Minus five seniors claimed by commencement just over three months ago, Bayfield boys’ soccer will kick off the 2023 campaign obviously wanting another State Tournament taste, but more so eyeing the prize not claimed in ’22. Or in ’21.
Still trying to supplant Pagosa Springs atop the 3A Southwestern League standings after back-to-back runner-up finishes, the Wolverines (9-4-2 overall, 4-2-0 SWL in ’22) won’t be waiting long to resume pursuing the Pirates; led by sophomore Ayden Casillas, last year’s league Player-of-the-Year and a Second Team All-3A selection, BHS’ Aug. 24 foe will be SWLers Alamosa.
Kickoff at AHS against the rebuilding Mean Moose (0-14-0 in ‘22) is set for 4 p.m.
“Yeah, we’d wanted to have a tuneup game at first but the way the schedule fell (into place) it was the only thing we could work out,” said Chris Zoltowski, entering his eighth season as head coach. “But I know the boys are prepared; they’re fit, they’re ready and they’ll take on anybody right now – their confidence is so high.”
The three-time SWL Coach-of-the-Year also exuded optimism.
“It’d been five years since we’d been to playoffs, and I have no doubt that … we’ll be there again,” he said, alluding to Bayfield’s 5-2 loss to Carbondale Roaring Fork in the 2022 CHSAA Class 3A State Tournament’s opening Round-of-32. “The younger JV guys, they’re going to be a part of that … so when we’re there again it’s not going to be new for anybody; it’s going to be ‘Hey, we’ve been there!’ and ‘We can do this!’”
Despite having only three now-seniors at present, Zoltowski believes his crew’s nucleus to be strong-bonded. Back in the mix are senior Shae Railsback (First Team All-League, Honorable Mention All-3A) and sophomore Zach Hufnagel (Second Team All-League), plus seniors Asher Madonna and Lance Mitchell.
“Shae has become such a good, strong leader and he’s already a physical presence. Asher, he’s really starting to take to that role in the center-mid position,” Zoltowski said. “And Lance, he’s grown so much – we’ve been training all summer, and the boys have been showing up almost one hundred percent. Every single training session, all summer, two to three days a week.”
“And then we went to Salt Lake City and trained with a higher-level instructor, just to help them improve … and take the team to a higher level,” he continued. “Their commitment is going to prove itself this season.”
Max Baxter returns as a junior along with Hunter Ferrell and Julian Hillyer, while Lane Hunter will have much to prove as a sophomore, being the coaching staff’s leading candidate to replace the graduated Kaedon Rademacher in net.
“He could have been goalkeeper last year, but we were fortunate enough to have Kaedon,” said Zoltowski, again to be assisted by Zac Keeler and Jesse Larson. “I’m going on eight years here, and this is the first time that we actually have real depth lined up for keeper. We have guys battling for that position, so I’m really excited about that.”
Caden Ross, another of BHS’ 13 sophomores currently on the varsity list, figures to also be in contention. Other sophomores in the fold include Wyatt Larson, Caleb Beck, Riley Hanson, Brayden Hoffman, plus Cade and Tauer Crotty.
Four freshmen presently fill out the roster, meaning that Bayfield will again field one of the youngest teams around.
“But this ‘young’ team is experienced; we have a lot of club players,” Zoltowski said. “As long as we can get chemistry and the kids to learn to play together and understand what each does on the field …. I think Bayfield’s going to surprise people.”
After returning from the San Luis Valley, Bayfield will begin a New Mexico mini-swing on Aug. 28 at Bloomfield (6-12-1, 4-5-1 NMAA District 1-4A in ’22), then invade Aztec (4-15-1, 3-6-0 Dist. 1-4A) on the 31st. The Wolverines will briefly resume league play on Sept. 5 at home versus Montezuma-Cortez (2-10, 2-4 SWL), but then return to the Land of Enchantment on the Sept. 7 for a test at Kirtland Central (9-8-4, 7-1-1 Dist. 1-4A).
After a welcome week off to recover and fine tune, BHS will welcome nonleague Manitou Springs (8-7-1, 1-4-0 3A Tri-Peaks) for a 4 p.m. start Sept. 15, then host Pueblo-based Dolores Huerta Prep (0-12-0, 0-5-0 2A Black Forest) the next morning. The team’s first showdown against PSHS (10-5, 6-0 SWL), out at Golden Peaks Stadium, looms the next week.
