 8 of their top 13 tacklers from last season but just 2 of their top 6. North Fork will look for Payson Miller, Bo Eves, and Joe Hollembeak to take over as leaders this season. Cedaredge is my pick for 3rd. Cedaredge went 6-3 last season and missed the playoffs. Cedaredge will hope they can make a push for the playoffs this year. Cedaredge offensively should improve this year. Cedaredge returns at least 3 starters on the offensive line plus QB Logan Sanders and RB Kolter Mann. Cedaredge will have to replace their top WR and depth at RB losing their #2 & #3 RBs. Defensively Cedaredge should take a big step forward this season. Cedaredge returns 9 of their top 13 tacklers from a year ago including 4 of their top 6. Kolter Mann, Liam Martin, and Logan Sanders should lead an improved Cedaredge defense. Olathe is my pick to finish in 4th. Olathe has continued to rebuild their program. Last season they went 2-7 and will look to break thru and contend this season. Olathe did not post stats from last season but lost just 5 seniors from last season. We will see if Olathe breaks thru this year and contends with the top teams. Grand Valley rounds out the Western Slope. Grand Valley went 2-7 last season with their wins over Roaring Fork & Olathe. Grand Valley had a senior roster last season and will be rebuilding this season. Grand Valley lost many of their key starters from last season including their QB, top 3 RBs, and WR. Grand Valley will look for new player makers to step up this year like Chase Price and Trey Teter. Defensively Grand Valley will have some depth back. Grand Valley returns 6 of their top 13 tacklers from last season. Peyton Farris, Trey Teter, and Javier Mendizabal must lead a young Grand Valley defense.
My predictions for Western Slope League
League Champion: Meeker
Playoff Contenders: Meeker, North Fork Cedaredge
Dark Horse: Olathe
Preseason Player of the League: Cade Mills Jr. Meeker
Others to watch for: Tristin Rollins Sr. Meeker, Said Rodriguez Jr. Meeker, Samuel Conrado Sr. Meeker, Payson Miller Jr. North Fork, Bo Eves Sr. North Fork, Derick Sievertsen Sr. North Fork, Braeden Flores Sr. North Fork, Joe Hollembeak Sr. North Fork, Logan Sanders Jr. Cedaredge, Kolter Mann Sr. Cedaredge, Liam Martin So. Cedaredge, Peyton Farris Jr. Grand Valley, Trey Teter Sr. Grand Valley, Javier Mendizabal Sr. Grand Valley
Class 1A Playoff Team 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 13 of the 16 teams correct so I am expecting to have a few teams wrong. Regardless Good Luck to all teams this season. These are not in order!
Forge Christian
Flatirons Academy
Highland
Platte Valley
Limon
Wray
Yuma
Burlington
Wiggins
Holyoke
Monte Vista
Centauri
Buena Vista
C.S Christian
Meeker
North Fork
Teams in the mix
Cedaredge, Ignacio, Ellicott, Platte Canyon, Manual
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