MileHigh Prep Reports Top Returning Defense’s Class 1A
Picking the best returning defenses is not an easy task but of course it’s always fun to take a look. I am using PPG given up last year and looking what teams are returning. This is one of my favorite articles to write and defense usually wins championships. I will release my preseason Class 1A Top 16 tomorrow. We are also going to continue doing are Media Polls if you are interested send me a message or email.
| High School | Stats |
| Limon HS | Their defense gave up 139 points last year which was 5th best in Class 1A. Limon gave up 10.7 ppg which was a 2nd best in Class 1A in terms of PPGA. Limon will have some reloading to do losing a very talented senior class. Limon will return 6 of their top 13 tacklers but return great leadership returning 3 of their top 6. Limon will still be a top defensive team. |
| Meeker HS | Their defense gave up 188 points last year which was 12th best in Class 1A. Meeker gave up just 17.1 ppg which was a top 10 defense in Class 1A. Meeker looks poised to be a top 5 defensive unit again this year. Meeker returns 9 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 6. Look for meeker to be a top defensive team. |
| C.S Christian | Their defense gave up 156 points last year which was 7th best in Class 1A. C.S Christian also just gave up 15.6 ppg which ranked 7th in Class 1A. C.S Christian returns 9 of their top 13 tacklers including 5 of their top 6. C.S Christian should be a top 5 defensive team this season and look for their defense to improve. |
| Centauri HS | Their defense gave up 147 points last year which was 6th best in Class 1A. Centauri gave up just 12.3 ppg last season ranking them 4th best in Class 1A. Centauri will have a few holes to fill but return 6 of their top 13 tacklers including great leadership return3 of their top 6. Centauri is always tough defensively and look for them to once again be a top unit in Class 1A. |
| Yuma HS | Their defense gave up 263 points last year which was 21st best in Class 1A. Yuma will be looking to improve to a top 12 defense this season and have the key players back to improve. Yuma will return 8 of their top 13 tacklers including 3 of their top 6. Look for Yuma to make a jump defensively this season. |
| Monte Vista HS | Their defense gave up 131 points last year which was 2nd best in Class 1A. Monte Vista also had a top 5 defense in terms of PPGA giving up just 11.9 ppg which ranked 3rd. Monte Vista will have a few holes to fill but return 7 of their top 13 tacklers including 3 of their top 6. Look for Monte Vista to be a top 10 unit again this year. |
| Burlington HS | Their defense gave up 184 points last year which was 11th best in Class 1A. Burlington played in the toughest league in Class 1A last year and their defense gave up just 16.7 ppg which was 8th best in Class 1A. Burlington will return 7 of their top 13 tacklers but will need new leadership to step up returning just 1 of their top 6 tacklers. |
| Byers HS | Their defense gave up 175 points last year in 8-Man Football. Byers makes the jump into 11-man Football, and some adjustments will have to be made. Byers did have a solid defense last year giving up just 17.5 ppg in 8-Man Football. Byers will return 9 of their top 13 tacklers including 3 of their top 6. |
| Flatirons Academy | Their defense gave up 253 point last year which was 20th best in Class 1A. Flatirons Academy made the playoffs but to take the next step must have their defense take a big step forward. Flatirons Academy returns 10 of their top 13 tacklers including 4 of their top 6. Look for the Bison to make drastic improvements defensively. |
| Wiggins HS | Their defense gave up 279 points last year which was 24th best in Class 1A. Wiggins won just 1 game last year and their defense gave up 31 ppg. Look for this defense to make huge improvement this season. Wiggins returns 8 of their top 13 tacklers including 3 of their top 6. |
| Denver Christian | Their defense gave up 294 points last year which was 25th best in Class 1A. Denver Christian had a rough start to the season losing 4 of their first 5 games but ended the season winning 3 of their last 4 including a huge win over Flatirons Academy. Denver Christian should take a big step forward again this year returning 11 of their top 13 tacklers including their top 6 tacklers. |
| Valley HS | Their defense gave up 224 points last year in Class 2A. Valley will drop from Class 2A to Class 1A and should be in the mix for a playoff spot right away if their defense can improve. Valley will look to improve on giving up 24.8 ppg. Valley returns 10 of their top 13 tacklers including 5 of their top 6 tacklers. |
| Rye | Their defense gave up 207 points last year which was 14th best in Class 1A. Rye got back into the playoffs and a big reason was their defensive improvement. Rye will look to improve again this year and will need it with their league schedule improving. Rye will return 7 of their top 13 tacklers including 3 of their top 6. |
| Moffat County HS | Their defense gave up 354 points last year in Class 2A. Moffat County moved down into Class 1A this year and hopes to challenge for the Western Slope League Title. Moffat County must improve defensively and should. Moffat County returns 11 of their top 13 tacklers including their top 6 from a year ago. |
| Wray HS | Their defense gave up 241 points last year which was 18th best in Class 1A. Wray was hit hard by graduation losing key players from last season but their tradition should help them continue to be a top defensive team. Wray will return 6 of their top 13 tacklers from last season but new leadership must step up returning just 1 of their top 6. |
| Buena Vista HS | Their defense gave up 133 points last year which was 3rd best in Class 1A. Buena Vista had the best defense in Class 1A in terms of PPGA giving up just 10.2 ppg. Buena Vista will have a few new challenges with a good senior class graduating and a new head coach taking over. Buena Vista will return just 2 of their top 13 tacklers but both returners were top 6 tacklers and will look to lead the Demon defense. |
| Defensive Unit Watch List: | Platte Valley (no Stats), Dayspring Christian, North Fork, Cedaredge, Olathe, Holyoke, Pinnacle, Trinidad, Platte Canyon |
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