In Attendance: Saturday’s Season Opener
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It is time to shift the focus and provide a brief informal preview of the Saturday game I will be attending and which players I will look forward to seeing while finding new names to add to the radar. With…
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Continue ReadingIt is time to shift the focus and provide a brief informal preview of the Saturday game I will be attending and which players I will look forward to seeing while finding new names to add to the radar.
With this being the end of week one of the 2022-23 season, this will be the last separate installment of this new series before my entire week’s itinerary is listed in one write-up.
Smoky Hill at Denver East | Saturday, August 27, 2022 | 11:00 A.M.
Denver East will host Smoky Hill for a non-league matchup in the 5A classification. Smoky Hill is coming off a 4-7 overall record (1-4 in league) from last year, while Denver East’s ended with a 3-7 record (2-3 in league).
Smoky Hill
The Buffaloes have a talented senior group on both sides of the ball. Tyliq Bowers Tyliq Bowers 6'0" | 165 lbs | QB Smoky Hill | 2023 State CO is the senior QB set the lead the offense with fellow seniors Saul Ibrahim (RB) and Jamahll Humphrey Jamahll Humphrey WR Smoky Hill | 2023 State CO (WR). Sophomore offensive lineman Bailey Bujanda Bailey Bujanda 6'3" | 280 lbs | OL Smoky Hill | 2025 State CO is the number one-ranked OL for the class of 2025, seventh-ranked sophomore overall.
The defensive side of the ball has some serious talent as well. Jaxon Thompson Jaxon Thompson 6'2" | 180 lbs | LB Smoky Hill | 2023 State CO (OLB/SS), Calem Grimble Calem Grimble 6'3" | 275 lbs | DL Smoky Hill | 2023 State CO (DT/OG), and Roscoe Taylor (CB/FS) are three big names on the senior-heavy roster for the defense.
Other Buffalos to note
Amir Copeland | 2023 DE
Tristen Littlejohn
Tristen
Littlejohn
LB
Smoky Hill | 2023
State
CO
| 2023 OLB
Denver East
The Angels have a mix of young and veteran players who have the potential to be a powerful team. Seniors Ben Wigglesworth Ben Wigglesworth 6'2" | ATH Denver East | 2023 State CO (QB), Uziel Martinez (WR), and Deveron Toppin Deveron Toppin DB Denver East | 2023 State CO (WR) make up a dynamic passing attack that includes junior receiver Hank Usalavage.
Middle linebacker Landen Holloway (2024), defensive end Elijah Goss Elijah Goss DL Denver East | 2024 State CO (2024), and safety Deion Giles-Ray (2025) bring excellent size and strength to each level of the defense.
Other Angels to note
Michael Trujillo | 2024 OL
Sean Campbell | 2025 RB
Pregame Perceptions
This match-up can go either way because of the vast amount of talented players on both teams. Smoky Hill’s defense having mostly veteran seniors among the ranks gives them a slight edge, but Denver East has a dangerous offensive arsenal.
There is a good chance that this game can come down to the offensive line of Denver East and how well they stave off Smoky Hill’s defensive front. It is tough to say where the offense stands for the Buffaloes with some coaching changes, but their defense has the potential to be dominant.
Other notable Saturday matchups
A couple more games are kicking off on Saturday that are worth watching. Here is a look at my top runner-up games and a name to know from each team.
Northfield at Aurora Central | 2:00 P.M.
Jack Easterly – Northfield – 2024 MLB
CaiReis Curby
CaiReis
Curby
ATH
Aurora Central | 2023
State
CO
– Aurora Central – 2023 RB/WR/DB
Platt Valley at Kent Denver | 2:00 P.M.
Howdy Johnson – Platt Valley – 2024 QB
Charlie Walker – Kent Denver – 2023 RB/LB