Preseason No. 1 preview: Delta Panthers

Our look at the teams ranked No. 1 in the CHSAANow.com preseason polls continues. In Class 2A, we take a look at the Delta Panthers, the defending state runner-up that is looking to make another run to the championship game this fall. <strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">2019 recap</span></strong> Delta had a successful run in the 2019 season and finished with an 11-2 record. The Panthers made it to the state championship game, falling 27-19 to the Sterling Tigers down in Pueblo. They rolled out of the gates, winning their first four games by a combined total of 201-0. The offense was explosive for the Panthers and scored in bunches at 38.6 points per game. While they did lose many seniors on the championship team, expectations remain high for the Panthers heading into the 2020 fall season. <span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Players to watch in 2020</strong></span> Many stars are gone from last season, but perhaps the biggest for the team is back. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="22585" first="Nolan" last="Bynum"] is the No. 11 ranked quarterback in the state for the Class of 2021 by Prep Redzone Colorado. He is a dual threat and made plenty of plays through the air and on the ground. In 2019, he threw for 2,556 yards and 34 touchdowns on 58 percent completion rate while rushing for 329 yards and nine rushing touchdowns. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound senior has a quick release with his throwing motion, is comfortable throwing on the run when moving the pocket and does a good job freezing defenders with the play-action fake. Some division III programs have shown interest in Bynum up to this point. Bynum will have a few key weapons on offense back to assist him. He gets some help up front in senior offensive linemen Esteban Berrelleza and Eli Miramontes. Barrelleza has good size at 6-foot-3 and 270 pounds and did a good job getting push off the line of scrimmage when he engages with defensive lineman. As for Miramontes, he is a versatile interior lineman that excels in run blocking for the team. Both will anchor an offensive line that looks to be a strong suit for this team. One other weapon on offense to watch this season is Timothy Horn. The junior running back saw the field in eight games last season and rushed for 430 yards and two touchdowns. With the number of players who graduated from the 2019 team, look for him to see a bigger role for the team. He is a quickster at 5-foot-8 and 150 pounds that should provide a nice complement for the team’s offense. He could also see a bigger role on defense as well. The offense draws the most attention, but Delta also had a defense that forced 29 turnovers last season. Colton Johnson will be one to the team leaders on defense that comes back this fall. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound linebacker is versatile and plays well against the run and the pass with his speed. He flew all over the field and recorded 67 tackles, three sacks and a pair of interceptions. <strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">2020 schedule</span></strong> <ul> <li>Oct. 10 @ Bayfield, 12 p.m.</li> <li>Oct. 17 vs. Middle Park, 12 p.m.</li> <li>Oct. 23 @ Woodland Park, 7 p.m.</li> <li>Oct. 30 vs. Englewood, 7 p.m.</li> <li>Nov. 6 @ Moffat County, 7 p.m.</li> <li>Nov. 13 vs. Elizabeth, 7 p.m.</li> </ul>