Returning First Team All-State players from Class 1A

Our look at returning First Team All-State players this fall in Colorado continues with a look at Class 1A. In this classification, we see our biggest list of returners with 10 players that fit that category. Here is a look at the players to watch in Class 1A this fall. <strong>Mattias Brown, 2022, 6’3, 205, OL/LB, Strasburg:</strong> A team captain with solid leadership, Brown has helped lead Strasburg to the Class 1A state championship over the last two seasons as a starter. On the offensive line, he is a solid right tackle who is effective in pass sets and moving people off the line of scrimmage in the run game. His athleticism, though, makes him an effective inside linebacker, and he moves well for a guy who doubles on the offensive line. He can dissect a play quickly and get to the ball carrier, and the physicality he brings leads to some big hits. Brown had 66 total tackles in 2020, and if Strasburg can make it to an unprecedented seventh consecutive state championship game, small-level schools might need to take a look at him. <strong>Chance Cannon, 2022, 5’8, 225, OL/DL, Limon:</strong> One of three players returning for the defending three-time state champions in Class 1A, Cannon is an anchor up front at the line of scrimmage. He plays with great leverage and drives people to the ground. He plays with great footwork and keeps a solid base under him. On defense, he will draw plenty of attention from the defensive tackle spot and can get some penetration. Limon should be able to reload and continue running ball well with Cannon and company leading the way up front. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="22719" first="Mason" last="Claunch"], 2022, 6’1, 175, RB/DB, Centauri:</strong> Claunch is a running back who has put up big numbers in his career. He set season highs in rushing yards (1,050) and rushing touchdowns (22) in the shortened 2020 season. Though not used as much last season, he can be an effective receiver, and he has 51 receptions for 843 yards and 15 touchdowns to his credit. He shows good speed in the open field. That speed translates well on defense in the secondary, where he can play tight coverage or chase receivers down and close the gap on them. Claunch had 99 tackles and two interceptions in 2020, and on occasion will be used to blitz, he recorded two sacks. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="22733" first="Trey" last="Hines"], 2022, 6’0, 170, QB/DB, Limon:</strong> Hines is a two-year starter who keeps the Limon offense in rhythm and ahead of the chains. He is a dual-threat quarterback and put up some decent numbers last season. As a runner, he is smart in the option game to make the right read, and he has enough speed to get to the edge on an outside sweep if his number is called. Because of their running ability, Hines excels in the play-action game, doing a good job setting his feet, getting the ball out of hand and showing the toughness to stand in the pocket and take the hit. Just as he is a good passer, he is smart against the pass on defense, evident by his four interceptions he had in the secondary last season. His leadership is another intangible that will be key to get Limon back to the state championship game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="22738" first="Jeremiah" last="Leeper"], 2022, 6’0, 170, RB/LB, Limon:</strong> It was [player_tooltip player_id="22618" first="Kory" last="Tacha"] who generated more headlines, but the man who led the Limon Badgers in rushing was Leeper. He possesses a nice mix of speed and power, which allows him to break multiple tackles and get extra yards after contact. He rushed for 839 yards and nine touchdowns on offense. As for the other side of the ball, he is all over the field and is excellent in pursuit. With his downhill style of play, he recorded 27 tackles, 2.5 sacks and forced a fumble. This season, look for Leeper to be the workhorse back for Limon and one of the guys who will be a team leader. <strong>Seth Moss, 2022, 6’1, 190, OL/LB, Buena Vista:</strong> Playing in Class 2A in the spring 2021 season, Moss shows incredible ball skills on the defensive side of the ball. He plays well in zone coverage and finds himself in passing lanes to deflect passes and even get an interception. When making tackles, he will try to strip the ball and force fumbles. In 2021, he recorded 40 tackles and three tackles for loss to go with his pass breakups and interception. You will also see him work well in space and not get caught on blocks at the second level, freeing him up in run plays. Back in Class 1A this fall, Moss and his team hopes to make a run back to the playoffs. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="153693" first="Trenton" last="Rowan"], 2021, 6’1, 180, TE/DE, Flatirons Academy:</strong> After seeing plenty of time on the field as a sophomore, he saw an even bigger role in all three phases. On offense, he set season highs in receptions (26), receiving yards (509) and receiving touchdowns (10). He runs with long strides and will go all-out for a reception. His hands are solid and consistent. From his defensive end spot, he rushes downfield well and shows good closing speed. He boasted a season-high 3.5 sacks in 2021 as well. And then there is special teams, where he is the team’s kicker and punter, and he even returned five kickoffs and a punt. You will see him all over the field again this fall, and after playing in the spring championship game in Class 2A, the team hopes that confidence will help them back in Class 1A this year. <strong>Byron Shawcroft, 2022, 6’1, 185, QB/DL, Centauri:</strong> In his first season as the starting quarterback, Shawcroft thrived. He completed 19 of his 33 pass attempts for 294 yards and two touchdowns. He showed good touch on the deep ball and nice accuracy down the field. The athleticism is also there to tuck the ball and run for yards. But he can play all over the field on offense, and he caught 12 passes for 198 yards and two scores in the same season. As for defense, he is a disrupter in the box. He recorded 42 tackles, but the biggest thing he did was record four sacks, eight hurries and caused three fumbles. His versatility on the field makes him an intriguing player to watch. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="22735" first="Miles" last="Sprague"], 2022, 6’1, 200, QB/LB, Holyoke:</strong> A player who has been in the spotlight since his freshman season, Sprague is a stat-stuffer. He has thrown for 3,433 yards and 33 touchdowns while rushing for another 1,199 yards and 11 scores on the ground from his quarterback position. Where he is becoming a prospect for the next level is on defense as a linebacker. He has recorded 177 total tackles and seven interceptions so far. He is a true athlete who moves well, converts speed to power very well, and shows a good IQ on the field. Ranked the No. 8 linebacker and No. 47 overall prospect in the Class of 2022, Sprague should draw plenty of interest on the recruiting trail in his senior season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="147167" first="Julian" last="Valencia"], 2024, 5’9, 135, K, Strasburg:</strong> One of the top kickers in Class 1A last season, Valencia is a kicker who can force teams to start from their 20-yard line or try to return a deep kickoff because he can really drive the ball. When he kicked after his team scored touchdowns, he converted 48 of his 51 PAT attempts. Valencia had a big freshman season and should be a key weapon for Strasburg in the special teams department again, and perhaps we could see some field goal opportunities as well.