CORTEZ – For local fans of high school athletics, the past 12 months created a trove of great seasons and achievements to be cherished for years to come. Three state titles, numerous top-10 state finishes, league championships, state tournament appearances and countless all-league and all-state performers made 2022 one of the all-time calendar years for Montezuma and Dolores County athletics.

In these moments of reflection on 2022, and to reopen a few more holiday gifts, here’s a look back at some of the top local sports stories from a very memorable year. While these 12 gifts may not include any geese a-laying, it does include some championship rings – which is where we’ll begin:

A month after the Bulldogs capped a dream 13-0 season with a 26-21 state title game victory over Simla, the smiles still spread from ear to ear for head coach Shane Baughman and the Bulldog faithful. A championship run that was historic on so many levels – the program’s first football title, first football championship for either Dolores or Montezuma County, first ever appearance in the title game – the Bulldogs stayed true to their brand of football throughout their four-month ride.

While the individual accolades piled up – senior Kade Hankins being named Colorado 8-man Player of the Year, junior Gage Buffington earning the Most Outstanding Player of the Game honor in the state final, seven players earning all-state honors – the Bulldogs developed a team-first mentality that permeated the way they played the game.

Now, the Bulldogs have a gift they’ll be able to cherish for the rest of their lives – a Dove Creek football state championship.

After two years of close calls saw the M-CHS senior come within a whisker of an elusive state title, Plewe made sure that his final chance at an individual title wouldn’t be left in doubt.

After sitting in a logjam at the top of the leaderboard after an opening round 70, a decisive second round score of -6 (64) helped Plewe separate himself from the chase pack at Pinehurst Country Club in Denver, winning the individual 3A title by five strokes.

The title is the school’s first individual state crown since Plewe’s swing coach Shea Sena took medalist honors 20 years earlier. The title joins a litany of individual and team victories enjoyed by Plewe over the course of his high school career. Plewe also led the Panther golf program to its third consecutive top-eight team finish in the state championships, as the Panther boys finished seventh in the 3A field.

For the first time in 65 years, M-CHS football earned a place in the state semifinals after a fantastic season under third-year head coach Ivan Mack.

After assuring themselves the program’s first winning season in eight years, the Panthers looked to add to their legacy with a postseason run, which included wins over Elizabeth and Rifle in the 2A bracket. Four Panthers landed on the all-state squad for their efforts, as the Panthers developed a reputation as one of the toughest defenses in the classification.

With an 8-4 record, M-CHS also established themselves as a league front-runner with a program built for continued success into the coming years.

This past March, the Bulldog basketball programs sent a convoy to the northeast part of the state.

On the boys side, a late season surge under first-year head coach Aaron Hankins helped elevate the Bulldogs to qualify for the regional round, followed by one of the program’s biggest wins in the regional final over Belleview Christian to put the ‘Dogs in their first ever state tournament.

The DC boys leaned on a dynamic offense in a deep San Juan Basin League, and found their stride in the second half of the year to help guide the program to its deepest foray in the 1A postseason.

For the girls, a trip back to the state tournament came after a dominant regular season and impressive regional title, where head coach Julie Kibel’s ‘Dogs posted a 21-3 record while making their second straight Great Eight appearance.

The Bulldog girls used feisty defense and a well-balanced offense to overwhelm opposition during a perfect run through the SJBL.

A number of area athletes climbed into the top-three at their respective state championship meet this past May, with Mancos, M-CHS and Dove Creek each claiming several all-state performances.

Leading the way, Mancos senior Mason Goodwin took the individual title in the 2A high jump, clearing 6-4 to win the championship and headline several field event appearances on the podium for the Jays.

Meanwhile, M-CHS junior Zander Cruzan posted one of the best days on the track for any area athlete, taking third in both the 100- and 200-meter dashes. The Dove Creek sprints also showcased an impressive weekend in Lakewood, taking home plenty of medals as well.

A year after making their first ever state semifinal in football, the Bluejays put together another special season under head coach Josh Gardner, posting a 9-3 record while earning the program’s second-ever final four appearance in the 8-man ranks.

Utilizing the same strength that the Jays demonstrate on the wrestling mat – where Mancos had six state qualifiers in 2022 – the Bluejays moved the ball down the field with aplomb all year. The Bluejays picked up wins over Sanford and Merino during the regular season, and played state champion Dove Creek as tough as any team all season during their instant classic regular season matchup, before the Jays posted wins over Swink and Lyons in the 8-man bracket.

Under the banner of Panther soccer, a combination of Dolores and M-CHS soccer talent under first-year head coach Reese Smith posted one of the best seasons in program history for Cortez, as the Panthers earned a rare state tournament appearance after winning the 3A Southwest League.

Working with a youthful squad, the Panthers (8-5) found their groove in the second half of the season, winning seven straight in a run that would propel them to the league’s automatic qualifying spot in the 3A state tournament.

Putting together another season befitting of one of the strongest small school distance programs in the state, the Mancos girls cross-country team raced to a 10th place finish at the 2A state championships under longtime head coach Brady Archer.

All-state sophomore Teagan Archer led the way for the team effort, while the Jays posted several impressive wins in the local circuit in the lead-up to their regional qualification and state championship efforts. The Jays combined their success on the 5K course with their victories in the San Juan Basin League, as the distance program played a large part in both the girls and boys track and field teams capturing the San Juan Basin League titles during the spring.

The volleyball program earned back-to-back state tournament appearances under the guidance of head coach Lacey Murphy. The ‘Dogs (27-2) were one of three teams in the entire state, regardless of classification, to go unbeaten through the regular season, and remained as one of eight teams still playing in the 1A field to cap their tremendous season.

The hard-hitting Bulldogs only conceded five sets to opposition during their incredible regular season run, and remained a mainstay in the state polls all season. Senior Lexi Gray earned SJBL Player of the Year honors, to join a collection of teammates on the all-league and all-state teams.

Speaking of great seasons at the net, the Mancos volleyball program enjoyed its best year in over a decade, running up an 18-7 record while qualifying for their second straight regional appearance under head coach Brianna Yeomans-Allison.

The Jays combined a balance of experience with youth while developing into one of the rising powers in southwest Colorado. Mancos won 10 of their final 12 matches, including a regional round victory to post another solid season for the Mancos girls athletic teams.

The Panthers stretched their winning-season streak to five consecutive, thanks to a 15-7 mark and another season atop the district standings. For head coach Anthony “Hippo” Frost, the Panthers have developed the depth to continue that streak for years to come, thanks to the development of M-CHS into one of the best offensive programs on the Western Slope.

M-CHS clobbered opposition with a relentless attack, starting the season 8-0 while finishing just shy of another state tournament appearance.

The Mancos girls basketball program has improved its win total in each of the past four seasons, reaching a high-water mark of 14 this past winter, thanks in large part to a strong senior class and feisty defensive play.

Under the guidance of fourth-year head coach Kerri Morgan, the Jays battled well in the tough San Juan Basin League, picking up signature wins against Ignacio, and in nonleague play against M-CHS. The win total matched the program’s best since 2007-08, as the Mancos appears to be prepared to continue their recent run for years to come.

On the boys side, the Bluejays extended a run of postseason appearances to five consecutive years, including four straight visits to the Round of 16 in the 2A playoffs after a 19-4 campaign. With Bob Archibeque at the helm, the Jays proved that they could score from both the perimeter and the paint to help Mancos finish atop the SJBL at the season’s end.

Mancos added a district title to their resume, earning the Jays the right to host a regional site in the postseason.