League overview: The addition of Buena Vista to the Western Slope League could drastically change the overall outcome of the league standings. Meeker claimed the league title last year and earned the No. 6 seed in the state tournament but it was the Demons who ousted them. Now it’s a regular season showdown that will have a major impact on the construction of the postseason bracket. Gunnison was the third team from this league to make the postseason last year and like Meeker, it was newcomer Buena Vista who sent the Cowboys home.
**
Buena Vista
Head coach: Matt Flavin
2021 Record: 11-1 (3-0 Tri-Peaks)
Returning All-State Players: Haden Camp, Elijah Evans (First Team); Tam Flowers (Second Team)
The Demons head into the season knowing that they can contend for a state title. They went undefeated in the regular season and suffered their first and only loss to eventual champion Centauri in the Class 1A semifinals. They also bring back a ton of talent which is only adding to the expectations of a championship season Haden Camp rushed for 1,215 yards and 12 touchdowns and threw for 930 yards and 11 scores. Elijah Evans was a monster in the trenches and earned first-team all-state honors as a result. He led the team with 3.5 sacks during the year. Within the first four weeks of the season, the Demons will see defending state champion Centauri and Limon, last year’s runner up.
**
Cedaredge
Head coach: Craig Cerise
2021 Record: 3-6 (2-4 Western Slope)
Returning All-State Players: None
This is going to be a crucial year for the Bruins’ development. The roster was young but there were flashes of potential as evidenced by the three wins they came away with. Junior quarterback Luke Maxey should play like a veteran after throwing for 500 yards and six touchdowns last year. Sophomore Brady Cooper will likely get the attention of opposing defenses after hauling in 239 receiving yards and six scores. If the returning players have matured as athletes, there is no reason to think the Bruins can’t put together a successful season. “We were a very young team last year and now all of those kids are a year older,” Cerise said. “We showed flashes of improvement, but we have to play solid football for four quarters on a regular basis.”
**
Gunnison
Head coach: Paul Vickers
2021 Record: 7-3 (4-2 Western Slope)
Returning All-State Players: None
The Cowboys lost two of their final three regular season games after putting together a solid season up to that point. The slowing of momentum didn’t help as they fell to Buena Vista in the first round of the playoffs. The team heads into 2022 with a renewed focus and some good talent. Senior quarterback Rocky Marchitelli threw for 419 yards on just 26 completions. Junior running back Royce Uhrig averaged 4.5 yards per carry and scored five touchdowns and will have a bigger role on the offensive side of the ball. Gunnison starts its season against a couple of 2A teams in Aspen and Alamosa.
**
Meeker
Head coach: Andy Coryell
2021 Record: 8-3 (6-0 Western Slope)
Returning All-State Players: None
Meeker has a lot of unfinished business with Buena Vista so the Demons moving into the league was a welcome sight for the Cowboys. Buena Vista was responsible for two of Meeker’s three losses and they came by a combined 10 points. The Cowboys lose a 1,700-yard rusher but get quarterback Connor Blunt back for his senior season. He Threw for 457 yards and three touchdowns while running for another 126 yards and three scores. Linebacker Elijah Leblanc will step up into a big leadership role after totaling 93 tackles, which ranked him third on the team.
**
North Fork
Head coach: Curtis Hintz
2021 Record: 8-3 (5-1 Western Slope)
Returning All-State Players: None
The Miners had five players earn all-state honors but none of them are back with the team this season. They do get some experienced players back such as junior quarterback Hunter Moreno, who threw for 620 yards and four touchdowns. Linebacker Lane Allen finished the year with 92 tackles and will provide a steady hand on the defensive side of the ball. North Fork is starting the season off with a league game as it hosts Meeker on Aug. 26.
**
Olathe
Head coach: Tyler Vincent
2021 Record: 0-9 (0-6 Western Slope)
Returning All-State Players: None
A rough start to the season never got better for the Pirates. They’re hoping to head into 2022 and compete for some wins. They’ll see Del Norte, Center and Coal Ridge early in the year and if they can find a bit of momentum in that stretch, the should be able to generate some positive energy for the season.
**
Roaring Fork
Head coach: Eric Bollock
2021 Record: 1-8 (1-5 Western Slope)
Returning All-State Players: Like Olathe, the Rams had some trouble finding their footing in 2021. Their one win of the year came in a tight 30-20 game against Olathe. The hope is to build the win count this season and it helps to have junior quarterback Max Bollock back. He threw for 1,035 yards and seven touchdowns and added 229 rushing yards along the way. As a leader, he should set a standard for the team as they look to get the program trending upward.
