The Northern League consists of 10 high schools that all compete at both the 5A and 4A classification. The schools are located in the Northcentral part of Colorado.
5A Programs
Greeley Central HS
Wildcats (1480)
Coach: Zach Brockman - 1st season
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Returning starters: 7
2021 Record: 0-16
2021 Srs playing at the next level: None
Players to watch: None committed - JJ Espinoza (SR) RHP/SS, Jacob Hernandez (SR) SS
2022 Outlook: The Wildcats had their fair share of struggles in 2021 posting their first winless season in school history and also missing the playoffs for the 2nd year in a row. New coach Zach Brockman seeks to reinvigorate the program and right the ship in 2022 but to do that they will need to improve both offensively and on the mound. The strength of the team will be varsity experience with 7 starters back for the season. They will lean on Ryan Deck (SR), Jacob Hernandez (SR) and JJ Espinoza (SR) at the plate and Reid Richardson (SR), Michael Flores (SR) and JJ Espinoza on the mound. The team could still be young in some positions but will also gain valuable varsity experience to build on moving forward.
Erie HS
Tigers (1450)
Coach: Dustin Conley - 1st season
Returning starters: 6
2021 Record: 10-7
2021 Srs playing at the next level: Mason Boccia- Bethany College, Trey Hollis - Otero JC
Players to watch: Dillon Alcouffe (Sr) OF - committed to Colorado School of Mines, Sam Stem (Sr) OF - committed to Gonzaga Univ., Trenton Rowan (Sr) 1B - committed to Garden City JC, Ethan Dillinger (Jr) P, Holden Pantier (Jr) SS,
2022 Outlook: New coach Dustin Conley comes to Erie after a stint at Flatirons Academy where he won a state championship and finished runner up in 2021. He inherits a team that returns 6 starters, has played post season baseball 3 years in a row and believes they belong. Coach Conley expects the Tigers to swing the bat well with Sam Stem (SR), Holden Pantier (JR) and Dillion Alcouffe (SR) all returning. Catcher S. Stem led the team in batting in 2021 and will be the teams offensive catalyst this season. The pitching staff is young but has plenty of varsity experience. Ethen Dillinger (JR), Kaveh Meredith (SO) and Darian Burnett (JR) all played major roles on the mound a year ago and should again this season. E. Dillinger was 2-0 with a 1.05 ERA and 25 K's last season and could be the ace of the staff.
MeadHS
Mavericks (1115)
Coach: Joe McKenzie - 3rd season
Returning starters: 7
2021 Record: 7-8
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2021 Srs playing at the next level: Mark Long - Southeastern JC Ryan Platt - Western Nebraska JC
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Players to watch: Blayke Reyburn (SR) OF - committed to Dakota JC of Bottineau, Evan Peterson (SR) RHP - committed to Adams State Univ., Lane Beuner (SR) OF/C, Shane Palmer (SR) RHP, Drew Perigo (JR) OF
2022 Outlook: The Mavericks will be under new leadership this season as coach Joey McKenzie steps in as head coach. Coach McKenzie returns 7 starters from a team that went 7-8 a year ago. At the plate the Mavericks will rely on Lane Beumer (SR) and Drew Perigo (JR) to provide an offensive punch and speed for a team that hit .270 in 2021. Both guys were top hitters in the lineup but will need support from Joe Strizki (SR) and Nathan Hoffman (SR) for offensive improvement. The team strength will be pitching with both Shane Palmer (SR) and N. Hoffman returning. The pair haveexperienced success at the varsity level and are expected to provide a one-two punch. Christian Ayers should also factor in on the mound as well.
4A Programs
Centaurus HS
Warriors (1480)
Coach: Doug Kinney - 6th season
Returning starters: 4
2021 Record: 0-16
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2021 Srs playing at the next level: None
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Players to watch: None committed - Nathan Hirsch (SR) OF/P, Isaiah Hirsch (JR) 1B/P, Zakary White (SO)
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2022 Outlook: The Warriors went through some growing pains in 2021 as Centaurus was unable to pick up a victory in the shortened post Covid season. They will work on taking care of the little things both on and off the field this year and Coach Kinney believes if they do that they will see improvement across the diamond. Nathan Hirsch (SR) will be back and will be one of the teams top players at the plate and on the mound. He will look to teammates Isaiah Hirsch (JR) and Zakary White (SO) for support. I. Hirsch is the top returning hitter from a year ago while Z. White logged 18 IP on the mound as a freshman. The team will be young in some key positions and are still working on awareness both on the mound and approach at the plate.
Greeley West HS
Spartans(1628)
Coach: Ryan Jones - 3rd season
Returning starters: 5
2021 Record: 5-11
2021 Srs playing at the next level: Gio Munoz Otero JC, Ruben Araujo - Otero JC, Tyson Tellez - Porterville JC
Players to watch: Edgar Urquidi (SR) OF, Eli Torrez (SR) INF/P, Hunter Redfern (SR) OF, Mateo Vasquez (SR) INF, Odden Garcia (SR) C, Rodney Villegas (SR) P
2022 Outlook: The Spartans will lean heavy on a team that returns 9 seniors that will play solid defense and pitch the ball well. This senior heavy team has high expectations for 2022 and with strong leadership and great team chemistry they are hoping to put themselves in playoff contention. Rodney Villegas (SR) is a 3 year varsity letterman and 1st team all-league player that is expected to lead the Spartans pitching staff. Edgar Urquidi (SR) will also contribute on the mound but will be a presence offensively and in CF also. Greeley West struggled at the plate as a group in 2021 and will need to improve if a playoff spot is in the cards. R. Villegas, Odden Garcia (SR) and a few unknowns most play larger roles at the plate to make it happen.
Holy Family HS
Tigers (649)
Coach: Marc Cowell - 13th season
Returning starters: 4
2021 Record: 20-3
2021 Srs playing at the next level: Izaak Sieken - Univ. of Illinois, Blake Hammond - Santa Clara Univ., Connor Cooney - Holy Cross College
Players to watch: Andrew Syverson (SR) C, Jared Delgado (SR) SS, Layton Bamesberger (SR) - committed to Eastern Univ., Max Pougnet (SR) - committed to Univ. of Mary, Jacob Syverson (JR) RHP
2022 Outlook: The Tigers made their deepest run in the playoffs since moving up to 4A in 2015, eventually losing in the state championship game to Ponderosa. The core of that team has moved on including top pitchers Izaak Siefken and Blake Hammond. However, pitching will still be the key as the team will be anchored around COBSBL Top 25 players in CO Jacob Syverson (JR) after a phenomenal sophomore season on the mound. Who will be in relief or the teams #2 after J. Syverson is still undecided and unproven. The Tigers offense lost some fire power to graduation but Jared Delgado (SR) and Andrew Syverson (SR) remain and will be a threatening presence in the middle of the order. How deep the lineup can be rides on the improvement of Leyton Bamesberger (SR), Anthony Arroyo (SR) and several sophomores. All have limited or no varsity experience.
Silver Creek HS
Raptors (1359)
Coach: Brad Steward - 4th season
Returning starters: 7
2021 Record: 5-11
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2021 Srs playing at the next level: None
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Players to watch: Bryce Gorr (SR) P, John Sekich (SR) C - committed to Regis Univ., Will Schleper (JR) UTIL, Zander Storz (SO) UTIL
2022 Outlook: After playing for a state title and winning a league championship in 2019 the Raptors stumbled last season not qualifying for post season play. Silver Creek welcomes back most of their team from 2021 that has improved over the off-season and is primed to compete for league and get back to the playoffs. Young RHP Zander Storz (SO) returns from a good freshman year on the mound and is paired up with Bryce Gorr (SR) as the teams #1 and #2. The offense graduated most of their big bats and will look for senior experience and 2021 reserve players to carry the load. Will Schleper (JR), Joren Rodriguez (JR) and potentially return player John Sekich (SR) could be impact players at the plate. If all the pieces line up and everyone stays healthy look for the Raptors to achieve their goal of playing their best baseball in May and June.
Windsor HS
Wizards (1485)
Coach: Brad Deal - 11th season
Returning starters: 6
2021 Record: 15-3
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2021 Srs playing at the next level: None
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Players to watch: None committed - Aaron Rolf (SR) 2B, Cullen Verville (SR) SS, Hunter Burchett (SR) OF, Jackson Adam (SR) P, Jake Kauffman (SR) OF, Trey Warner (SR) P, Ty Duran (SR) 3B, Riley Warmbrod (SR)P, Chase Thomas (JR) OF, John Howton (JR) OF
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2022 Outlook: The Wizards are hopeful that 9 returning seniors will lift them to their 6th consecutive league championship and 10th consecutive playoff appearance. The program has been a strong presence in Colorado 4A baseball over the last decade and to continue that tradition all 9 seniors will need to step up and contribute this season. Jake Kaufman (SR), Hunter Burchett (SR) and Cullen Verville (SR) were a big part of last years success offensively and return in 2022, J. Kaufman and H. Burchett also being threats on the base paths. The team did lose their top 2 pitchers to graduation but welcome back Jackson Adam (SR) and minimally used Riley Warmbrod (SR) on the mound. Coach Deal also has some very good underclassmen that will push the seniors all year long. The hope is to be competitive everyday in practice and improve as the season progresses.
Longmont HS
Trojans (1284)
Coach: Tom Fobes - 21st season
Returning starters: 3
2021 Record: 12-6
2021 Srs playing at the next level: Adam Benes - South Dakota State Univ., Devon Nowells - Daytona JC, John Vandiver - Whittier College
Players to watch: None committed - Danny Barker (SR) 1B, Herbie Mitchell (12) P, Rick Magnetti (SR) 2B, Tristan Rangel (SR) C, Zander Dill (12) SS, Jacob Moats (JR) 3B/P
2022 Outlook: As long as Coach Tom Fobes is at Longmont High School you can never count the Trojans out and 2022 is no different. They are coming off a 12-6 season, losing in the 2nd round of the playoffs and graduating 6 starters. The team will be young this season but Coach Fobes believes they will compete for a post season spot again for the 10th+ season in a row. The teams strength will be pitching as Herbie Mitchell (SR) and Jacob Moats (JR) were the teams top arms last season and are back for 2022. J. Moats not only plays a role on the mound but also at the plate belting 3 HRs as a sophomore. Joining him in the lineup are Danny Barker (SR) and Tristan Rangel (SR), D. Barker batting over .400 with 6 2Bs and 3 HRs last season. D. Barker, T. Rangel and J. Moats are the 3 returners from 2022 but if the Trojans find some support from underclassmen Longmont could be a surprise team out of the Northern League for 2022.
