Without clear cut favorites in either division, the state championship chases in Classes 3A and 2A could develop into the most unpredictable races. The fun starts right away in week one as several games will have a huge impact on which teams can push for a post-season berth. As with other classes, only the top eight teams get the chance to play for a state crown.
Games listed below are picks from Colorado Preps as the top five contests in week one. We’ll recap all the action and visit with winning coaches during the first edition of the Scoreboard Show this Friday. It airs from 9:30-11:00pm on radio stations throughout the state.
CLASS 3A
Roosevelt at Frederick: Returning playoff clubs face off in a critical early game for RPI and the playoff drive. Frederick went farther in the post-season last year as they missed the state finals by just points in a 28-24 final four loss to Pueblo South. It will be difficult for the Warriors to repeat that success this year as they lost considerable talent to graduation. The biggest hole is at QB where Jake Green exploded for 46 TD’s and a combined 34-hundred yards of offense. Early this year, they will likely turn to the running duo of Dominik Scheif (610) and Tyler Weston (322) for offensive success. Roosevelt also graduated a solid QB but can turn to Brig Harston who tossed nine TD passes in a backup role last year. He will get plenty of help from Cooper Walton (477 yards rushing) and Keaton Kaiser (41 receptions). Walton, with 133 tackles, is also one of the top defenders across the classification.
Pueblo South at Durango: Ranked #1 and #3 by the coaches preseason poll, this is among the premier matchups in any class in week one. The outcome is very important for the playoff chase as both clubs are expected to contend for one of the eight available slots. On their way to the state finals, Pueblo South scored two wins over Durango but both came down to the wire. The Colts survived for a wild 35-34 win in the regular season and then won the playoff rematch 21-14. The Demons could be favored this year as they return 17 overall starters including eight for an offense that features QB Jordan Woolverton. In the two losses a year ago, Woolverton threw for a combined 298 yards and ran for 192. George Longoria led Pueblo South with 1,896 yards rushing last season and went over 100 yards in both wins over Durango. He’s the top returnee on offense for the Colts.
Canon City at Pueblo Centennial/Pueblo Central at Pueblo County: We group these games together because they will impact which teams from the South Central could push for a playoff spot. Pueblo South is favored to finish with the best record in the conference but after that, the race for second could involve all six teams. Outcomes from these two will help start the sorting-out process. None of the four are coming off a playoff visit with Pueblo Central (6-4) scoring the most wins in 2019. Central beat County 21-7 last season but were outgained 397-146 in total yardage, but they forced four turnovers. Hunter Huffman picked up 11 tackles and scooped up a fumble. He’s back to lead the Wildcats defense this year. County returns QB Chase Hartman who ran for 114 and threw for 143 in the loss. Centennial opens the season coming off five straight losses to close 2019. Their top offensive returnee is QB Tony Cardona with Connor Niccoli back to pace the defense. Canon City (3-7) won their final two games last year in routing Mitchell and Sierra by a combined 103-0 score. Junior Dylan O’Rourke is the top returning rusher (183) and with Tim Bosse (80 tackles) and Tristen Rowe (64) back as senior defensive leaders.
Palisade at Evergreen (SAT): In our mind, the Western division has at least four teams that could push for a playoff spot and these two sit at the top of that list. Like many teams across Class 3A, they will start the season with a few questions at QB. Evergreen lost both their starter Griffin Laurentino (out of state) and backup Gavin Garrettson (Mead) to transfer so there are questions there. Whoever takes over will get the chance to work with Carter Cassion (42 receptions) in the passing game and Noah Martens (487 yards) in the running game. The Cougars also return a good crew defensively. Palisade likely turns to Gabe Harrison who came off the bench to lead a game winning drive in an impressive early season win at Durango. He got many more snaps throughout the season as graduated standout Cam Tucker was in and out of the lineup with injuries. Like Garrettson, Harrison has help from returnees including Julio Rodriguez (604 yards rushing) and Franklin Barks (557). Those two are also important leaders on the other side of the ball.
CLASS 2A
Resurrection Christian at D’Evelyn: It’s only week one but this game could serve as the toughest challenge of the regular season for both clubs. Neither team faces a returning playoff team the rest of the way so the winner should end up atop the conference standings which should be good enough to break into the playoff bracket. Rez is favored as they sit #2 in the coaches’ preseason poll released earlier this week. Several newcomers must step into key roles on offense but the Cougars are in great shape defensively with the return of Tanner Applebee. He collected a team-best 121 tackles and a state-topping 32 sacks as the Cougars reached the state semifinals. His job this week to help corral D’Evelyn QB Shane Bishop who is back after throwing for 1,989 yards and 18 TD passes as a junior. Gabe Jackson caught 23 passes and scored four times as a freshman and should get more targets this season. The game also marks the first one for new Jags head coach Anthony Rankin.
Woodland Park at Alamosa: A huge opener for both teams as each wants to gain a win for a playoff push down the road. Both teams have very difficult schedules throughout so a win in week one is needed to gain valuable RPI points and attention from coaches across the state. The Moose already have some of that as they were ranked #10 in the preseason. Alamosa turns to sophomore Kasey Jones at QB. He threw for 431 yards and four TD’s as a freshman. He’ll get to play behind three returning offensive line starters including Dustin Curto. Cash Mueller, with 233 yards rushing, 66 tackles and 12 sacks last year, is another Moose returnee. Woodland Park has high hopes of ending a 20-year playoff drought as QB Collin Kucera is back for a senior year. He tossed 18 TD passes in 2019. Bryson Cox (27) and Tyler Baldus (23) return after catching a combined 50 passes for 12 scores. Josh Wilkinson is also back after leading the Panthers in tackles (90).
Lamar at Elizabeth: Somewhat of a surprising top 10 matchup in week one. We say that because we were surprised to see the Cardinals earn top 10 billing to start the season. The Cards (6-4) made the playoffs a year ago and have good tradition but on offense, graduated their starting QB, top four rushers and four of the top five receivers. The defense has more returnees including leading tackler Ryan Connelley (85). In contrast, Lamar returns most of their lineup from a final eight team and is considered a top title threat. They blanked Elizabeth 35-0 last year; racking up 323 yards rushing including 119 from returning QB Zane Rankin. He also completed six passes for 78 yards in the win including three to returning WR Blake Buxton (3-52).
Sterling at Brush (SAT): The Tigers take the field for the first time since winning the state championship last November. They begin the season ranked #3 and a 14-game winning streak against Colorado opponents. Their only loss a year ago was suffered against Scottsbluff NE and they won their final two regular season games of 2018 but did not make the post-season. Graduated QB Brock Shalla was responsible for 24-hundred yards of offense last year so finding his replacement is question #1 for the Tigers. We guess the job will go to Radek McCracken who started one game against Fort Lupton last year. He completed five of 11 attempts for 35 yards and two scores in an easy 36 point win. If McCracken is the guy, he will be throwing to a high level group of receivers in Tucker Myers (30), Jackson Keil (26) and Peyton Rose (16) who combined for 72 catches and 15 touchdowns. A young Brush club (3-6) gained experience in tight games last year as three games were decided by single digits. They were 1-2 in those games so the ‘Diggers were very close to a winning season. Junior Alejandro Maltos-Garcia (549 yards) returns at QB but the offense must find a successor to Nick Wellen (1,158 yards rushing). It could be younger brother Kyle Wellen (291 yards) or fellow junior Jayce Kreeger (280). Keegan Link (44 tackles) returns to lead what should be a stronger and more experienced defense from a year ago.
Delta at Bayfield (SAT): Expectations are very high on the West Slope where Delta begins the season as the defending state runners-up and the #1 team as ranked by coaches. QB Nolan Bynum enters his third year as the starter and he’s coming off a junior year of 34 TD’s and 2,556 yards. Three offensive line starters also return so Bynum should have time to look down the field. When he does, he will see a completely new set of receivers as every Panther that caught a pass last year graduated. The defense will again be physical led by James Groff, the top tackler (97) a year ago. Bayfield slipped to 4-5 last year but is a program acustomed to success. They won state titles as recent as 2017 and 2015 and have reached at least the semifinals five times since 2011. The offense should be in good hands with QB Isaac Ross (686 yards passing) and RB’s Cael Schaefer and Cade Carlson who combined for over 1,000 yards on the ground.
