Nothing is more dangerous than a team on a mission.
The death of Evan Bancroft in June dealt a tragic blow to the Hi-Plains athletic programs and was felt even more by the entire Seibert community.
The Patriots, who will retire Bancroft’s No. 3 jersey, have dedicated their football season to Bancroft and hope to honor his memory with a drive to a state championship.
“You just never know how kids this age are going to react,” said Hi-Plains coach Dave Sheffield, who guided the Patriots to a state title in 2004 and has Evan’s father, Rodney, on his staff as a coordinator. “These kids know what they have to do, and I have a hard time believing they are going to let Evan down.”
Hi-Plains starts the season as The Denver Post’s No. 1 team, but what matters to the Patriots is finishing there. The combination of experience, size and speed — led by seniors Kent Herman, Chase McCullough and Kendal Rueb — gives the Patriots the early advantage.
Hi-Plains will have its hands full in the East Central Conference. Perennial power Idalia may have changed coaches (former player Perry Allen takes over) and offensive philosophy, but the Wolves still are the Wolves and should be right in the mix. Deer Trail lost 11 seniors from last year’s team but still has 23 players and, among the remaining three teams in the league (Bethune and Liberty), stands the best chance at knocking of one of the big two.
The South Conference is the home of the defending champion Eads Eagles and, much like the East Central, has been dominated by two teams over the past few years. Eads and Kit Carson will again be tough to beat and the list of challengers likely will be headed by South Baca County (formerly known as the Campo/Vilas co-op).
Peetz has owned the North for years, and this year should be no different, though the gap has been narrowed by an improving Briggsdale squad led by Bruce Baxter.
“We haven’t proven anything until you beat Peetz,” Briggsdale coach Rick Mondt said.
The most balanced league in the state is the West Central, where trying to pick a favorite is about as easy as driving in Denver during the Democratic National Convention.
Woodlin always seems to be in the mix, but participation numbers there are down. That opens the door for Fleming and Otis, who hope to avenge last season’s collapse that left them on the outside of the playoffs. Arickaree may have the most talent in the league, but with just eight players on the roster, staying healthy is a requirement.
Instead of the usual playoff format that matches the four league champions against the four runners-up, a committee that includes two representatives from each conference will seed the eight-team bracket.
