Home

Steamboat Springs — Hayden football coach Shawn Baumgartner has prepared his coaching staff and his team to play Moffat County's entire junior varsity squad in tonight's season opener at the Tigers' field.

But the Bulldogs' varsity season opener is Friday against Green River, Wyo., so whether Moffat County fields its most potent JV roster in Hayden remains to be seen, as coaches decide whether to keep their reserves fresh for Friday in case of injury or fatigue to varsity players.

"Your first game you don't exactly know what to expect," Baumgartner said. "Right now, we're planning on their full JV squad. That's what we've really geared toward."

There will be few surprises concerning the Tigers' starting lineup tonight. Underclassmen will be part of Hayden's varsity squad again this season.

If last year was any indication, however, sophomore s and even freshmen can make valuable contributions to the team.

This year, the Tigers welcome back nine offensive and defensive starters and 22 total players from a 2002 team that finished 4-5.

But of those 22, only five are seniors this season. The young Hayden team continues to show potential and looks to make the postseason because four teams -- instead of the previous three -- from the Western Slope have been guaranteed berths into the state playoffs this season.

Hayden traveled to Battle Mountain for a controlled scrimmage last weekend and a few breakdowns resulted in big plays for its opponent, Baumgartner said.

As a result, the team spent this week addressing those issues to prepare for the 7:30 p.m. kickoff tonight in Hayden.

A controlled scrimmage is different than a live game, however.

"The uncertainties are playing four quarters of football and having the execution you want to have," Baumgartner said on first game concerns. "We're in a live situation for the first time."

With the game tonight rather than on a standard Friday or Saturday, preparations were compressed by one day. Monday and Tuesday's practices were intense and hard, while Wednesday's was more of a typical pre-game practice, Baumgartner said.

As the first game of the season, the Tigers' coaching staff looked at a tape of last year's game between the teams for a hint of what to expect regarding plays and personnel on Moffat County's team.

Last season, Hayden defeated Moffat County's JV 20-6 behind returning junior running back Cam Whiteman's 130 yards on the ground.