Platte Valley Broncos
Platte Valley — one of the state’s top small-school programs of the past couple decades — experienced an extremely rare absence from the postseason a year ago, as it went 5-4 overall, 3-2 in 2A League 1 play. A midseason three-game losing streak against top competition haunted the Broncos.
Platte Valley will look to return to the playoffs this fall with numerous top players returning, including senior quarterback Howdy Johnson. A season ago, Johnson completed 60 of 122 passes for 793 yards, eight touchdowns and six interceptions. He also led the team in rushing yards with 1,017 to go with eight touchdowns.
The Broncos also bring back some key players on the defensive side of the ball, including junior Bryant Beaman, who led the team in tackles a season ago with 99 (47 solo).
Platte Valley opens the season unranked in the top 10 by MaxPreps. The Broncos kick off their campaign at home against Kent Denver at 7 p.m. Friday.
Resurrection Christian Cougars
Despite a sour end to the campaign, Resurrection Christian engineered another strong season a year ago, going 7-4 overall, 2-3 in 3A League 7 play.
The Cougars ended the season on a three-game losing streak, including a 58-0 loss to fifth-seeded Green Mountain in the first round of the 16-team 3A playoffs.
Resurrection Christian brings back many of its leaders on both sides of the ball from a year ago. Junior Hunter Hansen is back after running for 884 yards and 11 touchdowns a year ago. Senior Grant Applebee returns after racking up 525 total offensive yards and nine touchdowns a year ago.
Senior Will Reeves is back after leading the team in tackles (59).
The Cougars start their season with a nonleague home game against Moffat County at 7 p.m. Friday. They sit outside of the top 10 in MaxPreps’ 3A preseason rankings.
Roosevelt Rough Riders
After years of coming oh-so-close, Roosevelt finally got over the hump and won its first football state title in program history, claiming the 3A crown with a 34-24 win against Lutheran in the title game.
The Rough Riders were dominant throughout the entire campaign, going 14-0 overall, 5-0 in 3A League 7 play and outscoring their opponents a combined 562-169.
Roosevelt enters this season the top-ranked team in MaxPreps’ 3A preseason rankings, and for good reason.
Though there are no doubt some shoes to fill — especially in the receiving game and on defense — the Rough Riders return their two biggest weapons on offense, senior quarterback Bronco Hartson and senior running back Xavier Ramirez.
A season ago, Hartson completed 116 of 191 passes for 1,721 yards, 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also ran for 376 yards and eight touchdowns.
Ramirez was one of the state’s most explosive rushers, running for 2,124 yards and 30 touchdowns on 224 carries.
Roosevelt begins its quest for another state title when it faces Palisade on the road at 7 p.m. Friday.
Severance Silver Knights
After back-to-back playoff appearances in 2A to launch its program, Severance struggled a bit a year ago in its first year in 3A. The Silver Knights went 3-7 overall, 1-4 in 3A League 7, missing out on the playoffs.
The Silver Knights bring back plenty of key players on both sides of the ball this fall, notably senior quarterback Jaden Hoffman, who passed for 955 yards and eight touchdowns, in addition to running for a team-high five touchdowns, a year ago.
Severance opens its season on the road against Canon City at 7 p.m. Friday.
University Bulldogs
A season ago, University continued to establish itself as one of the rising powers in 2A. The Bulldogs went 7-4 overall, 5-0 in 2A League 2 play and advanced to the second round of the 16-team state playoffs.
University did all that in spite of an 0-3 start to the season.
Now, with a more experienced team than what they started with a year ago, the Bulldogs look to further contend this fall. Paramount among the returnees is senior starting quarterback Coel Croissant.
A season ago, Croissant completed 49 of 65 passes for 781 yards, 12 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He also led University in rushing with 781 yards and seven touchdowns in nine games.
The Bulldogs open their season with a marquee matchup at home against Delta at 7 p.m. Friday. The Panthers were the state runner-up to Eaton a season ago, and they come into the season ranked second in 2A by MaxPreps.
University is ranked ninth in 2A.
Valley Vikings
Valley struggled to get into a rhythm a year ago, finishing 3-6 overall, 2-3 in 2A League 1 play.
Many of its leaders a year ago were juniors and sophomores, which could create room for improvement this season.
Among the Vikings’ returnees is junior quarterback Carson Adolf, who was solid a season ago, completing 69 of 156 passes for 940 yards, 10 touchdowns and just three interceptions.
Valley also brings back its leading rusher from a year ago, senior Julian Ramirez, who ran for 518 yards and five touchdowns this past season.
The Vikings open their season on the road against Manitou Springs at 7 p.m. Friday.
— Continue reading the Greeley Tribune in the coming days for more football preview capsules.
Bobby Fernandez covers high school sports for the Greeley Tribune. Reach him at (970) 392-4478 or by email at bfernandez@greeleytribune.com.
