Class 1A Football League Predictions & Playoff Picks (Big Northern, Front Range, and South Central League)
Class 1A only has 5 leagues this year and we will break them into two articles. We will touch on every team in Class 1A. I will be giving my league predictions on who finishes where inside the league and I will give the 16 teams I think make the playoffs. This is all for fun and I do not wish bad on any teams. Good Luck to all teams this season.
Big Northern League
1. Yuma
2. Wray
3. Wiggins
4. Platte Valley
5. Holyoke
6. Dayspring Christian
7. Highland
The Big Northern League (League C) is a combination of the Central, North Central, and 8-Man Plains Teams. The Big Northern League will be one of the most competitive leagues with possibly 5 teams coming out of this league and all 7 teams being in the hunt for the playoffs. Yuma is my pick to win the Big Northern League. Yuma went 4-5 last year and missed the playoffs. Yuma had just one league win over Wiggins last year dropping 5 of their last 6 games. Yuma should be poised for a playoff run returning most of their offensive production. QB Iann Duran returns to the run the offense along with RB Christian Thomson and their entire offensive line. Defensively, Yuma returns 8 of their top 13 tacklers including 3 of their top 5. Key defensive players returning are Jesus Gordo, Jose Ross, and Brodie Kallweit. Wray is my pick to finish in 2nd. Wray went 8-4 last year with a trip to the semifinals. Wray lose a good senior class and will look to reload this season. Offensively, Wray will have the most holes to fill losing over 2000 yards of total offense. Wray will look for new players like Grady Godsey, Jaiden Depue, and Eric Lords to step up offensively. Also, the offensive line for Wray returns solid leadership returning at least 2 if not more starters. Defensively, Wray returns 6 of their top 13 tacklers but just 1 of their top 8 tacklers returners. Lance Buoy returns as the leader but also look for Benjamin Riggleman and Diego De Leon to step up this year. Wiggins is my pick to finish in 3rd. Wiggins went 1-8 last season playing one of the toughest schedules in Class 1A. Wiggins lone win was over Meeker who reached the quarterfinals. Wiggins should be able to build off last season losing 7 seniors but return key pieces on both sides of the ball. Offensively, Wiggins will look for one of their two QBs to step up this year in Brock Forsha or Isaac Flores. Whoever comes out as QB1 will have weapons around him in RBs Owen Erker, RB Julien Towers, and RB Cyrus Barkdoll. Defensively, Wiggins should take the biggest step forward returning 8 of their top 13 tacklers. Wiggins will lose their top two tacklers but Barkdoll, Erker, and Keaton Crownover should lead the way. Platte Valley is my pick to finish in 4th place. Platte Valley went 5-5 last season also playing a brutal schedule but won the Central League. Platte Valley will lose some key offensive pieces including their QB and RB1. Platte Valley will return plenty of weapons at WR including Kaden Tucker, Jason Harrison, and Jackson Bauer. Look for one of those three along with RB Mason Hunt to see their roles increased this season. Platte Valley did not post defensive stats last year. Platte Valley will lose 7 seniors from last year including 4 offensive and defensive linemen. Holyoke is my pick to finish in 5th place. Holyoke went 4-6 last season with a trip to the playoffs. Holyoke grabbed two crucial victories over Yuma and Wiggins that helped get them into the playoffs. Holyoke will lose over 2000 yards of total offense but have pieces back to challenge for a playoff spot. RB Jacob Quintana returns for Holyoke along with WR Elbin Padilla and new QB Dathyn Dirks looks to step into some big shoes. Defensively, Holyoke should be stout returning 8 of their top 13 tacklers including their top two tacklers from last year in Quintana and Padilla but also look for Brandon Adler to step up this year. Dayspring Christian is my pick to finish in 6th but also still a playoff contender. Dayspring Christian makes the move from 8-man football up to 11-man football this season and look to contend right away. Dayspring Christian did lose some pieces from there 7-4 team but have plenty back. QB Hawkins Flanagan returns to lead the offense along with RB Luke Martin, WR Owen Crust, and WR Max Krehbiel. Defensively Dayspring Christian will have to adjust to the 11-man game and return plenty of leadership in Flanagan, Martin, and Crust but will need players like Micah Rutz and Liam Polk to step up this season. Highland rounds out the Big Northern League. Highland went 7-4 last year reaching the Quarterfinals. Highland will lose a good senior class taking with them most of their offensive production. Highland will look for new players like Brighton Morrow, Jason Batka, and Robert Olsen to fill some big shoes this year. Defensively, Highland was also hit hard by graduation returning just 4 of their top 13 tacklers from last season. Arturo Montes will be back to lead the defense but will look for players like Wyatt Enz and Dominic Loera to step up this year.
My predictions for the Big Northern League
League Champion: Yuma
Playoff Contenders: Yuma, Wray, Wiggins, Platte Valley, Holyoke, Dayspring Christian, Highland
Dark Horse: Dayspring Christian
Preseason Player of the League: Iann Duran Sr. Yuma
Others to watch for: Christian Thomson Sr. Yuma, Jesus Gordo Sr. Yuma, Lance Buoy Sr. Wray, Eric Lords Sr. Wray, Benjamin Riggleman Jr. Wray, Cyrus Barkdoll Jr. Wiggins, Owen Erker Jr. Wiggins, Julien Towers So. Wiggins, Mason Hunt Jr. Platte Valley, Kaden Tucker Jr. Platte Valley, Jason Harrison Sr. Platte Valley, Jacob Quintana Sr. Holyoke, Elbin Padilla Sr. Holyoke, Dathyn Dirks Jr. Holyoke, Hawkins Flanagan Jr. Dayspring Christian, Luke Martin Jr. Dayspring Christian, Owen Crust Sr. Dayspring Christian, Arturo Montes Sr. Highland, Brighton Morrow Jr. Highland, Jason Batka Sr. Highland
Front Range League
1. Denver Christian
2. Flatirons Academy
3. Valley
4. Pinnacle
5. Platte Canyon
6. Alameda
7. Middle Park
The Front Range League is a new league consisting of teams from the former Frontier League, 2A North, Central, and 2A Metro. This league could be very competitive at the top. Denver Christian is my pick to win the Front Range League. Denver Christian went 4-5 last season finishing 2nd in the Frontier League but missing the playoffs. Denver Christian returns a loaded roster losing just 3 seniors from last season. Offensively, Denver Christian hopes QB Cole McCabe take a big step forward this year along with RB Quinn Barkema and WR Austin Fitzgerald. Defensively, Denver Christian returns 11 of their top 13 tacklers including their top 8 tacklers from last season. If Denver Christian has postseason hopes their defense must improve and look for players like Elijah Moreno, Josiah Schott, and Elijah Whitefield to step up this year. Flatirons Academy is my pick to finish in 2nd. Flatirons Academy went 5-5 last season with a trip to the playoffs. Flatirons Academy will hope to build on last season’s success and make another playoff run. Flatirons Academy is loaded with weapons offensively including QB Caleb Doughty Sr. Flatirons Academy, RB Zeke Friedman, and WR Jack Joyner. Defensively, Flatirons Academy should also improve drastically but they do lose their top two tacklers from a season ago. Look for new leaders like Isaiah Figueroa and Gabe Noteboom to fill those holes. Valley is my pick to finish in 3rd. Valley went 2-7 last year in Class 2A in the toughest league in 2A. Valley will hope a move down into Class 1A can help revive their program and make them competitive right away. Valley offensively has all the weapons back including QB Jaiden VanHoesen, RB Zyon Gonzales, and WR Cade Lane. Defensively, Valley should also make drastic improvements returning 10 of their top 13 tacklers including 5 of their top 6. Brady Herman and Rocky Hoffschneider look to lead the Valley defense. Pinnacle is my pick to finish in 4th. Pinnacle is also my dark horse pick to challenge for the league title and make the playoffs. Pinnacle went 6-3 last season missing the playoffs. Pinnacle was independent last season having a mix and match schedule playing a few non-varsity opponents but also picking up some wins and close games against solid opponents. Pinnacle will look to show they have improved and challenge for the league crown. Pinnacle, offensively will have to replace their QB but have other key weapons back including RB AJ Duran, RB Omar Terrones-Jara, and WR Enzo Manzanare. Defensively Pinnacle should make the biggest improvement returning 11 of their top 13 tacklers from a season ago including 6 of their top 7 tacklers. Look for key defensive players like Valentino Fuentes and Ezequiel Ibarra to breakout this season. Platte Canyon is my pick for 5th place. Platte Canyon went 1-8 last season missing the playoffs and finishing fourth in the Frontier League. Platte Canyon will hope to rebuild this season and get back into playoff contention. Offensively Platte Canyon should improve brining back QB Colton Shirley and RB Weston Kool along with at least 4 starters on the offensive line. Platte Canyon should also improve defensively, returning 8 of their top 13 tacklers including 3 of their top 5. Look for some new players like Tyler Tanner and Gavin Johnson to step up this season. Rounding out the Front Range League is Middle Park and Alameda. Middle Park did not have a varsity team last season instead playing a JV schedule to help get ready for this year. Middle Park did play a 9 game JV schedule and if they put the work in could get into the mix quickly in this league. Middle Park played Varsity in 2024 going 1-8 and in 2023 went 4-5. Alameda went 3-6 last season in Class 2A finishing in 4th in the Metro League. Alameda hopes to build off last season’s success but lose some key senior leaders. Offensively Alameda will search for new leaders losing over 1500 yards of total offense. Players like Isaac Quintana, Santiago Riv and Santino Ramos must step up for Alameda this year. Defensively Alameda was also hit hard by graduation, returning just 5 of their top 13 tacklers. Leaders like Chris Terrones and Manny Mendoza will be tasked with getting the young players ready to go.
My predictions for the Front Range League
League Champion: Denver Christian
Playoff Contenders: Denver Christian, Flatirons Academy, Valley, Pinnacle
Dark Horse: Pinnacle
Player of the League: Quinn Barkema Sr. Denver Christian
Others to watch for: Cole McCabe Jr. Denver Christian, Austin Fitzgerald Jr. Denver Christian, Caleb Doughty Sr. Flatirons Academy, Zeke Friedman Jr. Flatirons Academy, Jack Joyner Jr. Flatirons Academy, Brady Herman Jr. Valley, Jaiden VanHoesen So. Valley, Zyon Gonzales Sr. Valley, AJ Duran Jr. Pinnacle, Valentino Fuentes Jr. Pinnacle, Enzo Manzanare So. Pinnacle, Weston Kool So. Platte Canyon, Colton Shirley Sr. Platte Canyon, Tyler Tanner Jr. Platte Canyon, Finn Mullane Jr. Middle Park, Isidro Molina Sr. Middle Park, Chris Terrones Jr. Alameda, Manny Mendoza Jr. Alameda, Santino Ramos Sr. Alameda
South Central League
1. Limon
2. Burlington
3. C.S Christian
4. Byers
5. Ellicott
6. Bennett
7. Salida
The South Central League is a new league featuring teams from former leagues of the North Central, Tri-Peaks, 8-Man Black Forest, 2A IML, and 2A East. The top half of the league looks to be very competitive and possibly 4 if not 5 playoff teams in the mix. Limon is my pick to win the South Central League. Limon is your defending State Champions and come into the season riding a 9-game winning streak. Limon will be graduating a stellar senior class and will have key holes to fill at QB1 and the offensive line. Limon will return RB Camdyn Tacha, RB Liam Yoder, and OL Riley Davis. Defensively Limon will still fly around and be very physical and they return 7 of their top 13 tacklers including key players like Ben Carr and Nelson Sontay. Burlington is my pick for 2nd. Burlington went 8-3 last season with a trip to the Quarterfinals. Burlington lost just 6 seniors from last year’s team, and they are looking to take that big step forward this year. Burlington offensively will have some holes to fill losing over 2000 yard of total offense. QB Weston Schaal does return to lead the way along with RB Scout Humrich and at least 4 starters on the offensive line. Defensively, Burlington will have some big holes to fill but do return 7 of their top 13 tacklers but only 1 of their top 6. Look players like Garrett Rogers and Samuel Korber to step up this year. C.S Christian is my pick to finish in 3rd and challenge for the league title. C.S Christian went 6-4 last year with a trip to the playoffs. C.S Chrisitan had success last year and they are hoping to make a deeper run in the playoffs this year. C.S Christian offensively is loaded with talent returning QB Fisher Tenpas along with RB Liam Smith, and WR Silas Lambert. Defensively C.S Christian could have one of the top units in Class 1A returning 9 of their top 13 tacklers including key leaders in Matt Hinderland and Christian Banks. Byers is my pick to finish in 4th. Byers makes the move up from 8-Man Football to 11-man Football and should be a playoff contender immediately. Byers will of course have to adjust to the 11-man game, but Byers will have plenty of key weapons back including QB James Maes, RB Gabe Price, and WR Benjamin McPherson. Defensively, Byers should also sport a top unit, returning 9 of their top 13 tackers including 3 of their top 6. Players like Caleb Eastwood and Devin Mohatt look to breakout this year. Ellicott is my pick to finish in 5th. Ellicott went 5-4 last year just missing the playoffs. Ellicott will have some holes to fill at QB and possibly replacing 3 or more starters on the offensive line. Ellicott instead will look for RB Jairus Martin, WR Braydon Epps, and RB Anthony Monteith to step up this season. Ellicott does not post defensive stats but losing 11 seniors will take a hit on the defensive side of the ball. Bennett and Salida round out the South Central League. Bennett went 0-9 last season and drop from 2A down to 1A this season. Bennett is working on rebuilding their program after three straight seasons of 1 win or less. Bennett will have some holes to fill but look for QB Kenny Jordan to take a big step forward this year but other weapons like Gabriel Nguyen and Cainen Hall must also step up as well. Defensively, Bennet should see improvement returning 8 of their top 13 tacklers but they do lose their top 2 tacklers from last season. Mormon Jordan and Liam Sanchez look to lead the Bennett defense. Salida rounds out the South-Central League. Salida will have a new head coach this season and he looks to rebuild Salida program after back-to-back seasons of 3 wins or less. Salida will have some big holes to fill losing their QB1 and RB1 & 2. Salida will turn to RB Steven Kliewer, RB John Bartha, and WR Ayden Wells to pick up the offense this year. On defense Salida should show their biggest strength returning 9 of their top 13 tacklers including leaders like Greyson Lane and Wynston Hochard.
My predictions for South Central League
League Champion: Limon
Playoff Contenders: Limon, Burlington, C.S Christian, Byers
Dark Horse: Bennett
Preseason Player of the League: Camdyn Tacha Jr. Limon
Others to watch for: Liam Yoder Sr. Limon, Ben Carr Jr. Limon, Scout Humrich Sr. Burlington, Weston Schaal Sr. Burlington, Garrett Rogers Sr. Burlington, Fisher Tenpas Sr. C.S Christian, Silas Lambert Sr. C.S Christian, Matt Hinderland Jr. C.S Christian, James Maes Sr. Byers, Gabe Price Sr. Byers, Caleb Eastwood Sr. Byers, Jarius Martin Sr. Ellicott, Braydon Epps Sr. Ellicott, Anthony Monteith Jr. Ellicott, Kenny Jordan Sr. Bennett, Mormon Jordan Jr. Bennett, Liam Sanchez Jr. Bennett, Greyson Lane Jr. Salida, Wynston Hochard Jr. Salida, Ayden Wells Sr. Salida
Class 1A Playoff Team 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 14 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!
Yuma (Big Northern)
Wray (Big Northern)
Wiggins (Big Northern)
Platte Valley (Big Northern)
Denver Christian (Front Range)
Flatirons Academy (Front Range)
Limon (South Central)
Burlington (South Central)
C.S Christian (South Central)
Byers (South Central)
Centauri (Southern)
Monte Vista (Southern)
Rye (Southern)
Meeker (Western Slope)
Cedaredge (Western Slope)
North Fork (Western Slope)
Teams in the mix
Dayspring Christian, Holyoke, Valley, Buena Vista, Moffat County, Highland, Olathe