MileHigh Prep Reports Top Returning Defense’s 6-Man Football
Picking the best returning defenses is not an easy task but of course it’s always fun to take a look. Defense in 6-Man is very underrated but it can be the difference between winning a state championship and not. I am using PPG given up last year and seeing what teams are returning. This is one of my favorite articles to write and defense usually wins championships. I will release my preseason 6-Man Top 10 tomorrow.
| High School | Stats |
| Idalia | Their defense gave up 143 point last year which was the best in 6-Man. Idalia had a dominate defense and they will look to reload after giving up just 10.2 ppg. Idalia will return plenty of talent from last season including 6 of their top 8 tacklers including 2 of their top 4. Idalia could have the best defense in 8-Man yet again. |
| Cheyenne Wells | Their defense gave up 173 points last year which was 2nd best in 6-man. Cheyenne Wells once again had a top 3 defense in 6-Man and gave up just 14.4 ppg which also was still #2 in terms of defense. Cheyenne Wells will lose a few key pieces and leadership but return 6 of their top 8 tacklers including 3 of their top 4. Cheyenne Wells will have to lean early on their defense. |
| Caliche | Their defense gave up 281 points last year which was 4th best in 6-man. Caliche continues to find success in the 6-Man ranks and last year sported a top 5 defense in both points allowed and PPG (23.4). Caliche will look to build on last year’s success, and they return 6 of their top 8 tacklers, including 3 of their top 4. Look for Caliche to once again be a top defensive team. |
| Peetz | Their defense gave up 232 points last year which was 3rd best in 6-man. Peetz had a successful season a year ago and a lot of that success was due to their defense being a top 3 unit. Peetz allowed just 19.3 ppg and was #3 in 6-Man. Peetz will lose a few key pieces from a year ago but have plenty back. Peetz returns 5 of their top 8 tacklers including 2 of their top 4. Peetz will look to be a top 5 unit yet again. |
| Fleming | Their defense gave up 375 points last year which was 12th best in 6-Man. Fleming was just outside the top 10 in total points allowed but gave up 34.1 ppg which ranked them 9th in 6-Man. Fleming will look to improve again defensively and become a top 5 defensive unit. Fleming returns 6 of their top 8 tacklers including 3 of their top 4. Fleming with a top 5 defensive unit could make a deep playoff run. |
| Granada | Their defense gave up 355 points last year which was 11th best in 6-man. Granada gave up 35.5 ppg a season ago putting them just inside the top 10 defenses in 6-Man. Granada will hope to build on that success and jump inside the top 8 defenses this season. Granada will return 6 of their top 8 tacklers including 3 of their top 4. Granada should be a top team if their defense continues to improve. |
| Wiley | Their defense gave up 422 points last year with was 16th best in 6-Man. Wiley found some success last year but will look to take a big step forward defensively and improve on giving up 42.2 ppg. Wiley could make a deep playoff run if their defense can improve to a top 10 unit. Wiley will have a few holes to fill but most of their team is back returning 5 of their top 8 tacklers including 2 of their top 4. |
| Flagler | Their defense gave up 323 points last year which was 6th best in 6-Man. Flagler had one of their more successful seasons of the past 3 years. Flagler will hope to build on a top 8 defense giving up 29.4 ppg. Flagler will have a few key holes to fill but return 5 of their top 8 tacklers including 2 of their top 4. |
| Prairie | Their defense gave up 332 points last year which was 8th best in 6-Man. Prairie had a successful season last year, building a young roster into a top 10 defensive unit. Prairie gave up 30.2 ppg which was 7th best in 6-Man. Prairie will still be young this season, but key players return to help stay a top defensive unit. Prairie returns 4 of their top 8 tacklers including 2 of their top 4. |
| Walsh | Their defense gave up 435 point last year which was 18th best in 6-Man. Walsh found success a year ago making a playoff run and they will hope to build on that success, but they must improve defensively after giving up 39.5 ppg. Walsh will look to become a top 10 unit this season. Walsh returns 5 of their top 8 tacklers including 2 of their top 4. |
| Otis | Their defense gave up 328 points last year which was 7th best in 6-Man. Otis gave up 27.3 ppg which would rank them 5th in 6-Man. Otis will have some big holes to fill this season and will hope last year’s returning leaders can step up this year. Otis will return just 3 of their to 8 tacklers but as mentioned good leadership returns with 2 of their top 3 tacklers coming back. |
| Branson/Kim | Their defense gave up 334 points last year which was 9th best in 6-Man. Branson/Kim is a staple when it comes to top defenses in 6-Man Football. Branson/Kim gave up 27.3 ppg a season ago which was 8th best in 6-Man. Branson/Kim will lose some big pieces from a year ago but return key leadership from a year ago. Branson/Kim returns 4 of their top 8 tacklers including 2 of their top 4. |
| Bethune | Their defense gave up 380 points last year which was 13th best in 6-Man. Bethune had one of their more successful seasons a year ago and I credit that to their defense. Bethune gave up 38 ppg which was 12th best in 6-Man. Bethune will look to push for a playoff spot this year and return their entire roster from a year ago. Bethune must continue to improve and if they can be a top 8 defense they could get into the playoffs. |
| Kiowa | Their defense gave up 455 points last year which was 22nd best in 6-Man. Kiowa was just outside the playoff bubble a year ago and the biggest thing they can improve is their defense. Kiowa gave up 45.5 ppg last year which was 19th best in 6-Man. Kiowa will hope returning their entire roster from last year helps them improve defensively and get into the playoffs. |
| Mountain Valley | Their defense gave up 387 points last year which was 14th best in 6-Man. Mountain Valley total points allowed is a bit skewed playing just 8 games but looking at PPG allowed Mountain Valley gave up 48.4 ppg which was 22nd best in 6-Man. Mountain Valley returns their entire roster from a season ago and their defense should take a big step forward this year. |
| La Veta | Their defense gave up 292 points last year which was 5th best in 6-Man. La Veta gave up 36.5 ppg last season which was ranked 11th in 6-Man. La Veta should make a run for a playoff spot this year and they return a solid roster to do so. La Veta returns 6 of their top 8 tacklers including 2 of their top 4. |
| Defensive Unit Watch List: | Hanover, Deer Trail, Briggsdale, Eads, Primero |