Editor’s note: The Durango Herald selected Prep Players of the Year based on a vote between sports editor John Livingston and sports writers Joe Fries and Jonathan Mentzer. Increased consideration was given to seniors who played three sports and showed exemplary leadership in their communities.By John Livingston
Herald Sports Editor
Zane Phelps knows only one way to play sports. It’s full-speed ahead every second.
The Bayfield High School senior will go down in La Plata County sports lore, and he will never be forgotten in his community. He never had the greatest abilities, but his work ethic and leadership skills set a tone that led to the Colorado High School Activities Association Class 2A State Football Championship in 2015, the school’s first state title since 1996.
But Phelps can’t be defined by any one sport or game. His catalogue of achievements have earned him The Durango Herald’s Male Prep Athlete of the Year award.
“I always tried to represent the community,” said Phelps, son of Dion and Koel Phelps. “I always wanted to be the guy for someone who didn’t know anything about us and was there just to watch the game. I thought I could represent those people who don’t want to see someone bad-mouthing the refs and someone who takes pride in wearing purple and gold with Bayfield across the chest. I wanted to represent someone who wanted to see a clean player.”
Phelps narrowly edged Durango senior runner David Moenning as well as Ignacio’s Tucker Ward for the award. His 1,646 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns during the football season turned heads, as well as his 54 tackles from his safety position on defense. He made two critical sacks in the state championship game at Platte Valley to help BHS to the 28-20 victory. He finished his football career with 3,899 rushing yards and 52 total touchdowns.
“His leadership was unparalleled,” BHS football coach Gary Heide said. “All the coaches and players, we just believe in people like Zane.”
He averaged 8.6 points and seven rebounds per game in basketball, but his 26-point, 15-rebound performance in an overtime win at rival Ignacio was a shining example of how he always rose to the occasion on the biggest of stages. Phelps had never beat Ignacio during his career, and he scored the game-tying basket at the buzzer to send it to overtime and erase a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter.
“He had a way of coming up big in special moments,” Bayfield boys basketball coach Jeff Lehnus said. “Basketball was not his first love, but he came out and gave it his best. His determination guides him in all his success.”
Though a superstar on the football field, baseball has always been Phelps’ passion. He signed with Scottsdale Community College, where he will play elite junior college ball. He finished his career with a .536 batting average with 17 homers. His senior year, Phelps hit .566 with 39 RBIs, 12 doubles, seven triples and four homers. As a pitcher, he finished with a 4-1 record with an astounding 1.62 earned-run average. He allowed only 16 hits and six earned runs while striking out 39 and issuing only nine walks. He pitched a perfect game against Centauri, and that performance earned him the USA Baseball/MaxPreps Pitcher and Player of the Week honors.
Above all else, Phelps bleeds Bayfield. When others went elsewhere, he turned down offers to play for elite club baseball teams in the summer, opting to stick with Bayfield boys.
“I would never want to leave my guys,” he said. “I don’t know why you would rather go somewhere else and make them better. Just because we don’t have a fancy batting cage to go hit in all week didn’t mean we weren’t playing at the same level. I prefer to be with my friends and help all of us get better.”
By Phelps’ sophomore season, it was clear his class at Bayfield would deliver a state championship one way or another. But he saw the group’s potential as early as seventh grade when they won a middle school basketball tournament.
“We were a good group through the years, but we came together that week and beat everybody,” he said. “We knew we had something special.”
Bayfield has had something special for a long time in Phelps, and his positive influence on the next generation will ensure his legacy will continue.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
