Centaurus coach Chad Senseney said he has an “army of seniors” on the roster, and that valuable group could help the Warriors’ and the Metropolitan League’s march back onto the playoff scene.
With teams from the Western Slope and Southern leagues winning the bulk of the Class 3A state titles over the past decade, the city schools have taken a back seat lately.
That could change this season.
“Centaurus has to be the No. 1 team in the league by far,” Elizabeth coach Chris Cline said.
A playoff berth is the official team goal, but when a an 11-0 start was soured by a loss to eventual state runner-up Sterling early the playoffs, the Warriors turned into elephants – they did not forget.
“Losing to Sterling left a big scar on these kids,” Senseney said.
And most of those who remember are back for revenge. All but two starters return on offense, led by senior quarterback Dillon Sanders. The defense is led by defensive end Waylon Lolotai, whose father, Tiloi, once started for the Colorado Buffaloes, and the team’s balanced attack pegs the Warriors as favorites to win the Metropolitan again.
“They have a lot of good kids. They will be tough to beat,” Conifer coach Larry Fitzmaurice said.
Centaurus will have plenty of challengers, including Conifer, a team that established itself last season with a scary, big-play offense. Englewood, a powerhouse running team, is always in the hunt, and Elizabeth is ready for a playoff victory after two quick exits.
Alameda has nearly its entire lineup back, and Evergreen is more talented than in recent years. But for now, the Western Slope reigns supreme as owner of the past two state titles (Rifle in 2004 and Palisade in 2003).
Palisade, with a new coach and without the controversy from a year ago, is loaded. And that can be said for the rest of the league.
“This league has proven to be the toughest in the state the past few years. You can’t overlook anybody,” Moffat County coach Kip Hafey said.
Hafey’s Bulldogs, defending state champion Rifle, freshly inspired Glenwood Springs and Steamboat Springs should lead the hunt for the league’s four playoff spots. Any of those teams is capable of finishing first with a home-field playoff game or fifth and out of the postseason entirely.
The Southern League, with three playoffs spots on the line, is more lopsided than the rest of the state. Florence, state champion in 2002, is considered a favorite, and Alamosa, with its explosive offense, follows right behind.
“That third (playoff) spot is wide open,” Alamosa coach Manny Wasinger said.
Look for Harrison, Pueblo County and Woodland Park to scratch for the third slot.
The wild-card league is the Tri-Valley, with as many questions as contenders. Niwot lost a talented senior class, but blowout victories during the regular season and semifinal playoff run gave some underclassmen a chance to get on the field. Sterling can’t be counted out after a one-point loss in the title game, and Berthoud, Windsor, Northridge and Silver Creek are teams on the rise.
“Half of this league is going to be in the thick of things,” Berthoud coach Dan McGinn said.
