Frontier

Favorite: The Academy

Contenders: Bennett, Sheridan, Platte Canyon

Outlook: The newly formed league features two former Metro League teams (Clear Creek and Platte Canyon), former Patriot League team Bennett, three teams that moved up from lower classifications (The Academy, Denver Academy, Denver School of Science and Technology) and Sheridan, which was playing as an independent. The Academy, formerly Academy of Charter, has been vastly successful in 2A and will attempt to parlay that success against stiffer competition. Four of the league’s seven teams qualify for districts, which will give the postseason a vastly different feel.

Key players: C Mychael Bernal, The Academy, Sr. IF David Bowen, The Academy, Jr.; C Gus King, Denver Science and Technology, Jr.; IF Nate McDonald, Bennett, Jr.; 1B Lucas Polack, Denver Science and Technology, Jr.; P Joe Simpson, Clear Creek, Sr.; P Justin Taylor, Bennett, Jr.



Intermountain

Favorite: Pagosa Springs

Contenders: Monte Vista, Bayfield, Ignacio

Outlook: The already small league was whittled to four when Centauri announced it will not field a varsity team this season. Bayfield was becoming a perennial league champion until Monte Vista took over the league title last season. Those two squads are retooling but figure to compete with Pagosa Springs for league supremacy. Ignacio also could enter the mix, giving the league a rare wide-open feel and making it the only league in the state in which every team has a legitimate opportunity to earn the crown.

Key players: P Sky Bradshaw, Monte Vista, Sr.; OF Kyler Cooper, Monte Vista, Sr.; P Garrett Laner, Bayfield, Sr.; C Jon Martin, Bayfield, Jr.



Metro

Favorite: Faith Christian

Contenders: Denver Christian, Holy Family, Machebeuf, Denver Lutheran

Outlook: Look for several Metro Leaguers to be among the classification’s statistical leaders this season, as an abundance of standout players call the league home. Outfielders David Fox of Faith Christian and Jeff Ross of Denver Christian are returning all-state selections, and Holy Family catcher Bryan Coday also put up monster numbers. And that’s just to name a few. Faith Christian returns mostly intact from a team that advanced to the semifinals last season, while Holy Family must recoup after key graduation losses. The Tigers return only three starters. Keep an eye on Machebeuf, which has advanced to the final four the past two seasons and won the state championship in 2005.

Key players: 3B Josh Anderson, Faith Christian, Sr; C Seve Carbajal, Faith Christian, Jr; C Bryan Coday, Holy Family, Sr.; OF David Fox, Faith Christian; 2B Conor Frye, Kent Denver, Sr.; IF John Garmatz, Denver Lutheran, Sr.; P Mike Hensen, Machebeuf, Sr.; OF Mike Hernandez, Holy Family, Sr.; 1B Jacob Jurich, Machebeuf, Sr.; 2B Jacob Machado, Machebeuf, So.; P Zach McCleskey, Faith Christian, Sr.; C Mitch Nathan, Denver Lutheran, Sr.; SS Drew Rice, Kent Denver, Jr.; OF Jeff Ross, Denver Christian, Sr.



Patriot

Favorite: Eaton

Contenders: Brush, University, Roosevelt, Valley, Weld Central

Outlook: After a one-year hiatus, it’s back to business as usual — Eaton is the team to beat. Jim Danley’s Reds not only perform at an optimum level each season, but have built a mystique that becomes a mental hurdle for opponents. Just ask Brush, which lost to Eaton four times last season. That being said, Brush could be the Reds’ top challenger, as the Beetdiggers figure to further evolve into an upper-echelon program. Defending state champion Roosevelt, last season’s preseason favorite which finally broke the Eaton curse last season, graduated a number of key contributors but still figures to be solid. University, 16-8 last season, should remain in the mix, while Weld Central and Valley will attempt to take the next step after a .500 season.

Key players: 1B Cameron Alexander, Brush, Sr.; OF Cody Ball, Eaton, Jr.; 3B Dustin Bass, Brush, Sr.; 3B Tyler Buzzard, Weld Central, Sr.; SS Andy Eberhard, University, Sr.; C Craig Furstenau, Strasburg, Jr.; LF Michael Dischner, Yuma, Sr.; 3B Matt Hernandez, Roosevelt, Jr.; SS Jerry Hildreth, Roosevelt, Sr.; 3B Danny Jurado, Valley, Sr.; SS Bo McLavey, Eaton, Jr.; P Kurtis McQuery, Weld Central, Sr.; P Andy Miller, Strasburg, Sr.; 2B Drew Oakeson, Brush, So.; P Kyle Ottoson, Eaton, Jr.; 1B Dan Palmer, University, Jr.; SS Chad Rayl, Yuma, Sr.; P Russell Reeve, University, Sr.; P Drew Smith, Eaton, Sr.; P Marcus Stewart, Valley, Sr.



Tri-Peaks

Favorite: Lamar

Contenders: Colorado Springs Christian, St. Mary’s, La Junta, Manitou Springs, Buena Vista

Outlook: The split division features two favorites — Lamar in the East, Colorado Springs Christian in the West. Lamar will receive a challenge from La Junta, 18-4 last season, and reinvigorated St. Mary’s, which should benefit from two transfers from Mitchell and new coach Bill Percy. One of the transfers is Percy’s son, Will. Colorado Springs Christian will look to fend off Manitou Springs and Buena Vista, among others. Buena Vista outfielder Jake Fickle will guide a Demons squad that went 11-8 last season. Fickle hit six homers and drove in 30 runs. Peyton comes up from 2A to join the league.

Key players: SS A.J. Clark, Colorado Springs Christian, Sr.; 2B Ben Collura, Colorado Springs Christian, Sr.; OF Jake Fickle, Buena Vista, Sr.; OF Nick Grassi, St. Mary’s, Jr.; 1B Scott Greensides, Colorado Springs Christian, Jr.; 3B Frank Lovato, La Junta, Sr.; C Blake Mundel, Lamar, Sr.; SS Andrew Nunez, La Junta, Sr.; SS Will Percy, St. Mary’s Jr.; Ut. Ben Placzek, Manitou Springs, Jr.; P Brady Quarry, Manitou Springs, Sr.; C Ryan Randolph, Peyton, Sr.; P Stephen Romero, La Junta, Sr.; P Jordan Romine, Lamar, Sr.; IF Dean Rucker, Buena Vista, Sr.; P Allen Thomas, Peyton, Jr.; SS Jason Veyna, Lamar, Sr.



Western Slope League

Favorite: Olathe

Contenders: Roaring Fork, Cedaredge, Basalt, Gunnison, Hotchkiss

Outlook: Defending league champion Olathe might not be the same team that went 12-1 in league last season, but the Pirates are looking to skip the proverbial rebuilding year. Roaring Fork, Cedaredge and Gunnison are among a handful of teams that have a shot at the title. Basalt recorded its first winning season last year (10-7) and coach Rick Ryan believes the Longhorns will continue to progress. Hotchkiss, generally right in the mix, will look to regain that status after a 5-14 campaign. Coal Ridge went 4-15 as a first-year program last season, but the Titans figure to have a better chance this spring.

Key players: C Josh Alsop, Coal Ridge, So.; 2B Jamie Goza, Olathe, Sr.; P Billy Harrison, Olathe, Sr.; C Tucker Hinch, Basalt, Sr.; SS Jake Kinney, Roaring Fork, Sr.; C Chance Long, Hotchkiss, Sr.; SS Zach Lyons, Coal Ridge, Jr.; P Shawn McRobbie, Hotchkiss, Sr.; SP Kyle Raaflaub, Roaring Fork, Sr.; S Connor Rakowski, Basalt, Jr.

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