Though the CHSAA Class 3A Boys’ Soccer State Tournament bracket was just revealed Monday morning, it’s probably a good thing that Bayfield was designated to play its opening round-of-32 match on Wednesday – if for no other reason than to get the Wolverines off the metaphorical pins and needles of being pit against Roaring Fork.

As in defending State Champion Roaring Fork.

“They’re obviously nervous; it’s new territory for us,” said BHS head coach Chris Zoltowski. “But there’s really no pressure; they feel like they’re going into this without the expectation that’s on Roaring Fork’s shoulders right now.”

Kickoff between 28-seed Bayfield (9-3-2, 4-2-0 Southwestern) and No. 5 RFHS is set for 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Carbondale Middle School pitch. The Rams stand 13-2 overall, having won eleven straight since a 3-1 loss Sept. 15 to Coal Ridge.

The BHS-RFHS winner will then meet either 12-seed Colorado Springs James Irwin or 21-seed Basalt on Nov. 1.

“We have it set up where we’re going to stay in (Grand) Junction … then it’s only a two-hour drive for the game,” said Zoltowski. “We’ll be there enough to where we can maybe do a little fine-tuning … before we head (to Carbondale) on Wednesday.”

“I’m not excited about the drive,” he continued with a laugh, “but honestly … I’m really happy that it’s Roaring Fork. The guys … feel like they have something to prove but they’re not, like, overwhelmed about it either; they know the pressure’s on (the Rams), and I love that. It’s such a nice feeling to have going into the playoffs.”

Last fall, No. 11 seed Roaring Fork upset No. 1 Jefferson Academy (Broomfield) 2-1 in the grand finale to win its title and finish the year 17-3 overall.

“I love that this is the opportunity,” Zoltowski said. “And we’re feeling good, we feel like we’re connecting right now, and we’re peaking.”