The Dolores Bears football team was riding a four-game winning streak going into the 1A Southern Peaks League championship game last year.
Monte Vista had won four straight. It was winner take all for the title and a playoff berth. But it was anything but competitive, as the host Pirates plundered the Bears 40-7, ending Dolores season.
Some senior playmakers from last season and longtime coach Don Story are gone.
However, a lot of varsity experience returns, including the entire offensive line. Tony Goodwin, 44, returns in his second stint as head coach after coaching Dolores Middle School last year. Goodwin previously coached Dolores High School from 1993-97, preceding Don Story.
That is our strength, our offensive line, Goodwin said. We will match up with anybody in the district as far as our offensive line, our size and our strength. They have a lot of experience, so that is definitely a plus for us.
Seniors Richard Belt and Joe Martin, and junior Ryan Johnston, the vocal leader, will anchor both sides of the line. On offense, theyll clear the way for running backs Wyatt Wallace (senior), Cody Carroll (junior) and Ryatt Pierce (sophomore). The running backs will control a double wing offense that is quarterbacked by junior Kolton Schull.
Were doing a lot better with our conditioning. I think were going to do pretty good if we stay together and work together, Wallace said. More conditioning is going to help out in the long run. Last year, we kind of went one half and then we just kind of got winded.
Wallace has adjusted to the direction of the program under Goodwin so far.
Hes definitely got higher expectations for keeping your grades up. He wants to get you in better shape than Don Story, Wallace said about Goodwin. Hes a little bit stricter, but he expects a lot out of you. If you earn the right to be on the field, hes going to play you. If youre not working that hard, youre going to sit on the bench.
The defense will be a 4-4 (four linemen and four linebackers) that is focused on stopping the run.
The first game is Friday at 2A power Bayfield at 7 p.m. The Wolverines are ranked No. 7 in this weeks Denver Post 2A media poll, and they crushed the Bears 40-6 to open last season in Dolores.
We consider it our red letter game. To our minds, this is what were going to measure ourselves up to, Goodwin said about Fridays game. This is where were going to have to really put our best effort forward and play with all we got. I think it will give us an idea of where we are and who we are over the next season.
The Bears will host 1A Western Slope League squad Paonia on Saturday, Sept. 24. Paonia punched Dolores 48-7 a year ago.
I would rather not play teams that are not going to give us a challenge, Goodwin said. Not to be arrogant about it by any means, but teams that arent going to challenge us show that we dont learn anything out of it. When we play tough teams, even if we lose, its more of a learning experience, I think.
Other nonleague games include New Mexico teams Kirtland Central (junior varsity) at home and on the road to Newcomb on Thursday, Sept. 8, and Friday, Sept. 16. The Bears went to Kirtland and overwhelmed the Broncos JV 46-14 last season.
SPL play begins at Del Norte on Saturday, Oct. 1.
We should contend for the conference (title), Goodwin said. We got a lot of returning linemen back. Well spend a great deal on tackling and blocking. If we can do those things, well be successful.
Reach Bobby Abplanalp at [email protected].
