League overview: Class 4A League 4 has some of the best talent in the entire classification and it will certainly be a top-heavy league this season. Both Montrose and Pueblo West are always capable of making deep playoff runs while Mesa Ridge has been very competitive the last couple of seasons. Both Falcon and Coronado have seen some struggles the last few years but have been putting a foundation in place that generate sustained wins for years to come. The teams that separate themselves in non-league play can certainly get a leg up as the league games this season should provide some slugfests.
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Coronado
Head coach: Monte Gutowski
2021 Record: 3-7 (0-5 Southern 2 League)
Returning All-State Players: None
The win/loss record for the Cougars in 2021 is a bit deceptive. Coronado could have very easily been 5-5 and were just on the wrong side of competitive games against Lewis-Palmer and Rampart. But head coach Monte Gutowski has a lot to work with in his returning players. Jaxon Gutowski will likely move into the quarterback position full time after seeing action there in nine games last year. He threw for 378 yards and four touchdowns and should improve those numbers this year. To help him do that, Dylan Jardin returns at running back. Jardin rushed for a team-high 636 yards last year and found the end zone three times. Gutwoski also likes what Aiden Blanco and Realiti Smith will bring to the table for the Cougars. Aidan Luna will be an anchor in the trenches and was second on the team with 45 tackles last year. He also shared the team lead with five sacks. He’ll be a key factor for areas where Gutowski needs to see improvement on the team. “We have to tackle better on defense and stop the run,” he said.
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Falcon
Head coach: Josh Flores
2021 Record: 6-3 (4-1 I-25 League)
Returning All-State Players: None
This season feels like a fresh start for the Falcons. Flores has the full job after taking over as an interim coach last year. Additionally, the Falcons are out of the I-25 League which serves as a rebuilding league for programs looking to regain competitive footing on the field. Tyler Cox could be in line to take over as the starting quarterback and Carter Thorp should emerge as the primary ball carrier after running for 741 yards and five touchdowns last season. He also caught two touchdown passes, but Noah Nocita will likely be the top passing target on the team after hauling in 11 catches for 209 yards in 2021. Moving out of the I-25 League is a chance for Falcon to show it looks closer to the 4A playoff team it was back in 2014. They face a big test early as they open the season against Fountain-Fort Carson on Aug. 26.
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Mesa Ridge
Head coach: Jerimi Calip
2021 Record: 5-6 (2-3 Southern 2 League)
Returning All-State Players: None
A playoff team last year, the Grizzlies are hoping to take a big step forward even with the loss of a few key players. Sophomore quarterback Bryce Riehl brought an athletic element to the position and even gave Mesa Ridge hope of fending off Denver South in the first round of the 4A playoffs. It wasn’t meant to be, but the energy that Riehl created in that game is an indicator of what the team is capable of when he has the job full time. “We have to create confidence with a young quarterback,” Calip said. Juniors Isaiah Jones and Tanner Widic will also grow into prominent roles on offense. Senior Antonio Thomas will anchor the defense after leading the team with 114 tackles last year. The Grizzlies have thrown some tough non-league games on their schedule as they’ll take on both Palmer Ridge and Dakota Ridge early in the season.
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Montrose
Head coach: Brett Mertens
2021 Record: 12-1 (5-0 Southern 1 League)
Returning All-State Players: D’Marian Lopez (Second Team), Jaxxon Tosi (Honorable Mention)
For 12 weeks last year, Montrose was the best football team in the state of Colorado. They beat quality teams week after week and went into the 4A playoffs as the No. 1 seed. A one-point loss to Erie ended the Red Hawks’ state title hopes, but they enter 2022 refocused and locked into their mission of being the last team standing. Quarterback Gage Wareham is back after throwing for 1,069 yards and 10 touchdowns last year. Montrose is traditionally a running team so Blake Griffin should have a big year after running for 598 yards and 12 touchdowns. Torrie Eckerman will provide stability on the defensive side of the ball. He totaled 62 tackles last season and that number should increase this year. Early games against Palmer Ridge and Erie will give this team an idea of how competitive it will be through the course of the year. “We are excited to play some great competition and find out early what this team can do,” Mertens said.
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Pueblo West
Head coach: Clint Buderus
2021 Record: 7-5 (3-2 Southern 2 League)
Returning All-State Players: None
As the No. 13 seed, the Cyclones nearly stunned the 4A world by taking Palmer Ridge to overtime. They couldn’t quite hang on to beat the Bears, but it was a firm reminder that West football is far from a pushover. There are questions about the quarterback position and losing Jeremiah Sanchez (835 rushing yards, 14 touchdowns) will certainly hurt. Gavin Henderson is in line to step into a prominent role on offense. He rushed for 292 yards and five touchdowns last year. The team’s leading receiver is also back as Gage Martinez returns after totaling 415 receiving yards and three scores. With Buderus in charge, defense will always be a team strength and that won’t be different this year. Jacob Trader is the leading returning tackler, totaling 77 last season. Andrew Plutt is also back and was a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks as he picked off four passes in 2021. The Cyclones will get themselves tested against the likes of Dakota Ridge and Fountain-Fort Carson before jumping into league play.
