Season Preview: 5A Douglas County
Our season previews roll on at Prep Redzone Colorado as we wait to find out the fate of the upcoming football season this fall. Should we get the chance to see some football, there will be plenty of talent in…
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Continue ReadingOur season previews roll on at Prep Redzone Colorado as we wait to find out the fate of the upcoming football season this fall.
Should we get the chance to see some football, there will be plenty of talent in the state to watch, and that includes in the Douglas County League in Class 5A. Some of the top prospects come from this league, and plenty of new talent should come from the league as well.
Here is a look at what to watch for in the 5A Douglas County League for the 2020 season.
Teams in the conference
Castle View, Highlands Ranch, Mountain Vista, Rock Canyon, ThunderRidge, Valor Christian
Five returning players who shined last fall
Tye Chirico Tye Chirico 6'5" | OL Highlands Ranch | 2021 State CO , 2021, 6’5, OL, Highlands Ranch
Chirico is currently ranked as the No. 5 offensive lineman and No. 32 overall prospect in the state of Colorado by Prep Redzone Colorado heading into the preseason. He has great size at 6-foot-4 and 270 pounds, and he has been working with Matt McChesney at Six Zero Strength + Fitness. He is an interior lineman who won many battles with defensive tackles and can stay latched onto defenders while driving them off the line of scrimmage. He also bears long arms that work well in pass protection. Chirico has received some interest from FBS and FCS level programs so far and will be blocking for dual-threat quarterback Jake Rubley Jake Rubley 6'3" | QB Highlands Ranch | 2021 State CO and leading rusher Dylan Gurule.
Sean Hicks Sean Hicks 6'3" | DB Rock Canyon | 2021 State CO , 2021, 6’3, DB, Rock Canyon
Rock Canyon did not have the season it was hoping for, but one bright spot for the team was Hicks in the secondary and on special teams. Hicks was able to record 3 interceptions which put him at the top in that statistic in the league last season, but he also managed to break up 19 additional passes. The 6-foot-3 safety has great range and also plays well against the run, evident by his 59 tackles. Hicks can also contribute in the special teams department returning kicks. Facing as many top passing teams like he does, Hicks should emerge as a rising defensive back on many boards with a strong senior season. Sam Anderson is another defensive back that pairs well with Hicks to watch.
Tyson Lambert Tyson Lambert 6'1" | LB ThunderRidge | 2021 State CO , 2021, 6’0, LB, ThunderRidge
With 129 total tackles recorded last season, Lambert was tied for the most tackles by a player in the league last season. As the middle linebacker for the defense, he shows the ability to both take on blockers and record tackles in the run game while dropping into coverage against the pass. A big factor with his play-making ability is how quick he can decipher plays and the speed to make those plays on the field. Lambert would also record 3 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries and 1 interception. Towards the end of the season, Lambert played his best, finishing with double-digit solo tackles in the final three games of the season. Look for Lambert to be one of the top defensive players in the league again in 2020.
Micah Nanninga Micah Nanninga 6'7" | DL Castle View | 2021 State CO , 2021, 6’7, TE/DE, Castle View
In his first season as a starter, Nanninga looked like a seasoned veteran on the defensive side of the ball for Castle View. He is a naturally gifted athlete and uses his big frame at 6-foot-7 to good use. He does a good job of bending his knees and staying low, and his long arms allow him to engage and shed blockers. In his junior season, Nanninga recorded 36 tackles, 6.5 sacks and forced 4 fumbles for Castle View. The 6.5 sacks were the second most by a player in the league last year, and Nanninga will look to increase his productivity again this fall.
Gavin Sawchuk Gavin Sawchuk RB Valor Christian | 2022 State CO , 2022, 5’11, RB, Valor Christian
Sawchuk has become one of, if not, the top prospect in the state for many. The No. 1 prospect for the Class of 2022, Sawchuk is receiving offers left and right from the top FBS programs in the entire country. The reason for that is the athleticism and productivity seen on the field from his running back spot. Sawchuk rushed for 1,786 yards and 23 touchdowns last season, making him one of the top rushers in the state. Valor Christian also utilized his hands and he caught 13 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown. The speed he has makes him dangerous in the open field, and when he runs the ball, you will see him plant his foot and go north-to-south in a hurry. The top running back prospect since Christian McCaffrey will continue to dazzle on the gridiron and make Valor Christian one of the favorites to win the state title in Class 5A.
Prime breakout player for 2020 season
Matt Dean Matt Dean 6'5" | 190 lbs | QB Highlands Ranch | 2023 State CO , 2023, 6’4, QB, Mountain Vista
Dean is on our 2023 watchlist at Prep Redzone Colorado and showed plenty of potential in his freshman season. The 6-foot-4 quarterback has plenty of throws on his highlight film, whether it’s throwing the deep ball on a go route or showing good timing and hitting a receiver running the out route with a defender behind him. He recently took part in the FBU Top Gun Showcase and is continuing to work hard this offseason. Mountain Vista is looking for a new starting quarterback, and based on the work and film from Dean, he could become a three-year starter for the program and try to help the team rise in the standings.
A way-too-early prediction
Valor Christian is one of the top programs in the entire state of Colorado. They do lose a number of key position players, but look for the depth to see them reload to make another run to try and get to the state championship game. Behind them, look for another close race between Highlands Ranch and ThunderRidge for second place. The battle for second place should be competitive, but Valor Christian should sit at the top of the standings yet again.