Top two-way players returning in Class 2A in 2020

Our look at some of the top two-way players in Colorado high school football rolls on. Today, our focus moves to Class 2A. There is no shortage of talent in the classification in Colorado and some of the teams who are regulars in the postseason churn out college commitments in the process. Many of those teams lose some key seniors but bring back critical players who will be asked to do more in 2020. With plenty of players to consider, here is the group of two-way players who shined on both sides of the ball last year and could do so again. <strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Tanner Applebee, 2021, 6’0, 190, RB/LB, Resurrection Christian</span></strong> You could find Applebee making house calls in the backfield all season long for Resurrection Christian. According to his maxpreps.com statistics, he led the entire state with 32 – yes, 32 – sacks. On film, you see him explode off the line like he’s shooting out of a cannon with remarkable speed and has good finishing instincts when he arrives to the ball. What made his junior season more special was the fact that he was also called on to play a larger role in the offense with a career-high 75 rushing attempts for 489 yards and 5 touchdowns, and don’t be surprised if he sees more action on offense moving forward. Applebee is looking to draw some attention from the college scouts and another season like his junior year may do the trick to get him a chance to play at the next level. <strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Mac Copeland, 2021, 5’10, 180, RB/LB, Bennett</span></strong> On his only carry in the first game with Ellicott to start the 2019 season, Copeland broke free for a 68-yard touchdown run. After nine more carries in the second game with Strasburg, Copeland saw his work load increase. He proved he could handle it, finishing with 992 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns for the Bennett Tigers. From his linebacker spot, he shows maneuverability to get past blocks but also a willingness to take them on in order to get to the ball carrier. He would record 102 tackles, including 57 solo stops and 3 sacks. Copeland’s play and leadership was vital in getting Bennett to the playoffs last season and the team should expect to lean on him even more this fall. <strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Nate Gravagno, 2021, 6’2, 180, WR/DB, Englewood</span></strong> Gravagno was one of the top receivers in Class 2A last year and is the top returning receivers coming back in terms of receiving yards. He had 892 yards, which was the third most in Class 2A, on 58 receptions. He caught no fewer than 4 passes in each of the 10 games played, and he caught his 16 touchdown receptions in eight of those games, including a four-touchdown night versus Denver East. His impact was also felt on defense as a safety with 43 tackles (37 solo) and a pair of fumble recoveries. You might see Gravagno shine on the hardwood with his basketball team in the winter, but don’t miss the plays he can make on the football field this fall. <strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Tucker Myers, 2021, 6’3, 190, WR/DB, Sterling</span></strong> Sterling’s run to the Class 2A state championship was led by a strong 2020 class. Some faces who were more complementary role players on both sides of the ball will be tasked with playing a larger role this year. One of the returning players who played a big part on offense and defense last season that returns is Myers. The 6-foot-3 wide receiver led the team with 30 receptions and 552 receiving yards while hauling in a pair of touchdown passes. His hands were also put to good use on defense with five receptions. Myers has long strides that sees him accelerate in the open field and will look to put it to good use as a team leader for the defending champs in 2020.