Editor's Notes: Quarterback Elias De la Rosa will be counted on the lead the Bulldogs in 2014. De la Rosa accounted for over 66% of Arvada's total yards (compiled 1633 of the 2467 total yards for the team). Sophomore Deondre Gordon looks to be the #1 WR option. Another sophomore Ian Coleman may also see some time at QB with De La Rosa sliding to RB. Senior middle linebacker Alfonso Nunez should help stabilize the defense.

Editor's Notes: Rarely do underclassmen stand as a Captain, but 2014 senior Matt Buchler RB did exactly that as a junior in 2013. The 5'5" 155 lb RB & DB will be seen as Warrior leader on offense and defense in 2014. Last year Buchler was the team's leading rusher and third leading tackler. Seniors Mike DeVries and Justin Montoya along with junior Colton Oglesbee and will be Centaurus defensive players to watch. Defensive lineman DeVries has committed to play for the Air Force Academy.

Editor's Notes: Conifer's 2013 ground game was balanced between four running backs (489 to 659 yards). One of those backs was 2014 senior Kailib Geer (5'7"/155 lbs) and he should be counted on to be the Lobo's rushing focal point this year. Seniors Vaughn Brasseaux and Jakob Evens, the second and third leading tacklers on defense will need to help lift a defense that lost eight key defensive contributors to graduation.

Editor's Notes: Graduation saw the Jaguars quarterback, leading rusher, receiver and top two tacklers leave the D'Evelyn program. Next man up has junior QB Owen Burke, senior RB Ian Lewis and junior WR Charlie Davis on offense next in line for the Jaguars. Speed kills and if the young players stepping into their new roles as leaders can acclimate quickly to the physicality of the game and use their speed, the Jaguars could find some success in 2014. Defensively, seniors David Kimmey and Lewis are poised for their job to do on defense.

Editor's Notes: Evergreen should be one of the strongest teams in the Metro North League even while losing their leader quarterback who was also their leading rusher. Senior RB Tanner Cassin and senior WR Marcus Cassin should be filling the shoes as the top RB and top WR for the Cougars. Offensive lineman Joey Fox will anchor the o-line. Seniors Keenan Ohearn (79 tackles in 2013) and Greysen Lincoln (third in 3A in the state in sacks with 10.5) return as key cogs in the Evergreen defense.

Editor's Notes: You can count on one hand the number of seniors in 2014 with varsity experience for Berthoud, so some juniors and sophomores will need to step up in 2014. The 2013 Conference Special Teams Player of the Year senior Ryan DeMoudt (P/WR/LB) along with four juniors, QB Cody Braesch (6'4" 190lbs), WR/DB Jackson Hall, RB/LB Jimmy Fate and RB/S Chad Ellis (each were All Conference HM as sophomores) will be a heavily relied upon by the Spartans. Braesch was the 2nd leading sophomore QB in 3A last year and only played in 7 games. Hall was the leading sophomore receiver in 3A and averaged over 23 yards a catch and six TDs. Fate (the current 4A 138lb wrestling champion) had the second most tackles (statistical recording error in 2013) in the league last year. Ellis (third in the state in 4A wrestling at 160lbs) has started every varsity game since his freshman year and is a significant impact player. High motor senior RB/DT Micol Woodiel will be a handful for offensive lineman with his combination of strength and quickness. Juniors C/LB Jamie Gray and G/DE Brendon Stanley (key anchors on both sides of the ball) should also be players to watch for Berthoud. Junior Steele Castles (T/DE) has the potential to be one of the best players in the league and if he reaches his potential, the sky is the limit for Castles.

Editor's Notes: Chris Summers changed Tiger stripes coming over from the highly successful Holy Family program where he was the OC for the HF Tigers. The Erie program has ran the Double Wing T that has been taught throughout at the youth level in Erie for many years. It may take a little time for the Tigers to transition to their new schemes, but with their general athleticism and extensive weight training program it won't take long for the team to embrace the changes moving forward. Player to watch... DB B.J. Jensen was one of the better defensive backs in the league last year (4 picks). Senior LB Elijah Roper recorded 78 tackles last year for the Tigers be one of their leading defensive players in 2014.

Editor's Notes: Frederick has tremendous strengths up front on both sides of the ball, led by Mantano and Pope. If Frederick can plug in the skilled players to compliment their offensive and defensive lines size, they could repeat as a playoff team. Junior quarterback Mike Lamb stepped in last season and played admirably, if he can take the next step and progression for the Warriors it will make a significant difference for Frederick. Defensively, DB Eric Worley is one of the best defensive players in the Northern League.

Editor's Notes: Michael Gabriel fields one of the strongest teams in 3A football, even after losing All-State QB David Sommers to graduation. Loaded with talent from senior RB/LB Ryan Younggreen to junior all-around athlete Chris Helbig (moving to starting QB) to WR Weston Dinsmore (senior), the Tigers have the talent at the postions who touch the ball. Helbig and Younggreen were the number 1 & 2 leading tacklers on the team as well and Helbig was second in the state (3A) in interceptions with 8. Additionally, on the defense senior Joey Russo and junior Ben Lavoie return as the team 3rd and 4th leading tacklers from 2013. Tigers will likely be positioned as a top 5 team in the state.

Editor's Notes: Mead suffered one of the largest number of starters and leaders graduating this past season in 3A football. Junior RB Dane Meyers will be looked to offer leadership and production for the Maverick's rushing game and to be a receiving threat out of the backfield. Defensively, senior Zayne Parker and junior Scott Martenson bring some game experience into 2014. Additionally, the senior Allen triplets (Mitchell, Connor and Preston) who joins the Mavericks at mid-season last year should all have an impact on the 2014 team.

Editor's Notes: The Niwot Cougars are playing down from 4A and look for improvement on last year's 2-7 record. The Cougars will be searching for new players to step up and take control of the offense with no QB or RB with varsity experience and only two WRs with varsity snaps (total of 9 receptions and 88 yards between them). Senior Justin Lee is the leading returning receiver and was last year's second leading tackler. He should be joined by juniors Max Neiberger (LB/WR) and Blake Montgomery to help bolster the Cougars on both sides of the ball.

Editor's Notes: Coach Fulton will rely on the Grizzlies offensive duo of seniors QB Brendon Fulton and WR Jay Frye to lead Northridge in 2014. Fulton accounted for 77% of their total yards last year passing for 2286 yards and rushing for 371 with Frye catching 986 of those passing yards. Fulton was the fourth leading QB in 3A last year and Frye was the third leading receiving in 3A in the state. Defensively, seniors Willy Castillo (LB), Christian Dodge (DB) and Kayson Werner (DB) were the 3rd, 4th and 5th leading tacklers in 2013) and should lead the defensive unit.

Editor's Notes: Some significant football leadership graduated in 2013 (QB Kane Krantz and RB Randy Molinar), however the Roughrider seem to reload every year. This year they will be anchored by their big boys upfront buoyed by offensive lineman Nathon Putallaz (6'1' 260 lbs). Adrian Pastrana (DB) was second in the state (3A) in interceptions last year with 8 picks, All-around athlete Christian Majszak and Elijah Derrera should also be keys to Roosevelt's performance this season.