In a classification with a number of successful, long-tenured coaches — among them Chris Brown at West Grand, Mike O’Dwyer at Limon, John Nichols at Lyons and Glynn Higgs at Burlington — the current top of the crop in Class 1A football may be Brian Christensen at Akron.
Christensen currently carries the championship torch. When Akron won its 26th consecutive game last season for its second straight state title — a 46-14 rout of Limon — Christensen improved his career mark to 125-22, a remarkable .850 winning percentage since taking over the program in 1995.
The Rams return this season as the team to beat and with a shot to continue on their way to matching the other small-school power this decade, Limon. The Badgers won a state overall classification record 50 consecutive games, and three straight titles, from 2003-06.
For the rest of 1A, the challenge will be in breaking through the upper echelon that has been dominated by four teams since 1995. Akron, Limon, Lyons and West Grand are the only teams to have qualified more than once for the championship game in that span.
Akron’s eight title-game appearances and four championships since 1995 lead the pack.
What the 1A field will contend with in Akron this season is a team that outscored 13 opponents last year by a preposterous aggregate of 535-52. That’s an average game score of 41-4.
If there’s any consolation to the rest of 1A, it’s that Akron will again have to contend with the toughest conference, the North Central. The season could likely end with five North Central teams having a legitimate argument for playoff berths.
But someone will be left out. With Akron, there are four North Central teams in The Denver Post’s preseason top 10, including Wray, Highland and Holyoke. And Yuma also has a legitimate claim to a top 10 spot.
The South Central will also be a power. Burlington and Limon are among the top five teams, with Peyton, Byers and Calhan ready to enter the top 10 in the early weeks.
In the always unpredictable Western Slope, Hayden should be the team to beat. With running back Coy Letlow, the Tigers start at No. 5.
Rye was the talk of several coaches in a preseason poll and could very well make a run deep in the playoffs from a Santa Fe Conference that could be tough throughout.
Sargent, Del Norte and Dolores will compete in a wide-open Southern Peaks league. Lyons and Lutheran should settle the newly formed Metro North, with Nederland a potential spoiler.
Class 1A multiple championship game appearances since 1995:
Akron 8
Limon 5
West Grand 4
Lyons 3
Multiple Class 1A titles since 1995:
Akron 4
Limon 3
West Grand 2
