The punishing defense of the Bayfield High School football team will take its show on the road Saturday at Montezuma-Cortez.
Fresh off a 40-0 win at Gunnison in the 2A Intermountain League opener, the Wolverines (5-0, 1-0 IML) will visit the Panthers (1-3, 0-1 IML) at 1 p.m. Saturday.
"Every game we play at this point, every snap, we will use as a chance to improve," BHS coach Gary Heide said after the team's win in Gunnison. "Cortez, we went there two years ago and they were a very active team with kids flying around. We gotta be ready to go."
Bayfield has been ready to go against each of its opponents so far this season. The second-ranked team in the coaches poll currently sits fourth in the RPI standings, which count heavily toward playoff selection. Winning, and winning big, will be crucial for the Wolverines the rest of the way if they are to claim one of the top two seeds in the state tournament and avoid a semifinal showdown with top-ranked Kent Denver.
The first priority for BHS is winning its league, and the Wolverines can't look past the Panthers, whose lone win came at Ignacio. Ike Dennison has led the Panthers at quarterback with 368 yards, five touchdowns - three to Cole Herrmann - and three interceptions. Jacob Schuster is the team's leading rusher with 225 yards and one touchdown.
The Panthers have been shut out twice this season and have scored only 13 points in their three losses. Meanwhile, BHS has allowed only 34 points this season while scoring 199. BHS owns three shutout victories thanks to a defense that rarely allows a first down, let alone touchdowns.
Passing has been a big part of the Wolverines' offensive success this season. Hayden Farmer, a junior quarterback, has passed for 889 yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions. His 15 TD passes are tied for the fourth most in the state.
Carl Heide has had an explosive season running the ball, with 450 yards and six touchdowns. Junior running back David Hawkins may also see some time as he slowly returns from a knee injury suffered a month ago. He played a few snaps on defense last year. Dylan Hilliker, a sophomore, has broken free for four touchdowns on only 15 carries.
Dax Snooks has burst onto the scoring scene in recent weeks. After three more touchdown catches last week, he now has seven this year on 16 receptions for 345 yards.
The defense has been led by Hunter Killough's 58 tackles, and Cole Wood has 55, with Kirk Malone third on the team with 45. BHS has 19 sacks as a team this year. Ryan Phelps has nine, and Wood has six to go with four from Wyatt Killinen. Nine different Wolverines also have interceptions.
If the Bayfield defense is in its usual form, the Wolverines will have a chance to win big Saturday.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
If you go
Who:
Bayfield at Montezuma-Cortez
What:
2A Intermountain League football
When:
1 p.m. Saturday
Where:
Montezuma-Cortez High School
Listen Live:
KLJH 107.1 FM
Twitter:
@jlivi2
