East. The strength of the conference is in the I-70 Division. Stratton is annually the team to beat, but Cheyenne Wells will give the Eagles all they can handle. On the Black Forest side, Don McGatlin’s Miami-Yoder Buffaloes graduated most of their top players but should have enough talented newcomers to hold off Elbert and an improving Kiowa.
North. The Plains is always the class of the state. Merino and Dayspring Christian are hands down the two best teams in Colorado. Caliche and Haxtun will are always tough, and Longmont Christian is improved. The Central Division hasn’t had a team in the playoffs in six years. Vail Christian’s Saints hope to end the drought as the class of this league. Silver State, Maranatha Christian, Justice and North Park will have to battle an improving R.M. Lutheran for a top-four spot.
South. The always-tough Arkansas Valley has been Granada’s for a long time. The Bobcats reload instead of rebuild, but both Walsh and Holly have the speed and skill to make a run at an open league race. Hoehne has owned the Southern Division since dropping down, and a foe needs to prove it can beat the kingpin. Fowler seems like the most likely candidate.
West. The Mountain Division may be the most improved, from top to bottom, in the state. Sanford won it last year, but Antonito, Sangre de Cristo and La Veta all expect to have a shot to topple the Indians. The four-team Western Division should see Dove Creek come back down to Earth. The Bulldogs lost a lot, leaving the door open for Norwood and Plateau Valley.
Jon E. Yunt, The Denver Post
