DOLORES – Breaking their final huddle of an early season practice, there’s a palpable feeling that this group of Dolores Bears has something different about them.
For a program in search of their first winning season in 15 years, they are carrying themselves like a team that has the confidence to go toe-to-toe with anyone.
While the Bears still have a few weeks before they take the field in their first game, second-year head coach Travis Rantz has the program believing that they can make this fall a special one. Leaning on an influential group of seniors, Dolores flashed signs of improvement in a 2-7 campaign last year, but fell short of picking up their first league win since joining the 8-man Mountain League four years ago. After a summer with intense buy-in from the players, DHS looks primed to make some noise in one of the toughest conferences in the state.
“The feel in the locker room is different,” said Rantz. “These kids have committed to the summer program, this has been a group that’s worked together for years.”
Senior Michael Rantz looks to shoulder plenty of the load as the Bears primary tailback, but he’ll be joined by junior Darren Hicks and a plethora of other options for a Dolores team that will looks to continue to maintain a balance of run and pass this fall.
Junior River Wickstrom takes over under center, but the Bears look forward to using different schemes that may utilize other QB options, as well.
“We have some great receivers and a lot of speed who can catch anything,” said Rantz, referring to his seniors Deven Winter and Aidan Sweat among the many threats that the Bears possess on the edges.
In the trenches, sophomore Daniel Jacket enjoyed a stellar freshman campaign, and he’ll be joined by senior Kayson Green, while classmate TJ Adie and junior Miles Brown will provide some additional size up front at tight end.
With all the depth that the Bears possess, Rantz is excited to be able to keep his guys fresh throughout the contest, leaning on consistent waves of reinforcements without any drop-off in quality.
The defense continues to take shape for Dolores as the Bears look to find the right formations to best suit their players’ skills. Rantz, Hicks, and Winter ranked among the team leaders in tackles a season ago, and all three look to feature as leaders for the defensive unit.
Travis Rantz recognized the rise in the level of leadership from his rising sophomores and juniors, as well, with sophomores like Branson Lee looking at elevated roles this fall.
While the Bears have had to adjust to life in the 8-man ranks, Rantz recognizes that program has started to really learn ways that they can flourish.
“The speed of the game is different, but our guys have been a part of it now for four years – and they’ve developed familiarity with the system, recognizing what they can do within the 8-man game,” said Rantz, as Dolores looks to battle for the program’s first playoff appearance within the classification and their first postseason berth overall since 2009.
“Our boys are excited to go line up and play,” said Rantz of his team’s enthusiasm, “and its great that we’re hearing the buzz all around the community about how excited they are about the season.”
Dolores will meet Justice for a contest in Walsenburg on Friday, Aug. 29, followed by the team’s home opener on Sept. 5 against Utah’s 8-man state runner-up Monticello. The Bears will then take on Rangely on the following Friday before an encounter with Mancos on Sept. 26 opens the league slate. Homecoming arrives on Oct. 3 against Sargent, while the Bears will also face Dove Creek on Oct. 16 and Norwood on Senior Night to close out their home schedule.
