When the Bayfield Wolverines take the field against the Manitou Springs Mustangs at noon Saturday at Wolverine Country Stadium, there will be a man on the sidelines commanding and conducting, planning and scheming, motivating and inspiring the young men who wear Bayfield’s home purple uniforms.
It should be no surprise that Bayfield is in the position it is as the No. 1 team in Class 2A entering the state playoffs. Head coach Gary Heide has been the general of the football team.
During the summer, he brought the team to a camp at Colorado State University-Pueblo, the defending NCAA Division II national champions. While there, the Wolverines set the expectations high by coming together.
“We found out that we were a tough team, and that was recognized by other (coaching) staffs,” Heide said in a phone interview with The Durango Herald.
The Wolverines played against teams such as Class 4A Kennedy High School out of Denver in the camp.
“Our mantra was to set the foundation,” Heide said. “We showed what we could do. We were something special. After leaving camp, we knew we were legitimate.”
That toughness has spilled over to the 2015 season.
If Bayfield should win Saturday, the Wolverines will play either No. 8 Moffat County (7-2, 5-0 2A Western Slope North League) or No. 9 Brush (6-3, 3-2 2A Patriot League) in the state quarterfinals.
There are 13 seniors on the roster, and, according to Heide, the fact that most of the seniors grew up playing sports together is a major influence.
“They have had great experiences in other sports together,” Heide said. “Their expectations were to do really great.”
What separates this team from other teams Heide has coached is the talent of the roster and the cohesive coaching staff of assistants such as Frank Hawkins, Ed Hisey, Justin Matherson, Mike Wood and defensive coordinator Mike Wnorowski, who has coached Bayfield into one of the best defensive teams in the state.
Heide’s philosophy as a coach is to respect all athletes and try to get the best out of them through precise execution. His coaching style is aimed at getting his players to enjoy the experience and have fun while trying to accomplish the team’s goals.
“I put responsibility on the players themselves,” Heide said. “I hope they grow. I want to see them develop and mature into young men.” Heide’s commitment to execution is all over his team’s DNA. In his fourth year, Heide has compiled a 28-10 overall record and 18-5 league record with two league championships. Last season, the Wolverines finished 5-5 with a 3-2 league record and lost 40-14 in the first round of the state playoffs to Faith Christian. Bayfield missed the playoffs completely in 2013 by going 5-4 overall and 4-3 in league.
Heide, 59, has had quite the coaching voyage. He started out as head coach of the Oak Creek Rams for four years. The Rams are in the A-8 Western Slope 8-Man League. Heide then traveled to southern Minnesota to coach the Hayfield Vikings for three years before returning to Colorado.
Heide not only came back to Colorado but came back to 8-man football when he became an assistant coach with the West Grand Mustangs in the A-8 Central Slope 8-Man League.
In 2012, Heide got his chance to coach Bayfield. His first year was a grand welcoming when he led the Wolverines to an 11-1 record and 7-0 in league and made it all the way to the semifinals, where the Wolverines lost to Platte Valley 31-6. Kent Denver won the championship that year by beating Platte Valley 28-17.
Ever since coming to Bayfield in 2012, Heide said he, his wife, Candy, and their daughter, Destry, have been well-received through town.
Right now, his focus is squarely on beating Manitou Springs and reaching the next round of state to give the Bayfield faithful more football games.
“I’m not walking off the field unless I give those guys opportunities to make plays,” Heide said.
jmentzer@durangoherald.com
