When the Bayfield Wolverines’ team bus pulls into Blanding, Utah, on Friday night, the defending Colorado High School Activities Association Class 2A football champions will get a chance to prove the success of 2015 isn’t fleeting.
The Wolverines are set to open 2016 with a No. 1 CHSAA preseason ranking and a road trip against the San Juan Broncos (0-1).
Bayfield, which went 12-0 last season, will need to be ready to play a football program that is used to winning as well. San Juan’s head coach Monty Lee is in his 13th season at the helm for the Broncos. In that time, Lee has gone 112-25 with three 2A Utah state football championships.
“It’s our goal is to be emotionally and mentally ready,” BHS head coach Gary Heide said. “What I’m telling my guys is that they don’t have to be charged up for all nine games, but we just have to be there for the first one then use that as motivation for the second one. We have to look within us and see what we can do to become better.”
The battle on the line will be integral. Seniors Sam Westbrook and Macoy Michaeli and juniors Wyatt Killinen and Cole Wood will be the keys in the trenches for the Wolverines.
“I’m excited about our two guards in Killinen and Wood, who are really stepping up,” Heide said.
Even though San Juan has a winning tradition – six state championships to their history – the Broncos went 7-4 in 2015 with an early exit from the playoffs.
All eyes will be on senior running back and linebacker Kavika Su’esu’e, who will get the majority of the carries for San Juan. The Broncos lost 35-26 in their opening game against South Summit, but Su’esu’e rushed for 151 yards on 19 carries and had all four of San Juan’s touchdowns. On defense, Su’esu’e had 10 tackles and a sack.
Getting the call at quarterback for San Juan is senior Jordan Blake, a first-year starter. Last week, Blake went 11-for-24 for 175 yards and an interception.
Bayfield sophomore David Hawkins and senior Jesse Westbrook will both be at the linebacker position on defense, but more importantly the two will split time at running back. Adding to the offense will be senior Josh Westbrook, who is also a first-year starter at quarterback.
jmentzer@durangoherald.com
If you go
Who:
Bayfield at San Juan
What:
High school football
When:
7 p.m. Friday
Where:
San Juan High School
Listen Live:
KLJH 107.1 FM
Twitter:
@jonathanmentzer
