Focus quickly turned to league play, and the Bayfield Wolverines got back on track in a big way last week. Now, it’s homecoming night with another league challenge awaiting.
After falling 14-6 in overtime at Durango, the defending Class 2A state champion Bayfield High School football team got back to work with a 34-3 demolition of Gunnison in the 2A Intermountain League opener a week ago. The next target is Montezuma-Cortez (1-4, 0-1 IML) on homecoming night at Wolverine Country Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday in Bayfield.
“There’s a lot of excitement and a lot of activities going on, but the boys understand there’s a football game Friday night and that it’s important for them to do well,” BHS head coach Gary Heide said. “We’re ready to get this thing rolling.”
Bayfield (3-2, 1-0 IML) saw its passing game come to life last week behind senior quarterback Josh Westbrook and wide receiver Brian Mashak. The Wolverines also found more ways to get the ball to speedy sophomore Keyon Prior, and sophomore running back David Hawkins returned to form.
But it was the Bayfield defense that once again proved to be the strength of these Wolverines. BHS allowed less than 50 yards of offense to the Cowboys last week and held Gunnison to 20 yards through three quarters.
That should spell trouble for Montezuma-Cortez, a team that likes to pass the ball around the field but has been prone to turnovers. It will be tough going for the Panthers against a BHS defense that has allowed only 57 points through five games.
“We want to pressure the quarterback,” Heide said. “The best pass defense is a sack. The No. 1 goal is to stop the long pass and stop the run. The best way to stop that long pass is to get pressure on the quarterback, and our defensive line is doing a fabulous job.”
Led by Cade Killough, Macoy Michaeli, Ryan Phelps and Sam Westbrook, the BHS defensive line has been dominant all season. That could produce problems for Cortez quarterback Ike Dennison and company. If the Wolverines can take away the running game of Coby Baer, it could be a long night for the Panthers.
“We know we have to continue to improve,” Heide said. “We can never underestimate any opponent any time. Montezuma-Cortez wants to play well against Bayfield. The fact they are a league opponent, they’re going to come out fired up and flying around. We have to be ready and focused.”
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
If you go
Who:
Montezuma-Cortez at Bayfield
What:
2A Intermountain League football
When:
7 p.m. Friday
Where:
Wolverine Country Stadium, Bayfield
Listen Live:
KLJH 107.1 FM
Twitter:
@jlivi2
