The traditional powerhouses remain the focus of Class A 6-man football, but how they will determine a champion is a little bit different.
Gone are the Northern, Southern and Central conferences in favor of one 19-team super conference. There will be no conference games, and no conference champions earning a direct path to the playoffs. The onus is on winning, and winning often.
“We had to be willing to make the adjustments for the good of the game,” Bethune coach Troy Hauxwell said. “And this way, it will all be decided on the field.”
Eight teams will qualify for the playoffs, but all as wild cards. Seeding in the playoffs will be based on a point system that awards teams not only for wins, but wins over quality opponents.
“We needed to get to something like this,” Hi-Plains coach Dave Sheffield said. “It’s good to see everyone in the state playing a full Colorado schedule.”
The league rivalries are not gone, though. When the Colorado High School Activities Association put together the 6-man schedules, they kept each team’s four closest geographical rivals on that team’s schedule.
The top dog in 6-man, even though it doesn’t hold the crown, still is Idalia. The Wolves have won four titles since 1998, and are eager to get number five after a 27-26 loss to the eventual champion from Hi-Plains in the semifinals last year.
The Wolves have lots of experience, starting with Kevin Lengel. The 6-foot-5, 200-pounder is a versatile weapon in the passing game and will be tough to handle.
“We have a little unfinished business to take care of,” Idalia coach Tim Gribben said. “This may be the best team we’ve had in here in four or five years, and they have the potential to be very good.”
Lengel, Blake Cure, Scott Cure and Lucas Devlin had brothers on the 2000 championship team that can help promote that winning mentality.
Hi-Plains lost two key pieces of its backfield, but the Patriots are still as good as any team out there. Seniors Kyle Bancroft, Cody Henry and Kyle Mills started last season.
“We don’t have to prove ourselves anymore,” Sheffield said. “It’s going to be a little bit different this season, with teams actually gunning for us, instead of someone else.”
Revere (Brian Pocock), Woodlin (Harold Klausner) and Peetz (Justin Fehringer) round out the preseason top five.
Last year’s Southern Conference champion, Vilas, which lost in the first round to Kit Carson 62-0, will have to rebuild. That opens the door for Cheraw to maybe secure a playoff spot.
Pawnee and Kit Carson were playoff teams last season and should contend again this season.
