Preseason No. 1 preview: Limon Badgers
With the regular season getting underway for fall football this week, we take a look at the teams that enter the season ranked No. 1 in the CHSAANow.com Preseason Polls, which were released on Oct. 5. First up, let’s dive…
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Continue ReadingWith the regular season getting underway for fall football this week, we take a look at the teams that enter the season ranked No. 1 in the CHSAANow.com Preseason Polls, which were released on Oct. 5.
First up, let’s dive in at Class 1A with the Limon Badgers.
2019 recap
Limon repeated as state champions last fall and finished with an 11-2 record. While they did lose to the Strasburg Indians and Holyoke Dragons during the regular season, they got their redemption in the playoffs, defeating Holyoke 15-7 in the semifinal round and defeating Strasburg 26-13 in the championship game. Limon did a good job controlling the ground game, averaging 243 rushing yards per game. The Badgers also had an opportunistic defense with 20 takeaways that helped them allow 13.3 points per game during the season.
Players to watch in 2020
Let’s start with the team’s top prospect, and perhaps the top prospect in all of Class 1A in Colorado. Running back/linebacker Kory Tacha Kory Tacha 6'1" | RB Limon | 2021 State CO was the Class 1A Player of the Year and thrived in all three phases of the game for the Badgers. His combination of size, speed and power made him an efficient running back, rushing for 1,469 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns. His hands were also put to use with 17 receptions for 325 yards and three more scores. On defense, he flies to the football and drives through ball carriers to bring them to the ground. The 6-foot, 185-pound senior is already drawing interest from NCAA Division II programs, including an offer to play for the Colorado School of Mines in Golden.
In addition to Tacha, four other players who were voted First Team All-State in Class 1A last season return.
Alex Carr is a mismatch in the passing game standing 6-foot-5 and became a reliable target in the passing game with 19 receptions for 484 yards and four touchdowns, and he also brings a certain physicality from his linebacker spot with 59 tackles. Another player who brings physicality to the team is lineman John Jaklich. While playing as an undersized offensive lineman at 6-foot-4 and 165 pounds, he battles in the trenches. A quick first step and good leverage helped him in the interior of the offensive line and he is a player who competes on every down. His traits also bode well on defense from his linebacker spot with 41 tackles credited to him last season.
Lined up next to Jaklich on the left side of the line is Kaysen Schmidt at the tackle spot. He plays well in pass protection, doing a good job picking up outside rushers on the blitz. In the run game, you can see him getting off the ball, engaging well with his hands and doing a good job of getting movement off the line of scrimmage. His quick first step also allows him to fill gaps on the defensive line and helped him record 64 total tackles.
The final All-State player returning to watch is Jeremiah Leeper Jeremiah Leeper RB Limon | 2022 State CO , a 6-foot, 170-pound running back and linebacker. Leeper actually led the team in carries and rushed for 1,082 yards and 21 rushing touchdowns, showing a good burst of speed in the open field. His hands were also on display in the passing game with a couple of nice receptions. Look for him to also see his defensive numbers increase again after recording 56 tackles last year.
2020 schedule
- Oct. 12 vs. Yuma, 7 p.m.
- Oct. 17 @ Highland, 1 p.m.
- October 23 vs. Burlington, 7 p.m.
- October 30 @ Wiggins, time TBD
- Nov. 6 vs. Wray, time TBD
- Nov. 13 @ Holyoke, time TBD
Note: All games and start times are subject to change