League overview: The Northern 2 League pretty much stayed the same, with the only addition coming in the form of Windsor, while Longmont and Monarch moved out. The Red Wolves won the league last fall, eventually reaching the Class 4A quarterfinals. Skyline and Windsor both made the postseason but loss in the first round.
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Grand Junction Central
Head coach: Brandon Milholland
2021 Record: 4-6 (2-3 Northern 2)
Returning All-State Players: None
While the Warriors are used to traveling each fall, the schedule may have fallen somewhat in the team’s favor in 2022. Save for a trip to Windsor in the regular-season finale, GJ Central gets its other three league contests at home late in the season. With quarterback and leading rusher Devin Hickey returning, along with some key pieces on defense, the Warriors will to add to their win total of a year ago.
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Greeley Central
Head coach: Jeff Priestley
2021 Record: 1-9 (0-5 Northern 2)
Returning All-State Players: None
A victory over Greeley West was the Wildcats’ lone win a year ago, though three of the losses came by less than 10 points. Zjhonoah Trujillo started at quarterback as a sophomore, though the team has to replace a key player on both sides of the ball in Yahir Chairez-Salazar.
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Loveland
Head coach: Allan Jeffries
2021 Record: 10-2 (5-0 Northern 2)
Returning All-State Players: Drew Foley, Sr., RB/LB; Garrett Harstad, Sr., QB
While Loveland graduated a handful of all-state talents – including first-team selections in linebacker Ian Loomis and offensive lineman Uziel Ruiz – quarterback Garrett Harstad and running back/linebacker Drew Foley are back. The tandem each rushed for more than 1,000 yards a year ago and combined for 32 touchdowns. Middle linebacker Dylan Lindgren was second on the team in tackles with 133 to go with three sacks.
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Skyline
Head coach: Michael Silva
2021 Record: 6-5 (3-2 Northern 2)
Returning All-State Players: None
Boosted by the return of quarterback Kaiden Box from injury, the Falcons finished third in league play and reached the postseason a year ago. Box played in seven games, and his return allowed Logan Miller to move to wide receiver, where he caught 39 passes and five touchdowns. Wynn Drewes, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns, graduated, but Miller also rushed for 477 yards and seven touchdowns. Evan King led the team in tackles and Logan Trosper had three interceptions.
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Windsor
Head coach: Chris Jones
2021 Record: 4-7 (2-3 Northern 1)
Returning All-State Players: None
Windsor finished fourth in a tough Northern 1 League last fall, and now shuffles into a new league. The Wizards graduated some key pieces, including second-team all-state lineman Mitchell Langman. Jaden Thomas led the team in rushing as a junior with 976 yards, though the team graduated Dax Polka, who had 16 rushing scores. Zach Johnson each had more than 80 tackles on the other side of the ball.
