Fall high school football season set to begin in Colorado

In order to accommodate all programs throughout the state, CHSAA gave schools the option of staying in football designated 2020-21 timetable of Season C or moving their program into Season A, putting them in their traditional fall placement.

After decisions were finalized, schedules were made, and teams began working toward getting a season started in early October. Below is a quick overview of each classification, along with some teams worth keeping an eye on for the fall 2020 season.

Class 5A
Defending champion: Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village)
The biggest classification in the state saw 32 of 42 teams move to Season A to compete in the fall.
Cherry Creek has to be considered a favorite after coming away with the 10th state title in program history last year. quarterback Julian Hammond III returns after putting up 2,354 passing yards and 28 touchdowns.
James Walker II will likely take over the load at running back after rushing for 874 yards last year and finding the end zone seven times. Even though the Bruins lost a lot of seniors, the team still has a ton of talent returning to make a repeat run.

Others to watch
Pomona (Arvada): The Panthers certainly bring back enough talent to try and keep up with Cherry Creek. A semifinal team a year ago, the Panthers have Brady Ritzmann back at quarterback. The senior threw for 1,614 yards last year, about half of which went to wide receiver Jack Pospisil. Junior Dominick Nichols is looking to build on a promising 2019 season, as he ran for 512 yards in just seven games.

Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch): This will certainly be a different Valor Christian team, with new head coach Donnie Yantis. But regardless of the changes, it's tough to discount the Eagles as a threat while they still have Gavin Sawchuk in the backfield. As a sophomore, the standout back ran for more than 1,700 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Cherokee Trail (Aurora): Cherokee Trail has appeared on the verge of doing something special for the past few seasons. This could be the year, as the Cougars have plenty of talent returning from a team that nearly advanced to the 5A quarterfinals. Quarterback Jayden Lavigne will command the offense again and has significant help in the form of Nathan Gaye, who led the team with 737 rushing yards a year ago. Linebacker Hunter Wilson will also add some leadership on the defensive side of the ball.

Class 4A
Defending champion: Pine Creek (Colorado Springs)
Of the 42 teams in the 4A classification, only six opted to play in the spring, meaning 85 percent of the field will battle this fall. Pine Creek ended a three-year championship drought with a 34-3 win over Broomfield in the 4A title game at Mile High last year.
The Eagles lost a lot in terms of on-field production, but have shown they're always capable of fielding a competitive team. Senior Elias Rogers will have to help fill the void left behind by running back David Moore III's graduation. Junior Josiah Roy and senior Seth Stephens will battle it out for the starting quarterback job. Pine Creek has a tall task ahead as it will qualify for the 4A playoffs but will compete in the 5A South League.

Others to watch
Palmer Ridge (Monument): With Division I commits Luke McAllister and Kaden Dudley returning fresh off winning the 3A title, Palmer Ridge will certainly put themselves in the conversation as a 4A contender. The biggest challenge for the Bears will be finding someone to account for the 1,830 rushing yards amassed by the graduated Raef Ruel.

Ponderosa (Parker): This season could be one that Ponderosa takes full advantage of as the Mustangs get their top passer (Jack Hanenburg), rusher (Cael Porter) and receiver (Kolton Miller) back. Ponderosa started last season losing three of its first four games (two of which were to 5A programs), but once coach Jaron Cohen got his team settled into the season, they proved could hang with any team in 4A.

Fountain-Fort Carson: A long-time 5A team, Fountain-Fort Carson dropped into the 4A classification this year. What Jake Novotny's Trojans have going for them this season is the healthy return of running back Q Jones. The speedster ran for more than 1,400 yards before an injury sidelined him late in 2018. He played in just one game last season, but has been cleared for full action in 2020, which is enough for almost any spectator to want to get off exit 128 on I-25 and watch what he can do.

Class 3A
Defending champion: Palmer Ridge (now competing in 4A)
An even 70 percent of 3A football teams opted to move back into Season A and begin competition this fall. Palmer Ridge won the past three 3A titles but moved up to 4A at the start of this new two-year cycle. That makes the 3A picture a little more fun.

Others to watch
Pueblo South: Coach Ryan Goddard has a lot to be excited about after finishing as the state runner-up last season. The Colts graduated quarterback Logan Petit, but Jace Bellah looks dangerous as the team's quarterback for the next two seasons. Running back George Longoria rushed for nearly 2,000 yards last year and should provide balance to what Bellah can do with both his arm and legs this season.

Durango: The best quarterback in the state might be tucked away in the southwest corner of the state. Jordan Woolverton threw for 1,941 yards and 23 touchdowns to get Durango into the 3A playoffs. With Ben Finneseth and Gage Mestas returnings as the Demons' top receivers, this will be a must-see offense.

Mead (Longmont): As long as the Mavericks have the ability to run the football, they're going to be competitive on the football field. Brayden Keys is the team's leading returning rusher with 775 yards, and Nathan Bailey added 605 in just eight games.

Class 2A
Defending champion: Sterling
The 2A classification brings the lowest percentage of its teams into Season A with just 68 percent opting to go for fall competition. Sterling was among those opting for the fall in hopes of defending the championship it won in 2019.
The Tigers will have their work cut out for them as quarterback Brock Shalla graduated, as did the bulk of their rushing and receiving attack. Junior Jackson Keil is looking to break out as an offensive threat, and Sterling does have one of its top defenders back, as Tucker Myers led the team with five interceptions last year.

Others to watch
Delta: The Panthers' improbable run to the 2A title game was powered in big part by the arm and legs of quarterback Nolan Bynum. He threw for better than 2,500 yards last season and added another 390 rushing yards. With a lot of seniors departing from last year's team, Bynum will have to get younger players like Timothy Horn involved in order to make another deep playoff run.

Lamar: Zane Rankin proved to be tough as Lamar broke into the playoffs last year. Entering his senior year, Rankin threw for 1,726 yards and 21 touchdowns season. He completed passes to 11 different receivers, including Blake Buxton, who returns as Rankin's favorite target.

Eaton: A 14-point loss in the first round of the playoffs wasn't ideal for Eaton, but the experience of that atmosphere, along with the players returning, will make this a dangerous team in 2020. Quarterback Scott Grable will lead the offense, and sophomore Morgan Tribbett is back after finishing second on the team with total tackles (67) last year.

Class 1A
Defending champion: Limon
When football was originally pushed back to Season C, a lot of the Limon Badgers opted to take to the golf course in order to get their competition fix. But with everything shifting back to almost normal, the Badgers will be hunting for their third straight (and 21st overall) state title. Kory Tacha returns after rushing for better than 1,400 yards and 15 touchdowns. Jeremiah Leeper also broke the 1,000-yard mark for the Badgers and is going into his junior year. Junior quarterback Trey Hines rounds out a very experienced Limon offense hoping to raise a championship trophy once again.
Of the 42 teams in the full 1A class, 32 (85 percent) opted to play in Season A.

Others to watch
Strasburg: As the No. 1 seed in last year's 1A state tournament, not winning a state title was a major disappointment for Strasburg. It enters the 2020 season as the biggest threat as it has key returners in every aspect of the game. Quarterback Collin Russell (1,299 passing yards, 17 touchdowns), Trystan Graf (2,186 all-purpose yards) and A.K. Hemphill (8.5 sacks) all return this year.

Holyoke: Quarterback Miles Sprague took the 1A season by storm with the way he led the Dragons to the 1A semifinals. He threw for 2,173 in a rare 1A pass-first offense. He lost a lot of his senior security blankets, and Carlos Legarreta returns as the only player on the roster to have caught a pass from Sprague in 2019.

Colorado Springs Christian: The loss of Peyton Brones to graduation hurts, but the Lions return a lot of experience in running back Joe Dunn and quarterback Caleb Stockton. They also have defensive leadership back in Elijah Burkett, who led the team in total tackles (104) and sacks (eight).

Class A 8-Man
Defending champion: Sedgwick County (Julesburg)
Since 2015, there have been three constants in life. Death, taxes and Sedgwick County winning the 8-Man football title. The Cougars have claimed the last five championships in the classification and are gunning for No. 6. Of the 40 teams in the class, 34 (85 percent) opted to play this fall, giving Sedgwick County a heck of a challenge.
Senior Kaleb Fowler returns as the team's leading rusher. He ran for 755 yards and 14 touchdowns last year. Terrance Heath also brings back offensive production, as he caught 20 passes for a team-leading 385 and eight scores.

Others to watch
Fowler: The Grizzlies first loss of the season came in the 8-Man title game, and they return a lot of the firepower that got them to that point. Joshua Daniels and Jackson Bates combined for more than 2,500 rushing yards and found the end zone 40 times. They make up what could very easily be the top rushing duo in the entire classification.

Sanford: A promising season for Sanford got derailed in the second round of the playoffs. But with junior Kelton Gartrell returning to the backfield, this is a team that should be feared in 2020. His 1,401 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns can't be ignored. If Sanford can build a lead there won't be much to fear as standout defensive back Josh Holman will be ready to defend any attack through the air.

Dayspring Christian Academy (Greeley): A loss to Sedgwick County in the semifinals can be used as a learning experience for the Eagles. Senior quarterback Christian Still is back under center, and one of his favorite targets in sophomore Ethan Pratt returns as well.

Class A 6-Man
Defending champion: Fleming
Of the 32 teams in the 6-Man class, 30 of them opted to move back into Season A. It is the highest participation rate for any of the seven football classifications in the state. Fleming claimed the 2019 championship, and although there is plenty of competition across the board, the Eagles have high expectations for a second title in a row.
The loss of running back Brandon Williams to graduation can't be understated, but the Eagles have plenty of talent returning. Kade Comstock threw for 23 touchdowns to just two interceptions. He also intercepted five passes, which tied Williams for the team lead. Charles Hobbs returns as the team's leading rusher from last year with 663 yards. He found the end zone five times.

Others to watch
Kit Carson: In each of the last three seasons, Kit Carson has advanced to at least the 6-Man semifinals but was unable to get its hands on a championship trophy. Despite losing a healthy number of seniors, the Wildcats return a lot of experience to the field. Sullivan Farmer threw for 791 yards and 18 touchdowns, while sophomore Paul Mitchek rushed for 390 and punched it in six times. Until Kit Carson shows otherwise, it must be treated as a championship contender each year.

Stratton/Liberty: With Jaret Lichty returning after amassing 1,900 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns, Stratton/Liberty must also join the conversation of championship contenders. Lichty will have help from Charlie Clapper, who ran for nearly 700 yards.The Knighted Eagles advanced to the 6-Man title game last year but lost by just a point to Fleming.

Cheyenne Wells: A semifinal team last year, Cheyenne Wells lost a lot in terms of senior production, but junior Cade Mitchek is looking to establish himself as one of the best runners in the state. He totaled 907 rushing yards in 2019 and is anxious to carry the load for the Tigers.