Few athletes play with as much joy as Bayfield’s Dax Snooks.
The senior always has a smile on his face, and he has given Bayfield High School football fans plenty to smile about, too.
“He comes through with all these great accomplishments,” BHS head coach Gary Heide said. “While he’s achieving, he’s always smiling. That positive attitude is big in certain points of games. He always believes in himself.”
Snooks set a Bayfield football record Saturday with four interceptions in a single game. It was no ordinary game, either, as it came in the opening round of the CHSAA Class 2A State Football Playoffs against No. 14 Elizabeth. He returned two of those interceptions for touchdowns for the No. 3 Wolverines (10-0).
The previous single-game interception record for BHS was three, set by Ben Ford in 1996. Snooks credited the defensive line for its pressure on the opposing quarterback for setting up his interceptions.
“A lot of people have asked me how it was and how it feels,” Snooks said of his record. “It’s a great feeling. Four interceptions in a game, it’s crazy to do that. I’m super excited for the chance to maybe do it again.”
Snooks’ four interceptions were one shy of a Colorado single-game record. He also is closing in on another BHS program record. He has 10 receiving touchdowns, and one more would tie him with Brian Mashak, who had 11 in 2016.
“I’m super anxious for that,” Snooks said. “I haven’t been in the end zone on offense since the Delta game (Oct. 20). I’m not gonna be like, ‘Coach, let me get one more for the record.’ It doesn’t matter as long as we win.”
Snooks is the team’s leading receiver going into this week’s state quarterfinal matchup with No. 6 Basalt, which will be played at 11 a.m. Saturday at Wolverine Country Stadium in Bayfield. The son of Kristin and Michael Snooks has 483 yards and 10 TDs on 27 receptions. He has averaged 17.9 yards per catch, helping the Wolverines stretch the field in the passing game to complement the team’s power run attack.
He had big shoes to fill with Masahk’s departure a year ago, but Heide always expected Snooks to excel.
“We knew he was a great athlete, and last year, he was a three-sport athletes and did well in all of them,” Heide said of Snooks. “I could tell he had great athletic ability. He worked really hard with the quarterback and other receivers all summer to work on his pass-catching skills. It’s shown in how he adjusts to balls, runs his routes so well and catches those passes.”
Snooks is the younger brother of Cash Snooks, a key member on the 2015 state championship team. Cash also played free safety and wide receiver and had four interceptions his senior season when Dax was a sophomore on the team. Heide said both Snooks brothers have natural instincts and ball skills.
“Playing with Cash and his friends as a kid made me the athlete I am today because they were always bigger than me, so I had to step up to be with them,” Snooks said.
Snooks is also a key member on a basketball team with big expectations this season, and he is a track and field athlete who competes in high jump, triple jump and hurdles events.
His ability to out-jump his opponents is evident in every sport, and it’s a big reason why he has been able to soar into the air for all those interceptions and touchdowns.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
Behind the scenes with Dax Snooks
Do you have a nickname?: Wombat. My grandma called me than when I was really little.
What is your favorite food to eat after a game?: Mini-Merc pizza is pretty good.
If you could take a vacation after this season, where would you want to go?: Hawaii. I’ve been there once and loved it.
Do you have a favorite sports movie?: “Waterboy”
Who is your favorite superhero?: Superman
What is your favorite outdoor activity?: Probably skiing at Purgatory.
What teacher has had the greatest impact on your life?: Coach (Gary) Heide.
What is your dream car?: A Lomborghini
What do you want to do after high school?: I want to go play sports at a junior college.
