The Bayfield High School football team brought in a few awards in 2019 when the Colorado High School Activities Association’s Class 2A all-state team was announced Thursday. Two Wolverines were named to the Class 2A honorable mention team. Those nominations added to Bayfield’s six players honored on the All-Intermountain League team.
Bayfield seniors John Foutz and Kalon Mead were instrumental on both sides of the football in their final season and earned all-state honorable mention spots for their stellar performances.
Sterling quarterback Brock Shalla was named the player of the year, while Rob Sterling’s Busmente was named coach of the year.
The Bayfield Wolverines went 4-5 and missed the playoffs for the first time in six seasons, but Bayfield head coach Gary Heide thought the two all-state players deserved to be named to the list.
“They are great young men that helped this football team tremendously,” Heide said. “With their character, leadership and what they gave on the football field in both wins and losses, it is nothing short of outstanding.”
Foutz was the Wolverines’ heart and soul on defense, as he led the team with 89 tackles. He finished the year with a team-high nine tackles for a loss and caused one fumble and recovered another.
“John was a stalwart at middle linebacker this year, for sure,” Heide said. “He spearheaded the offensive line and always gave it his all. As a senior captain, he led by example, and his leadership was special.”
Mead, also a senior, made the honorable mention list after he battled through a pair of wrist injuries. Mead had the second-highest tackle total with 43 and recorded one sack. He also played a key role at tight end for the Wolverines’ offense that was in transition for much of the season. His stout blocking and receiving skills were evident, as he caught eight passes for 93 yards and scored two touchdowns.
“Kalon was battling through some injuries and was still great at tight end for us,” Heide said. “He made some fabulous catches, and, on the other end, he played everywhere on defense with the nature of the season. There were a lot of moving parts, and he was a key part of those moving parts. He always responded and excelled at any position that we put him at.”
In addition to Foutz and Mead, BHS had four players named to the All-Intermountain League team. Cael Schaefer, Ethan Morris, Cade Carlson and Hunter Bayles made the list after steady performances throughout the year.
Schaefer led the team as a sophomore in touchdowns with nine. He had three games with over 100 yards rushing and totaled 739 yards on the season. Carlson, a junior, had the second-most rushing yards with 318 and two touchdowns. Morris had the fourth-most team tackles with 37 and led the team with five sacks, while Bayles made 27 tackles and recorded three tackles for a loss.
Pagosa Springs’ Paden Bailey was named the IML’s back of the year and also made the second team all-state list. Pirates’ coach Myron Stretton was named the IML coach of the year.
While the Ignacio football team did not have any all-state selections in Class 1A, the Bobcats did have four players named to the 1A Southern Peaks League first team.
Clay Campbell, Colten Jackson, Joe Garcia and Stephan Gomez were first-team selections, while Ian Weinreich and Lawrence Toledo made the second team. Mekhi Miranda was an honorable mention selection.
Team statistics were not available.
Limon claimed 1A’s highest honors en route to a state championship. The Badgers’ running back Kory Tacha won the 1A player of the Year, while Mike O’Dwyer was named the coach of the year.
bploen@durangoherald.com
