The Class 3A Black and Blue League, also known as the Western Slope, does not treat its own kindly.
“How well we do at the end of the season depends on how we do in league,” Steamboat Springs football coach Aaron Finch said. “It can be brutal.”
A Western Slope team has played in the state championship game four of the past five seasons, with Palisade winning it all in 2003 and Rifle taking the trophy in 2004. Usually considered the toughest 3A league top to bottom, the Western Slope looks even tougher this season.
The usual powers – Palisade, Rifle and, recently, Steamboat Springs – will have plenty of competition.
Moffat County, a playoff team last season, is back and big as ever. Glenwood Springs, meanwhile, has every coach in the league on notice with quarterback Dakota Stonehouse returning.
Stonehouse, a threat to run or pass, produced nearly 2,000 total yards last season.
“He can beat you with his arm; he puts the ball right where it needs to be,” Battle Mountain coach Jason Sedlak said. “And he can beat you running the ball. We lost contain a couple of times last year and he broke off some 40-plus-yard runs.”
Loaded as the Western Slope is, the South Metro League has its own argument as the best in the classification.
Alamosa, with its record-setting offense, beat league rival Pueblo County in the state championship game last season, and powerhouse Florence won it all in 2005 after finishing runner-up in 2004 and 2003.
Expect the Mean Moose, the Hornets and the Huskies to contend once again.
The eventual winner of the North Metro League will have earned its title as well.
Longtime coach Randy Penn always has Englewood in contention and his grandson, Bryce, is a major offensive and special teams threat who can blow open games on a single play.
Centaurus looks ready to rebound after a bit of a down season, and Elizabeth will be a force with running back Mitch Johnson carrying the ball. Conifer always figures into the mix, and Evergreen has enough talent to beat any team.
The Tri-Valley League is home to Sterling and Berthoud, teams with differing styles but similar success.
Sterling coach Mark Bauder has been at the helm for more than 20 years, but he is one of the few constants in a league that saw four teams change coaches.
The Central Metro – home to four schools that still are in the first years of existence – will be more competitive this season. Summit went undefeated up to the state semifinal round last season, and confidence is high.
D’Evelyn missed the postseason by a tenth of a point in the wild-card standings, and that is the team’s motivating factor this season.
