1. Palmer Ridge (2018: 12-2, 3A state champions): Palmer Ridge enters the 2019 season as favorites to three-peat, but the team’s biggest question lies at quarterback, where Luke McAllister replaces N.C. State recruit Ty Evans. However, the Bears will return several key offensive pieces, including tailback Raef Ruel and WR Anthony Roberson II, who posted 937 yards receiving as a junior.
2. Pueblo East: (2018: 11-3, state runner-up): The Eagles were a 20-point quarter away from a state title last year. East still retains a huge weapon in Marvin London, Jr., who led all 3A wideouts with 1,083 yards receiving but will rely heavily on inexperienced QB Jack Helzer.
3. Erie (2018: 11-3, state semifinals): Erie is coming off three consecutive playoff trips including a state title game run in 2017. Josh Bradford (LB/TE), who had an interception in last year’s playoff loss to Pueblo East, enters his senior season as a key leader on both sides of the ball.
4. Palisade (2018: 11-2, state semifinals): Palisade’s 42-7 playoff loss to Palmer Ridge was a rough end to a great season that included wins over Mead, Fort Morgan, Green Mountain, and Durango. The Bulldogs have one more year of dual-threat QB Cam Tucker, who led the team with 1,697 all-purpose yards last season.
5. Mead (2018: 8-4, state quarterfinals): The Mavericks fell one score shy of the state semifinals in 2018 following a rigorous regular-season schedule that included playing five playoff teams. Another challenging schedule should help Mead’s RPI, as will its stable of returning backs in a run-heavy offense, including senior Jake Wachter and junior Nathan Bailey.
6. Green Mountain (2018: 9-3, state quarterfinals): Last season marked the first time the Rams won eight regular-season games since 2004. They also won the 3A Mountain-Metro League title. With a pair of 1,000-yard rushers (Quinn Meinert and Trey Towndrow) back, expect another great season.
7. Discovery Canyon (2018: 9-3, state quarterfinals): The Thunder ended their season with a 42-0 loss to Pueblo East, but beat that same Eagles team 52-34 during the regular season. Senior Marshall Pike (1,316 yards rushing, 17 touchdowns) will be Discovery Canyon’s workhorse again in 2019.
8. Lewis-Palmer (2018: 6-5, qualified for playoffs): Lewis-Palmer gave Pueblo East all it could handle in a 35-20 state playoff loss. Quarterback Alex Weaver leads a balanced attack that will look to decrease its turnovers this season.
9. Frederick (2018: 8-3, qualified for playoffs): The Warriors’ 2018 ended in double-overtime heartbreak against Discovery Canyon (34-31). Now they bring back their top passer (Jake Green) and top running back (Brandon Hornby).
10. Holy Family (2018: 7-4, qualified for playoffs): Prior to its first-round playoff exit, a 34-28 loss to Harrison, Holy Family’s three other losses came to contenders Mead, Frederick and Discovery Canyon. Splitting time with Kyle Helbig last season, quarterback Calahan Carter still managed 1,102 yards passing and is a clear-cut No. 1 passing option for the Tigers this fall.
