Success has become both expectation and routine for the Bayfield High School Wolverines’ football program.
You need to go back to 2006 to find the Wolverines’ last losing season, but the team doesn’t feel pressure from living up to such high expectations.
“We’re proud to be Wolverines,” Bayfield head coach Gary Heide said. “They play football with a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of hustle. We try to hustle more than anybody.”
That mentality brought Bayfield 11 wins and a trip to the state semifinals last year.
Nineteen seniors graduated from that team, including Class 2A All-State performer T.J. Pazell and all-state honorable mention Austin McMenimen.
This season’s team will feature seven seniors, and Heide is counting on two to step up and help fill that void. Wyatt Williams will play on the defensive and offensive line, while Trey Lange will see time at linebacker and running back.
Last year’s starting quarterback, junior Matt Knickerbocker, will retain his position while picking up a few more: Knickerbocker will play quarterback in addition to some of the other skill positions and in the defensive backfield.
“He’s gonna be used a little more than he was last year,” Heide said. “We normally don’t like to start our quarterback both ways, but we needed another athlete in our defensive backfield.”
Heide’s willing to use Knickerbocker in a “slash” role because of the presence and growth of sophomore quarterback Kelton McCoy. Having a solid backup allows Bayfield to deploy Knickerbocker in all three phases of the game and get more plays from one of its best athletes.
The Wolverines’ offense will try to be more balanced this season after last year’s run-heavy attack.
“I’m not saying it’ll be 50-50, but we’ll try. We want to keep the defense guessing about how they’ll attack a little more,” Heide said. “Having said that, though, I believe to be a great team you’ve got to be able to run the ball and run the ball effectively in all sorts of weather and conditions.”
Bayfield plans to continue its attacking defensive strategy, even with the size its gained on that side of the ball.
The Wolverines will open the season against Kirtland on Friday in Kirtland, N.M.
Bayfield defeated the Broncos 22-14 last year.
“We watched their scrimmage; they have great size,” Heide said of this year’s Broncos’ roster. “It’s an improved team from last year; hats off to Kevin Graham. We expect a very energetic atmosphere.”
kgrabowski@durangoherald.com
Bayfield Wolverines
2013 Schedule
Aug. 30 – at Kirtland, Kirtland, N.M., 7 p.m.
Sept. 6 – Dolores, 7 p.m.
Sept. 13 – Basalt, 7 p.m.
Sept. 20 – at Aspen, 7 p.m.
Sept. 27 – Grand Valley, 7 p.m.
Oct. 4 – at Coal Ridge, 7 p.m.
Oct. 11 – at Gunnison, 7 p.m.
Oct. 18 – Olathe, 7 p.m.
Oct. 25 – Pagosa Springs, 6 p.m.
Durango Herald
