Change is a matter of perspective in Class 2A football.
Defending champion Faith Christian very well could repeat, but early thinking has the Eagles losing too many horses to win it all.
The new favorite, Holy Family, comes from the same rough-and-tumble Flatirons League. The Tigers’ treasure box of talent will be fun to watch, but don’t be surprised if the public schools, which haven’t won the 2A crown since 2001, watch it through rolled eyes.
The chance of breaking that string will fall first to 2006 runner-up Platte Valley, while Erie – also in the Flatirons – will get a regular-season shot at both Holy Family and Faith Christian before any likely playoff rematches.
If life in the Flatirons could get any tougher, it probably will this season thanks to the improvement of Bishop Machebeuf and leading rusher Adonis Brown.
Academy of Charter, Middle Park and Strasburg remain fairly young and will be walking the line of getting experience and staying competitive.
In the Colorado League, home to the other half of the former Metropolitan League, the talent isn’t as top-heavy, but should be deeper.
Kent Denver has great talent spread around and will attack by land and air, which should make the Sun Devils a handful to stop. Denver Christian has the usual talent, especially in the backfield and at linebacker, while Colorado Springs Christian could unleash a nice array of offensive weapons if the offensive line emerges.
Platte Canyon returns the majority of its talent, giving the Huskies plenty of hope that they can return to the playoffs and go deeper with a better seed than last season.
Bennett has enough talent and a ball-control offense to warrant concern to any of the Big Four. Clear Creek, 1-9 last season, has unusual size in the trenches, and Sheridan, although lacking depth, returns enough skill kids to require attention.
In the Mountain League, the return of Lake County football eases any worries for coaches and administrators who had to scramble last season to find a game when the Panthers dropped out.
Monte Vista should head up the Mountain, although Buena Vista is right in step and motivated after missing the playoffs last season.
Centauri and Bayfield return a lot of players and are expecting improvements, while Pagosa Springs and Salida will try to offset new faces with winning traditions.
Platte Valley, the state runner-up last season, is the team to beat in the Patriot League. Brush could be looking at a down year after losing a wave of talent to graduation, but the Beetdiggers always seem to put together winning seasons.
In the Tri-Peaks League, Trinidad will be tough to contend with. The Miners are big, fast and experienced, and they could cruise through league play unblemished.
On the Western Slope, Gunnison, Roaring Fork and Olathe should be the favorites. But this league is tough to predict with a handful of new coaches and a few teams looking to make a run.
Brady Delander contributed to this report.
