Top two-way players in Class 5A returning for 2020

Our series looking at the top two-way players in Colorado concludes with Class 5A, the highest classification in the state. This one is also the toughest because many teams in this classification will have players start or practice on only one side of the ball because of high numbers on the roster they have. Even with those circumstances, there were a handful of players who did play offense and defense at a quality level for their respective programs last season and could do so again this fall. With that, here are some of those players in Class 5A to watch on offense and defense in 2020. <strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">[player_tooltip player_id="22633" first="Gilbert" last="Bujanda"], 2021, 6’2, 215, TE/DL, Westminster</span></strong> A pro-type tight end who will put his hand on the ground and line up next to the tackle but can also flex out as a receiver in the shotgun formation. Bujanda uses his 6-foot-2 frame to good use in the middle of the field to find open gaps for him to settle in and for his quarterback to throw too. When he catches the ball, he can break a tackle in space and will lower his shoulder and fall forward after contact to finish a run. He caught 32 passes for 416 yards and 6 touchdowns and also showed some fight blocking in the interior for Wolves. On defense, he was an asset on the defensive line and recorded 76 total tackles, 30 solo stops, 3.5 sacks and 2 interceptions. Overall, Bujanda plays with physicality and uses his body well to make a variety of plays. <strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">[player_tooltip player_id="22615" first="Liam" last="Francis"], 2021, 5’11, 170, WR/DB, Horizon</span></strong> Francis can stop on a dime running a route and change direction, which creates enough separation from defenders to get open and catch passes. In 2019, he saw an increased workload on offense that led him to jump from just 2 receptions as a sophomore to making 18 receptions for 408 yards and 2 touchdowns last season. He will look to be part of a formidable duo on the outside with Vincent Miller at the wide receiver spot and will be counted on when the team does throw the ball. While he can stop on a dime and get open on offense, he tends to stick on receivers when playing at his cornerback spot and can play tight coverage and run stride for stride in space. He finished with 30 solo tackles and 50 total tackles, well above his totals from limited duties as a sophomore, and also recorded his first interception of his career. Francis is an underrated player who brings value to the lineup wherever he is seen on the field. <strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">[player_tooltip player_id="22691" first="Dallas" last="Macias"], 2022, 6’0, 175, WR/DB, Regis Jesuit</span></strong> Macias has some quickness to him which allows him to win versus a defensive back when running routes and also fly to the football from the secondary. He shows good route running skills, consistent hands and an ability to run after the catch at his wide receiver spot. He would finish the 2019 season with 32 receptions for 412 yards and 3 touchdowns. On defense, he will come into the box and is willing to help stop the run, finishing with 63 total tackles, 35 solo tackles and a sack. But don’t forget his coverage skills with 3 interceptions and 5 pass breakups as well. He will provide help in a variety of ways for Regis Jesuit again this fall. <strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">[player_tooltip player_id="22672" first="Grant" last="Page"], 2022, 6’2, 175, WR/DB, Fairview</span></strong> There are a few players you could consider from Fairview for this list, but we’ll choose Page as he stepped up as a receiver early in the regular season and became a focal point of the offense. Page caught 76 passes for 1,250 yards (second most in Class 5A) and 15 touchdowns in the air-raid offense at Fairview, but his play was most important in the first half of the regular season with star receiver Henry Blackburn out of the lineup. He is a solid route runner, and now his task will be to find openings this fall when he is considered the top passing target that opposing teams will try to shut down. Page also played at defensive back over the course of the season and finished with 19 solo tackles, 3 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries and 6 passes defended. An offer to Colorado State has already been made towards Page, and more will come if he continues to produce like he did in his sophomore season.