The streak is over and the Gatorade shower was on.
For the first time since Oct. 29, 2021, Bayfield won a high school football game.
The Wolverines’ 27-20 win over Salida on homecoming night Friday at BHS snapped a 16-game losing streak that spanned two head coaches, earning head coach Glenn Wallace his first win.
“I’m elated for the guys, man,” Wallace said. “These kids have been battling so hard. We have a bunch of good senior leadership. They’ve been battling their butts off. They deserve it.”
The Wolverines improved to 1-6 overall and 1-1 in 2A Intermountain League play. Salida fell to 4-4 overall, 0-2 in 2A Intermountain League competition.
Bayfield quarterback Cody Ross was efficient for Bayfield, throwing for one touchdown, zero interceptions and many timely first down conversions.
Running back Donovan “Dante” Candelaria was all over the field, rushing for a touchdown, throwing for one and kicking PATs for the team as well.
“Dante is such a weapon,” Wallace said. “He had an 80-yard touchdown last week against Cortez. He can catch the ball, he can run the ball, he can throw the ball. He’s just a weapon.”
Senior wide receiver/running back Keaton Pickering also stood out for Bayfield. He finished with over 100 yards from scrimmage and a receiving touchdown, with many of those yards coming through the air as well as making plays on the defensive end for the Wolverines.
The Gatorade shower that Wallace got postgame was not looking likely early on.
Salida put its strength on display with some overpowering runs. Abram Jones had a huge 40-plus yard run to inside Bayfield’s 5-yard line. The Spartans punched it in with a run a few plays later to make it 6-0 with 10 minutes left in the first after a blocked PAT.
Bayfield then had a three-and-out and gave the ball right back to Salida. The Spartans continued their running attack and ran in for another score, this time an 8-yard touchdown run by Wyatt Farney. A failed two-point conversion kept the score at 12-0 with 2:38 left in the first quarter.
Pickering then gave the Wolverines the boost it needed with a great kick return to give Bayfield good starting field position.
A fun trick play brought the Bayfield faithful to its feet. Ross got the snap, lateraled the ball to Candelaria who threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Pickering. Bayfield trailed 12-7 after the PAT with: 29 seconds left in the first quarter.
“We actually just installed it this week and we practiced it one time and it did not work,” Candelaria said. “I was just happy it worked.”
The Wolverines soon had possession again after an onside kick was recovered by Bayfield’s Peyton Montgomery.
Bayfield showed off its running attack with a run from Ross to start the second. Soon after, Candelaria rushed for a 10-yard score on fourth down to give Bayfield a 14-12 lead.
Pickering fumbled the ball on the Wolverines’ opening third-quarter drive, and Salida ran the ball into Bayfield territory. However, the Spartans missed field goal with 7:32 left in the third.
Bayfield later extended a drive after Salida got flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and unnecessary roughness calls.
When Salida was flagged for roughing the kicker on a Bayfield field goal attempt near the end of the third quarter, Bayfield capitalized.
Ross started off the fourth quarter with a 2-yard touchdown to teammate Kyle Russell to make the 21-12 with 11:50 to go.
On the next drive, Salida quarterback Ashton Walker had a bad throw from midfield, resulting in a 70-yard pick-six for Bayfield defensive back Hunter Mars. Bayfield led 27-12 after a failed PAT with 11:23 left.
Salida then found its running game again and rushed into Bayfield territory. Jones scored another touchdown with a run, and Salida made it a one-score game following a successful 2-point conversion.
Salida later regained possession with 2:56 left, but Wolverines cornerback Logan Valencia came through with a game-sealing interception on fourth down on Salida’s side of the field.
“We’ve been in battles, we’re battled tested, battle-worn and we finally made the plays we know we can make,” Wallace said.
bkelly@durangoherald.com
