La Plata County boasted two of the best football teams in the state in their classifications in 2016. That charge was led by players considered among the best in Colorado at their positions.
Nine players from Bayfield and Durango combined were named to Colorado High School Activities Association All-State football teams Wednesday. The teams are voted on by the coaches. Players who were named first team on their respective all-league teams are eligible for selection.
Leading the way for Durango was center and defensive tackle Richard Hall, a senior on the Demons team that went 7-4 overall with a trip to the playoffs. Hall was a CHSAA First Team All-State selection in Class 3A.
Hall finished the season with 54 tackles and one fumble recovery and was regarded as the best center in a league that included state champion Pueblo East.
“He played with an attitude and was a natural leader on our team,” DHS head coach David Vogt said. “It all came from the weight room, because he’s a leader there. It’s a great honor for him to get that award.”
Bayfield received two First Team All-State selections in Class 2A. Sam Westbrook, the unquestioned top offensive and defensive lineman in the classification, made the jump from second team last year to first team this year with 71 tackles that included 16 for a loss and eight sacks.
“Sam is a tenacious young man,” BHS head coach Gary Heide said. “He wrestles, competes in track and is one heck of a football player. He’s goal-oriented and simply wants to be the best he can be. His talent was really showcased.”
Westbrook’s cousin, Josh Westbrook, also was named to the first team in 2A at quarterback and linebacker. He finished with 1,180 yards passing with 15 touchdowns. He also ran for 298 yards and four touchdowns. He had big shoes to fill as he replaced 2015 Class 2A Player of the Year Kelton McCoy as the Wolverines’ QB a year after winning the state championship. Westbrook helped guide the team back to the semifinals, where BHS (9-3) lost by one point to eventual state champion La Junta.
“We wouldn’t have gotten there without Josh’s great attitude,” Heide said. “His drive to lead the team was apparent. He didn’t come in for stats or to showcase himself; he wanted to put the team on his shoulders and win.”
Durango had one player selected to the Class 3A second team in junior Gavin Mestas. The wide receiver, safety and punter was a big weapon for the Demons all season. He had 626 receiving yards on 32 receptions. He scored eight receiving touchdowns and finished the season with 1,232 all-purpose yards. Defensively, he had 59 tackles and six interceptions. He finished the season with 11 total touchdowns.
“He’s an explosive kid and has played since he was a freshman,” Vogt said. “Every time he touches the ball, he’s a threat to score a touchdown, whether it’s special teams, offense or interceptions on defense. His hard work and dedication to the program makes me super proud.”
BHS had three players selected to the second team, with senior wide receiver, safety and kicker Brian Mashak, junior defensive tackle, tight end and punter Ryan Phelps and junior linebacker and offensive guard Cole Wood.
Mashak emerged as a major leader of the team and became a consistent big playmaker. He finished with 785 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns, led the team with five interceptions, recovered a fumble and did all of the team’s field goal kicking.
“He continually got better,” Heide said. “He made more and more big plays to the point where we depended on him. He played through some pain and, like all the seniors, put the burden on himself to lead the team. He grew from a young man to a man. Every time he made a big play, it fired up the entire team.”
Phelps led the team with 13 sacks as part of his 17 tackles for a loss. He had 81 tackles and had a good season punting the ball, too.
“He plays long and tall,” Heide said. “He has great quickness and athletic instinct. He plays with such heart and loves the game and does everything we ever ask him to do.”
Wood had a monster season, whether he was blocking for Bayfield’s stable of running backs or causing havoc on defense. He had 90 tackles, 13 of which went for a loss that included 11 sacks. He also recovered two fumbles.
“He stayed healthy and was able to show his speed and athletic ability,” Heide said. “He’s only getting bigger, so look out. Being able to have Cole Wood next year, that’s huge for us. And, I tell ya, watching him come around on the power sweep and annihilating people with big blocks, that’s a beautiful thing to see.”
BHS also saw junior running back and safety Hunter Killough earn an honorable mention selection. He led BHS with 121 tackles, including 25 for a loss and two sacks. He also had an interception. Offensively, Killough had 137 receiving yards and one touchdown to go with 202 rushing yards and three TD runs.
“He’s our go-to-guy on defense,” Heide said. “He plays our ‘Wolverine’ position at safety and does absolutely everything. He’s got great pursuit and is a great tackler. His versatility makes him an outstanding player, and his football IQ and motor are unmatched.”
Earning an honorable mention selection for DHS was quarterback Peyton Woolverton, who passed for 1,474 yards and 11 touchdowns while rushing for another 172 yards and six scores.
“We formulated the offense around him, and he excelled,” Vogt said. “He’s smart and one of the top quarterbacks in the state, so it was good to see him honored for it.”
Joining Hall, Mestas and Woolverton on the 3A All-South Central League team was junior running back and linebacker Max Hyson, senior wide receiver and defensive end Jake Bourdon, sophomore running back and slot receiver Dawson Marcum and junior guard and linebacker Manasseh Brockus.
Earning all-league honorable mention was senior right tackle and defensive end Colin Barkley, sophomore wide receiver and defensive back Alexander Hise and freshman wide receiver and safety Everett Howland.
Joining Josh and Sam Westbrook, Mashak, Phelps, Wood and Killough on the 2A All-Intermountain League team for Bayfield was sophomore running back and linebacker David Hawkins and senior running back and linebacker Jesse Westbrook.
Earning honorable mention all-league for Bayfield was Carl Heide, Wyatt Killinen, Cade Killough, Mike Kirk, Kirk Malone, Macoy Michaeli, Ian Nelson and Keyon Prior.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
