If this story sounds a little familiar, or you think you have read this already, you have.
The Plains League is good. The league can, and should, stick out its chest a little after having three of the four semifinalists last season, with an all-league final going the way of Haxtun, 30-0 over Merino.
Plains League teams have won seven of the past eight state titles, with Walsh (from the Arkansas Valley) the lone exception in 2001.
“If you can play and survive in this league, you can do it anywhere,” Merino coach John Barber said.
Just ask Swink coach James Lopez, whose Lions have struggled to get past their Plains League foes the past decade, including a 42-13 loss to Merino in last year’s semifinals.
“The week before we could do no wrong, and then I look back at the tape of the Merino game and wonder what happened to that team,” Lopez said. “It just goes to show: As prepared as you think you are heading into a game like that, you’re not.”
The rest of the state again will be chasing Plains League teams. Haxtun will start the season at No. 1, led by Cameron Ham, Andy Wernsman and Brian Krier .
“It’s all a roll of the dice,” Haxtun coach Dave Shaffer said. “We’ll just have to see once we get to the playoffs.”
Merino, No. 2 in The Denver Post poll, has a few holes to fill offensively. But as is the case with the league’s elite, a lot of kids have received plenty of playing time the past few seasons. Karl Mertens, Coby Amen, Chris Michel and Nathan Schmidt provide senior leadership.
Stratton and Flagler likely will battle for the league’s last playoff spot, putting even more emphasis on their Week 2 matchup in Flagler.
Swink has not lost a Black Forest League game in six years, and this year should be no different. The Lions return all-state quarterback Brett Rusler, as well as eight other seniors.
Fowler appears to be the odds-on favorite to get the only other playoff spot out of the league.
The traditionally strong Arkansas Valley League is anyone’s guess. Defending champion Holly is the team most coaches point to again. But all seven remaining teams, including McClave, whose last playoff appearance came during the Jimmy Carter administration, have a chance.
Sierra Grande surprised more than a few Mountain League teams last season, making the playoffs for the first time since 1990. The Panthers’ playoff prowess may be short-lived, as Mountain Valley, Sangre de Cristo and Cotopaxi figure to be in the mix for the two playoff spots.
Longmont Christian figures to duke it out with North Park for bragging rights in the Central.
