It’s fitting that the Cyclones won Class 4A last season, as Pueblo West’s surprising title run turned the classification upside down.
The myth that teams south of Monument Hill couldn’t outmuscle their northern peers was busted. The fact a dark horse marched all the way to Invesco Field at Mile High has forced a drastic reconsideration of which teams are championship contenders.
“They kind of put southern Colorado football back in the conversation,” Cheyenne Mountain coach Kris Roberts said.
With nine fewer playoff-eligible schools than last year, 4A has a new vibe, from preseason No. 1 — and newcomer — Heritage, to the absence of three-time champion ThunderRidge and three schools in the Steel City, where the now-hunted Cyclones toil.
“We wouldn’t have it any other way,” Cyclones coach Monte Pinkerton said.
So, uh, is it a slap in the face not to rank the Cyclones in the preseason top 10? With a wealth of talent departed, the Cyclones join the bubble along with Broomfield, Longmont, Wheat Ridge and Littleton.
The Cyclones, however, get to move in first if they can handle rival Pueblo South on Friday. The Colts haven’t lost a regular-season game since the final week of 2004, 24-21 at Air Academy, and have won or tied for their league titles every year since 2000.
The toughest league appears to be the Northern. Greeley West, Loveland, Broomfield and Longmont remain the powers, but Niwot, Thompson Valley and Greeley Central will dog them. Skyline’s new offense could put them in that group, and Fossil Ridge rejoins with coach Clint Fick, who led Thompson Valley to the 2005 semifinals.
“This is just a brutal league,” Fick said.
The Denver Prep and remnants of the Mountain Plains are now the West Metro League. The onus is on the city teams to use this time to improve and embrace the challenge rather than lament a tough group that includes Heritage, 2004 finalist Dakota Ridge, 2006 champion Wheat Ridge, 2002 finalist Golden and 1999 champion Green Mountain.
Bring it on, South coach Tony Lindsay says. The Rebels don’t have the numbers or the size of suburbia, but they have speed. Abraham Lincoln returns solid talent, and West, John F. Kennedy and North are upbeat about their current direction.
Heritage should get standout receiver Brandon Kaufman (knee) back in time for the playoffs.
The Denver Metro League is the old Skyline but with notable additions Ralston Valley and Standley Lake, which is entering its 20th season with no playoff berth. Monarch, Littleton and Brighton are the resident tough guys, but keep an eye on Prairie View’s progress.
The Foothills League is ruled by Pueblo South, but Sierra is poised to stop the run. Air Academy will be tough, Wasson and Mesa Ridge next, while Cheyenne Mountain, Lewis-Palmer, a retooled Liberty and newcomers Castle View will dog each other.
Fountain-Fort Carson’s returning talent makes the Trojans the favorites in the Pikes Peak, but Pueblo West will have a lot to say. Pine Creek appears a step behind, but just ahead of Mitchell and Widefield. Watch Sand Creek; the Scorpions are due to progress.
Montrose and Durango are the lonely duo out west. The Indians have quietly been right in the mix, exiting the playoffs three straight seasons by a combined seven points.
