League overview: Five different leagues came together to form a new version of the North Central in 2022, including two outright league champions, a team that shared a league title – and also the defending state champion in Fort Morgan. Lutheran was a league champion a year ago but lost to Fort Morgan in the state semis, while Northfield won the 2A Flatirons League and moves up a classification. Holy Family split its league with Mead and Frederick, and Kennedy and Lincoln come over from the Denver Prep League.
**
Fort Morgan
Head coach: Ty Davies
2021 Record: 12-1 (3-1 North Central 3)
Returning All-State Players: David Keller, Brandon Marquez, Oscar Ramirez (Honorable Mention)
Save for a narrow loss to Roosevelt during the regular season, opponents couldn’t find a way to stop Fort Morgan a year ago. But the Mustangs must find a way to replace the seniors who helped lead the way to a state championship in 2021. That includes 3A Player of the Year quarterback Briggs Wheatley and three other first-team all-state selections. The Mustangs do return some all-state selections in linebacker David Keller, defensive lineman Oscar Ramirez and kicker Brandon Marquez.
**
Holy Family Tigers
Head coach: Michael Gabriel
2021 Record: 6-6 (3-1 North Central 2)
Returning All-State Players: None
The Tigers’ traditional rivals are now in other leagues, but Holy Family will still find itself tested on a weekly basis. Holy Family lost a number of starters to graduation, though quarterback Rylan Cooney (1,865 yards and 19 touchdowns) returns. Chase McNaughton was the team’s second-leading rusher, and Jace Gunderson and Nic Christoff will be among those to replace the defensive leadership lost.
**
Kennedy
Head coach: Michael LaGuardia
2021 Record: 3-7 (1-4 Denver Prep)
Returning All-State Players: Ron Gallegos III, Isaac Sisneros, (Honorable Mention)
A shutout in the team’s season finale will hopefully provide some confidence headed into 2022, with especially with honorable mention all-state players back in quarterback Isaac Sisneros (2,485 yards, 33 touchdowns) and wide receiver/defensive back Ron Gallegos III (1,163 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns). The team had some talented juniors on defense as well, with Antonio Massingille Jr. leading the team in tackles and interceptions and defensive end Angel Frausto leading the way with 4.5 sacks.
**
Lincoln
Head coach: Michael Ramirez
2021 Record: 0-9 (0-5 Denver Prep)
Returning All-State Players: None
The Lancers had their share of struggles last fall, finishing the season with only one touchdown. The new league will provide its own challenges for a team looking to build some momentum. The team’s non-league slate could help the Lancers do that before league play gets rolling in October.
**
Lutheran
Head coach: Stephen Robbins
2021 Record: 12-1 (5-0 North West)
Returning All-State Players: None
Lutheran was undefeated last fall headed into the state semifinals, but Fort Morgan edged out the Lions 23-21 to advance to the title game. Now Lutheran has to regroup to replace five first-team all-state selections, including quarterback Clayton Jacobs, who passed for 2,271 yards and 30 touchdowns. Among the team’s playmakers back, Joe Ciccio caught 22 balls for 551 yards and seven touchdowns as a sophomore. Linebackers Ryan Kenny and Joshua Ayers were both big on defense a year ago as juniors, with Ayers recording 4.5 sacks.
**
Northfield
Head coach: Ben Startzer
2021 Record: 6-4 (4-0 2A Flatirons)
Returning All-State Players: None
Northfield moves up from the 2A classification, where the fourth-year program reached the postseason in each of the previous two years. While coach Ben Startzer doesn’t have any returning all-state players, he does have plenty of experience. Seniors Kardell Collins (cornerback), Nate Martin (offensive line) Williams Campos (OL) and Isaac Stoehr (OL/DL); juniors Jack Easterly (linebacker), Alex Gerson (kicker), Connor Reece (LB), Kam Joyce-Fairley (wide receiver/defensive back), Andy Black (OL), Christian Love (quarterback/DB) and Dean Stickel (tight end/DB), and sophomore Dylan Anderson (TE/LB) lead the way. Startzer said the key is embracing the momentum and the squad testing itself against legitimate, storied programs.
