Books have been written and movies made on the alchemy and synergy – all the right players at the right time – that make a winning football team. We can’t articulate the formula, but it’s clear that Dove Creek football had it, winning the eight-man state championship on Nov. 25 in Pueblo. The Bulldogs put Dove Creek on the map for powerhouse football as they built an early lead, then held back Simla for a 26-21 victory.
Dove Creek owns only the third ever eight-man title won by a team west of I-25, and the first football championship by a program from either Dolores or Montezuma County.
That’s saying something. Nicely done.
Many Dove Creek residents – loud and proud – were there to witness the win in the Colorado State University-Pueblo Thunderbowl. And they didn’t hold back, celebrating every favorable play. Hundreds more listened from home on radios, sending support long distance.
As reported in The Journal, “There were definitely moments where you look up and realize you’re in the state championship game,” said senior quarterback Kade Hankins of the giant Jumbotron screen at the stadium’s north end, showing replays of DC touchdowns. “But between the loudspeakers and the fans, it was hard to hear anything on the field – but we worked through it. It’ll be something I won’t forget for the rest of my life.”
And when head coach Shane Baughman received his ice bath – four years in the making – the Dove Creek crowd roared even more. Years of close reaches for the championship culminated in that moment.
We appreciated Baughman’s humbleness, too, in recognizing all the coaches that came before him.
“I just want to thank all of the coaches who worked with these kids along the way – the peewee coaches, the middle school coaches – along with the parents – they really raised these kids right,” shared Baughman in the celebration. “They’re high-character kids, and I couldn’t be prouder of them.”
Many congratulations to the Bulldogs – especially the seven seniors – and family members who got them to practice, had dinner ready and supported them in any way possible. You’ve all worked hard for this championship and it showed.
