Class 2A 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 Media/Coaches Poll.
#1 Wellington (0-0) Bye Week
Will kick off their 2025 season next week against Fort Lupton on the road.
#2 Classical Academy (0-0) at #3 Eaton (0-0), Friday at 7pm
Who we are Watching…TCA was balanced in their offensive attack and were very dangerous a season ago racking up over 5000 yards of total offense. TCA will lose some key pieces from that offensive attack with their QB and two of their top RBs graduating. TCA will look for QB Jackson Smetana to possibly fill in the QB role. RB Jackson Schipfer was the top rusher from a season ago and returns this season after rushing for 996 yards and 15 rushing TDs. Another player who could see increased production is RB Braden Godoy (250 yards rushing & 7 TDs). Defensively TCA will look to Andrew Richins (56 tackles), Joshua Knuckles (55 tackles), and Hayden Gustafson (49 tackles) to fill leadership roles.
Eaton last season was lead by their passing attack which racked up over 1800 yards but also the rushing attack did chip in with over 1100 yards on the ground. QB Andrew Loyd is back for Eaton after a breakout junior season throwing 1640 yards, 15 TDs, and 7 INTs. Loyd top target is back WR Max Blaskowski who had 32 catches for 659 yards and 8 TDs. Leading the rushing attack is RB Liam Whalen who rushed for 855 yards and 5 TDs. Defensively Eaton will look for Vinnie Juarez (112 tackles) and Jackson Savona (88 tackles) to lead the Eaton defense again this season.
Last year…TCA jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead in the first quarter and would set the tone. Eaton would get on the board in the second & third quarter, but TCA matched their scoring and would get a very hard fought win over Eaton 28 to 14.
Series history… Classical Academy leads the series 3-0 over Eaton, since 2004
#4 Basalt (1-0) vs 3A Evergreen (0-0), Friday at 7pm
Who we are Watching…. Basalt a season ago had an impressive offensive attack racking up over 4500 yards of total offense. They do lose a few key pieces including their top rusher and top WR but return key leadership to lead the way in 2025. QB Karson Schneider returns for the Longhorns after throwing for 1302 yards, 20 TDs, and 6 INTs. A new target like WR Parker Sims (129 yards & 2 TDs) will be called upon to step up this year. Leading the rushing this season will be RB Will Tarallo who rushed for 1223 yards and 15 TDs. Defensively Basalt will look for a new leader losing their top tackler but look for Parker Sims (61 tackles), Connor Anthes (60 tackles), and Dylan Johnston (56 tackles) to step up this season.
Evergreen is a team in Class 3A that went 6-4 last season and missed the playoffs. Evergreen offensively was a run first offense last season rushing for over 2000 yards. Evergreen will lose their top RB from a season ago and will turn to RB Grady White (337 yards & 4 TDs) and RB James Mauro (261 yards & 2 TDs) to step into the main role. Evergreen will also look for a new QB this season. Defensively Evergreen will have some holes to fill and will look for new leaders in Jackson Post (50 tackles), James Mauro (49 tackles) and Solomon Bentrott (21 tackles).
Last Year… Both teams came to play defensively last year with neither team scoring in the First Quarter and Basalt getting 6 points in the Second Quarter. Basalt would make some adjustments at halftime and score 20 second half points to walk away with the 26 to 0 win. This was a defensive display from Basalt a season ago pitching the shutout.
Series history… Basalt leads the series at 1-0 over Evergreen, since 2004
#5 Strasburg (0-0) vs 1A #9 Platte Valley (0-1), Friday at 7pm
Who we are Watching … Strasburg a season ago was balanced in their offensive attack racking up over 3000 yards of total offense. Strasburg was young at many of their skill positions a season ago and will look to build on last season. QB Brody Hopwood had a great sophomore campaign throwing for 1071 yards, 15 TDs, and 6 INTs. Hopwood top two targets from last season are back in WR Cade Hemphill (372 yards & 7 TDs) and WR Cameron Manahan (314 yards & 3 TDs). Leading the rushing attack is RB Ayden Dodge who as a sophomore had a great season rushing for 1260 yards and 11 TDs. Defensively Ethan Freeman (112 tackles) and Jorge Parra (77 tackles) both return to lead the Strasburg defense.
Platte Valley played their first season of Class 1A Football going 4-6 and making the playoffs. Platte Valley offensively was balanced in their offensive attack throwing and rushing for around 1500 yards each. QB Regan Edstrom will look to build off his junior season and in their zero-week game kicked things off well passing for 132 yards, 3 TDs, and 0 INTs. His top targets were WR Jason Harrison who had 3 catches for 61 yards and WR Kaden Tucker who had 5 catches for 52 yards and 3 TDs. RB Ben Cockroft looks to take over as the lead back this season after rushing for 303 yards and 4 TDs last season. Defensively Ben Cockroft (112 tackles), Alejandro Perez (88 tackles), and Jackson Bauer (68 tackles) look to lead the Broncos defense this season.
Last Year… Platte Valley got the early jump on Strasburg last season taking an early 14 to 0 lead after the first quarter. Strasburg would answer in the second quarter but would still trail going into halftime 14 to 13. Strasburg would keep up the momentum in the second half adding 15 points in the 3rd and 7 in the fourth to snag the 35 to 21 win over Platte Valley.
Series history… Platte Valley leads the series 10-2 over Strasburg, since 2004
#7 Resurrection Christian (0-0) at 3A Canon City (0-0), Saturday at 1pm
Who we are Watching…Resurrection Christian last season was a run heavy offense racking up over 2400 yards of rushing to just 467 yards of passing. Resurrection Christian lose their top RB from a season ago and will lean on RB Britton Walston (452 yards & 7 TDs) to step up this season. QB Jaxson Pszanka also returns for the Cougars after throwing for 369 yards, 5 TDs, and 4 INTs while rushing for 627 yards and 9 TDs. The Cougars will look for one player to step up this season with possibly WR/RB Louie Owen filling that role. Defensively Resurrection Christian lose their top tackler but bring back tons of experience from a season ago. Ethan Carter (52 tackles), Jaxson Pszanka (40 tackles), and Camden Davis (27 tackles) return to lead the defense.
Canon City is a Class 3A team that went 5-5 last season and just missed on the playoffs. Canon City was powered by their rushing attack which racked up over 1700 yards a season ago. RB Gavin Reddick (564 yards & 8 TDs) and RB Jake Adamic (464 yards & 9 TDs) both return for the Tigers rushing attack. QB Trey Schumacher also return for Canon City after throwing for 681 yards, 5 TDs, and 6 INTs. Defensively, William Basham (84 tackles) returns to lead the Tigers defense, and he will look for Jake Adamic (55 tackles) and Thor Shelver (45 tackles) to step up and be leaders this season.
Last Year…These two teams did not play each other last season. Instead, Resurrection Christian played Palm Beach Christian and won 61-32 and Canon City played Littleton getting a forfeit win.
Series history… Have not played each other since 2004
#8 Elizabeth (1-0) at Sierra (0-0), Thursday at 6
Elizabeth defeats Sierra, 43 to 7
#9 Delta (0-0) vs 3A Palisade (0-0), Friday at 7:30pm
Who we are Watching… Delta was balanced in their offensive attack last season rushing for 1805 yards and throwing for another 1325 yards. Delta lost some key pieces from last season including their QB, RB, and top WR. New players are tasked with stepping up this year for the Panthers. RB Dom Teal (124 yards & 1 TD) and WR Deacon Shean (347 yards and 4 TDs) could be some of the new playmakers to step up for Delta. Defensively Alex McKenna (79 tackles) will look to lead the Panther defense alongside Jhett Ryan (42 tackles) and Harley Gibson (40 tackles).
Palisade competes in Class 3A and they went 8-3 a season ago and made the playoffs. Palisade is a run first offense rushing for over 2800 yards a season ago. RB Cade Carter (601 yards & 6 TDs) looks to take over as the top rusher this season. Also look for RB Carter Hayward (453 yards & 1 TD) to see his role increase. QB Branson Springer returns for the Bulldogs as well throwing for 458 yards, 6 TDs, and 4 INTs a season ago. Defensively, Michael Kemmis (98 tackles) returns to lead the Bulldogs defense, and he will look for Carter Hayward (36 tackles) and Dylon Larsen (31 tackles) to step up and join him as leaders.
Last Year… A fantastic game kicked off the 2024 season between both teams. Delta got the jump on Palisade, taking a 3 to 0 lead after the first quarter and they would add another 10 points in the 2nd Quarter to lead 13 to 7. Palisade would pick off the scoring in the 3rd Quarter with a field goal making to 13 to 10. The 4th Quarter is where things got crazy. Palisade would outscore Delta 20 to 14 in the 4th Quarter and come from behind to win 30 to 27.
Series history… Palisade leads the series 11 to 7 over Delta, since 2004
#10 Berthoud (0-0) at 3A Thompson Valley (0-0), Friday at 7pm
Who we’re watching… Berthoud was a pass first offense last season throwing for 2598 yards and rushing for just 1215 yards. Gone is the senior QB from last season but look for Sr. QB Evan Schmidt to possibly fill in at QB. WR Jayce Newbill (326 yards & 0 TDs) will return as the top pass catcher from a season ago. RB Gavin Kirk (226 yards & 4 TDs) will look to step into the main RB role this year. Defensively, Sam Smith (116 tackles) returns as the leader of the Spartan defense, and he will look for Sean Barajas (88 tackles) and Peyton Evans (69 tackles) to also step into leadership roles.
Thompson Valley competed in Class 3A last season, going 14-0 and winning the 3A State Championship. Thompson Valley was a run first offense rushing for 2982 yards last season and throwing for 1091 yards. Gone are the top 3 rushers from Thompson Valley and they will look for senior RB Triston Hill (234 yards & 4 TDs) to step into the top role. Finley Lucas returns at QB for the Eagles, and he will look to build off his freshman season throwing for 646 yards, 5 TDs, 4 INTs and rushing for 381 yards and 6 TDs. Defensively, Landry Suarez (92 tackles) and Ryan Case (71 tackles) return to lead the Thompson Valley defense.
Last Year…A defensive slugfest last season between two playoff teams in their respective classes. Things got started hot right out the gate with both Berthoud and Thompson Valley scoring a TD in the first Quarter. Both teams would turn to their defenses, and both would play well. Thompson Valley would get one more TD in the third Quarter and get the 14 to 7 win over Berthoud.
Series history… Thompson Valley leads the series at 5-3 over Berthoud, since 2004
Other Games to Note:
D’Evelyn over Fort Lupton, 14 to 10
3A Pueblo Centennial (0-0) at La Junta (0-0), Friday at 7pm
Kent Denver (0-0) at Florence (0-0), Friday at 7pm
Banning Lewis (0-0) at University (0-0), Friday at 7pm
Brush (0-0) at 3A Fort Morgan (0-1), Friday at 7pm
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