Class 1A Football Preview-Week One
We kicked things off last week with Zero week but now the rest of the state gets going. After zero week we did see some changes to the rankings. We here at MileHigh Prep Report are ready to kick things off this season with a great weekend of Football. Rankings used are from the MileHigh Prep Report Media/Coaches Poll.
#1 Limon (0-0) vs C.S Christian (1-0), Friday at 7pm
Who we are Watching…Limon was powered by a strong rushing attack that racked up over 2853 yards last season. RB Camdyn Tacha is the top returning rusher from last season, rushing for 648 yards and 5 TDs. RB Jacob Jaklich also had an impressive season rushing for 619 yards and 9 TDs. QB Aiden Kollath had a big first year at QB throwing for 825 yards, 9 TDs, 1 INT while rushing for 543 yards and 9 TDs. Defensively Limon was led by Liam Yoder (84 tackles), Camdyn Tacha (74 tackles), and Jacob Jaklich (64 tackles).
C.S Christian was powered by their QB a season ago but he is gone and in steps junior QB Fisher Tenpas who had a huge first game throwing for 292 yards and 5 TDs. Also, back for C.S Christian is RB Daniel Hoggard who rushed for 731 yards and 14 TDs last season. WR Mikey Orawiec also returns for the Lions, and he was a big target for Tenpas in zero-week action catching 8 passes for 206 yards and 3 TDs. Defensively in their zero-week game Matt Hinderland (8 tackles), Liam Smith (7 tackles), and Christian Banks (7 tackles) led the way for C.S Christian
Last year…Limon jumped out to an early 28 to 6 lead at halftime powered by a pair of scores in each of the 1st and 2nd quarters. Limon added two more scores and were able to hold off a late rally by C.S Christian to win 42 to 28.
Series history… Limon leads the series 7-1, since 2004
#2 Buena Vista (0-0) vs 2A Salida (0-0), Friday at 7pm
Who we are Watching…. Buena Vista offensively is balanced in their offensive attack. QB Hudson Wingo had a big season a year ago, throwing for 1215 yards, 17 TDs, 9 INTs, while rushing for another 4 TDs. RB Eli Schuknecht also had a huge season rushing for 1386 yards and 14 TDs. Added to the rushing attack this year is RB Casen Pridemore who played for Salida last season but rushed for 897 yards and 9 TDs. WR Knox Reid and WR Tucker Montoya look to be the main receiving threats for the Demons. Leading the Buena Vista defense is Abel Flowers (111 tackles), Knox Reid (69 tackles), and Carter Stromer (69 tackles).
Salida, offensively will be led by QB Eli Schwarz who threw 1012 yards, 8 TDs, and 4 INTs last season. New weapons will have to step up around him this season. RB Matthew Edgington (113 yards and 1 TD) could be one of those players along with WR Tyus Winkler (301 yards receiving, 3 TDs). Salida will look for some new leaders on defense this year but look for Matthew Edgington (31 tackles), Nick Jones (30 tackles), and John Bartha (25 tackles) to step up for the Spartans this season.
Last Year… This was a defensive battle with the final score of 24 to 19. Buena Vista jumped out to the early 12 to 6 lead and added a pair of scores in the second half to hold off the late rally from Salida
Series history… Buena Vista leads the series 16 to 5, since 2004
#3 Wray (0-0) vs Platte Canyon (0-0), Friday at 5pm
Who we are Watching … Wray this season will have different leaders on offense. QB/RB Austin Collins looks to be the main returning weapon after rushing for 503 yards and 5 TDs. RB Bryson Lewis (173 yards and 0 TDs) could also see his production increase this year. WR Aaron Tena does return after a big season catching 35 passes for 665 yards and 8 TDs. Defensively Wray will look to Austin Collins (74 tackles) to lead that unit but also look for Wyatt Fonte (62 tackles) and Brodie Riggelman (58 tackles) to fill leadership roles as well.
Platte Canyon will look for QB Seth Coffman to step up this season. Coffman threw for 581 yards, 3 TDs, and 11 INTs last season. A new RB will have to emerge for Platte Canyon but look for WR Ty Cole (370 yards) and WR Colton Shirley (146 yards) to be main targets for Coffman. Defensively Colton Shirley (126 tackles) is back to lead the Huskies defense but also look for Ryder Conwell (49 tackles) and Johnathan Bierhaus (37 tackles) to step up as leaders this season.
Last Year… Wray dominated in the win last year scoring 28 points in the first quarter and another 14 in the second quarter to get the 42 to 0 win.
Series history… Wray and Platte Canyon are even at 1-1, since 2004
#4 Meeker (0-0) at #8 Centauri (0-0), Friday at 7pm
Who we are Watching…Meeker this season will look for an experienced offensive line to power the offense. Meeker loses their top two RBs from a year ago but look for QB Cade Mills to take a big step forward after throwing for 510 yards, 6 TDs, 4 INTs, while rushing for 550 yards and 13 TDs. RB Said Rodriguez will also be looked upon to step up after rushing for 363 yards and 5 TDs. Defensively Tristin Rollins (113 tackles) is back to lead the defense but also look for Said Rodriguez (54 tackles), Samuel Conrado (54 tackles), and Drake Jones (34 tackles) to step up this season.
Centauri was balanced in their offensive attack a season ago and will look for QB Sean Jarvies to have a big senior year. Jarvies threw 1022 yards, 13 TDs, and 3 INTs a season ago. The top target of the passing attack is WR Carson Shawcroft who caught 17 targets for 465 yards and 7 TDs. Joining the rushing attack this season is RB Caden Ruggles who transfers from Center. Ruggles rushed for 598 yards and 2 TDs in Center. Defensively the Falcons will look for Ryder Norton (62 tackles), Spencer Smith (43 tackles), and Cole Jackson (34 tackles) to lead again this season.
Last Year…Centauri jumped out to a quick 20 to 0 lead behind a dominate defensive attack. Meeker would get on board in the 4th quarter but Centauri would walk away with the 33 to 6 victory.
Series history… Centauri leads the series 2-0 over Meeker, since 2004.
#5 Highland (0-0) at Flatirons Academy (0-0), Friday at 6:30pm
Who we are watching… Highland a season ago was led by their senior QB and will look for a new leader at QB this year with possibly Jason Batka filling that role. The new QB will return some help at WR with WR Tyler Varra (384 yards & 6 TDs) and WR Brogan Palmer (306 yards and 1 TD) back. The rushing attack will look to take over this year with RB Wyatt Chase returning after rushing for 771 yards and 10 TDs a season ago. Defensively Highland will lean on Brogan Palmer (73 tackles), Wyatt Chase (69 tackles), and Elijah Elder (53 tackles).
Flatirons Academy was run heavy offense a season ago and led by a senior QB. Flatirons Academy will turn to a new QB this season. Flatirons Academy will get RB Elijah Ricca back who rushed for 749 yards and 11 TDs in just 6 games last season. Ricca will be key for the Bison and another player who could step up this season is RB Zeke Friedman (176 yards and 2 TDs). Defensively Flatirons Academy will to Luis Mandl to lead the Bison but also look for Everson Nelson (27 tackles) and Caleb Doughty (27 tackles) to step up this year.
Last Year…After a scoreless first quarter things got rolling for Highland in the 2nd quarter getting the first points of the game. Highland would follow that up with 2 TDs in the 3rd and 2 more in the 4th. Flatirons Academy did get on the board in the fourth quarter but would fall 30 to 7.
Series history… Highland leads the series 9-2 over Flatirons Academy, since 2004
Burlington (1-0) Bye Week
Burlington defeated Platte Valley in Zero Week 30 to 28.
#7 Monte Vista (0-0) vs 2A Alamosa (0-0), Friday at 6pm
Who we are Watching… Monte Vista was balanced in their offensive attack a season ago but will have to replace key pieces. Manny Jiron takes over at QB for the Pirates and he will have his top weapon back at WR in Azariah Hurtado who caught 35 passes for 876 yards and 13 TDs. The rushing attack will have some new faces in RB Kelby Mondragon (357 yards and 2 TDs) and RB Nehe Sandoval (183 yards and 3 TDs). Defensively Monte Vista will look to Azariah Hurtado (69 tackles), John Enderle (65 tackles), and Mason Mondragon (51 tackles) to lead the Pirates defensive attack.
Alamosa was also balanced in their offensive attack and were led by a senior QB a season ago. Tony Griego will fill the whole at QB and take over the spread offensive attack. Top targets for Alamosa this year are WR Brennon Maez and WR Victor Zepeda (117 yards and 2 TDs). RB AJ Baker will also take over at RB this season. Defensively Alamosa will look for Tony Griego (37 tackles), AJ Baker (26 tackles), and Josh Gonzalez (33 tackles) to step up and lead the Moose defense.
Last Year…This game started as a defensive struggle with neither team getting on the board in the first Quarter. Alamosa got things rolling in the 2nd Quarter taking a 15 to 0 lead into halftime. Monte Vista would get on the board in the 4th Quarter, but Alamosa walked away with a 28 to 8 victory.
Series history… Alamosa leads the series 5-1 over Monte Vista, since 2004
#9 Platte Valley (0-1) at 2A #5 Strasburg (0-0), Friday at 7pm
Breakdown of this game will be on the 2A Article.
#10 Forge Christian (0-0) vs Wiggins (0-0), Friday at 7pm
Who we’re watching… Forge Christian was balanced in their offensive attack a season ago and will have a different look this year after losing a talented senior class. New players will be asked to step up for Forge Christian. Some key playmakers back for the Fury are WR Quentin Torres (402 yards and 7 TDs), WR Treysen Eye (209 yards and 3 TDs), and RB Jonah Boykin (107 yards and 1 TD). Defensively Forge Christian will turn to Sam Grannillo to lead a young defensive unit but also look for Quentin Torres (31 tackles) and Danny Meisel (22 tackles) to step up this year.
Wiggins a season ago was led by their rushing attack racking up over 2000 yards. This season Wiggins will look for new players to step up and welcome a new Head Coach. Wiggins will look for players like Arath Carrazco, Michael Adamson, and Owen Erker to step into bigger roles this season. Defensively all-state DL Mark Walker (79 tackles) is back for the Tigers alongside Michael Adamson (89 tackles) these two will be key for a young Wiggins Tigers defense.
Last Year…Forge Christian set the tone early in the game jumping out to an early 7 to 0 lead after the first quarter. Forge Christian would use the momentum in the 2nd Quarter scoring 21 points and adding another 13 in the 3rd Quarter. Wiggins would not be able to get on the board falling to Forge Christian 41 to 0
Series history… Forge Christian leads the series 1-0 over Wiggins, since 2004
Other Games to Note:
Prospect Ridge (0-0) at 2A Denver West (0-0), Thursday at 4pm
North Fork (0-0) at Center (0-0), Friday at 1pm
Ignacio (0-1) at Cedaredge (0-0), Friday at 6pm
Rye (1-0) at Trinidad (0-1), Saturday at 1pm
Chase County NE (0-0) at Yuma (0-0), Friday at 7pm
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