BAYFIELD – Last week’s 28-6 defeat at Kirtland Central matched the Bayfield High School football team’s loss total from the previous season.
“I can probably say we were shocked. I mean, we prepared pretty good during practice, but we just came into the game – I wouldn’t say too confident – but we just came into the game like we would last year,” said Matt Knickerbocker, son of Kirk and Marie Knickerbocker. “We just didn’t expect that.”
BHS head coach Gary Heide said his team didn’t execute well on either side of the ball. They missed tackles on defense, missed blocking assignments and had issues with the snap count on offense.
“I think they realized that we weren’t ready to play, and they knew that,” Heide said. “When we come out, our play, our confidence and execution level has to be at a high level, and we’ve got to go through steps in order to get there.”
Heide experimented with moving last season’s starting quarterback – Knickerbocker – all around the field, and he got a mixed bag of results.
Knickerbocker carried the ball three times for -4 yards, caught two passes for 20 yards and a touchdown, made one tackle as a defensive back, returned two kicks for 49 yards and one punt for 10 yards, and he punted four times for 162 total yards.
“I’m not going to argue with coach Heide at all; wherever he wants to put me, I’m totally fine with it,” Knickerbocker said. “I hope to play better than I did last game.”
BHS sophomore Kelton McCoy started in Knickerbocker’s place against Kirtland Central. It was his first high school game action, and he completed 7-of-17 passes for 73 yards and one touchdown.
“I think as far as no interceptions I was happy with,” Heide said. “Where I think he can improve is making the proper reads, looking at presnap reads and looking defensive backs off a little more and coming back to a secondary receiver.”
McCoy should continue to get support from Bayfield’s always strong running game; two players rushed for more than 90 yards against Kirtland Central, led by sophomore Zane Phelps’ 99 yards.
Heide still wants better execution from his running game inside the red zone. BHS drove inside the 10 three times in its last game and came out with zero points.
“That was largely my fault and not executing properly, not calling the right play, not having the composure and confidence to go ahead and score,” Heide said. “But this is a new week, and we’re really anxious to get in that situation and prove ourselves and just punch it in.”
The Wolverines will get their next chance Friday against Dolores.
Normally, the Wolverines are intimately familiar with the Bears’ schemes because of their proximity, film or a scrimmage.
Not this year.
Dolores hasn’t played a game yet and hired a completely new staff before this season.
“We have no idea,” said senior Trey Lange, son of Greg and Michele Lange. “We’re going in blind.”
That lack of information has forced Bayfield’s focus inward to its own execution and preparation.
“We just all know we’ve got to bounce back with some fire,” Lange said. “We’ve got to show the younger kids when adversity comes you’ve got to face it.”
kgrabowski@durangoherald.com
BHS Parking
Considerable parking spaces have been lost because of the ongoing construction project at Bayfield High School, so parking will be limited for the Wolverines’ home football games this season.
As a result, there are added parking spaces by the tennis courts and more lined parking as you approach Wolverine Country Stadium.
Also, there will be a free shuttle service between BHS and Pine Valley Church at 1328 County Road 501. The shuttle will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and immediately after the 7 p.m. game for one hour.
Spectators are encouraged to carpool or walk to home games this season.
Bayfield (0-1) will host Dolores at 7 p.m. today in its home opener, then will host Basalt on Sept. 13, Grand Valley for its homecoming game Sept. 27, Olathe on Oct. 18 and Pagosa Springs on Oct. 25.
Durango Herald
