Before leaving Friday for preseason scrimmages up in Montrose (versus 4A MHS, 3A Delta and reigning 2A state champion Crested Butte) the next day, Bayfield boys soccer head coach Chris Zoltowski was amazed that not only will he have enough players in 2024 to where he could fill out varsity and JV rosters, but that his juniors alone could be their own squad.
Complete with even a few reserves.
“And we’ve brought a plus-one!” he noted. “So now it’s 16! Kyle Russell … I believe he’s played football his whole life, so he’s still learning but he’s athletic and he’s showing up. He’s a big kid too so I’m really excited.”
But Zoltowski is even more eager to see if his 11th-graders can power the program to a third consecutive CHSAA Class 3A State Tournament – after last year’s crew fell up in Lafayette to Peak to Peak in the initial Round-of-32.
“The juniors are kind of stepping up into that role and it’s pretty awesome; they trust each other, they trust the game model, trust the process,” said Zoltowski. “They’re coming to me … talking tactics like, ‘Hey, what do you think about….?’ and I love that because they’re giving me their (on-field) perspective. Or they’ll even offer to tweak the game model a little bit like, ‘What if we did this instead?’ I love that they’re willing to approach me and talk about that stuff.”
Further battle-hardened by last year’s postseason push, the Wolverines will certainly feel the absence of graduated cornerstones Shae Railsback, Asher Madonna and Lance Mitchell – each named first team all-league last year after BHS went 5-0-1 in the 3A Southwestern and finished 9-5-1 overall.
Junior speedster Ayden Casillas – who capped his ’23-24 sophomore year qualifying for the state track & field championships in Class 3A’s 100- and 200-meter sprints – returns to lead the way offensively, however, and is the on-paper favorite to earn SWL Player of the Year for the third time in as many seasons.
“He’s maturing into a leader and that’s a great thing to see,” said Zoltowski. “He was the ‘shining star’ on his own, but now he’s bringing up the players around him and encouraging them – it’s pretty awesome to watch in front of our eyes like this.”
Classmates Zach Hufnagel and Tauer Crotty (Second Team All-SWL in ’23) also return, along with now-sophomore Julian Polanco (second team) who, like Crotty, emerged as something of a surprise talent. Fellow juniors Orion Botsford and Lane Hunter are also back in the fold, bringing experience as goalkeepers – where Zoltowski expects Botsford to start the new campaign, allowing Hunter to bolster the back line.
“We’re looking at Lane and Cooper Bowen – he didn’t play much last year, but played some club over the spring and grew a lot – back there, with Cade (Crotty) in the center,” Zoltowski explained. “But we’re moving (Polanco) up; he just creates havoc every time he’s got the ball at his feet. I can’t keep him back; he can be a weapon for us on our attacks.”
“The other thing that’s cool is Colton Casillas, Ayden’s (freshman) brother, is now on the team,” he added. “So, yeah, the keeper situation looks great; we have Asher Krokos as well, who’ll be a senior – he skipped a year … was a sophomore – so we’ll have Asher, Colton Casillas and of course O.B. (Botsford) the main guy between the sticks.”
Joining Polanco as a midfield anchor will be junior Wyatt Larson, whom last season’s SWL Coach of the Year sees as a scoring threat and a vital facilitator capable of advancing the ball to the elder Casillas and the forwards.
“He plays that attacking midfielder and before maybe he’d keep (the ball) and make that short pass, but now every time he gets that opportunity he’s going to split lines,” said Zoltowski. “His vision’s improved so much … you don’t know where he’s going to go. And I’m excited because he’s going to be that guy that delivers that final blow.”
Returning seniors Max Baxter, Hunter Ferrell and Julian Hillyer will be expected to provide leadership, and Zoltowski also mentioned newcomer Luke Alewine as a prospect to watch.
“Going to be starting varsity … playing left mid,” Zoltowski said. “He’s really good at supplying, connects well with Ayden as well. He’s a freshman who just … blew up, you know?”
Bayfield will kick things off at 4 p.m. Thursday in Bloomfield. The Bobcats finished strong in NMAA District 1-4A action last fall, posting a second-place 6-2 (both losses were to Gallup Miyamura; the Patriots went 8-0) mark, and ended up 10-9 overall following a season-ending road win over district rival Kirtland Central.
The Wolverines – who beat Bloomfield 3-1 last year inside Bobcat Stadium – will then welcome Aztec on the 27th for a 4 p.m. home opener. The Tigers went 4-16-0 in 2023, despite finishing 3-5-0 in 1-4A.
“We’re sitting at 30 players right now, which is the biggest program I’ve had in nine years and we’re looking pretty solid. The guys are playing good, they’ve worked all summer – worked hard for each other – and hold each other accountable,” Zoltowski summarized. “I mean, I can’t ask for more as a coach.”
