Every time Bayfield comes to town, there seems to be an extra jolt of energy in Panther Stadium.

After a pair of uncharacteristically down seasons for the Wolverines, it appears the head coach Gary Heide has restored Bayfield back to their winning ways. The visiting Wolverines entered Panther Stadium Friday night looking to seal up the 2A Southwest League crown, and left no doubt about their supremacy in the league this year, picking up a 56-18 victory over the Panthers on their Senior Day.

M-CHS (3-5, 1-2 2A SWL) entered the contest with some lingering injuries from their previous week’s loss to Alamosa, but saw a number of players rise to the occasion in different roles. Panther junior Alec Manuel Jr. shifted from defensive tackle to nose guard in the absence of classmate Dorrian Hilliard, as the Panthers tried to stymie the most potent offense in the league.

Manuel Jr. and sophomore Miles Frost had moments in the early stages where they were able to dictate the point of attack to drive the Wolverine offense backward. However, Bayfield senior quarterback Isaac Ross engineered an effective opening drive, primarily through the air, before junior Deegan Barnes punctuated the 5-plus minute drive with a three-yard run.

M-CHS battled back, driving into Bayfield territory with an immediate response. Senior quarterback Aca Dennison found a receiver in the flat, who pitched the ball to freshman Tay Wheat. On a play that has paid dividends for the Panthers throughout the season, Wheat took it to the house to close the gap to 7-6.

However, Bayfield (6-1, 3-0 2A SWL) remained unfazed by the change in momentum – the Wolverines answered back in less than 90 seconds, with senior wide receiver James Mars catching the first of four TD receptions that he would grab on the night. His 25 yard connection with Ross, highlighted by a couple of broken tackles, pushed the visitors in front 14-6.

Bayfield would go in front by two scores moments later, as the Wolverine defense collected their first of three interceptions on the night, busting up a screen play and forcing the takeaway. Three plays later, senior running back Cael Schaefer punched in his 11th touchdown of the season to give expand the lead to 21-6.

For a brief moment early in the second quarter, it looked as though M-CHS has found a way back into the game. Manufacturing a drive down inside the Bayfield 10, the Panthers turned to junior running back Ryder Higgins to pull out a bit of magic. Escaping from four would-be Wolverine tacklers, Higgins slipped through danger and into the end zone to cut the score to 21-12.

Heide’s crew would respond again, though, taking the ensuing kickoff 53 yards in under two minutes to restore their two-TD lead, with William Sullivan on the receiving end of Ross’ three-yard toss. The duo would find an identical result on the stroke of halftime to balloon the lead to 34-12 heading in to the locker room.

At halftime, the Panthers honored their three seniors, and M-CHS head coach Ivan Mack made sure to reflect on their contributions. “It’s all about the relationships that we develop over the time we spend together,” said Mack of his graduating group, “and I really hope that the relationships that we’ve built will carry on.”

Bayfield would effectively put the game out of reach on the first possession of the second half, as Ross escaped from a Panther rush, zipping a pass to Mars, who dragged a defender across the goal line for the 28-yard score.

Wheat responded with the final Panther touchdown of the night, breaking loose for a 79-yard score midway through the third quarter, but it was only a consolation prize, as Mars found the end zone twice more to spark the jubilant celebrations on the visiting sideline.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game,” reflected Mack, “we had some stretches where we really put together some good football, but they have some great athletes.”

M-CHS entered the contest on the very edge of the playoff bubble, and likely saw their chances come to an end with the loss. The Panthers head to Salida next Friday to wrap up the regular season. A win over the Spartans would match the highest win total for the Panthers since their 4-6 season from 2018.

“Taking a look at how young we are,” added Mack, “I’m pleased with the development from this group. I know we’re going to want to send off our seniors in the right way next week, but I know that a lot of the kids are already getting excited for next year.”

Bayfield, meanwhile, looks primed to get to host a game in the 2A postseason, and with the league title already in hand, will look to close out their regular season in style as they host Pagosa Springs on Friday, Oct. 29th for their own Senior Night.