Six decades ago, Morris Swenson trotted out the first football roster in San Juan High School history.
But through the 2017 season's first two weeks, the Broncos have had little to celebrate other than the anniversary of their program's earliest efforts. Hammered 51-8 at home by Kamas South Summit in their opener, the bunch from Blanding, Utah, visited Bayfield last Friday night and encountered an enemy which hadn't forgotten last year's forgetful trip into the Beehive State.
Rocking resurrected University of Michigan-like 'winged' helmet decals, recalling the 1996 Class 2A State Championship squad's look, the like-named Wolverines not only reminded SJHS of their own history, but shook off a shaky first quarter to appear bent on writing another successful chapter this fall via a 39-0 victory.
"I think all the components are there; I was happy with the quarterback play, receiver play and back play," head coach Gary Heide said afterwards. "Our defensive game plan was different coverages, and get the pass rush with three people, sometimes four. But today, our quickness in our back seven and pass rush was really showing."
"They've got some good athletes, got a good thrower, and for us to hold them to a goose egg, that's just a fantastic job by that pass defense. All 11 of them."
After relinquishing the game-opening possessions on downs, and having a second series stopped by San Juan senior Shay Laws intercepting Hayden Farmer, BHS' offense at last rewarded its defense for keeping the guests just as scoreless. Last year, Blanding defeated Bayfield 19-0.
Given a short field at the Broncos' 35 with 6:16 left in the first quarter, Farmer threw just once as fellow juniors David Hawkins and Keyon Prior (wearing father and '96 star Kevin's #3 this year) alternated carries. Prior dashed in from 22 yards out on the drive's fifth play. Converted soccer player Chris Mooney's point-after kick failed, but the Wolverines (1-0 overall) at least had the vital first touchdown.
After a quick three-and-out and punt, SJHS found hope when senior Baylr Eldredge recovered a mistimed pitch in BHS' backfield, setting the Broncos up at the Bayfield 33 with 2:56 left. The Wolverines were helped by a pass breakup and later sack of junior Corbin Palmer by junior Ryan Phelps. Then came a wicked incompletion-causing hit on a receiver by senior Dax Snooks, and a ten-yard sack of Palmer by senior Wyatt Killinen, and the locals' defense set the night's telling tone.
Six plays after regaining possession at the SJ 39 with 11:07 left in the second quarter, senior Hunter Killough plowed in from eight yards and Mooney's PAT was good-making the lead 13-0 with 8:43 remaining.
Helped by a combo sack of Palmer by Phelps and senior Cole Wood, and a pass breakup by senior Dawson Heide, the Broncos had little choice but punt again. After a short Killough return to San Juan's 30 with 7:30 before halftime, senior Carl Heide zoomed around left end for a 30-yard score on first down. Mooney again tacked on the extra point, and with 7:20 still before intermission, the three-score lead looked all the more imposing.
It would become insurmountable just before halftime. After stopping Blanding's best march, which went from the Bronco 29 to the Wolverine 28, BHS took over with 2:28 left. Carl Heide gained five yards on first down, and after Hawkins crashed through for 11 on second, Farmer connected with Prior for a backbreaking 56-yard TD strike.
"I've got faith, and I told Hayden and the receivers, 'I'm not giving up on any type of missed pass - either from the quarterback or receiver - and I'm not giving up on you,'" Gary Heide said. "I think that's going to be our ticket."
"I told the offensive line at halftime, any time you can throw half a dozen long balls and not get the quarterback sacked, that means the offensive line is doing a fantastic job."
Mooney's PAT was blocked, but with 1:20 left there was little time for the outsiders to build any momentum, and virtually zero for the rest of the contest after Phelps sewed up the quarter picking off Palmer.
Eldredge and sophomore Shaw Nielson would also see time under center for San Juan (0-2 overall), but neither will probably be celebrating their respective nights inside Wolverine Country Stadium 60 years in the future.
Carl Heide then put the game even more out of reach early in the third quarter, scoring via a 15-yard run with 10:53 left, and speedy sophomore Dylan Hilliker nailed down the win with a 36-yard carry, capping a devastating 94-yard drive set up by a Heide interception.
"They all responded when they got their chance," Coach Heide said of his diverse backfield arsenal. "And we may look like we're trying to spread it out, be a little more 'speed,' but our goal's to be a 'power' team."
Finishing the first half hitting four of five passes for 93 yards, Farmer finished a reported 6-of-15 for 128 and two picks by Laws. Hawkins helped the Wolverines gain nearly 300 rushing yards with 110 on 17 tries.
In defeat, Palmer was intercepted three times total while failing to complete even 30 percent of 34 attempts.
Up next, Bayfield will host 5A Bloomfield at 1 p.m. Saturday, with the Bobcats coming in hoping to have healed from a season-opening 28-6 home loss to in-state 5A Belen last Friday night.
"Hey, we love playing at home!" laughed Gary Heide. "It's 'Chapter Number Two,' and I hope to just make sure we get cleaned up - no dropped pitches, no errant pitches, fumble the ball a couple times. We've got to just keep improving and keep improving."
RANKINGS BATTLE: In one of the higher-profile engagements around the Four Corners region, San Juan arrived in La Plata County standing No. 5 in the Deseret News' UHSAA Class 2A rankings, while Bayfield checked in at No. 2 in the CHSAANow.com Class 2A poll.
Both teams had reached, then fallen in the semifinals of their respective states' playoffs in 2016. The Wolverines finished 9-3 overall, the Broncos 9-2.