MileHigh Prep Report

6-Man League Predictions (All Leagues)

We kick things off in the 6-man ranks for my league predictions and at the end the 16 teams I think will make the playoffs.  I will be doing 8-Man and 6-Man different than 1A and 2A because Kerry Sherman will have a full Season Preview out next week!  I am not splitting 6-Man into two articles.  At the end I will have the 16 teams I think will make the playoffs.

East Central League

1. Idalia

2. Flagler

3. Otis

4. Kiowa

5. Bethune

6. Deer Trail

The East Central League was considered one of the toughest leagues in 6-Man but with the new Class Cycle and the new leagues they will take a small step back from the top of 6-Man.  All 6 teams in the East Central are going to be playoff contenders so this should still be an extremely competitive league.  Idalia is my pick to win the East Central League.  Idalia is the defending State Champions and they are loaded again to be the top team in 6-Man.  Idalia returns key offensive pieces in QB Broderick Kite, RB Gabe Kechter, and RB Kolby Morris.  Defensively they will also return a top unit returning 6 of their top 8 tacklers with players like Hunter Drullinger, Bode Monahan, and Jace Morris looking to step up this year.  Flagler is my pick to finish in second place in the East Central League.  Flagler got to the playoffs last year and went 7-4 and will look to build on that success.  RB Keegan Isenbart returns to lead the offense but also look for QB Gabe Harvey and WR Adrea Castenls to take a big step forward this year.  Defensively Flagler returns 5 of their top 8 tacklers from last season and look for Jordan Wilson and Jayden Hile to step up this season.  Otis is my pick to finish in 3^rd.  Otis went 8-4 last season and reached the Quarterfinals.  Otis lose a big senior class and will have a few holes to fill.  RB Cambric Klinzmann returns to lead the offense but other weapons like Gracen Bechtle and Gavin Price will have to step up around him.  Defensively Otis was hit hard by graduation and return just 3 of their top 8 tacklers.  Klinzmann and Bechtle will also lead the defense but will look for Malakye Reese and Raegan Torres to step up.  Kiowa is my pick to finish in 4^th.  Kiowa went 4-6 last season and was one of the last teams to miss the playoffs.  Kiowa is loaded up for a playoff run this year losing 0 seniors from last season.  Jacob Crippen, John White, and Adler Krieg all return to lead the offensive attack.  Defensively the entire unit returns with leaders like John White, Mykai Steverson, and Eric Shoup back to lead an improved defense.  Bethune is my pick to finish in 5^th and my dark horse pick to make a run for a top finish in league.  Bethune went 4-6 last season and found some success.  The key will be to build on that success and continue to find success in a tougher league this year.  Bethune returns explosive pieces on offense with RB Ismael Perla, QB Angel Millan, and WR Gavin Malave all back.  Defensively, Bethune must make the biggest improvements and should returning their entire unit from a year ago.  Deer Trail wraps up the East Central League.  Deer Trail went 4-6 a year ago and just missed out on the playoffs.  Deer Trail will return key pieces offensively like QB Chris Manriquez-Bustamante, but other players must step up around him like Hunter Meredith and Leo Carranza.  Defensively Deer Trail was hit the hardest by graduating returning just 3 of their top 8 tacklers.  Hunter Meredith and Sebastian Anguiano must be leaders on the defensive side.

My predictions for the East Central League

League Champion: Idalia

Playoff Contenders: Idalia, Flagler, Otis, Kiowa, Bethune, Deer Trail

Dark Horse: Bethune

Preseason Player of the League: Gabe Kechter Sr. Idalia

Others to watch for: Broderick Kite Jr. Idalia, Kolby Morris Sr. Idalia, Hunter Drullinger Sr. Idalia, Gabe Harvey Sr. Flagler, Keegan Isenbart Sr. Flagler, Adrea Castenls Sr. Flagler, Cambric Klinzmann Sr. Otis, Gracen Bechtle Sr. Otis, John White Sr. Kiowa, Mykai Steverson Jr. Kiowa, Jacob Crippen Jr. Kiowa, Angel Millan So. Bethune, Gavin Malave So. Bethune, Ismael Perla Sr. Bethune, Chris Manriquez-Bustamante Sr. Deer Trail

North League

1. Peetz

2. Fleming

3. Caliche

4. Prairie

5. Briggsdale

6. North Park

7. Weldon Valley

The North League is also considered to be one of the toughest leagues in 6-Man this season.  The North league has 4 if not 5 playoff contenders this season.  Peetz is my pick to win the North League.  Peetz reached the Semifinals last year and they hope to reach the pinnacle this year.  Peetz will have a few holes to fill mainly at QB.  Peetz has plenty of weapons back with RB Dylan Wager, RB Conner Schumacher, and WR Tanner Wood all back.  Defensively Peetz returns 5 of their top 8 tacklers and look for players like Parker Reker and Bryson Leach to have a bigger role this year.  Fleming is my pick to finish in 2^nd place.  Fleming made the playoffs but fell in the first round.  Fleming has a lot of explosive pieces back this year offensively and defensively and should challenge for the league title.  QB Treyson Kirkwood, RB Dylon Monroe, and RB/WR Conner Marchant all return to lead a explosive Fleming offense.  Defensively Fleming should also improve, returning 6 of their top 8 tacklers.  Conner Marchant returns to lead the defense but also look for Jaron Monroe and Evan Williamson to step up this season.  Caliche is my pick to finish in 3^rd.  Caliche reached the quarterfinals last season before falling to Stratton.  Caliche is also returning a loaded roster this year and could also challenge for the league title.  Offensively Caliche does have a big hole to fill at RB losing a 2000 yard rusher but plenty of other important pieces return like QB Brett Breidenbach, RB Mason Hernandez, and RB Avery Bell.  Defensively Caliche should have the biggest improvement, returning 6 of their top 8 tacklers.  Cooper Rockwell and Tayten Gerk are a few names to watch for on that side of the ball.  Prairie is my pick to finish 4^th in the North League but also a league title threat.  Prairie made the playoffs last year falling in the first round.  Prairie does lose a 1000 yards rusher but are peppered with good returning athletes across and board and a strong incoming freshman class.  Prairie offensively returns QB Liam Bringelson,  RB/WR Derek Dollarschell, and WR Tatum Bailey.  Defensively they will have a few holes to fill but look for Tatum Bailey and Wyatt Walker to step into bigger roles.  Briggsdale is my pick to finish in 5^th and my dark horse pick to push for a playoff spot.  Briggsdale will lose a huge piece from last year taking over 2000 yards of total offense.  Briggsdale will look for new leaders to step up like Koyen Gebauer, Val Alvarez, and Asael Jimenez.  Defensively Briggsdale could be a tough unit returning 4 of their top 8 tacklers and led by Koyen Gebauer and Val Alvarez.  North Park and Weldon Valley round out the North League.  North Park went 0-9 last season and will be looking to rebuild this season.  Players like Junior Cereceres, Jaxon Wolvington, and Duke Schmidt will look to step up on the offensive side this year.  Defensively, North Park was hit hard by graduation.  Duke Schmidt and Dalley shepherd could be players to watch for on defense.  Weldon Valley went 3-6 last year but lose the majority of their offensive production from a year ago.  Weldon Valley will look for Seth O’Patik, Noah Johnson, and Josh Wells to step into bigger roles this year.  The defense for Weldon Valley could be their strong point returning 4 of their top 8 tacklers.  Seth O’Patik and Noah Johnson lead the defensive unit.

My predictions for North League

League Champion: Peetz

Playoff Contenders: Peetz, Fleming, Caliche, Prairie

Dark Horse: Briggsdale

Preseason Player of the League: Dylan Wagner Sr. Peetz

Others to watch for: Conner Schumacher Sr. Peetz, Tanner Wood Sr. Peetz, Conner Marchant Sr. Fleming, Dylon Monroe Jr. Fleming, Treyson Kirkwood Sr. Fleming, Mason Hernandez Jr. Caliche, Avery Bell Sr. Caliche, Cooper Rockwell Sr. Caliche, Derek Dollarschell Sr. Prairie, Tatum Bailey So. Prairie, Liam Bringelson So. Prairie, Seth O’Patik Sr. Weldon Valley, Noah Johnson Sr. Weldon Valley, Val Alvarez Sr. Briggsdale, Asael Jimenez So. Briggsdale, Koyen Gebauer Sr. Briggsdale, Junior Cereceres Sr. North Park, Jaxon Wolvington Jr. North Park

Southeast League

1. Cheyenne Wells

2. Granada

3. Walsh

4. Wiley

5. Eads

6. Cheraw

7. Manzanola

The Southeast League has been one of the top leagues in 6-Man and once again coming into the 2026 season will be considered by most the top league in 6-Man.  Cheyenne Wells is my pick to win the Southeast League.  Cheyenne Wells lost to Stratton in the Semifinals and this year look to get back to the top.  Cheyenne Wells did lose some big pieces from a year ago but look for players like RB Trevin Smith, RB Caden Muth, and WR Kooper Brossman to take big steps forward this year.  Defensively Cheyenne Wells could have one of the better units in 6-Man.  They return 6 of their top 8 tacklers with their leader back in Kelby Leonard.  Granada is my pick to finish in 2^nd and challenge for the league title.  Granada lost in the first round of the playoffs, and they are looking for a much deeper run this year.  Offensively Granada should be explosive with QB Alejandro Perez, RB Sebastian Pizarro, and WR/RB Fernando Cadena all back.  Defensively Granada should also improve, returning 6 of their top 8 tacklers.  A few new players to watch for on defense could be Jesus Perez and Wyatt Pete.  Walsh is my pick for third and a playoff contender.  Walsh went 5-6 last year with a trip to the playoffs.  They will once again be powered by a high-flying passing attack powered by QB Hudson Gourley and top targets WR Beau Foster and Grady Mundell.  Defensively Walsh must improve and they return 5 of their top 8 tacklers.  Woodrow Wright is back to lead the defense but also look for Jackson Foster to step up this year.  Wiley is my pick to finish in 4^th and another playoff contender.  Wiley missed the playoffs last year, going 4-6 and now they look to take that next step and get into the playoffs.  Wiley will have a very explosive offense with QB Grant Mauch coming back but also look for WR Devonte Pizarro and WR Luke Rohlman to have big seasons this year.  Defensively, Wiley should also make improvements, returning 5 of their top 8 tacklers.  Look for some new players like Ashton Burkhart and Corbyn Williams to step up this year.  Eads is my pick for 5^th place.  Eads is my dark horse team to reach the playoffs but also challenge the top 4 teams.  Eads almost did not have a season this year but have enough kids to field a team.  Eads will look Brantley Buller, Ethan Britten, Weston Mitchek to step into bigger roles this year.  Defensively it will be the same for Eads.  New players must step up and play in bigger roles for the Eagles.  Wrapping things up in the Southeast League is Manzanola and Cheraw.  Manzanola found some success last year going 3-7.  Manzanola will hope to build on the success of last year and challenge for a playoff spot.  RB Danner Corroll, QB Jimmy James, and RB Michael Trujillo will be important if Manzanola looks to find success.  Defensively Corroll will lead the defense but also look for Christian Vigil to step into a bigger role this year.  Cheraw went 1-9 last year and will look to rebuild this season.  Cheraw has a big piece back in QB Rhett Dutton but other pieces must step up around him.  Look for players like Raith Elliott and Houston Yochum to possibly step up this year.  Defensively Cheraw should be in decent shape returning 4 of their top 8 tacklers.  Tyran White could be a name to watch on defense this year.

My predictions for the Southeast League

League Champion: Cheyenne Wells

Playoff Contenders: Granada, Cheyenne Wells, Walsh, Wiley, Eads

Dark Horse: Eads

Preseason Player of the League: Sebastian Pizarro Jr. Granada

Others to watch for: Kelby Leonard Sr. Cheyenne Wells, Trevin Smith Jr. Cheyenne Wells, Caden Muth Jr. Cheyenne Wells, Alejandro Perez Sr. Granada, Fernando Cadena Jr. Granada, Hudson Gourley Jr. Walsh, Beau Foster Sr. Walsh, Woodrow Wright Jr. Walsh, Grant Mauch Sr. Wiley, Devonte Pizarro Jr. Wiley, Luke Rohlman So. Wiley, Brantley Buller So. Eads, Ethan Britten So. Eads, Weston Mitchek Sr. Eads, Danner Carroll Sr. Manzanola, Jimmy James Jr. Manzanola, Michael Trujillo Jr. Manzanola, Rhett Dutton Sr. Cheraw, Raith Elliott So. Cheraw, Tyran White So. Cheraw

Southwest League

1. Branson/Kim

2. Mountain Valley

3. Hanover

4. La Veta

5. Primero

6. Miami-Yoder

7. Cotopaxi

8. Antonito

The Southwest League gets an overhaul this year adding teams like Miami-Yoder and Hanover into the mix and losing Sierra Grande who moved up to 8-Man.  The Southwest League could still be in the mix for 3 or 4 playoff teams this year.  Branson/Kim has been a staple in the Southwest League and look for them to be the favorite to win the League Crown.  Branson/Kim does lose a few key pieces from last year but have plenty back to make another run.  QB Cooper Winter is back along with RB/WR Acoya Bartlett and Collin Doherty.  Defensively, Branson/Kim will have the most to replace returning just 4 of their top 8 tacklers.  A few new faces must step up like Michael Archuleta and Tate Baker.  Mountain Valley is my pick to finish in 2^nd.  Mountain Valley did not have a team in 2024 and got things going again last year with a 2-6 record.  Look for Mountain Valley to take a big step forward this year and return their entire roster.  QB Tye Salaz, RB Tanner Shellabarger, and WR Wyatt Boehm should all have big seasons this year.  Defensively Mountain Valley must improve after giving up over 40 ppg and they should returning their entire roster. Look for Greysin Scange, Kyngston Taylor, and Cashel Johnson to break out this year.  Hanover is my pick for 3^rd place.  Hanover dominated the Central League and now move into a new league that should be more competitive.  Hanover will have a few big pieces to replace but look for the next group up to step forward.  QB/RB Nolan Sweazy, QB Jonathan Quiroz-Reyes, and RB Joseph Molina must step up this year.  Defensively Hanover returns 5 of their top 8 tacklers with Edgar Vera-Wences back to lead the defense.  La Veta is my pick to finish in 4^th and are my dark horse pick to not only push for a playoff spot but possibly the league title.  La Veta went 2-6 last year with a young roster and should improve heading into this year.  Offensively, QB David Roel is back along with RB Marcelo Lofgren and RB Weston Huff.  This unit should improve tremendously this year.  Defensively La Veta should also see huge improvements returning 6 of their top 8 tacklers including leader Sunny Kent and Darren James.  Primero is my pick to finish 5^th and also a playoff contender.  Primero went 5-4 last year just missing the playoffs.  Primero is hoping to get back into the playoffs and have pieces back.  RB Ralsten LePlatt is back to lead the offense but will look to players like Abram Dominguez and Joseph Chavez to step up this year.  Defensively, Primero should still be tough returning 6 of their top 8 tacklers.  Jeremiah Montoya and Johnny Rivera are a few players to watch on defense.  Miami-Yoder is my pick to finish in 6^th.  Miami-Yoder was very young last year starting mostly sophomores and juniors.  They should improve heading into this season and look for QB Aiden Sethman-Taylor, RB Robert Book, and WR Jordan Hume to take big steps forward this season.  Defensively, Miami-Yoder returns nearly their entire unit returning 7 of their top 8 tacklers.  Leaders Isaac Tinoco and Carson Gann are back to help improve the defense.  Cotopaxi is my pick for 7^th.  They did not post stats last year.  Cotopaxi went 2-7 last year with wins over Mountain Valley and North Park.  If they can build on that success look for them to finish higher in the standings.  I will have my eye on Cotopaxi since no stats were posted last year.  Antonito rounds out the southwest league.  Antonito did not have a team last year.  They last played in 2024 going 0-7.  They are looking to rebuild their program.

My predictions for the Southwest League

League Champion: Branson/Kim

Playoff Contenders: Branson/Kim, Mountain Valley, Hanover, La Veta, Primero

Dark Horse: La Veta

Preseason Player of the League: Coooper Winter Sr. Branson/Kim

Others to watch for: Acoya Bartlett Sr. Branson/Kim, Collin Doherty So. Branson/Kim, Tye Salaz Sr. Mountain Valley, Tanner Shellabarger So. Mountain Valley, Kyngston Taylor So. Mountain Valley, Nolan Sweazy Jr. Hanover, Jonathan Quiroz-Reyes Sr. Haonver, Joseph Molina Sr. Hanover, Sunny Kent Sr. La Veta, David Roel Jr. La Veta, Marcelo Lofgren Sr. La Veta, Ralsten LePlatt Sr. Primero, Abram Dominguez Jr. Primero, Jeremiah Montoya Jr. Primero, Jordan Hume Sr. Miami-Yoder, Robert Book Jr. Miami-Yoder, Isaac Tinoco SO. Miami-Yoder

Playoff 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.

Idalia (East Central)

Otis (East Central)

Flagler (East Central)

Kiowa (East Central)

Fleming (North)

Peetz (North)

Caliche (North)

Prairie (North)

Cheyenne Wells (Southeast)

Granada (Southeast)

Walsh (Southeast)

Wiley (Southeast)

Branson/Kim (Southwest)

Mountain Valley (Southwest)

Hanover (Southwest)

La Veta (Southwest)

Just Outside

Eads, Bethune, Primero, Deer Trail, Briggsdale,