Limon football coach Mike O’Dwyer isn’t afraid of history repeating itself if his players fail to learn it. Quite the opposite.

For O’Dwyer and the Limon Badgers the prospect of leaning too much into history might result in a different outcome for the future.

The Badgers have a tendency of winning Class 1A state football championships and have done a lot of that in recent years. Yet, as each season approaches, O’Dwyer speaks of the fresh state title banner hanging in the walls of the high school as if it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that he’ll likely never experience again.

For a man who has been around football for as long as O’Dwyer, he can probably make a sold determination on varying levels of talent. But he also understands motivational tactics, whether they’re direct or indirect.

His problem this season is that he saw players the likes of Jordan Rockwell, Lohgan Bottjer, Lance Beedy and Keon Bandy depart after last season. And when the season starts, the Badgers will start feeling that wind coming from northeast of them. That’ll be courtesy of the Wray Eagles.

In 2022, Wray faced the Badgers in the 1A title game, but lost 39-21. Last year, they suffered a heartbreaking loss to Strasburg in the semifinals. But heading into 2024, there’s no reason to think they can’t make a legitimate run at knocking Limon off the championship perch. Casey Midcap and Sam Meisner are back as seniors and have enough veteran talent around them to make their title aspirations a reality.

The duo combined to rush for over 2,200 yards and scored a combined 44 touchdowns. Defensively, they combined for nine interceptions and when factoring in junior Austin Collins’ contributions, nine of the Eagles 10 picks came from three players.

Around the classification there several other teams that are looking to take advantage of the exodus of Limon’s roster. Meeker brings back leading rusher Clay Crawford, who helped the Cowboys reach the state semifinals only to lose to Limon.

Jace Velasquez has led Colorado Springs Christian to consecutive playoff appearances and after throwing for over 1,300 yards and having his primary ball carrier in Will Moore back, the Lions will make noise this fall.

It wouldn’t be a shock to see teams like Buena Vista, Gunnison or Holyoke also maintain the level of success they have seen in recent years. The only certainty heading into the 1A season in 2024 is that if Limon wants to win another state championship, the Badgers are going to have to earn it.

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2024 Class 1A football outlook

Regular season begins: Aug. 22
Regular season ends: Nov. 2
State championship game: Nov. 30 at CSU Pueblo Thunderbowl
Defending state champion: Limon

New teams in classification for 2024-26 cycle: Dolores Huerta (8-man), Forge Christian (2A), Grand Valley (2A), Prospect Ridge Academy (2A)

Returning 1st/2nd team all-state players:

  • Noah Arter (Forge Christian)
  • Cade Blunt (Meeker)
  • Tavery Chappell (Wray)
  • Samuel Meisner (Wray)
  • Keagan Mellott (Limon)
  • Casey Midcap (Wray)
  • Jace Velasquez (CSCS)

Top returning passers:

RANK PLAYER SCHOOL YARDS TOUCHDOWNS
1 Demitrias Martinez Jefferson 1,981 3
2 Jace Velasquez Colorado Springs Christian 1,487 13
3 Jacob Young Clear Creek 1,443 14
4 Casey Midcap Wray 1,200 8
5 Noah Martin Peyton 1,180 18

Top returning rushers:

RANK PLAYER SCHOOL YARDS TOUCHDOWNS
1 Sam Meisner Wray 1,535 29
2 Jayson Lousberg Wiggins 1,353 18
3 Jacob Pacheco Monte Vista 1,178 22
4 Will Moore Colorado Springs Christian 1,072 20
5 Clay Crawford Meeker 983 13

Top returning tacklers:

RANK PLAYER SCHOOL TOTAL TACKLES
1 Ben Pereira Denver Christian 143
2 Eddie Harmon Colorado Springs Christian 124
3 Hunter Trim Peyton 110
4 Enzo Hernandez Jefferson 101
4 Cody Maloney Holyoke 101