League overview: The Class 1A Foothills League has a very different look to it as Strasburg, Denver Christian and Middle Park join the crew. Bennett was recognized as the league champion and got the only playoff berth for the league. The addition of Strasburg and the development of the rest of the league could give them multiple teams in the 2022 state tournament field.
**
Clear Creek
Head coach: Nicholas Issacson
2021 Record: 2-6 (2-3 Foothills)
Returning All-State Players: None
Both of Clear Creek’s wins came against league opponents last year and that’s a trend the Golddiggers would like to continue this season. The problem will be replacing seniors that contributed in key positions. This younger Clear Creek team will open the season against Ellicott, a team that didn’t compete in 2021. The hope is that the game against the Thunderhawks will give the Golddiggers a good start to the season.
**
Denver Christian
Head coach: Jordan Quinn
2021 Record: 0-9 (0-6 8-Man Plains)
Returning All-State Players: None
The Thunder moves up from the 8-Man ranks and will compete in 11-man football for the first time since 2013. They return some good contributors from last years team, among them Austin Johnson who totaled 391 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Coach Quinn also highlights Luke Dorsey and Luke Booysen as players who will make an impact in 2022. The key for the Thunder this season is staying healthy in order to properly adjust to the 11-man game. They open the season at home against Banning Lewis on Aug. 27.
**
Jefferson
Head coach: Les Rofle
2021 Record: 2-6 (1-3 Foothills)
Returning All-State Players: None
The Saints got a couple of big wins last season, and they’ll try to do so again but with a younger roster. They lost seniors at key positions and will have to fill those holes with a lot of inexperienced kids. Among those who did get experience in 2021 was junior Isaiah Villalobos who totaled 26 tackles. One of the big wins that Jefferson got last year was against Sheridan and those two teams will play early in the year in a non-league contest.
**
Middle Park
Head coach: Ryan Ledford
2021 Record: 3-6 (2-3 Flatirons)
Returning All-State Players: None
The Panthers come over from the Flatirons League hoping that a change of scenery will generate better results. They played some tight games last and lost two of them by a combined eight points which could make the team mentally tougher in 2022. Senior Xavier Martinez will have a more prominent role in the offense after totaling 202 receiving yards and 107 rushing yards last year. Micah Byrum will be the steady hand on defense after totaling 72 tackles and three sacks. Middle Park will welcome The Pinnacle to kick off the 2022 season.
**
Platte Canyon
Head coach: Lance Gunkel
2021 Record: 5-4 (4-1 Foothills)
Returning All-State Players: None
A 28-16 loss to Manual in the final week of the regular season kept the Huskies out of the 2021 state tournament and there is still a bad taste in their mouths. They’ll head into the season on a mission and part of that is knowing how important the showdown with Strasburg will be. “It should be for the league title,” Gunkel said. Quarterback David Fouts should make strides this season after throwing for 360 yards and rushing for another 227. Junior Sam Patterson will likely see an increased role in the run game after he ran for 314 yards and three touchdowns in 2021. The Huskies will take their schedule one game at a time until they get to that anticipated showdown with Strasburg in the last week of the regular season.
**
Strasburg
Head coach: Brian Brown
2021 Record: 6-4 (4-0 Northern)
Returning All-State Players: Zach Marerro (Second Team)
Even as a newcomer to the league, Strasburg will have a target on its back in 2022. All-State running back Zach Marerro returns after rushing for 1,022 yards and 14 touchdowns last year. He’ll set the tone for the offense as Strasburg tries once again to make it through a regular season schedule without suffering a league loss. Hayden Turner hauled in three interceptions in his junior campaign and will be a big factor on the defensive side of the ball. Strasburg will face a gauntlet to start the season, seeing Holyoke, Wiggins and Limon in its first three games.
