Foothills
Pueblo South has won eight of the past nine league titles and remains the favorite, although the Colts will be tested with their youth and improved competition. Air Academy (Andrew Vaughn), Lewis-Palmer, Sierra (Kamryn Williams) and Liberty make for one of the most interesting clusters in any league. Wasson (Zach Sanchez) and Cheyenne Mountain (Ben Sherman) will nip at everyone’s heels, while Mesa Ridge (Phillip Rhodes) and Castle View (Jade Pender) are looking for confidence.
Northern
Toughest league in the classification. Survival is key. Greeley West is the favorite, but the line is long and distinguished: Loveland, Broomfield, Longmont, Niwot and Fossil Ridge (Hayden Rowley) will be tough. The recently downtrodden — Thompson Valley, Skyline (Tyler Vavrina) and Greeley Central (Nilo Ocampo) — will fight all comers to the bell.
North Metro
Monarch gets the early nod, but Littleton and Ralston Valley are only a shade behind. Standley Lake could be the monkey wrench, while Prairie View (Marquis McNeal) and Brighton (Ryan Belay) will warrant concern by all. Adams City (Billy Richardson) and Thornton (Arius Norris) continue to rebuild.
Pikes Peak
Fountain-Fort Carson appears to have a slight edge over Pine Creek early on, but that could change. Pueblo West (Hans Ask) seems poised to re-emerge, but Rock Canyon, Sand Creek (Trevor Soto), Mitchell and Widefield (Paul Browning) won’t make it easy on anyone. Coronado (Mike Evans) continues to rebuild.
Southwestern
Just two 4A teams in a 5A league, but Montrose should run the table. Durango (Gus Barnes) is rebuilding.
West Metro
This league is all about the power trio. Wheat Ridge, Heritage and Dakota Ridge are the headliners, but Golden would love to make it a quartet. Green Mountain (Keegan Diegman) should stay above .500. South (Greg Jackson) heads up the city group of John F. Kennedy, Abraham Lincoln (Sean Williams), North (Brandon Barela) and West (David Lira).
Brian Forbes, Special to The Denver Post
