Is there such a thing in football as a loss that isn’t too bad? One that doesn’t sting and leave the losing team agonizing over a missed catch or the missed tackle that might have reversed the result?
Probably not, especially when the loss comes in the state playoffs and your opponent scores late in the fourth quarter to earn the victory.
Still, a week after No. 13 Durango was defeated at home by No. 5 Erie, 35-28, in the quarterfinal round of the state 3A playoffs, the loss has that kind of feel. Because the Demons played their tails off, not just in the quarterfinals, but in their previous two playoff wins against Harrison (45-0) and Cañon City (49-21) and in the entire regular season.
Coach David Vogt’s team had a year to be proud of, and we hope the players are now enjoying the feeling of accomplishment more than the bitterness of defeat.
According to senior captain Mannaseh Brockus, they are. “It was a tough, tough loss, but we left a legacy as seniors, and I don’t regret anything,” he said. “I enjoyed every moment.”
So did we. Thanks to the entire team for the great ride.
Bayfield. If ever a small town shared a common passion – every resident, it seems, large and small – it is Bayfield. That passion is football, and no other town in Southwest Colorado, and few if any in the state, appreciates it more.
Or plays it better at the high school level. Last week the undefeated Wolverines (ranked No. 3) earned a berth in this week’s state 2A championship game with a 21-0 win over Resurrection Christian (No. 15) in Greeley.
And Coach Gary Heide’s juggernaut did more than that: Bayfield will host the state championship game at 1 p.m. Saturday against No. 4 La Junta. It’s a gift that in Bayfield makes it seem like Christmas is arriving just two days after Thanksgiving this year.
This will be the first championship football game ever played in Bayfield and the first in La Plata County since 1968. And with La Junta coming to town, it promises to be quite a clash.
In 2015, Bayfield defeated La Junta at home in the state semifinals and went on to win the title. In last year’s semifinals, home team La Junta bested Bayfield and went on to the title. Home team advantage may be the difference this year as well.
While the Wolverines are potent on offense, they are approaching legendary status on defense. In a sport where it is difficult to keep an opponent from scoring for an entire game, Bayfield has done it five games in a row.
With sunny skies and a high in the mid-60s predicted, this is a must-see contest.
Show up and support the Wolverines!
