Class 1A Football joins all other divisions in starting official practice for the 2021 season and Colorado Preps will again preview the season in depth.  And this year we provide interviews with coaches from the top programs throughout the state.  We’ll add to the list each da so we ask you to check back on a regular basis and hear the interviews.

To hear the interviews, simply click on the play button beneath the coach of your choice.

 

WRAY – Levi Kramer

The Eagles were a state semifinalist last Fall and even though they lost talented QB Tyler Collins and others to graduation, there’s enough returning talent to make another deep post-season push.  They open the season with a long and difficult road trip to Centauri and also must navigate again through the rugged North Central conference.

 

LIMON – Mike O’Dwyer

The Badgers have won the last three state championships in Class 1A and should again be in the championship mix for 2021.   A talented senior class is back but several new faces will need to develop quickly against a very rugged regular season schedule.

 

NORTH FORK – Curtis Hintz

A new program on the 1A level combines Hotchkiss and Paonia into the North Fork Miners.  There’s an excellent football tradition in both communities so the Miners should have an immediate impact on the 1A playoff picture.  Coach Hintz joins us to talk about the process of getting the teams together for the 2021 season.

 

CENTAURI – Kyle Forster

Semifinalists each of the past four years including a state finals appearance, the Falcons are among the top programs in Class 1A.  A veteran group returns for 2021 with their eyes focused on the biggest prize of all.

 

BUENA VISTA – Matt Flavin

The Demons were unbeaten through the regular season and first round of the playoffs before a loss to eventual state champion Manitou Springs in the semifinals ended their season.  Key contributors for much of that success were underclassmen so the expectations are again high for the Chaffee County school.

 

MEEKER – Shane Phelan

The Cowboys were a playoff team in 2020 and nearly upset Strasburg in the state quarterfinals.  Now the job ahead of 2021 is to find a successor to Ryan Phelan at QB and fill some holes left by a talented senior class.  Despite the new faces, look for them to again compete for a league championship and earn a spot in the 16-team playoff bracket.

 

STRASBURG – Brian Brown

Five years in Class 1A and five consecutive trips to the state finals for the Indians including a pair of championships.  Now they head into 2021 with a very experienced offensive line but needing some new faces to step up in the backfield.  They also face a very strong schedule both in and out of their conference.

 

HOLYOKE – Dusty Sprague

As one of the eight teams that cracked the 1A playoff bracket last year, the Dragons are coming off a successful 2020 season.  Talent returns both in the backfield and interior line so again expectations are high as they hope to compete for the championship of the rugged North Central conference.