Some traditional rivalries, a few meetings of returning playoff teams and a long list of very important games to the playoff bracket dot the opening week schedule in Classes 1A, 8man and 6man. Our report looks at the top five matchups in each of the three divisions.
Colorado Preps will still publish season previews for six and eight man football this week ahead of first games on the weekend. Our opening week coverage also involves the first edition of the Scoreboard Show. The 18th season begins at 9:30pm this Friday on statewide radio affiliates. We again will run through all scores statewide and then visit with several winning coaches.
CLASS 1A
Burlington at Wray (THURS): Kind of tough to see this rivalry game this early in the season but as always it’s important to the overall playoff chase; maybe even more so this year since only eight teams get into the post-season. The winner takes home valuable RPI points while the loser has a much longer road to the playoffs. Wray snapped a four game losing streak to the Cougars with a 14-0 shutout last season. Before that win, their last victory came in 2014. Wray’s defense returns eight starter so they should be solid from the get go. Alexis Aguilar is the top returning tackler with 88 stops a year ago. On offense, Tyler Collins led the team with 532 yards passing last year and is also the top returning rusher (580). Burlington also returns their starting QB in Michael Gutierrez. He finished with 613 yards passing and eight scores. On defense, the Cougars have a solid group including Skye Perry (61 tackles), Mikel Long (57) and Parker Franz (56).
Florence at Gunnison: After two years of being away from varsity football, Gunnison returns to the gridiron and will compete on the 1A level. Their first game back is a tough assignment as they face a Florence club that is a regular playoff visitor and a solid contender again this year. Owen Busetti (1,472 yards – 21 TD’s) is a top returning running back statewide and the Huskies also get back QB Jacob Kennedy (687 yards rushing). Four starters also return up front which should make the running game very effective from the first snap of the season. Gunnison suffered through a winless 2017 and last won a varsity game on October 21st 2016 against Montezuma Cortez 42-0. Jared Hinton is the Cowboys coach and MaxPreps lists 37 players on a good roster including seven seniors.
Centauri at Rocky Ford: A battle of returning playoff teams but based on returning rosters, the Falcons should be favored. Rocky Ford must replace three-year starter Isaiah Garcia at QB. He threw for over 3,100 yards in his fine career including 13 TD’s each of the past two seasons. Shaun Gonzales may be the new guy and he tossed three TD passes in just eight completions at year ago. Mason Claunch returns to the Centauri backfield after missing the 1,000 yard level by just 35 as a sophomore. He also scored 16 times. Zach Buhr (83), Claunch (75) and Danny Brady (63) anchor what should be another solid defense.
CS Christian at Monte Vista: The Lions are coming off three straight playoff berths while Monte Vista looks for a return to playoffs after struggling through a 3-6 campaign in 2019. Numbers are a concern for the Pirates as they do not feature a freshman on the roster. Still they hope to push Centauri and Center for a top spot in the Southern Peaks. They must replace Kaidon Wenta who led them in passing (566 yards) and rushing (1,228 yards) a year ago. The Lions have three returning starters on the offensive line and also welcome back Joe Dunn. He was second on the team in rushing (744 yards) last year and should become option #1 in 2020. Another key returnee is QB Caleb Stockton who enters his third year as the starter. He tossed 13 TD passes a year ago.
Highland at Holyoke (SAT): This game marks the start of a brutal schedule for both clubs as they seek a return to the playoffs. Regardless of outcome, both teams will still have three games remaining against returning post-season clubs. That makes this game very critical as the loser will have a major uphill trek back to the playoffs. Holyoke is returning final four club as they were bounced by eventual champion Limon in the semifinals last year. They had beaten the Badgers in the regular season (14-12) but could not pull off the sweep. QB Miles Sprague (2,173 yards passing – 19 TD’s) returns along with four returning starters up front but other skill positions will be manned by new faces. They also return five starters on defense. Highland beat Hotchkiss in the opening playoff round last year; their first post-season win since 2007. Holden Morgan is considered their best offensive weapon after running for 1,357 yards and 17 TD’s a year ago. He’s also the top returning tackler (93).
EIGHT MAN
Crowley County at Akron: After several years of earning 1A post-season invitations, Crowley County drops into the eight man division this year and begins the run on the road. They may be favored against an Akron club coming off a frustrating one-win season. Adam Schulz ran for 1,089 yards as a junior and may get even more yardage in the more wide open eight man game. QB Tach Brewer also returns as the starter after totaling 454 yards passing as a sophomore. Rashaun McNiel is also back after catching 13 passes. Akron won 10 games as recent as 2016 and has plenty of tradition. Grayson Pachner threw for 594 yards as a junior and is back to direct the offense. Adrian Herrera also caught a team-high 12 passes during his freshman season. Evan Vogt (58), Xavier Livesay (49) and Kacyn Kessinger (49) were 2-3-4 in tackles last year.
Sanford at Soroco: Coming off their first playoff visit since 2013, Sanford faces a long road trip and a good opponent to open the new season. Soroco won six games last year but couldn’t crack the playoffs as losses to West Grand and Hayden in their final two games ended their chances. The Rams averaged 311 yards on the ground and a good share of that attack returns for their senior seasons. Kody Logan (634) and Tyler Wixom (611) were 2-3 on the charts last season. Wixom also completed 28 of 53 attempts for 690 yards and five scores. Logan also led the Rams with 69 tackles a year ago. Sanford was 10-0 before a 28-6 loss to Pikes Peak Christian last year. There are some holes to fill on both sides but the Indians get back junior Kelton Gartrell (1,401 yards) who averaged almost 16 yards a carry last season. Brett Price (75) was the co-leader in tackles last season and returns for the defense and he’s joined by Josh Holman (68) and Gartrell (48).
Haxtun at Holly (SAT): Neither club gained top 10 billing in the preseason coaches poll but both could challenge for a post-season berth. Haxtun won four games in the rugged Plains conference despite featuring a lineup dominated by sophomores. Now juniors, Ike Anderson (1,203 yards rushing), Owen Knode (409 passing) and David Avery (12 receptions) could be ready to take the next step. Another junior, Victor Knapp was second in tackles a year ago (73); trailing only Anderson (107). Holly (6-4) played a rugged schedule last year with in-state losses coming to Dayspring Christian, Fowler and Sanford (playoffs). Dakota Eaton (1,699 yards – 16 TD’s passing) returns at quarterback. He also added 469 yards rushing and is joined in the backfield by classmate Donovan Pecina (483). The top two receivers graduated but Eli Ramos (15 catches) returns. Ramos, with 53, is also the top returning tackler.
Fowler at Caliche (TUES): The week one slate stretches all the way to the 13th as these clubs wait to open the season and get in the required number of practices. It’s the only opening date in eight man featuring two returning playoff teams. Fowler reached the state finals a year ago and pushed eventual five-state champion through the first two quarters. They trailed just 14-8 at halftime before the Cougars put together 30 unanswered points over the second half. It was the first state championship game appearance for the Grizzlies since 1998 (1A). The Grizzlies will run the football this year as both Jackson Bates and Joshua Daniels return. They each gained over 12-hundred yards in 2019 and combined for 40 TD’s. Caliche won six games last year but exited the playoffs in the first round with a 36-6 loss to Mancos. QB Dylan Huss is a key loss as he led the Buffs in passing (804 yards) and rushing (1,711) as a senior. Traevin Jones (69) was third on the team in tackles and is the top defensive returnee.
Vail Christian at Dove Creek: The Saints are developing a nice program in the mountains as they’re coming off back-to-back playoff appearances and five trips since 2013. Last year’s 10-1 run also included a first round playoff win over Dove Creek (66-30) and now the two teams rematch in week one. VC won that game but Dove Creek is likely favored this time around. The Saints lost almost their entire offensive and defensive production to graduation but Dove Creek gets back JR standout Chorbin Cressler. He picked up 1,157 yards and 18 TD’s on the ground last year and added another 678 with nine scores in the air. Gauge Thompson (679 yards rushing) also returns. Hayden Gray registered a team-best 104 tackles as a junior. Vail Christian’s top returning rusher is Orion Adelman (131 yards) and the leading receiver is Vincent Nowicki (2 receptions).
SIX MAN
North Park at Flagler: The Panthers return to a single program after spending the last two years in a co-op with Hi Plains. They begin the season at home against a returning final eight club. North Park went 7-4 last year and picked up a great playoff road win at Granada before falling to Cheyenne Wells in round two. Graduation hit the Wildcats hard as three players who combined for 2,800 yards rushing are all gone. Hunter Sessions threw for 254 yards in a part-time role last season and sophomore classmate Montgomery Ramsey led the team with 11 receptions. Flager is coached by Tim Biggers. Cameron Bledsoe and Raymond Liggett are two key returnees.
Fleming at Arickaree/Woodlin: The Wildcats are the defending state champions and should make another push this fall. Kade Comstock (952 yards passing) and Charles Hobbs (663 rushing) both return on offense while Brady Kuntz and his 127 tackles return on the other side. That number is second among all six-man returnees. Arickaree/Woodlin looks to recover from a one-win season.
Stratton/Liberty at Genoa Hugo: This has the makings of a good season opener for both clubs. Stratton/Liberty has played in the last three state finals including a championship in 2018. They fell to Fleming in the title game last Fall. Jaret Lichty returns for his senior season and is a strong contender for player of the year. He is the top returnee in six-man football with 131 tackles and also compiled 1,900 yards rushing which is second best among all returnees. Charlie Clapper (674 yards rushing) is another offensive threat. Genoa Hugo missed the playoffs last year; their first absence in four years. They’re led by Colby Simmons and Wyatt Miller. Simmons topped the Pirates with 107 tackles and 708 yards passing in 2019 while Miller provided 815 yards on the ground and another 461 receiving.
Kim/Branson at Sierra Grande (SAT): Sierra Grande dropped five games last season including a 49-12 decision to Kim/Branson at midseason. The Panthers should be improved this year with the returning trio of Lennie Valdez (102 tackles), Isaiah Chairez (460 yards receiving) and AJ Ojeda (962 passing). Caleb Scharsch also returns after picking 643 yards rushing including 82 in the Kim/Branson loss. The Mustangs opened the season 7-0 and scored a nice playoff win over Briggsdale in round one. They lost the running tandem of Finn Warner (1,453 yards) and Teagan Keeler (743) and QB Kelton Davis (760 passing) to graduation. Peyton Cranson (142) is the top returning rusher and Cade Smith (8 catches) the top returning receiver.
Deer Trail at Hi Plains: Like Flagler, Hi Plains breaks away from the co-op and run their own program again this year. The Patriots will be coached by Chase McCullough. He was expected to return both Zayd Banks (768 yards passing) and Cody Banks (676 rushing) but Zayd is likley out for the season with injury. Chris Hille (683 yards) and Nick Schroeder (216) combined for 20 TD’s last year and should help form a solid running game. Schroeder (12) and Cooper Seaman (11) also combined for 31 catches and nine scores. Deer Trail will throw the football as the tandem of Kolter Eldringhoff (1,642 yards passing) and Dayne Woodis (1,022 receiving). They lead all six-man returnees in both categories. The Eagles won seven games last season but dropped an opening post-season game to eventual champion Fleming (72-27).
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