BAYFIELD
Kelton McCoy knows a thing or two about performing on big stages.
He experienced the spotlight in the 2014 Connie Mack World Series baseball tournament in Farmington, and he’s routinely helped lead the Bayfield High School baseball team to the state tournament as a power-hitting catcher. Last Saturday, playing in his second-best sport of football, McCoy’s athletic career hit a new climax in leading the Wolverines to the Colorado High School Activities Association Class 2A State Football Championship in a 28-20 win at Platte Valley.
The 6-foot-4, 200-pound senior quarterback ran for two touchdowns and passed for another in the win that came one week after he had six total touchdowns in a 47-7 semifinal win against La Junta.
There appears to be no ceiling on what he can accomplish next.
“It’s been incredible. Best 48 hours of my life for sure,” McCoy said while holding the state championship trophy two days after it was awarded to the Wolverines. “I woke up this morning, came to school and it kind of hit me when I walked in the doors with everybody saying, ‘Congratulations, you’re a state champion.’ It really set in.”
McCoy said the environment in the hallways and classrooms at Bayfield High School was amplified Monday thanks to the team’s first state football title since 1996.
“It was electric, different than when we left here Friday,” he said. “Something like this hasn’t happened in 19 years. Everybody is excited about it – teachers, students, everybody.”
McCoy, the son of Derek and Loresa McCoy, took his passing game to a new level in the 2015 playoffs. He accounted for 659 of his season-total of 1,224 passing yards in the four playoff games. He finished the season with 14 passing touchdowns to only two interceptions in 12 games. He also added 10 rushing scores.
Two years ago, the Bayfield offense looked as though it may turn more into a passing team, as head coach Gary Heide began to introduce some more passing plays. But the Wolverines stayed true to their running ways the majority of the 2014 and 2015 seasons before really letting McCoy sling it more during this year’s state championship run.
“His growth and maturation, him taking command of the offense and just his confidence allowed us to create more of a system for a throwing quarterback,” BHS head coach Gary Heide said. “Going into the pistol helped, and he’s so tall he sees the field better. He worked hard in the offseason to hone his skills.
“More than anything, he’s just a great young man with great character, and he really leads the team.”
McCoy was happy to take some of the opposing defense’s attention away from good friend and senior workhorse running back Zane Phelps, who rushed for more than 130 yards and a touchdown in the state championship.
“I’m glad I got to give my team a different look than Zane up the middle. It was nice to make Platte Valley respect him and me,” McCoy said. “Zane is all we needed in the regular season really, but that’s what made me have success in the postseason was his success in the regular season.”
McCoy credited the play of his offensive linemen to give him time to throw and his receivers for going up and making plays. He won’t soon forget his fourth-and-goal connection to senior Wyatt Freier for a touchdown on the opening drive of the state championship.
The Connie Mack World Series is the biggest amateur baseball tournament in the world for players 18-and-under. McCoy got a chance to step on the baseball diamond in 2014 with 7,000 fans watching when he suited up for the host Strike Zone Baseball team. He said he was more nervous in the world series than the state championship but said he was more emotionally excited for the football game.
“I knew what it meant to this town and community. All of a sudden we had a chance to make history,” he said.
McCoy has taken the same leadership role on the baseball and football teams. He is a general on the field from his catcher and quarterback positions. He hopes to play college baseball and said he hopes to get a few looks from college recruiters as a football player, too. Regardles, he knows winning a state football championship will help his baseball recruiting.
“For me, baseball and football have gone hand-in-hand. It’s taught me to stay clam when things get crazy both on the diamond and football field.”
“He touches the ball every play in both sports,” Heide added. “I think the combo makes him a well-rounded athlete and someone you can count on.”
McCoy said this year’s baseball team will draw from its experiences from football. They hope to make a run at another state championship in a second sport before ending what has already been a storybook high school career for this senior class.
“We know we can do it. We have that attitude – a no-fear attitude where we don’t care who you are, we’re gonna do what we do,” McCoy said. “If you beat us, then tip of the cap, but we aren’t going to beat ourselves.”
Bayfield will be honored with a parade through downtown at 2 p.m. Tuesday. McCoy called it the opportunity of a lifetime and something he never dreamed of growing up.
He plans to soak up every moment the next few months before baseball starts.
“I remember coming here in fourth grade, my first year in YAFL and doing the football camp with high schoolers and thinking those guys were like in the NFL,” McCoy said. “Those were the guys then, so I think we have a big impact on this community now that it’s us. Kids and parents even. The parents are kind of living through us right now, and it’s nice to give them a good ride.”
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
Behind the Scenes
Who is your favorite athlete?: Derek Jeter.
Who is your favorite superhero?: Superman.
Do you have a nickname?: Kelty, Squishy, K-Mac, all kinds of different things. Everybody likes to call me anything but Kelton.
What is your favorite video game:? NCAA Football 14 on the Xbox.
Where is the best place to take a date?: The hot springs in Pagosa.
What is your favorite outdoor activity in the area?: Snow skiing, water skiing or snowmobiling.
Do you have a celebrity crush?: Jennifer Aniston. We love her.
If you could go anywhere in the world to celebrate winning the state championship, where would you go?: The Bahamas.
What song did you guys play the most during the state championship run?: “Big Rings,” by Drake and Future.
Do you know your championship ring finger size?: We will find out (Tuesday) actually.
What teacher has had the greatest impact on you?: Ms. (Tara) Henderson, my Honors English teacher. She has taught me a lot of things and how to get ready for college.
Baseball or football?: Right now I’d say football because of this feeling, but if you ask me in two months I’ll be in total baseball mode.
