League overview: The Southern 1 League is another league that is a result of breaking up the Pueblo area teams. Pueblo East, Pueblo County and Canon City join Discovery Canyon, Sand Creek and Mitchell to form this new version of the Southern 1 League. This league has three teams that made the postseason last year in Discovery Canyon, East and County. That should make the top half of the league very competitive while a team like Canon City is looking to make strides in 2022.
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Canon City
Head coach: Pat Bloemen
2021 Record: 3-7 (1-4 Southern 2)
Returning All-State Players: None
Bloemen takes over the Tigers and is looking to establish an identity early. He has a good group of senior leaders coming back, including quarterback Max Hagans and running back Rainor Ramirez. Perhaps the biggest concern for the new coach is the youth he’s going to see on his offensive line, but the effort the guys gave over the summer has him encouraged. His biggest priority as a first-year head coach is building a network of trust with his players and encouraging them to believe in the process of establishing a culture. “We have lots of changes to the program’s culture from previous year(s),” Bloemen said. “The athletes have done a great job of buying in to what we are changing.”
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Discovery Canyon
Head coach: Shawn Mitchell
2021 Record: 5-5 (3-1 Southern 1)
Returning All-State Players: None
A 5-5 season was a bit uncharacteristic for the Thunder. A closer look at their schedule reveals that they had a three-week stretch where they played Mead, Pine Creek and Fort Morgan so they didn’t exactly have the easiest slate of opponents. Ethan Emmons will be a huge factor in the running game as he averaged 76 yards per game last season. His five touchdowns were second on the team to Trevin Alessio. Safety Sam Janes led the Thunder with three interceptions, and he added a pair of fumble recoveries and should continue to be a turnover machine as a senior.
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Mitchell
Head coach: Carlos Nogueras
2021 Record: 0-8 (0-4 Southern 1)
Returning All-State Players: None
Low numbers contributed to the struggles for the Marauders in 2021. Coach Jason Cauley moved on from the program and Carlos Nogueras is now tasked with building a foundation for a struggling program.
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Pueblo County
Head coach: Ramie Enriquez
2021 Record: 7-4 (4-1 Southern 2)
Returning All-State Players: None
The Hornets also enter a new era as Monte Pinkerton retired in the offseason. Ramie Enriquez takes over a team with a good amount of talent coming back. Cody Lanier ran for 1,242 yards and 12 touchdowns and will be one of the premiere backs in the league. If the Hornets can utilize a ball control style of play on offense, it could slow the games down a bit and help them maintain the level of success that they found last season. County opens the season against Pueblo South before taking on Pueblo West in the annual Pigskin Classic.
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Pueblo East
Head coach: Tony Valdez
2021 Record: 5-5 (3-1 Southern 2)
Returning All-State Players: None
It’s been a long time since the Eagles got their hands on a state championship but that won’t stop them from working day in and day out to get back to that level. They should be considered potential favorites in this league thanks to a good returning core of the team. Sophomore quarterback Zayden Stevens threw for 519 yards and four touchdowns and will lean heavily on Jayce Martinez. The senior rushed for 200 yards on 38 carries in a backup role last season and should be more involved in the run game this year. A big goal for the Eagles coming into the season is winning the Cannon Game against Pueblo South on Sept. 23.
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Sand Creek
Head coach: James Everett
2021 Record: 5-5 (2-3 Southern 1)
Returning All-State Players: None
The Scorpions had an encouraging season and felt good about the five wins they put together. The next step is to find a way to beat the teams in the league that will be duking it out for a playoff spot. There is some encouragement in that sense as running Keith Reddix looked impressive early in 2021. In four games he rushed for 432 yards and six touchdowns.
