North Central

For the fourth time since 1999, two teams from this league squared off in the championship game after Lyons ended Limon's 50-game winning streak in the semifinals. Akron's senior class is stronger than in 2006, which is frightening. Lyons should hold its own once again, and Highland looks to jump in front of Wray for the third automatic playoff berth. Either way, the Eagles should be playing in November, looking for a championship.

Akron

2006: 13-0 Coach: Brian Christensen

Everyone knows the Rams run the same offense year after year, but it is so well-executed, virtually no one has found a way to fully contain it. Senior standouts include Mick Strand, Trent Campbell and Chris Gebauer on defense, and Jorgen Anderson and Jared Reid on offense.

Denver Lutheran

2006: 5-5 Coach: Joel Blase

The Lights have a lot of optimism after a strong season that featured some tight contests against the best (road losses to Akron and Lyons by 21 points combined). Defensive end John Langewich (6-foot-4, 195 pounds) is one of the best in the league, but the Lights will need to build depth on the lines to compete. Junior quarterback Jared Hock is back to pace the offense.

Front Range Christian

2006: 0-9 Coach: Steven Seeley

A new all-weather field has created some excitement , but in such a tough league, with schools twice their enrollment, it is hard to see the Falcons finishing anywhere but the bottom. Seniors Matt Fisher, David Farrington and twins Cliff and Josh Planchard return as skill-position starters.

Highland

2006: 3-6 Coach: Todd Matkin

The Huskies can shake things up but must turn their optimism into wins against the big three in the league. Dylan Kildahl is one of many fine linebackers in the league, and everyone on the line exceeds 200 pounds, with Eric Blais and Marcos Garza among the leaders.

Holyoke

2006: 3-6 Coach: George Purnell

The Dragons have fallen on hard times lately, with consecutive 3-6 seasons and too many coaching changes to count on one hand. The coaching staff has the dedication to turn things around, and Purnell hopes the players find a new offensive philosophy exciting.

Lyons

2006: 11-2 Coach: John Nichols

Nichols said that, even with a state runner-up finish, there is a big gap between where the team is and where it wants to be. Finding a mobile quarterback in Cody Sciro (5-foot-10, 160 pounds) should keep the Lions in title contention.

Wiggins

2006: 1-8 Coach: Mike Gross

The Tigers hope to return to their powerhouse status of the late 1990s, but the reality is, the team finished 1-8 with 10 seniors last year. Senior Israel Garay (5-11, 225) is a leader on the line.

Wray

2006: 7-4 Coach: Levi Kramer

The potential for quarterback Aaron Orr to rack up 1,000 yards passing and rushing has Kramer excited about the Eagles offense. The receivers are inexperienced, though, with the exception of Ben Reinich at tight end.

Santa Fe

The league has some good teams that have not realized playoff goals recently. Custer County and Rocky Ford look to buck the trend of first-round exits by league teams, and Rye could figure in the mix once again. Those are the only teams with playoff experience, and there doesn't appear to be any top contenders in the rest of the league.

Crowley County

2006: 1-8 Coach: Randy Reeves

The Chargers allowed more than 21 points a game on average last season, and despite that number, they had opportunities to win games but couldn't score when needed. If they can find an offense that matches up with the top programs, they should be in business.

Custer County

2006: 7-3 Coach: Bruce May

The Bobcats embraced a move back to the Santa Fe and won a league title with a 5-0 record. With a solid quarterback returning in Fred White, a repeat could be in order.

John Mall

2006: 4-5 Coach: Greg Romine

As long as the talent on the field is complemented by experience that the team has lacked recently, the Panthers could be in line to surprise some teams. Jonathan Aguirre and Justin Barajas provide the team with a good backfield.

Las Animas

2006: 0-9 Coach: James Lopez

The diamond in the rough for Las Animas is linebacker Cole Miller (6-foot-2, 220 pounds), who is a force on a team that otherwise doesn't have a lot of talent. Wide receiver Derek Wilson and lineman Wik Turner lead a junior class that must find a way to keep the young team afloat.

Rocky Ford

2006: 6-4 Coach: Eric McRae

The Meloneers, always a physical squad up and down the field, will rely on a solid secondary this season to help control things defensively. Quarterback Lane Albert and Cody Ridennoure are the featured backs.

Rye

2006: 3-6 Coach: Jeff Bailey

Bailey is excited about his sophomore class, which includes returning starters Chris Lewis (lineman), and Jake Van and Luke Van (both running backs/defensive backs). Matt Minjarez, a speedy junior, returns at quarterback.

South Central

Limon has won four consecutive league titles, but that run might end this season. The Badgers should be a playoff team, but Burlington and Byers have too much returning talent to overlook. Peyton appears to be the only other team capable of a playoff berth, with the rest of the league chasing the big three.

Burlington

2006: 10-2 Coach: Glynn Higgs

There is no question for most coaches which team is right behind Akron in the classification: The Cougars are a big and aggressive team. The line will average more than 200 pounds, and Nat David and Collen Medley return as the skill players.

Byers

2006: 7-4 Coach: David Dodge

An impressive passing offense will be corralled a bit with a young quarterback learning the system, but otherwise, the Bulldogs have what it takes to make a run. Linebacker is the other position of major concern for Dodge.

Calhan

2006: 5-4 Coach: Rob Lessig

With an inexperienced team trying out players at new positions, the offense will be simplified for what Lessig considers an eager group. The line features top performers in Alan Jones and Daniel Lawson, and Jeff Cooper will see most of the action at running back.

Cripple Creek-Victor

2006: 4-5 Coach: Dale Dubbs

The Pioneers enjoyed one of their best sports seasons with a final-four finish in basketball, led by all-around athlete Taylor Morgan (6-3, 190). Morgan will be the go-to guy through the air for the sophomore-laden squad. Senior Matt Vial provides leadership at center.

Limon

2006: 11-1 Coach: Mike O'Dwyer

Byers coach David Dodge put it best when he said, "Limon's tradition is worth a couple of touchdowns by itself every game." The Badgers are inexperienced at quarterback, but senior leadership at wideout from Joe Stone and Kirk Pottorff will help.

Miami-Yoder

2006: 2-7 Coach: Don McGatlin

Bigger schools have made things tough for the Buffaloes, but the addition of McGatlin, the former head man at Green Mountain, has other league coaches keeping watch. Most of the returning players fall into the skill positions, but keeping opponents off the scoreboard is the primary focus.

Peyton

2006: 4-5 Coach: Matt McIntyre

It has been a couple years since the Panthers have made the playoffs, but if they get some breaks in one or two games, they might earn a spot. Playing Limon and Burlington early in the season could help the team develop.

South Park

2006: 0-9 Coach: David Patrick

The Burros haven't had much success recently (one win in three seasons), but Patrick and his staff are champing at the bit to get this year going. Look for a change in the offensive attack to capitalize on the arm of Brian Ruddle.

Southern Peaks

Dolores and Del Norte appear to be the challengers to favorites Sanford and Sargent. Dolores slipped up a little last year but handed Del Norte its only league loss late in the season. With an inexperienced team and a new coach, Del Norte could go either way this season. A few upsets and a tight battle to the finish can be expected.

Center

2006: 3-6 Coach: Ben Kern

With receivers Carlos Lopez and Luis Vasquez to throw to, senior quarterback Adam Welsh aims to help the team improve on a 1-5 league record and last-place league finish.

Del Norte

2006: 9-2 Coach: Ritchie Madrid

The Tigers have been a powerhouse the past six years, and success this season will be determined primarily on how the players react to a coaching change. Luckily, the players are familiar with Madrid, a former assistant. Linebackers Tyler Rue and Lance Martinez provide experience.

Dolores

2006: 4-5 Coach: Don Story

Story enters his 41st year of coaching in Colorado with another solid team that, if healthy, could be a top-10 squad. With the return of quarterback Josh Galloway, opponents might see the passing game a little more.

Ignacio

2006: 3-6 Coach: Lupe Huerta

A new coaching staff will be an adjustment and challenge for the players, so don't expect a longtime playoff drought to come to an end. With some size among his underclassmen, Huerta and his staff are excited about the future.

Mancos

2006: 3-5 Coach: Alan Matthews

The numbers are up overall, and a number of freshmen are expected to chip in immediately for the Bluejays, who went 1-5 in the league last year. Jake Thurman has good size (6-foot-4, 255 pounds), and quarterback Matt Rosso will captain the veer offense.

Sanford

2006: 6-4 Coach: Cody Reynolds

Questions exist at the skill positions, but the effort the Indians put forth week to week keeps them in playoff contention. Todd Crowler (6-1, 175 pounds) most likely will move from the line to the backfield in hopes of providing some offensive flow.

Sargent

2006: 8-2 Coach: Terry VanBibber

The Farmers hope to improve their passing game to keep up with Sanford, as well as with their potential playoff opponents. A matchup against the Indians in Week 7 might determine the league title.

Western Slope

The league standings could look quite similar to a year ago, since top dogs Hayden and Grand Valley did not lose many players. Meeker, West Grand and Paonia will battle for seeding while trying to avoid slipping up against scrappy Rangely and Soroco.

Grand Valley

2006: 8-2 Coach: Mike Johnson

The Cardinals had an exceptional sports season a year ago, winning the 2A boys basketball championship to go along with the Western Slope football title. Eight starters return on each side of the ball, and with Tyler Jensen leading the way, the defensive backfield looks especially sound.

Hayden

2006: 9-2 Coach: Shawn Baumgartner

Colorado coaches certainly are leery of the Tigers' potential, especially with a workhorse running back in Coy Letlow. Baumgartner hopes to lighten the load on Letlow and spread the ball out more.

Meeker

2006: 6-4 Coach: Shane Phelan

The Cowboys have a tall task ahead, in that many of the seniors will be starting for the first time, some in new positions. The team will have to build from the line, where the most experienced players return.

Paonia

2006: 8-2 Coach: Jeremy McCormick

The Eagles, looking for their ninth playoff appearance in 11 years, will have to be more consistent than last season, when they beat Grand Valley but lost at home to Meeker with a league title in sight. Josh Burns is expected to be strong at running back.

Rangely

2006: 3-6 Coach: Mark Jansen

The Panthers lost the close games last season but might turn around that trend because of improved speed and strength. Senior running back Tim Willis returns healthy and in position to lead the offense.

Soroco

2006: 1-7 Coach: Dave Bruener

Bruener takes over a team that has very little experience at the varsity level. The former defensive coordinator expects growing pains as the Rams convert to a spread offense, but the youth of the team should bode well for next year.

West Grand

2006: 3-6 Coach: Chris Brown

Injuries prevented the Mustangs from having a good season in 2006, but they still managed some big wins. Cory Davis, a two-time all-league player, will contribute heavily to the success of a team that must win key road games.

2006 playoff results

• First round Limon 24, Sanford 13

Hayden 14, Sargent 0

Del Norte 14, Paonia 6

Lyons 28, Meeker 6

Burlington 27, Denver Lutheran 10

Wray 18, Grand Valley 7

Byers 27, Custer County 6

Akron 55, Rocky Ford 0

• Quarterfinals Limon 21, Hayden 0

Lyons 20, Del Norte 3

Burlington 21, Wray 14

Akron 27, Byers 7

• Semifinals Lyons 21, Limon 16

Akron 40, Burlington 21

• Championship Akron 27, Lyons 0

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