Returning First Team All-State players from Class 2A

Our preseason preview continues looking at some of the top players returning this fall in Colorado. Our look at First Team All-State players to watch continues with a dive into Class 3A. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="153720" first="Caleb" last="Allen"], 2022, 5’8, 150, QB, Manitou Springs:</strong> Allen stepped into the starting position under center during the spring and did not disappoint. He had a big season, throwing for 1,267 and 17 touchdowns for Manitou Springs. He also rushed for three touchdowns on the ground. He flashes the ability to throw a nice deep ball with accuracy and can stretch the defense with his arm, and because he can throw with the same strength and accuracy on the move, he can extend plays scrambling and hit the deep shot while avoiding pressure if the pocket breaks down. His eyes do a good job of freezing safeties and giving his receivers an opening for their routes as well. And don't question his toughness: Allen helped Manitou Springs win the Class 2A state championship game in the spring, even though he played the game with a torn ACL according to reports. Allen enters the season ranked No. 11 for quarterback prospects in his class. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="153750" first="Ryan" last="Dirksen"], 2022, 5’10, 180, RB/DL, Eaton:</strong> An edge rusher with a gift of creating havoc in the backfield, Dirksen anchored the defense with his play and helped Eaton with the Class 2A state championship game in the fall. He uses his hands well to get off blocks and pursuit the ball carrier. If you don’t block him and try running to the opposite side, he has enough speed to chase you down from behind. You don’t usually see him getting driven off the line of scrimmage, and he plays with a high motor and can outwork you if you don’t come prepared during the snap. He finished 2020 with 47 tackles (26 solo stops), 5.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss. He is the No. 17 ranked prospect on the defensive line in the preseason rankings. <strong>Ethan Florez, 2022, 5’7, 160, RB/LB, Eaton:</strong> Another key player back for the defending champs in Eaton is Florez. He was on the field quite a bit as a two-way player and saw an elevated role on offense. He rushed for 616 on 83 carries (7.4 yards per carry) and had 11 touchdowns on the ground, and he had 62 tackles from the outside linebacker position. Florez will be all over the field and is a solid, reliable player his team can count on. At times, he will take over a game with his rushing performance, but he will also be the role player when someone else is cooking instead. His conditioning and shape will make him just as dangerous in the fourth quarter as he is at the start of the game, too. Currently unranked, he hopes another big fall season sees him move up on the recruiting board. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="58949" first="Justin" last="Hawthorne"], 2022, 6’1, 195, LB, Resurrection Christian:</strong> Hawthorne had a second consecutive season where he flourished on defense and was effective against the run and the pass from him linebacker spot. He is a bruiser who loves contact and brings an edge with his physicality. He recorded 48 tackles, including 30 solo ones, and five sacks in the shortened 2020 season. The hustle is there to chase down ball carriers, and he has the speed to meet you at the point of contact as well. Hawthorne will also contribute on special teams with his physical play. Entering this season, he is the No. 19 ranked linebacker prospect in Colorado <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="22718" first="Cade" last="Palmer"], 2022, 6’2, 195, RB/DB The Classical Academy:</strong> Playing in Class 3A during the spring 2021 season, Palmer shined like he did in Class 2A back in 2019. He rushed for a whopping 1,122 yards (12.2 yards per carry) and 18 touchdowns to nearly help his team win the state championship over Rifle. Teams must be warry of him in the open field due to his speed to run away for a big gain and his ability to change directions quickly to break tackles. To go along with his speed and shiftiness, he has excellent patience running between the tackles and letting his blocks form. Palmer would also record 12 tackles and an interception on defense during the season. Ranked the No. 6 running back in his class, he recently committed to play at Air Force next year. <strong>Alex Vonderharr, 2022, 6’0 Woodland Park:</strong> Vondeharr boasts a big leg and is a secret weapon for Woodland Park because of it. He kicked a 51-yard field goal last season, the second-longest field goal made in Colorado high school football history. This means his team is in scoring position when they cross midfield, a huge advantage versus other high school teams who don’t have as strong of a kicker. He made all four of his field goal attempts and converted 10 of the 11 PAT attempts, so accuracy is there for him as well. Most teams will also be starting from their 20-yard line thanks to 15 touchbacks on 22 kickoff attempts. Even more impressive: 2020 was his first season playing football and he is adopted from Bulgaria. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="153711" first="Gavin" last="Webb"], 2022, 5’10, 170, RB/DL, Basalt:</strong> Webb is a hard-nosed runner of the football. He will meet you at the point of contact and drive his feet for extra yardage after contact. He also looks like a fullback when used as a lead blocker, taking on the linebacker and delivering a hard knock on him. If penetration happens in the backfield, he shows a nice jump cut to slide away from the rush and move up in the hole that opens behind it. Webb rushed for 774 yards and 11 touchdowns in helping Basalt reach the playoffs in Class 3A during the spring season. He is currently ranked the No. 20 running back prospect for 2022 on the preseason list by Prep Redzone Colorado.