Preseason predictions as to which high school football teams will win one of Colorado’s seven classifications sometimes are a roll-of-the-dice. But here is a quick look at which schools could come up winners this season, as Zero Week kicks off the season Friday.
Class 5A
Defending champion Mullen begins the season as the No. 1 team in Colorado (No. 18 by MaxPreps nationally). Yet Bear Creek, Columbine and Pomona will not be counted out of this battle for big-school superiority.
Mullen will be led defensively by All-Colorado defensive end Nduka Onyeali (6-foot-1, 235 pounds), deemed by many coaches this season to be the state’s best defender, and defensive back Erik Smith (5-11, 185). Onyeali led the state in sacks last season with 19.
File photo by Dennis Marpuri
Rayshon Williams, Mullen
The Mustangs also have the horses in the backfield, with all-state junior running back Adonis Ameen-Moore (5-11, 200), who has the ability to blow open any game. Quarterback Jonny Miller (6-2, 215), who has committed to Syracuse, appears ready to go. Up front, lineman Dwayne Pecosky (6-2, 275) should excel.
State runner-up Cherry Creek, led by all-state quarterback/defensive back Kain Colter, was hit hard by graduation, but the Bruins always seem to rebuild as a perennial contender. Colter will be the only two-way starter for the Bruins of coach Mike Brookhart.
“Mullen, Bear Creek, Columbine are the top three by just about everyone,” Brookhart said. “It will be hard to figure us in the mix because we are really young. Colter probably will never leave the field and we do have a three-year starter in our tight end, Austin Wilbers (6-2, 200). Our only other starter back on defense is linebacker Luke Flanigan (6-2, 195).”
Without doubt, Bear Creek has one of the state’s finest, if not the best, passing game, behind quarterback Zach Thenell, who has been selected all-state the past two seasons. Thenell, the son of Bears head coach Tom Thenell, has passed for 6,279 yards and 68 touchdowns in his career and could end up the state’s No. 3 all-time leading passer at season’s end.
Depth appears plentiful for Bear Creek with all-league selections Jake Utley (6-2, 280) and Dillon Heitsmith (6-2, 319) as the leaders up front. Running back Logan Lockett (6-1, 200) helps to keep opposing defensive units honest with his running abilities.
In a year of the quarterback, Columbine’s Danny Spond (6-3, 220) will be a key in the Rebels attack. Receiver/defensive back Sean Neu (6-4, 190) and defensive end Tyler Loendorf (6-2, 225), both reigning all-league slections, should once again stand out for Columbine.
As for Pomona, All-Colorado linebacker Daijon Tyler (6-1, 207) will again lead a physical Panthers defense that should be one of the state’s best.
Fort Collins, Rocky Mountain, Overland, Douglas County, Chatfield and Poudre also received some preseason mention as state contenders.
Colorado High School Coaches Association/MaxPreps Poll
1. Mullen ... 40 points (8 first-place votes)
2. Bear Creek ... 27
3. Columbine .. 21
4. Cherry Creek ... 16
5. Grandview ... 11
6. Pomona ... 6
7. Arvada West ... 5
8. Chatfield ... 4
9. Fairview ... 4
10. ThunderRidge ... 3
File photo by Dennis Marpuri
Heath Davis, Grandview
Others receiving votes: Douglas County 2, Fort Collins 2, Mountain Vista 1, Rocky Mountain 1, Thomas Jefferson 1.
Expected returning All-Staters
RB Adonis Ameen-Moore, Mullen, Jr.; OT Dillon Bonnell, ThunderRidge, Sr.; P Mike Brady, Highlands Ranch, Sr.; LB Brian Caggiano, Mountain Vista, Sr.; QB Kain Colter, Cherry Creek, Sr.; KR Michael Hall, Overland, Sr.; WR/DB Andrew Hood, Chatfield, Sr.; WR C.J. Morgan, Eaglecrest, Sr.; OT Mike Moudy, Douglas County, Sr.; DE Nduka Onyeali, Mullen, Sr.; OL Dwayne Pecosky, Mullen, Sr.; TE Kyle Slavin, Chatfield, Sr.; K Kip Smith, Legacy , Sr.; OL/DL Lexington Smith, Denver East, Sr.; QB Danny Spond, Columbine, Sr.; LB Billy Sprague, Thomas Jefferson, Sr.; QB Sam Stratton, Chatfield, Sr.; QB Zach Thenell, Bear Creek, Sr.; LB Daijon Tyler, Pomona, Sr.; WR Rayshon Williams, Mullen, Jr.; DE Leilon Willingham, Mullen, Jr.
Class 4A
Despite the loss of Parker Orms, the player of the year for defending champion Wheat Ridge, the Farmers of coach Reid Kahl should still be considered among the classification’s finest.
Four all-state returnees should help Wheat Ridge in its repeat bid. The backfield is talented and experienced, as Charlie Land (6-3, 175), who earned all-state honors at defensive back, returns to also handle the chores at quarterback. Fullback Austin Livingston (5-10, 175), who threw many a block for Orms and is considered a fine pass receiver, will also operate at linebacker.
Leading the charge up front will be two-way tackle Matt Zarlengo (6-2, 235) and tight end Eric Shannon (6-3, 185). Greeley West, coached by Mark Roggy, also has another fine contingent to count upon. The Spartans will be led by Max Morgan (6-0, 203) and A.J. Frieler (6-4, 270), both having earned all-state laurels defensively last season. Morgan was the state’s third-leading tackler and Frieler proved to be a devastating defensive end.
Offensively, tailback Steffan Bunting (5-10, 175), who rushed for more than 2,000 yards last season, and quarterback Sean Blackmer (6-2, 205) return, as do receivers Conner Roggy (6-0, 170), the coach’s son, and Erick Ghent (5-11, 170). Simply, the Spartans are set to improve on their runner-up finish.
“There seems to be a wealth of teams out there who can make a serious challenge,” Roggy said. “Definitely count on Wheat Ridge to be there, but it’s not going to be easy for either of us. Just look at the field - Heritage, Broomfield, Loveland, Montrose, Dakota Ridge, Pueblo South - it‘s hard to know where to stop.”
Heritage will be paced by quarterback/defensive back Mitch Griebel (6-0, 180), a returning two-year all-state and All-Colorado selection, regarded as one of the state’s top players, regardless of classification.
Three all-league players, linebacker/fullback Blair Zimmerman (6-2, 210), receiver Shane Opitz (6-1, 175) and two-way tackle Logan Steppan (6-1, 230) will also carry big loads for the Eagles.
Pine Creek, Littleton and Monarch also are expected to big factors in the postseason.
Colorado High School Coaches Association/MaxPreps Poll
1. Greeley West ... 14 points (2 first-place votes)
2. Pine Creek ... 8 (1)
3. Monarch ... 7
4. Wheat Ridge ... 5
5. Heritage ... 4
6. Montrose ... 4
7. Fountain-Fort Carson ... 3
8. Dakota Ridge ... 2
9. Littleton ... 1
10. Longmont ... 1
Others receiving votes: Ralston Valley.
Expected returning All-Staters
OL/DL Greg Ancmon, Monarch, Sr.; QB Sean Blackmer, Greeley West, Sr.; RB Dorian Brown, Thompson Valley, Jr.; RB Steffen Bunting, Greeley West, Sr.; QB Josh Chance, Pine Creek, Sr.; OL Scott Coyle, Longmont, Jr.; RB Andrew Eberle, Loveland, Sr.; DL A.J. Frieler, Greeley West, Sr.; WR Noah Gaumer, Littleton, Sr.; QB/DB Mitch Griebel, Heritage, Sr.; QB Bolton Howes, Dakota Ridge, Jr.; LB Dillon Johnston, Standley Lake, Sr.; RB Mister Jones, Littleton, Sr.; RB/DB Quinton Lawson, Fountain-Fort Carson, Sr.; WR Keith Link, Rock Canyon; FB Austin Livingston, Wheat Ridge, Sr.; QB Jake Johnson, Longmont, Sr.; DB/QB Charlie Land, Wheat Ridge, Sr.; WR Wes McKenzie, Lewis-Palmer, Sr.; DL Josh Mitchell, Monarch, Sr.; LB Max Morgan, Greeley West, Sr.; RB Jordan Passehl, Montrose, Sr.; QB Nate Robertson, Montrose, Jr.; QB Drew Sandlin, Rock Canyon, Sr.; TE Eric Shannon, Wheat Ridge, Sr.; LB Connor Stevens, Pine Creek, Sr.; QB/K Ryan Stokes, Golden, Sr.; OL Tyler Strong, Niwot, Sr.; RB Tyler Vavrina, Skyline, Sr.; OL Cody Wheeler, Broomfield, Sr.; OL/DL Matt Zarlengo, Wheat Ridge, Sr.
Class 3A
Glenwood Springs won the 3A title last year with a 23-14 victory against Fort Morgan, but Demons coach Rocky Whitworth knows it’s going to be a rebuilding season for his Western Slope squad.
“We were hit hard by graduation and only started a few juniors last season,” Whitworth said. “So, I kind of figure it could be mid-season before we hit our stride. We have a decent junior class, including our quarterback Luke Jacobs (6-1, 160), who we are looking to break out, but youth fills out our team picture.”
Two others who figure into the Glenwood Springs package are running back Tyler Thulson (5-9, 175), who started last year, and receiver/defensive back Josh Galvin (5-9, 172). Thulson will also see action at linebacker.
Ready to challenge for top honors this season will be D’Evelyn, which lost to Fort Morgan in the semifinals, Conifer and Centaurus.
All-Colorado linebacker Josiah Flack (6-0, 209) and all-state receiver Connor Davis (6-1, 180) will lead D’Evelyn. Flack had 155 tackles, 10 sacks and three interceptions, while Davis led all-classifications in receiving with 89 catches for 1,354 yards.
When it comes to size, Centaurus might have the biggest line in 3A. Guard Austin Scheufele (6-5, 270) is as good as they come. Center Michael Bird (6-1, 315), tackles Cody Huebner (6-4, 280) and Torrence Newborn (6-5, 285) and Zach Johnson (6-0, 250) can move out opponents. The question mark will be at defense, where no starters return.
Conifer’s Stephen Theiss (6-1, 175), who doubled at wide receiver and defensive back, was a first team all-state selection a year ago, but head coach Larry Fitzmaurice has hopes that Theiss can make the switch to quarterback.
That being the case, he should have ample protection from all-state guard Mike Vaggalis (5-9, 160), second-team all-state pick Greg Schmidt (6-2, 215) and all-leaguer Kyle Heinrich (6-3, 250).
Other teams that should figure in the playoff mix are Steamboat Springs, with Division I quarterback Austin Hinder, Moffat County, Palisade and Pueblo East.
Colorado High School Coaches Association/MaxPreps Poll
1. Glenwood Springs ... 10 points (2 first-place votes)
2. D'Evelyn ... 9
3. Fort Morgan ... 9
4. Centaurus ... 8 (1)
5. Palisade ... 7
6. Windsor ... 5 (1)
7. Berthoud ... 5
8. Steamboat Springs ... 5
9. Falcon ... 3
10. Mountain View ... 2
Others receiving votes: Roosevelt, Sterling, Canon City, Elizabeth, Pueblo County, Rifle and Summit 1.
Expected returning All-Staters
QB Brock Berglund, Valor Christian, Jr.; RB Jake Berhard, Fort Lupton, Sr.; WR Connor Davis, D’Evelyn, Sr.; KR Joe Dover, Steamboat Springs, Sr.; LB Josiah Flack, D’Evelyn, Sr.; K Clay Hawkins, Glenwood Springs, Sr.; QB Austin Hinder, Steamboat Springs, Sr.; K Kyle Petry, D’Evelyn, Sr.; OL Austin Scheufele, Centaurus, Sr.; OL Greg Schmidt, Conifer, Sr.; DB Jack Spady, Steamboat Springs, Sr.; DB Stephen Theiss, Conifer, Sr.; K Spencer Torrez, Pueblo East, Sr.; WR Tyrel Walker, Ridge View Academy, Sr.; FB/LB Garrett Weyrich, Windsor, Jr.; RB Gene White, Delta, Sr.
Class 2A
Erie lost a 22-21 overtime heartbreaker against Olathe in last year’s championship game, and Tigers coach Larry Gartrell would like nothing better than a rematch. Actually, he would not mind any opponent on the other side of the field if his squad managed to make the final again.He still has some talent left over that can get the job done.
“It will be a bit different this season,” Gartrell said. “We were able to platoon last season with seven going on offense and five on defense. This time, most of those boys will be finding themselves going both ways, as we lack depth. They are a pretty talented group, though.”
Leading the way will be all-state running back Alex Ortega (5-10, 190), who rushed for more than 2,100 yards last season, three-year starting lineman Thomas Carpenter (6-0, 245) and defensive tackle Austin Elzinga (6-1, 205), who is also slated for duties at tight end.
Faith Christian, coached by Blair Hubbard, lost to Olathe, 14-6, in the semifinals, but the Eagles certainly have the talent to make a run again for the title. Olathe has been hit hard by graduation, but the Pirates have always seemed to reload during the past few seasons.
“I think the class is more wide open this season than in past years,” Hubbard said. “Erie is certainly a favorite, especially with Ortega carrying the ball. We won’t count out Olathe, either. One thing for sure, our league is not getting any easier. Kent Denver and Holy Family look to be solid squads.”
Micah Twedell (5-9, 165) will again start at quarterback for Faith Christian and he should get plenty of help up front from all-state guard/defensive tackle Micah Applegate (6-1, 230). Hubbard also is excited by the return of a healthy Derek LePore (5-9, 165) at running back. LePore broke his collarbone in a quarterfinal victory against Brush and didn’t play in the loss to Olathe.
Defensively, all-state defensive back Richard Rush (5-9, 205) is in for a couple of changes. He will move to linebacker on defense and is slated also to be at fullback.
Other teams to watch this season should be Platte Canyon, Florence, Pagosa Springs, Eaton and Brush.
Colorado High School Coaches Association/MaxPreps Poll
1. Erie ... 12 points (2 first-place votes)
2. Brush ... 6
3. Olathe ... 6
4. Faith Christian ... 5 (1)
5. Holy Family ... 4
Others receiving votes: Kent Denver 3, Florence 2, Platte Canyon 2, Platte Valley 1.
Expected returning All-Staters
FB/LB Andy Anderson, Faith Christian, Sr.; QB Cole Anderson, Aspen, Sr.; DL Micah Applegate, Faith Christian, Sr.; DL Tyler Carpenter, Erie, Sr.; QB Landin Caswell, The Academy, Sr.; OL Colbey Corey, Olathe, Sr.; LB Matt Dunning, Strasburg, Sr.; K Jonathan Gerry, Holy Family, Sr.; OL/LB Justin Godfrey, Erie, Jr.; DL Andrew Goldberg, Aspen, Sr.; TE/LB Cammron Harris, Olathe, Sr.; WR/DB Brandon Hoff, Weld Central, Sr.; RB/DB Tyler Jackson, Kent Denver, Sr.; RB Thomas Kinney, Colorado Springs Christian, Sr.; DB Dylan Markley, Olathe, Jr.; RB/DB Curtis McCormick, Olathe, Sr.; QB/DB Kris Nieto, Olathe, Sr.; RB Alex Ortega, Erie, Sr.; DB Richard Rush, Faith Christian, Sr.; QB J.J. Sirios, Weld Central, Jr.; WR/DB Chris Tafoya, The Pinnacle, Sr.; QB Micah Twedell, Faith Christian, Sr.; LB Taylor Utt, Manitou Springs, Sr.
Class A
Akron, coached by Brian Christensen, will be seeking to win its third consecutive title. Yet the Rams are once again going to be pushed by runner-up Wray, which they beat 37-8 for the title, Burlington, Yuma, Rye and perennial contender Limon.
Kendall Monasmith (6-1, 180) is regarded as one of the state’s premier players at linebacker and will be coming off an all-state season where he led Akron in tackles. Akron, winners of 39 consecutive games, also boasts one of the state’s best kickers/punters in Byron Guy (6-2, 195), who plays at tight end and defensive back.
“Akron should certainly start at No. 1 again as they always play so well,” Wray coach Levi Kramer said. “We’re young but optimistic. We have some excellent speed and athletic abilities, as we have several boys off our state track championship team ready to go on the field.”
Wray returns only three starters in Kelly Siegrist (5-9, 175), who will be at fullback and middle linebacker, Logan Willard (5-10, 195), who started last season at nose tackle, and corner back Brett Voasin (6-3, 170). Voasin, considered a fine all-around performer, should take over at quarterback for the Eagles this season.
Yuma, which lost to Wray in the semifinals, also has some fine talent ready to help the Indians of coach Keith Gille be a contender. Running back Joel Rhoades (5-8, 165) will play a key role for Yuma, as will returning quarterback Mitch Wills (5-10, 170). Up front, Austin Trap Hagan (6-5, 270) and James Arambula (5-8, 230) will be difficult to handle.
Hotchkiss, Lyons and Holyoke also should figure into the playoff race this season.
Colorado High School Coaches Association/MaxPreps Poll
1. Akron ... 53 points (9 first-place votes)
2. Yuma ... 36 (2)
3. Rye ... 22
4. Wray ... 19
5. Limon ... 18
6. Burlington ... 12
7. Lyons ... 8
8. Hotchkiss ... 4
9. Holyoke ... 3
10. Custer County ... 2
Others receiving votes: Calhan, Dolores, Ignacio, Meeker, Paonia and Wiggins 1.
Expected returning All-Staters
WR/DB Travis Adamson, Byers, Sr.; DL Dalton Arnold, Lyons, Sr.; OL/DL Bo Brodrick, Rocky Ford, Sr.; QB Matt Brown, Limon, Sr.; P Lucas Carls, Resurrection Christian, Sr.; WR Kyle Carper, Holyoke, Sr.; OL Isaiah Churchwell, Burlington, Sr.; WR/S Tyler Clawson, Highland, Sr.; QB/DB Jordan Dodge, Byers, Jr.; LB Byron Guy, Akron, Sr.; DB Brett Green, Peyton, Jr.; WR Oakley Hayes, Ignacio, Sr.; OL Brennen Hottinger, Akron, Sr.; LB Austin Knuppel, Dolores, Sr.; OL/DL Cody Laurent, Rocky Ford, Sr.; DL Chris Lewis, Rye, Sr.; LB Kendall Monasmith, Akron, Sr.; DL Nolan Queen, Burlington, Sr.; DL Kyle Pollock, Wiggins, Sr.; RB Joel Rhoades, Yuma, Sr.; LB Mike Satterly, Burlington, Sr.; KR Kelly Siegrest, Wray, Sr.; RB/DB Jake Van, Rye, Sr.; DB Mitch Willis, Yuma, Sr.; DL Chance Wyatt, Ignacio, Sr.
Class A 8-Man
Defending champion Dayspring Christian, which beat league rival Merino 26-8 for the title, was hit hard by graduation. But the Eagles are still considered a team to beat, mainly because coach Mick Holmes has four all-state players back to lead the way.
There will be a few position changes in the lineup, according to Holmes, the first being receiver Mike Moore (6-2, 175) moving to quarterback. The coach also will have to look for some help early, as defensive/offensive end Wesley Lowe (5-11, 175) is coming off an injury.
“Mike is extremely athletic and he can make the move well,” Holmes said. “Wes has been doing well in practice, but we just don’t want to take chances of injury in our first nonleague games.”
Also back for the Eagles are two-way tackle Jared Ulmer (6-3, 295) and guard/linebacker Tim Wunder (6-0, 182).
“We lack depth, as we only have three juniors on the squad this year,” Holmes said. “But we still have some pretty good talent available. What helps is that a lot of our other kids gained some valuable playing experience as we were beating some teams by high margins.”
State runner-up Merino, coached by John Barber, certainly has to be considered in the mix again, but with the loss of nine seniors, there is some building to do. Yet Barber feels he has some solid talent, including his son, quarterback Wyatt Barber (5-10, 160), tailback Bryer DeSanti (5-6, 155) and two-way lineman Austin Fritzler (6-4, 245).
“We will be decent,” Barber said. “We’re fairly talented and fairly deep in numbers, but we do have a few holes to fill. I know, though, that we would like another shot at Dayspring. I still think they should be the team to beat due to their talent.”
However, there are some other solid teams in the class this season. Look for Hoehne, Stratton, Sanford, Walsh, Holly and Caliche to be top contenders.
Colorado High School Coaches Association/MaxPreps Poll
1. Merino ... 14 points (2 first-place votes)
2. Dayspring Christian ... 13 (1)
3. Sanford ... 5
4. Hoehne ... 4
5. Stratton ... 3
Others receiving votes: Cheyenne Wells, Holly and Walsh 2.
Expected returning All-Staters
QB/LB Laken Alley, Walsh, Jr.; LB Ethan Alexander, Norwood, Sr.; RB James Baer, Dayspring Christian, Jr.; DB Wyatt Barber, Merino; WR Randy Crisp, Flagler, Sr.; RB Bryar DeSanti, Merino, Sr.; WR Spencer Fagen, Silver State, Sr.; OL Austin Fritzler, Merino, Sr.; FB/LB Justin Guynes, Dove Creek, Sr.; LB Kieran Hurtt, Vail Christian, Sr.; LB John Knudson, Cheyenne Wells, Sr.;WR/DB Dakota Mason, La Veta, Sr.; QB/LB Brock Miller, Swink, Sr.; QB Michael Moore, Dayspring Christian, Sr.; Ath. Troy Padilla, Manzanola, Jr.; WR Jack Petty, Flagler, Sr.; RB Josh Reyes, Manzanola, Sr.; RB Cody Roberts, Hoehne, Jr.; RB/LB Michael Salgado, Holly, Sr.; DL Dylan Sisneros, Antonito, Sr.; DB Brett Stone, Genoa-Hugo, Sr.; RB/DB Kyle Stroud, Swink, Sr.; P Cory Stump, Caliche, Sr.; WR Brandon Tortorelli, Hoehne, Sr.; OL Jared Ulmer, Dayspring Christian, Sr.; Ath. Jose Uriarte, Antonito, Sr.; WR Aaron Vega, Granada, Sr.; RB/LB Cole Whitlow, Cotopaxi, Sr.; LB Tim Wunder, Dayspring Christian, Sr.
Class A 6-Man
It’s easy to understand why Hi-Plains begins the season as the No. 1 team in the classification. The Patriots were hardly challenged as they rolled through last season unbeaten, concluding with a 74-24 thrashing of Idalia in the finals.
While four of the top six players return, coach Dave Sheffield also has a fine group of younger players to fill out the roster. Leading the way once again will be running back/defensive back Kraig Tagtmeyer (6-1, 155), quarterback Zeb Baylie (5-11, 240), lineman Geoffrey Mills (6-1, 190) and end/linebacker Seth Burian (6-0, 175).
“I really like this group,” Sheffield said. “We had a lot of younger kids get a lot of playing time because of our scores. These kids have the size and speed to fit in well.”
This classification usually is the hardest to predict, largely because the roster sizes for schools vary so much from season to season. Kit Carson, a perennial power and quarterfinal participant last season, dropped its football program as only seven players reported, as did Arickaree. Five Kit Carson players will now co-op with Eads, including the school’s only senior, Charles Johnson.
As for other contenders, Otis and Peetz figure to be in the mix.
Colorado High School Coaches Association/MaxPreps Poll
1. Hi-Plains ... 12 points (1 first-place vote)
2. Otis ... 12 (1)
3. Idalia ... 9 (1)
4. Eads ... 3
5. Fleming ... 3
Others receiving votes: Pawnee 2, Briggsdale 1, Peetz 1, South Baca 1, Weldon Valley 1.
Expected returning All-Staters
FB/LB Austin Adamson, Eads, Sr.; QB/K Zeb Bailey, Hi-Plains, Sr.; QB Clay Blankenship, Idalia, Sr.; QB/DB Josh Doak, Edison, Sr.; RB/LB Cameron Jeffreys, Briggsdale, Jr.; DB Jameson Johnson, Otis, Sr.; RB/LB Karson Kuntz, Otis, Sr.; C Sterling McDonald, Idalia, Jr.; RB/LB Jimmy McGrath, Otis, Sr.; WR/LB Jade Meinzer, Edison, Sr.; E/DL Lance Pickett, Otis, Sr.; RB/DB Logan Ramseier, Idalia, Sr.; WR/DE Steve Rigsby, Eads; RB/LB Rafe Schroder, South Baca, Sr.; LB Tyler Schumacher, Peetz, Sr.; RB/LB Kraig Tagtmeyer, Hi-Plains, Sr.; WR/DE Luke Terrell, Idalia, Sr.; RB/LB John Williams, Liberty, Jr.
Gerry Valerio contributed to this report. Follow Gerry Valerio on Twitter for Colorado high school sports updates.
About the CHSCA/MaxPreps poll: Head coaches are invited to vote on the top teams in their classification. Five points are awarded for a first-place vote, four for a second-place vote, etc., to determine the total points.