The Durango and Bayfield high school football teams will both begin their seasons with tough tests on Friday.
Durango will head to Farmington High School to take on the 1-0 Scorpions. Farmington started its season last week with a 48-7 win over crosstown rival Piedra Vista. Senior quarterback Griego Trel threw for 306 yards and seven touchdowns in the win.
“Friday is going to be a big test for us,” said new DHS head coach Matt Burton. “Farmington is a very good team. They have a great combination of size and speed and they are very well coached. They are solid in all three phases of the game. We are going to have to play at our best to give ourselves a chance in a tough season opener.”
Burton takes over for Todd Casebier, who stepped down after leading DHS to a 20-5 overall record in two years, two league titles and trips to the Class 3A quarterfinals and semifinals.
Burton most recently coached football and baseball at Lindale High School in Texas. He has served as an offensive coordinator, defensive position coach, as well as special teams and strength and conditioning coordinator positions.
“The team is coming along, but we still have a long way to go,” Burton said. “I’m proud of how the players are soaking up the things we are trying to do, but it is still very early in the season and we are unpolished.”
Durango will play its first home game Sept. 1 against Piedra Vista. DHS will then host Aztec on Sept. 7 and Grand Junction Central on Sept. 15, visit Mead Sept. 22 and then start its 3A Western Slope season at Summit on Oct. 6. DHS will also battle Glenwood Springs, Eagle Valley and Palisade for the league title. Durango’s homecoming is set for Oct. 20 against Eagle Valley.
For Bayfield’s Wolverines, Glenn Wallace is back at the helm for a second season. Bayfield was competitive last year and four of the team’s games were decided by a touchdown or less, but the Wolverines ended up finishing 0-9.
The Wolverines will begin their season against the defending Utah Class 2A state champion, San Juan.
San Juan went 15-0 last year, including a 42-0 win over BHS, and is already 2-0 after starting its season with 66-43 and 40-6 wins. Running back Zack Conway has rushed for seven touchdowns and is averaging 170 yards per game to lead the Broncos.
Bayfield will host Aztec on Sept. 1 for its home opener. BHS will then play at Moffat County Sept. 9, host Centauri on Sept. 22 and visit Bloomfield on Sept. 29 to prepare for its league season.
The 2A Intermountain League includes Delta, Montezuma-Cortez, Pagosa Springs and Salida. BHS will celebrate homecoming on Oct. 13 when it hosts Salida. BHS will also host Pagosa Springs on Oct. 26 in its regular-season finale.
