DOVE CREEK – On Homecoming weekend, cheers erupt inside the Dawg House after Dove Creek’s senior-led outside hitters send another thunderous kill to the floor.
Just a few blocks away under the lights at the Soper Sports Complex, the Bulldog offensive front deals out another wave of crunching blocks while setting the edge for the Bulldogs’ backfield.
Perhaps Glen Campbell had the Bulldogs in mind with his 1968 hit “Wichita Lineman” – these seniors are the “Linemen and linewomen for (Dolores) County.” His ballad outlines the tireless commitment of a hardworking lineman, a description that fits the Bulldog athletic programs and their senior leaders this fall.
Both the Dove Creek volleyball and football programs have enjoyed stellar seasons. The Class of 2025 for both teams have contributed to that success, continuing one of the best stretches of on-field success.
In front of its alumni, Dove Creek’s volleyball team extended its winning streak to 15 matches and moved one step closer to its fourth straight trip to Denver for state.
Seven seniors steer the helm for first-year coach Erin Barry, and the Bulldogs have aced their San Juan Basin League exams to this point – improving to 18-1 and inching closer to clinching the league title with a 9-0 mark in league play.
Dove Creek has enjoyed its status inside the top 8 in the 1A rankings, which is good enough for the school to be a home regional site in the postseason. Senior Ralynn Hickman serves as the focal point for the offense, with senior transfers Taylor and Hannah Barry fitting into the fold.
“The Barrys clicked with us from the very first practice. They filled in the roles that Kalie and Kylie Gatlin had left when they graduated, and being around them all summer and at camps really helped us,” said Hickman said of the addition of the two sisters.
The Bulldogs have enjoyed the steady production from Jenessa Barragan and back line play from Jessica Alexander, Aspen Nye, and Taryn Hickman – with consistency being one of the staples of the Dove Creek attack.
“All of us had experience being a part of the state team from last year,” Hickman said of her team’s experience.
On the gridiron, a gritty Bulldog mentality persists despite lower numbers this year. Dove Creek sits in the top four in the CHSAA Seeding and Selection Index. Five seniors look to push the Bulldogs past the opening round of the postseason for the fifth straight year.
A battle-tested senior group anchors both the offensive and defensive lines, led by sack leader Trevan Ivie, sturdy center Liam Hassell and dominant left guard Sheldon Gardner. Senior Wade Conner helps anchor the Bulldog secondary for the hard-hitting unit.
“We’ve all grown up together, and we make a point to connect with the underclassmen, which carries over to our success in all sports,” Hickman said of the teams’ mutual support.
Dove Creek’s Ralynn Hickman passes 1,000 career kills
The Bulldogs senior outside hitter reached that milestone in the second set of Dove Creek’s straight set victory over Dolores Friday night.
It came as part of a big run to turn a tight 13-11 score into a comfortable 10-point Bulldogs victory. From there, Dove Creek cruised to its second victory over Dolores this season.
Hickman, who was named Homecoming queen alongside DC Homecoming king Sheldon Gardner, relished the moment of reaching the 1,000-kill mark on a special night.
“That’s been a goal of mine since freshman year, but being Homecoming queen is a special honor, too,” she said.
Dove Creek blanks Dolores
On Homecoming night, Bulldog junior Nicholas Aragon scored four touchdowns to help Dove Creek pull away 40-0 against the visiting Bears on Homecoming night.
Dove Creek scored three times in the final three minutes of the second quarter to turn an 8-0 advantage into a 32-0 halftime margin.
A pick-six for Aragon in that span, sandwiched between a 19-yard run and 12-yard reception from Josh Kibel on the final play of the half, helped Dove Creek secure momentum.
Dolores drove into Dove Creek territory several times in the second half. However, the Bulldog defense kept the Bears off the board with several fourth down stops before sophomore Teagan Larimore scored the final touchdown to start a running clock.
