MileHigh Prep Report

8-Man Football League Predictions & Playoff Picks (Leagues D, E, F, & G)

We move up into the 8-Man ranks and look at Leagues D, E, F, and G. We touch on every single team in these leagues. Also, Kerry Sherman will have a full Season Preview out next week!  We keep all of our previews and predictions free! We split 8-Man into two articles if you are looking for Leagues A, B, and C that was posted Yesterday.  We also pick the 16 teams we think make the playoffs in 8-Man.  Good Luck to all teams this season.

League D

1. Sedgwick County

2. Stratton

3. Merino

4. Akron

5. Haxtun

6. Clear Creek

League D is the remnants of the Plains plus a 6-Man team and a team from the Central League.  League D should be one of the toughest leagues in 8-Man Football and all 6 teams are Playoff Contenders.  Sedgwick County is my pick to win League D.  Sedgwick County went 5-5 last year and reached the Quarterfinals.  Sedgwick County is looking to make that deep push this season and return a loaded roster.  Offensively, Sedgwick County needs a new QB but they will have weapons galore with RB Owen Harris, WR Noah Harens, and RB Liam Amendt.  Defensively, Sedgwick County should have one of the top units in 8-Man.  They return 8 of their top 10 tacklers and look for players like Nathan Gonzales and Cooper Edson to have big seasons.  Stratton is my pick to finish in 2^nd.  Stratton makes the move back into 8-Man football.  The last time Stratton played 8-Man football was in 2011 where they were a standout program and they will look to jump right back into top tier status.  Stratton will have a big hole to fill at QB but return a lot of weapons on offense including RB Drew Fox, QB/RB Judson Isenbart, RB Nolan Notter.  Defensively Stratton should be a top unit returning 7 of their top 10 tacklers.  Key leadership is back in Gavin Ruhs but also keep an eye on Austin Weickum and Corbin Notter.  Merino is my pick to finish in 3^rd.  Merino went 3-6 last year and missed the playoffs.  Merino will look to shake off last season and get back into the playoffs this year.  Offensively, Merino should have plenty of talent back with QB Zavier Trenkle, RB Isaac Poe, and RB Bouxe Alva.  Defensively Merino has a few holes to fill but return key pieces with 6 of their top 10 tacklers returning including leaders in Jordan Rose and Jordan Sherman.  Akron is my pick to finish in 5^th.  Akron had a great season a year ago, going 12-1 and finishing as the runners up.  Akron lost a very good senior class plus lost a key player to transfer.  Akron will look to a big sophomore class to fill holes.  Look for WR/RB Jax Kusel to find a bigger role this year but also look for Mason McCoy and Jefferson Hunt to get bigger roles.  Defensively Akron will have some pieces back returning 4 of their top 10 tacklers.  Look for Nolan Camacho and Trent Kautz to be leaders on the defensive side of the ball.  Haxtun is my pick to finish in 5^th and my dark horse pick to challenge for the league title.  Haxtun is your defending State Champions.  They will be losing a very talented senior class that brought them back-to-back state championships and have a new head coach.  Haxtun, I believe will still be competitive and will look for a lot of the younger players to step up.  Look for players like Eli Horton, Grant Firme, Aspen Hart-Starkebaum, Austin Knox, and Gabriel Becerra to fill in big holes for Haxtun.  A lot of new faces will hit the field for the defending State Champions.  Clear Creek rounds out League D but they are still a playoff contender.  Clear Creek went 9-1 last year and won the Central League.  Clear Creek will face a much tougher league schedule this year and will look to reload and challenge for the league title and a playoff spot.  Offensively Clear Creek will search for a new QB but look for weapons like RB/WR Merrell Harvey, RB Skyler Clark, and WR Titus Canelos to step up this year.  Defensively Clear Creek will also lose some key pieces but return 5 of their top 10 tacklers including key leadership in Drake Isaacson and a player to watch in Emerson Walsh. 

My predictions for League D

League Champion: Sedgwick County

Playoff Contenders: Sedgwick County, Stratton, Akron, Merino, Haxtun, Clear Creek

Dark Horse: Haxtun

Preseason Player of the League: Owen Harris Sr. Sedgwick County

Others to watch for: Noah Harnes Sr. Sedgwick County, Cooper Edson Sr. Sedgwick County, Drew Fox Sr. Stratton, Judson Isenbart Jr. Stratton, Gavin Ruhs Sr. Stratton, Jordan Rose Sr. Merino, Zavier Trenkle Sr. Merino, Isaac Poe Sr. Merino, Jax Kusel Jr. Akron, Nolan Camacho So. Akron, Trent Kautz Sr. Akron, Austin Knox Jr. Haxtun, Gabriel Becerra Sr. Haxtun, Grant Firme Jr. Haxtun, Drake Isaacson Sr. Clear Creek, Titus Canelos Sr. Clear Creek, Merrell Harvey Sr. Clear Creek

League E

1. Simla

2. Crowley County

3. Calhan

4. Elbert

5. St. Mary’s

6. Monument Academy

League E is a combination of the Black Forest League, the Six County League, and a new team playing their first Varsity Season.  League E had three teams make the playoffs a season ago and look for three teams again push for a playoff berth.  Simla is my pick to win League E.  Simla went 6-4 last season and lost in the first round.  Simla was very young across the board last season starting mostly sophomores and juniors.  Simla this year is loaded for a deep playoff run.  Simla offensively, will look for QB Evan Guy to continue his development and build off last season and also look for RB Ethan Kissam and WR Tatum Kocerha to be big weapons.  Defensively, Simla returns 7 of their top 10 tacklers including key players in Connor Maranville and Ty Stanko.  Crowley County is my pick to finish in 2^nd and challenge for the league title.  Crowley County went 6-4 last season and made a trip to the playoffs.  Crowley County gained valuable experience and they will hope to build off that.  A new QB must be found for the Chargers but look for Julian Marquez to step into that role and he has key weapons back in RB Levi Gibson and RB Cooper Salzbrenner.  Defensively Crowley County has a few more holes to fill returning just 6 of their top 10 tacklers.  Look for players like Ghett Hughes and Krew Karney to step into bigger roles this year.  Calhan is my pick to finish in 3^rd and be in the playoff hunt.  Calhan went 5-4 last year and was one of the final teams just outside the playoffs.  Calhan showed glimpses last season of just how good they could be defeating Byers and pushing Simla and Elbert to the final whistle.  Calhan hopes to keep developing QB Brody Burnside along with weapons in RB Damean Soucy and WR Joey Mast.  Defensively Calhan has a few holes to fill but leader Brody Burnside will look for players like Caden Goggin and Brock Burnside to step up this year.  Elbert is my pick to finish in 4^th.  Elbert made the playoffs last year going 6-4 and lost in the first round.  Elbert is losing a talented senior class and will look for new players to step up this year.  Offensively QB Conner Rhoades hopes to fill the void at QB, and he has a solid weapon at WR/RB in Cole Nay and look for Hunter Neville to step into a bigger role.  Defensively, Elbert was hit the hardest by graduation and return just 3 of their top 10 tacklers.  Elbert will look for new players to step up like Grant Smith and Chad Evans.  St. Mary’s and Monument Academy round out League E.  St. Mary’s went 3-6 a season ago and graduate a big senior class taking with them over 3000 yards of total offense.  A slew of new players will be tasked with stepping up this year like Matthew Crocfer, Hayden Cuccinelli, and Reggie Harmon.  Defensively St. Mary’s is in better shape returning 5 of their top 10 tacklers.  Landen Borg is back to lead the defense but also look for Austin Baker to step into a bigger role.  Monument Academy will be playing there first year of Varsity Football.  We will have to see how they adapt to playing in a tough League.

My predictions for League E

League Champion: Simla

Playoff Contenders: Simla, Crowley County, Calhan

Dark Horse: Elbert

Preseason Player of the League: Evan Guy Jr. Simla

Others to watch for: Ethan Kissam Jr. Simla, Tatum Kocerha Sr. Simla, Levi Gibson So. Crowley County, Cooper Salzbrenner Jr. Crowley County, Julian Marquez So. Crowley County, Brody Burnside So. Calhan, Caden Goggin Jr. Calhan, Damean Soucy Sr. Calhan, Conner Rhoades Jr. Elbert, Cole Nay Jr. Elbert, Hunter Neville Sr. Elbert, Reggie Harmon So. St. Mary’s, Matthew Crocfer Sr. St. Mary’s, Hayden Cuccinelli Sr. St. Mary’s,

League F

1. West Grand

2. Hayden

3. Plateau Valley

4. Rangely

5. Vail Christian

6. Soroco

7. Lake County

League F is the Northwest League from last season.  Last year this league had two teams get into the playoffs.  Look for a competitive battle again for the top spot.  West Grand is my pick to win League F.  West Grand has been constant at the top of the Northwest League and they are coming off an 8-2 season and a loss in the first round.  West Grand looks to keeps it dominate run of the league and will have a few holes to fill from last season mainly at QB and there top tackler.  West Grand offensively will look for RB Landon Lockhart to step up as a leader along with RB Ruben Hatcher and WR Sanjay Geffers.  Defensively West Grand will still be a top unit returning 6 of their top 8 tacklers and look for a few new players to step up like Lance Eisenman and Walker Howell.  Hayden is my pick to finish in second and challenge for the league crown.  Hayden last season went 6-3 and missed the playoffs despite finishing in second place in the league.  Hayden is looking for the playoffs this year and will have plenty of talent back.  Offensively Hayden returns QB Peyton Johnson along with RB/WR Carson Campbell and RB Noah Weber.  Defensively Hayden also returns key pieces including 6 of their top 10 tacklers with their top 3 tacklers all returning.  A few defensive players to watch are Ryder Weber and Jarrett Davis.  Plateau Valley is my pick for 3^rd.  Plateau Valley went 7-3 last season and made it to the playoffs.  Plateau Valley will lose some key pieces both offensively and defensively and will look to fill those holes.  Offensively, Plateau Valley returns key weapons in RB Vance Sheffield, WR London Mitchell, and look for a new QB like Grant Bevan to step into a bigger role.  Defensively Plateau Valley should remain a tough unit returning 6 of their top 10 tacklers including their leader, Austin Grundy.  Rangely is my pick to finish in 4^th and my dark horse pick to challenge the top teams and possibly make a playoff run.  Rangely went 2-6 last season and missed the playoffs.  Rangely had a lot of new players step into bigger roles and will look to build off that success.  Rangely will look for QB Bradley Lambros to take a big step forward this year but also players like RB Hunter Fouch and WR Kacey Allred.  Defensively, Rangely should also improve returning 7 of their top 10 tacklers and look for players like Davon Lucero and Trey Lewis to have big seasons.  Vail Christian is my pick to finish in 5^th.  Vail Christian went 4-5 last season and finished 4^th in league.  Vail Christian will hope to get into the playoffs but do lose some key pieces from last season.  Vail Christian will look for new players like Rayman Romanin, Finn Hooper, and Lucas Zamora to fill bigger roles this season.  Defensively Vail Christian did not post stats.  Lake County and Soroco round out League F.  Soroco went 0-9 last year and are hoping to keep rebuilding there program with a very young roster.  Soroco started mostly sophomores and juniors last year and they are hoping to have some success this year.  Offensively Soroco returns QB Joseph Cordova along with RB Cavit Gregory.  Defensively Soroco returns their entire unit from last season.  Soroco will look for Brandon Lozano and Brody Stroup.  Lake County went 1-8 last season with their lone win over Soroco in OT.  Lake County is still in the middle of rebuilding there program and hope to take it to the next level this year.  Lake County returns key pieces on both sides of the ball in Sylas Westendorf, Devyn Sterkel, and Ernesto Raudales. 

My predictions for League F

League Champion: West Grand

Playoff Contenders: West Grand, Hayden, Plateau Valley, Rangely

Dark Horse: Rangely

Preseason Player of the League: Landon Lockhart Sr. West Grand

Others to watch for: Ruben Hatcher Sr. West Grand, Walker Howell Sr. West Grand, Carson Campbell Sr. Hayden, Ryder Weber Sr. Hayden, Peyton Johnson Sr. Hayden, Austin Grundy Sr. Plateau Valley, Vance Sheffield Jr. Plateau Valley, London Mitchell Sr. Plateau Valley, Bradley Lambros Sr. Rangely, Hunter Fouch Sr. Rangely, Kacey Allred Sr. Rangely, Rayman Romanin Sr. Vail Christian, Finn Hooper Sr. Vail Christian, Lucas Zamora Sr. Vail Christian, Joseph Cordova Sr. Soroco, Cavit Gregory Jr. Soroco, Brandon Lozano Sr. Soroco, Sylas Westendorf So. Lake County, Devyn Sterkel Sr. Lake County, Ernesto Raudales Jr. Lake County

League G

1. Front Range Christian

2. Lyons

3. Estes Park

4. Gilpin County

5. South Park

6. Justice

League G is the remnants of the Central League and a team dropping from 1A down to 8-Man and one Mountain team.  League G will be one of the weaker leagues in 8-Man Football with possibly just 1 maybe 2 playoff teams.  Lyons is my pick to win League G.  Lyons went 2-7 last season as they look to rebuild coming off back-to-back no playoff seasons.  Lyons will have all the pieces back to try and win the League and get back into the playoffs.  Lyons offensively returns QB Calvin Russell, RB James Baer, and WR Jesse Kauffman.  Defensively Lyons does lose some key pieces but have great leadership back in Baer, Russell, and Kauffman but also look for Maxwell Elson to breakout this year.  Front Range Christian is my pick to finish in 2^nd in league G.  Front Range Christian went 3-6 last season and missed the playoffs.  Front Range Christian will hope to build off last season and take advantage of a wide-open league.  Front Range Christian returns key pieces in QB Lawson Edwards, WR Caleb Harms, and WR Jake Carlson.  Defensively Front Range Christian should make the biggest improvements returning 7 of their top 10 tacklers including their top 3 from last season.  Key defensive players to watch are Joseph Ratts and Grayson Murry.  Estes Park is my pick to finish in 3^rd place and a team who could also challenge for the league title.  Estes Park drops from 1A 11-man down into 8-Man this season and hope to get the program going back in the right direction.  Estes Park should have some success right away losing just 3 seniors from last year’s team.  Stats are limited for Estes Park but look for Hadlee Rasmussen, Colby O’Brien, Harry Oberg, and Leo Balduzzi to have big seasons for Estes Park.  Gilpin County is my pick to finish in 4^th.  Gilpin County went 7-2 last year and finished in second in the Central League but missed the playoffs.  Gilpin County will lose a talented senior class that takes over 2000 yards of total offense.  Gilpin County will look for new offensive players to step up this year like Jack Fisher, Ryan Marr, and George Weidler.  Defensively Gilpin County was hit the hardest by graduation returning just 3 of their top 10 tacklers.  Gilpin County will look for new players like Ezekiel Bloom and Justin Kennedy to step up this year.  South Park and Justice round out League G.  South Park went 1-8 last season finishing in last in the tough Mountain League.  South Park will hope moving to League G help them find some success.  South Park should be competitive right away especially Offensively returning QB Kyle Basnett, RB Bennett Salverson, and WR Michael Valenzuela.  Defensively South Park should also see big improvement, returning 7 of their top 10 tacklers.  Key players like Chase Hermansen and Zach Morris will look to help South Park go in the right direction.  Justice went 2-7 last season.  They are the one team who has multiple changes year in and year out and it is hard to know exactly how good they will be.  Justice did pick up wins over South Park and Belleview Christian last season.

My predictions for League G

League Champion: Lyons

Playoff Contenders: Lyons, Front Range Christian, Estes Park

Dark Horse: Estes Park

Preseason Player of the League: James Baer Sr. Lyons

Others to watch for: Lawson Edwards Jr. Front Range Christian, Joseph Ratts Sr. Front Range Christian, Caleb Harms Sr. Front Range Christian, Hadlee Rasmussen Sr. Estes Park, Colby O’Brien Sr. Estes Park, Harry Oberg So. Estes Park, Jack Fisher Jr. Gilpin County, Ryan Marr Sr. Gilpin County, Bennett Salverson Jr. South Park, Michael Valenzuela Sr. South Park, Kyle Basnett Sr. South Park

Playoff Predictions

I am going to pick the 16 teams I think make it to the playoffs for the 2026 Football Season. Last season I got 12 of the 16 teams correct so I am expecting to have a few teams wrong. Regardless, Good Luck to all teams this season.  These are not in order!

McClave (League A)

Fowler (League A)

Hoehne (League B)

Mancos (League C)

Norwood (League C)

Dolores (League C)

Sedgwick County (League D)

Stratton (League D)

Merino (League D)

Akron (League D)

Simla (League E)

Crowley County (League E)

West Grand (League F)

Hayden (League F)

Lyons (League G)

Haxtun (League D)

Others to Watch

Calhan, Sanford, Las Animas, Clear Creek, Holly, Center, Sargent/Sangre, Plateau Valley, Rangely, Front Range Christian, Estes Park