Strasburg, Meeker and Bennett all reached the Final Four a year ago and all three teams have more than enough talent returning to make another run.  The state champion Strasburg Indians welcome back leading rusher Hunter Bergstrom and key lineman Chris Gudka and Chad Wiebelhaus along with kicker Carson Spence as they look to go back-to-back.
State runner-up Meeker has Logan Hughes back at the quarterback position and one of his top weapons from last year, Doak Mantle, also returns.  Bennett ran for over 45-hundred yards last season and welcomes back QB Rocky Lechman, RB Jesse Rodriguez and powerful lineman Jayden Brown.
Below is a quick list and breakdown of the players in Class 1A that return after being named either first or second team all-state in 2016.

FIRST TEAM

Hunter Bergstrom — Strasburg

  • Led state champions with 1,110 yards rushing on just 84 attempts
  • Averaged 13 yards per carry and finished with team best 15 touchdowns
  • Led team with 23 catches and 446 yards receiving with six touchdowns
  • Earned 34 tackles and three sacks defensively

Chris Gudka – Strasburg

  • Key member of state championship offensive line
  • Helped offense score 620 points during perfect 13-0 season
  • Missed much of the season due to injury but returned for state championship win over Meeker

Logan Hughes — Meeker

  • Led Cowboys to state championship game by throwing for 2,529 yards on 145 completions
  • Threw for 31 touchdown passes and just 10 interceptions
  • Threw for season best 326 yards in semifinal win over Bennett — also three TD passes
  • Third on the Cowboys with 514 yards and seven touchdowns rushing

Rocky Lechman — Bennett

  • Completed team best 18 passes in 32 attempts for 432 yards and nine touchdowns
  • Second on Tigers with 1,281 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns
  • Second on list of returnees in Class 1A in rushing yards (trails teammate Jesse Rodriguez)
  • Registered 38 tackles, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries on defense

Chad Wiebelhaus — Strasburg

  • Registered 33 tackles defensively with five tackles for loss
  • Tied for second on team with three sacks
  • Key ingredient of offensive line that generated 5,371 yards of offense and 85 touchdowns

Jesse Rodriguez – Bennett

  • Led Tigers with 1,317 yards rushing and 21 TD’s last season
  • Rushed for at least 100 yards in seven games last year
  • Collected a season high 229 yards rushing in semifinal loss to Meeker
  • Team leader with three interceptions

SECOND TEAM

Jaydn Brown — Bennett

  • Offensive line member that pushed Tigers to 4,671 yards rushing last season
  • Picked up 15 tackles defensively
  • Helped lead Tigers to final four appearance

Doak Mantle — Meeker

  • Led Cowboys with 1,058 yards and 11 touchdowns rushing as a junior
  • Caught just nine passes on the season (164 yards) but three went for scores
  • Fourth on team with 82 tackles
  • Led Cowboys with six interceptions and tied for state lead with three others in Class 1A

Jaden Miller — Paonia

  • Led Eagles with 977 yards rushing
  • Second team with seven touchdowns on the ground
  • Third on Eagles with 61 tackles including 20 for loss
  • Team leader in sacks with eight

Forest Pejsa — Dolores

  • Easily led Bears with 165 tackles — next highest on the team was 75
  • Recorded 110 solo tackles including eight tackles for loss
  • Caused five fumbles and recovered one
  • Deflected two passes

Parker Randolph — Monte Vista

  • Connected on eight of 12 field goal attempts with a long of 32 yards
  • Converted 32 of 34 extra point attempts
  • Averaged nearly 48 yards per kickoff with three touchbacks

Noah Sarria — Clear Creek

  • Led team with 703 yards rushing
  • Scored seven touchdowns rushing
  • Led team in receiving yards with 827 yards and 10 touchdowns
  • Second on team with 27 receptions

Carson Spence — Strasburg

  • Registered 32 tackles on defense as a junior
  • Made 60 of 70 extra point attempts on season
  • Averaged 47 yards per kickoff on 72 attempts

Chiante’ Stewart — Ellicott

  • Topped club with 32 receptions for 719 yards and seven touchdowns
  • Third on team with 465 yards rushing with 11 touchdowns
  • Second on team with 68 tackles including four for loss
  • Intercepted one pass and deflected two others

 
2016 All State Football Teams (Class 1A & 2A)