District 1

Favorite: Dove Creek

Contender: Primero

Outlook: With only four teams in this district, anything can happen. Dove Creek is the favorite because it returns eight starters who have played together for the past two seasons. Jacob Guynes will lead the Bulldogs pitching staff while Matt Stiasny, known best for returning kicks for touchdowns in football, will be the big bat in the lineup. Primero, playing its first full season in nearly nine years, will have all nine starters back and will look to Corey Morgan to lead the offense and Spencer Komaroski the pitching staff.

Key Players: Chris Beanland, Dove Creek, Jr.; Fred Buffington, Dove Creek, Sr.; Skylar Coker, Dove Creek, Sr.; Jacob Guynes, Dove Creek, Sr.; Spencer Komaroski, Primero, Sr.; Troy LaZigne, Primero, Sr.; Stephanie McDonald, Primero, Sr.; Corey Morgan, Primero, Sr.; Fred Stiasny, Dove Creek, Sr.; Matt Stiasny, Dove Creek, Sr.

District 2

Favorite: Idalia

Contenders: Stratton, Hi-Plains, Genoa-Hugo

Outlook: Top-ranked Idalia will be the team to beat, returning six players. That includes reigning pitcher of the year Scott Cure. The Wolves should make it back-to-back appearances in the state playoffs. Stratton will be young but teams can’t overlook the Panthers as they return Todd May and four other starters. Hi-Plains should fight for one of the two playoff spots with Brock Benson and Evan Bandcroft in the lineup. Coming off a disappointing 2-8 season, Michael Leonard and Genoa-Hugo should be tougher after losing only one starter.

Key Players: Brock Benson, Hi-Plains, Sr.; Jesse Castillo, Idalia, So.; Scott Cure, Idalia, Sr.; Lucas Devlin, Idalia, Sr.; James Humbert, Deer Trail, Jr.; Michael Leonard, Genoa-Hugo, Sr.; Phillip May, Stratton, Sr.; Todd May, Stratton, Sr.; Kendall Rueb, Hi-Plains, So.; Trent Scheske, Rocky Mountain Lutheran, Jr.; Daniel Smith, Deer Trail, Jr.; Nate Utke, Rocky Mountain Lutheran, Jr.; Brent White, Genoa-Hugo, Jr.

District 3

Favorite: Granada

Contenders: Eads, Cheyenne Wells, McClave

Outlook: Third-ranked Granada and No. 4 Eads should be the top two contenders. Give Granada the edge, as Danny Morales is one of eight starters returning from a team that went 12-2. If Granada slips, Eads is the pick with seven starters returning, led by juniors Kenan Gooden and Kevin Lindholm. McClave should be much improved from a 4-11 mark last year with Jade Downey and six other starters returning. Darin Custer will help Cheyenne Wells make a run for the playoffs.

Key Players: Augustine Acuna, Manzanola, Jr.; Dustin Bohlander, Granada, So.; Darin Custer, Cheyenne Wells, Sr.; Jade Downey, McClave, Sr.; Kenan Gooden, Eads, Jr.; Ryan Geisinger, McClave, Sr.; Kevin Lindholm, Eads, Jr.; Danny Morales, Granada, Jr.; Payden Marquez, Granada, So.; Wes Richardson, Eads, Jr.; Cameron Srmak, Cheyenne Wells, Sr.; Kevin Torres, Manzanola, Jr.

District 4

Favorite: Haxtun

Contenders: Caliche, Peetz, Fleming

Outlook: No. 2 Haxtun is the best in this district, returning six starters from their state runner-up team, including seniors John Heerman and Grant Edwards. Caliche should be much improved from its 5-11 record last year. The Buffaloes lost only one starter and will rely on the pitching of Andrew Stieb and the hitting of Robby Hendrix. Peetz will be junior loaded with 12 on the roster, led by three-sport athlete Sean Fehringer. With seven starters returning, Fleming, led by D.J. Joos and Fletcher Gorman, should be very competitive and could make a push for the playoffs.

Key Players: Caleb Barrett, Peetz, Sr.; Matt Bjerke, Peetz, Sr.; Ross Brunkhardt, Merino, Sr.; Chase Chesterman, Merino, Jr.; Fletcher Gorman, Fleming, Jr.; John Heermann, Haxtun, Sr.; Grant Edwards, Haxtun, Sr.; Robby Hendrix, Caliche, So.; D.J. Joos, Fleming, So.; Kendall Kroeger, Haxtun, So.; Andrew Stieb, Caliche, Jr.; Derek Weingardt, Caliche, So.