Game by game, the Wolverines have thumped each opponent on its way to an undefeated record, so it should be no surprise that Bayfield finds itself playing for a Colorado High School Activities Association Class 2A State Football Championship.
With a talented roster of 13 seniors, head coach Gary Heide has taken the team to a whole new level. The best coach on the best Class 2A team of 2015 has given all of his energy, and on Saturday the Wolverines will try and give back to the coach in the championship game at 1 p.m. Saturday against No. 3 Platte Valley in Kersey. It’s not only the day of the championship game, it just so happens to be Heide’s 60th birthday.
“I didn’t say anything just in case we weren’t playing on my birthday,” Heide said after Bayfield’s win against La Junta. “I told them they gave me the best present to be able to play for the state championship on my birthday. So that’s kind of a special deal.”
The road Heide has taken to get to this point is an unusual one. The journeyman started out coaching in the A-8 Western Slope 8-Man League for the Oak Creek Rams for four years. He then traveled to Southern Minnesota to coach the Hayfield Vikings for three years before returning back to Colorado.
Heide not only came back to Colorado but returned to 8-man football when he became an assistant coach with the West Grand Mustangs in the A-8 Central Slope 8-Man League.
Having coached 8-man football for so long, he felt fortunate to have landed at Bayfield with such a talented roster beginning in 2012.
Heide said the offenses he would run with an 8-man team wouldn’t be as precise as the Bayfield Wolverines. A small squad often times lacked the talent to accumulate wins, so Heide said he has soaked in the recent success.
In his fourth year, Heide has compiled a 32-10 overall 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, going 5-4 overall and 4-3 in league.
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.
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 state semifinals, where the Wolverines lost to Platte Valley 31-6. Fast forward to 2015, and Platte Valley is back again, this time in the championship.
Heide resides in Bayfield with his wife, Candy. Heide’s daughter, Destry, teaches second grade at Bayfield Elementary School.
Heide is humble enough to shy away from accepting credit where credit is due. He thinks the Bayfield success has stemmed from the entire coaching staff of Frank Hawkins, Ed Hisey, Justin Matherson, Mike Wood and Mike Wnorowski, as well as the individual players and the community that supports them.
“Everyone pitched in as far as a charter bus goes. The whole community is chipping in,” Heide said. “A lot of football moms helped make our ride a lot easier with food they brought. They helped everything run really smooth. Quite frankly, I’m looking forward to (the road trip to the state championship game).”
jmentzer@durangoherald.com
What you need to know to watch or follow the game
Who: No. 1 Bayfield (11-0) at No. 3 Platte Valley (11-1)
What: CHSAA Class 2A State Football Playoffs championship game
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Where: Kersey
Ticket Information: Ticket sales will start at 10:30 a.m. at the west entrance of the stadium and 11 a.m. at the east entrance. All gates will open at 11 a.m.
Cost: $9 adults; $7 senior citizens and students (K-12). Prices are set by CHSAA. No passes will be accepted except for CHSAA and CHSCA passes. The pass gate will be located on the west side of the stadium. There is not a pass gate on the east side of the stadium.
Parking: Parking for Bayfield fans will be located in the east lot (weather permitting). There is no charge for parking.
Concessions: A full concessions stand will be available during the game under the west grandstands.
Championship Apparel/Programs: Merchandise will be available for purchase under the west grandstands.
Tailgating: Fans are permitted to tailgate. Bayfield fans are asked to tailgate in the east parking lot. Please do not tailgate in the main stadium parking lot. Alcohol and tobacco are not permitted on school grounds. The Kersey Police Department will provide security, and any violators will be cited.
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Twitter: @jonathanmentzer, @jlivi2, @durangoherald #copreps #bhstate
