For the last three football seasons, Eaton has been the dominant team in Class 2A. This year, things might look a little different.
That’s not to say Eaton can’t make a run at fourth consecutive state championship, but with the departure of crucial players from this title run, the 2A title could be anyone’s for the taking. Suddenly, teams like Delta and TCA look like they could add some parity to the 2A football scene in 2023.
Again, nothing is guaranteed. The culture behind Eaton’s three-peat remains even if some of the players, and even the head coach, have moved on. Zac Lemon prowled the sidelines for each of the three stat titles but moved into the school’s athletic director position that was opened with the retirement of Steve Longwell.
In steps Cameron Stewart, a former player for the Reds who is more than aware of the expectations being placed on his team in 2023.
He’ll have some major holes to fill with Walker Martin, Ryder True, Morgan Tribbett and Zac Grable all graduating last spring. DeAngelo Rosas steps in to a major role on the offensive side of the ball after he rushed for 571 yards and three scores.
Looking at the top contenders to knock Eaton off the championship perch, Delta has to be considered a favorite. Quarterback Ty Reed enters his junior season and when healthy last year, was already playing as a top-flight player as just a sophomore.
Esai Carrillo, the primary running back for the Panthers last year, also returns. He rushed for over 1,000 yards and scored 11 touchdowns.
Landon Clay will move back to his primary position at wide receiver after filling in for Reed at quarterback in the middle of the season. He rushed for a team-high 13 touchdowns in 2023 and will have a huge impact once again this fall. With the combination of a strong senior class and Reed’s stability at the quarterback position, Delta is team worth keeping an eye on in the fall.
It was a touchdown difference in the semifinals that put Delta there over The Classical Academy and the Titans have every intention of correcting that result this season. Ethan Aragundi is gone after rushing for 1,374 yards and 16 touchdowns, but like Reed at Delta, quarterback Andrew Brown is back for just his junior season.
He attempted just 112 passes last year, but he took care of the ball as he tossed just three interceptions all season.
Rifle scored a major upset in the first round of the 2A playoffs when it knocked off No. 2 Florence. The Bears couldn’t find the magic again a week later as they were eliminated by Montezuma-Cortez, but they have high expectations coming into the fall. That’s what happens when a dual-threat quarterback like Logan Gross returns. He’s arguably more dangerous with his legs than his arm, but he is the spark of the Rifle offense and whether he’s throwing for 795 yards or running for 901, he’s a tough player to slow down.
He also gets a key receiver back in Joel Valencia, who had a team-high four touchdown receptions in 2022.
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2A football
Returning All-State Players:
- Esai Carrillo, Delta (First Team)
- Tucker Johnson, Delta (Frist Team)
- Gunner Busetti, Florence (Second Team)
- Coel Croissant, University (Second Team)
- Mav Dombrowski, Basalt (Second Team)
- Miles Frost, Montezuma-Cortez (Second Team)
- Cash Altschwager, Wellington (Honorable Mention)
- Ryken Angel, Elizabeth (Honorable Mention)
- Kane Bedan, Valley (Honorable Mention)
- Landan Clay, Delta (Honorable Mention)
- Cooper Connelly, Elizabeth (Honorable Mention)
- Cole Curtis, Brush (Honorable Mention)
- Joey Finnegan, Berthoud (Honorable Mention)
- Cade Geist, Timnath (Honorable Mention)
- Brant Jackson, Alamosa (Honorable Mention)
- Noah Johnston, Basalt (Honorable Mention)
- Alex Larson, Berthoud (Honorable Mention)
- Gunner Phillips, Florence (Honorable Mention)
- Dylan Sup, University (Honorable Mention)
- Mikey Trujillo, Alamosa (Honorable Mention)
- Tay Wheat, Montezuma-Cortez (Honorable Mention)
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League 1
| Team | Overall | League | ||
| Win | Loss | Win | Loss | |
| D’Evelyn | 7 | 3 | 5 | 0 |
| Bennett | 7 | 3 | 4 | 1 |
| Platte Valley | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Valley | 3 | 6 | 2 | 3 |
| Wellington | 4 | 5 | 1 | 4 |
| Prospect Ridge Aca. | 1 | 8 | 0 | 5 |
League champion: D’Evelyn
Additional playoff teams: Bennett
Projected 2023 league champion: Platte Valley
Additional 2023 playoff contenders: Bennett, D’Evelyn
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League 2
| Team | Overall | League | ||
| Win | Loss | Win | Loss | |
| University | 7 | 4 | 5 | 0 |
| Brush | 5 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| Arvada | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Weld Central | 2 | 7 | 2 | 3 |
| Sterling | 2 | 7 | 1 | 4 |
| Timnath | 0 | 8 | 0 | 4 |
League champion: University
Additional playoff teams: None
Projected 2023 league champion: University
Additional 2023 playoff contenders: Brush
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League 3
| Team | Overall | League | ||
| Win | Loss | Win | Loss | |
| Eaton | 12 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| The Academy | 7 | 3 | 4 | 1 |
| Berthoud | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Fort Lupton | 5 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Steamboat Springs | 4 | 5 | 1 | 4 |
| Forge Christian | 2 | 7 | 0 | 5 |
League champion: Eaton
Additional playoff teams: The Academy, Berthoud
Projected 2023 league champion: Eaton
Additional 2023 playoff contenders: Berthoud
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League 4
| Team | Overall | League | ||
| Win | Loss | Win | Loss | |
| Elizabeth | 8 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| The Classical Academy | 10 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| Englewood | 6 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Kent Denver | 3 | 6 | 2 | 3 |
| Denver West | 0 | 8 | 0 | 4 |
| Alameda | 2 | 7 | 0 | 4 |
League champion: Elizabeth
Additional playoff teams: TCA
Projected 2023 league champion: TCA
Additional 2023 playoff contenders: Elizabeth
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League 5
| Team | Overall | League | ||
| Win | Loss | Win | Loss | |
| Delta | 12 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Pagosa Springs | 4 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| Montezuma-Cortez | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Salida | 4 | 5 | 1 | 3 |
| Bayfield | 0 | 9 | 0 | 4 |
League champion: Delta
Additional playoff teams: Montezuma-Cortez
Projected 2023 league champion: Delta
Additional 2023 playoff contenders: Montezuma-Cortez, Pagosa Springs
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League 6
| Team | Overall | League | ||
| Win | Loss | Win | Loss | |
| Basalt | 10 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Moffat County | 7 | 3 | 4 | 1 |
| Rifle | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Grand Valley | 4 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| Aspen | 2 | 7 | 1 | 4 |
| Coal Ridge | 2 | 7 | 0 | 5 |
League champion: Basalt
Additional playoff teams: Moffat County, Rifle
Projected 2023 league champion: Rifle
Additional 2023 playoff contenders: Basalt, Moffat County
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League 7
| Team | Overall | League | ||
| Win | Loss | Win | Loss | |
| Florence | 8 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| Alamosa | 7 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| Woodland Park | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| La Junta | 5 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Lamar | 2 | 7 | 1 | 4 |
| Manitou Springs | 3 | 6 | 0 | 5 |
League champion: Florence
Additional playoff teams: Alamosa, Woodland Park
Projected 2023 league champion: Florence
Additional 2023 playoff contenders: Alamosa, Woodland Park
