After finishing runner-up in Class 2A a year ago, Kent Denver may be considered the team to beat as the Sun Devils return four players who received first team all-state honors in 2016. Heading up that list are running backs Joshua McDonald and Charles McKissick and defensive heavyweights Willy Boatman and TJ Love.
Defending state champion La Junta lost a senior class involving many three-year starters but the Tigers welcome back do everything QB Jon Nuschy who led the team in rushing and passing as a sophomore last year. Trevon Wehrman (Platte Valley) and Cole Sienknecht (Manitou Springs) are two other talented signal callers in Class 2A this year as both were second team all-state last season.
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
Willy Boatman — Kent Denver
- Led Sun Devils with 29 tackles for loss
- Third on team with six sacks
- Fourth on team with 75 tackles
- Recovered two fumbles
Peter Flack — D’Evelyn
- Led Jaguars defense with 104 tackles
- Topped team with 11 tackles for loss
- Tied for second on team with three passes defended
TJ Love — Kent Denver
- Third on team with 77 tackles
- Second on squad with 24 tackles for loss
- Second on team with seven sacks
- Second on team with five passes defended
Joshua McDonald — Kent Denver
- Second on team with 746 yards rushing
- Caught 11 passes for 115 yards and four touchdowns
- Led defense with 95 tackles including 10 for loss
- Tied for second on team with three interceptions
Charles McKissick — Kent Denver
- Third on team with 687 yards rushing
- Led team with nine touchdowns on the ground
- Caught 12 passes for 113 yards and two scores
- Tied for second on team with three interceptions
Jon Nuschy — La Junta
- Starting QB on state championship team
- Threw for 1,100 yards and 17 touchdowns with just four interceptions
- Ran for team best 1,407 yards and 16 touchdowns
- Rushed and passed for at least 100 yards in the same game four times
SECOND TEAM
Mitchell Black — Faith Christian
- Fifth on the team in tackles with 35
- Key member of offensive line that helped create 1,500 yards passing and 1,636 yards rushing last year
Logan Church — Delta
- Fourth on defense with 71 tackles
- Second on team with three tackles for loss
- Tied for second on team with three sacks
Ryan Phelps — Bayfield
- Led team with 13 sacks
- Fourth on team with 81 tackles
- Second on team with 17 tackles for loss
- Second on team with 21 receptions for 191 yards and a touchdown
Josh Reeder — Delta
- Led team with five sacks
- Second on team with 51 tackles
- Led team with four tackles for loss
- Helped offense generate over 4600 yards and 42 touchdowns
Cole Sienknecht — Manitou Springs
- Completed 48 of 80 passes for 924 yards and 13 touchdowns against only three interceptions
- Led offense with 980 yards rushing with eight touchdowns
- Fourth on the team with 34 tackles
- Ran and passed for least 100 yards in the same game three times
Trevon Wehrman — Platte Valley
- Threw for 1,356 yards in first year as starter — completed 142 of 252 attempts including 15 touchdowns
- Threw for at least 200 yards in three games
- Ran for team best 1,180 yards and 11 touchdowns
- Ran for at least 100 yards in six games
Cole Wood — Bayfield
- Second on team with 90 tackles
- Second on team with 11 sacks
- Tied for team lead with two fumble recoveries
- Tied for fourth on club with 13 tackles for loss
Taylor Wright — Manitou Springs
- Registered 20 tackles on defense
- Helped offense generate 43 touchdowns and nearly 400 yards of offense per game
