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Game of the Week: Bayfield focuses on Intermountain League with Gunnison game

Wounds from a tough loss at Durango began to heal this week as focus shifted to a new phase of the season.

Bayfield High School fell 14-6 in overtime last week at Durango in a game La Plata County fans waited 80 years for. The Demons came out on top on their homecoming night, earning bragging rights for the next 12 months until the two schools meet again. It was a big game for both teams and a hard loss for the Wolverines to swallow, but new life comes in the form of the Class 2A Intermountain League opener for the defending state champion Bayfield squad.

“Our guys were down,” BHS head coach Gary Heide said of his team after last week’s loss.

“It was a big game and a big game in the community. There was a lot of talk and different things. The kids had to stand up and take the brunt of it. But they are a strong team, and they bounced back the last few days with great practices.

“They look sharp and focused; ready to go.”

Gunnison will enter Wolverines Country Stadium at 7 p.m. Friday in Bayfield for a matchup of teams with identical 2-2 records.

“They know what is on the line now,” Heide said.

“Earning a state playoff berth and getting to 1-0 in league. You have to be 1-0 in league and keep being 1-0 each week to get there.”

Gunnison gave the Wolverines one of their better games a year ago, a 27-7 win for Bayfield. This year, Gunnison has already been tested by La Junta, the top-ranked team in Class 2A.

Gunnison lost that game 46-7 in the season opener. Since then, the Cowboys have picked up wins against Olathe and Salida with a road loss last week at Cedaredge.

The Cowboys like to mix up the pass and run the same as Bayfield. Senior quarterback Josh Wallin directs the team as its leading passer and rusher so far this season.

“They’re a hard-hitting team,” Heide said of Gunnison. “One of the hardest hitting teams we played all of last year. They will come in with a lot of energy and confidence. With one victory they can put a state champ behind them and be 1-0 in league.”

Heide expects his team to match that aggressiveness. The defense was phenomenal a week ago against Durango, and it’s only the offense that remains a question mark. Bayfield scored 69 combined points in wins against Bloomfield and Aztec of New Mexico but has only six points in their two losses to San Juan of Utah and Durango.

“We have to be able to move the ball on them and improve from last week,” Heide said. “Our philosophy is the same. We want to break people’s will on defense but also on offense and special teams.”

Heide added his team must also limit turnovers, citing five a week ago. David Hawkins, the Wolverines’ leading rusher with 382 yards and six touchdowns, will look to get the offense rolling along with quarterback Josh Westbrook, who is 20-of-44 passing for 250 yards, three touchdowns and five interceptions this year. He’s also the team’s second-leading rusher with 90 yards.

“When they throw a good punch, we have to be able to counterpunch,” Heide said.

The gloves are on, and it’s time for Intermountain League football.

Ignacio (2-2) at Monte Vista (1-3)

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: Monte Vista High School Stadium

Listen Live: KSUT 91.3 FM

More Info: The Bobcats haven’t had as much momentum going into league play in years, but 1A Southern Peaks League play is set to begin with Ignacio High School ready to take the next step.

After winning consecutive games for the first time since 2013, the Bobcats took a small step back last week in a 25-7 loss to Pagosa Springs in the home opener. But the Bobcats will reflect on 42-0 and 37-12 road wins at Crownpoint and Montezuma-Cortez, respectively, when they load the team bus for Monte Vista. IHS is looking for its first league win since beating John Mall on Sept. 26, 2014. IHS is 1-9 in league play since the 2014 season.

Zach Weinreich has directed the Bobcats’ offense with poise all year, and Lawrence Valdez and Lorenzo Peña have been offensive playmakers no matter where they line up. Marcus Chapman, Kruz Pardo and Timmy Plehinger have also given teams tough matchups, while Ethan Appenzeller has given teams fits from both sides of the ball.

Monte Vista is led by senior quarterback Keshaun Duran, who has thrown for two touchdowns and two interceptions this year to go with 217 yards. He’s also the team’s leading rusher with three touchdowns and 337 yards while averaging 5.2 yards-per-carry. Junior running back Jacob Chavez is second on the team with three 311 yards and another three scores.

The Bobcats will look to get some momentum back before homecoming next week against Dolores.

jlivingston@durangoherald.com

If you go

Who:

Gunnison at Bayfield

What:

2A Intermountain League football

When:

7 p.m. Friday

Where:

Wolverine Country Stadium

Listen Live:

KLJH 107.1 FM

Twitter:

@jlivi2



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