The start to the 2019 football season opens on Monday as teams across the state can officially start practice.  Games are set to begin on Thursday August 29th with the brunt of opening games set for the next night.  August 30th also marks the return of the Colorado Preps Scoreboard Show which begins it’s 17th season of providing coverage to all classes and corners of the state.
Over the course of the next three weeks, Colorado Preps will get you ready for the season with previews of each class, rankings, top returning players and some thoughts on the most important games in each class and conference.  We will also ask you to subscribe to our Colorado Preps Magazine which is moving statewide with content and will launch with our Fall Preview issue the week of August 26th.  More details on how to sign up will be available in coming days.

Important dates for the Season

  • August 12th:  First day of practice
  • August 28th:  First official games can be played
  • November 1-2nd:  Playoffs begin for six man
  • November 8-9th:  Playoffs begin for eight man, 1A, 2A and 5A
  • November 15-16th:  Playoffs begin for 3A and 4A
  • November 23rd:  State Championship for 6man
  • November 30th:  State Championship games for 8man, 1A and 2A
  • December 7th:  State championship games for 3A, 4A and 5A

Storylines for the season

  • Six man football season opens on August 30th with a state finals rematch between Stratton/Liberty and Kit Carson
  • Sedgwick County looks to become the first ever eight man program to win five consecutive state championships
  • Limon begins its 100th season of football as the defending 1A state champion and the program with the most state titles in history (18)
  • Can a team other than La Junta and Bayfield win the 2A state championship as the Tigers and Wolverines have combined to win the last four
  • Palmer Ridge tries to become the second straight three-time winner in Class 3A.  The Bears have won the last two following three in a row from Pueblo East
  • Pine Creek seeks to play in a sixth state championship game since 2013 but is coming off their earliest playoff exit (quarterfinals) in that stretch
  • Valor Christian is the defending 5A state champion and begins the season in search of a ninth title in school history (all since 2009)

Last 10 State Champions in Each Class 

SIX MAN

  • 2018:  Stratton/Liberty
  • 2017:  Peetz
  • 2016:  Hi Plains
  • 2015:  Eads
  • 2014:  Arickaree/Woodlin
  • 2013:  Stratton/Librerty
  • 2012:  Fleming
  • 2011:  Fleming
  • 2010:  Idalia
  • 2009:  Idalia

EIGHT MAN

  • 2018:  Sedgwick County
  • 2017:  Sedgwick County
  • 2016:  Sedgwick County
  • 2015:  Sedgwick County
  • 2014:  Caliche
  • 2013:  Dayspring Christian
  • 2012:  Hoehne
  • 2011:  Dayspring Christian
  • 2010:  Hoehne
  • 2009:  Merino

CLASS 1A

  • 2018:  Limon
  • 2017:  Strasburg
  • 2016:  Strasburg
  • 2015:  Buena Vista
  • 2014:  Paonia
  • 2013:  Paonia
  • 2012:  Cedaredge
  • 2011:  Burlington
  • 2010:  Burlington
  • 2009:  Yuma

CLASS 2A

  • 2018:  La Junta
  • 2017:  Bayfield
  • 2016:  La Junta
  • 2015:  Bayfield
  • 2014:  Brush
  • 2013:  Platte Valley
  • 2012:  Kent Denver
  • 2011:  Florence
  • 2010:  Olathe
  • 2009:  Faith Christian

CLASS 3A

  • 2018:  Palmer Ridge
  • 2017:  Palmer Ridge
  • 2016:  Pueblo East
  • 2015:  Pueblo East
  • 2014:  Pueblo East
  • 2013:  Coronado
  • 2012:  Silver Creek
  • 2011:  Windsor
  • 2010:  Elizabeth
  • 2009:  Valor Christian

CLASS 4A

  • 2018:  Loveland
  • 2017:  Pueblo South
  • 2016:  Pine Creek
  • 2015:  Windsor
  • 2014:  Pine Creek
  • 2013:  Pine Creek
  • 2012:  Monarch
  • 2011:  Valor Christian
  • 2010:  Valor Christian
  • 2009:  Heritage

CLASS 5A

  • 2018:  Valor Christian
  • 2017:  Pomona
  • 2016:  Valor Christian
  • 2015:  Valor Christian
  • 2014:  Cherry Creek
  • 2013:  Valor Christian
  • 2012:  Valor Christian
  • 2011:  Columbine
  • 2010:  Mullen
  • 2009:  Mullen