File photo Sheffield’s Darrelle Barno returned the opening kickoff 85 yards Friday night at Bucktail.

RENOVO — Making memories, plural.

In what could be Sheffield’s last varsity football game — if the high school closes as has been the discussion — what a way to go out. The Wolverines not only went out with a win — 36-8 at Bucktail on Friday, but went out winning their last two games and with their first three-win season in nine years at 3-4.

“What a way to end,” said Sheffield head coach Mike Barr, who helped resurrect a program forced to consolidate with Warren after one game in 2020.

Barr deserves this ending, and that’s not just an opinion. After coaching Sheffield to three winless seasons from 2021 to 2023, his Wolverines broke a 27-game losing streak on opening day with a 38-6 District 9, Region 3 victory, also over Bucktail, on Wolverine Mountain. The win was the first in the high school careers of any of this year’s team, and a highlight mentioned more than once when the seniors were recognized on Oct. 12. That was likely the last Wolverines varsity home game at Sheffield High School. Sheffield won that game 41-12 over Union City, and then the Wolverines beat Bucktail on Friday night for the second time this season.

“It is all sinking in,” said Coach Barr. “It was a great night. We had kids deal with some injuries, and I saw them fight through for the greater good. Not just a win! Two in a row, baby! All the boys played their hearts out, not just this game, but the entire season.”

Darrelle Barno’s 85-yard kickoff return to start the game put Sheffield in position to strike first. Four-year starting quarterback Colby Barr would score from 14 yards out for his 10th rushing touchdown of the season.

Sheffield recovered its own kickoff and Barno’s 22-yard touchdown run put the Wolverines up 14-0.

Barno’s scoring night continued with a punt return for a touchdown, and Sheffield led 20-0 at the half.

But it’s never just about the numbers for Sheffield.

“At the start of the second quarter, Colby went down with a hip injury and, just like that, Caleb Steffen — a kid that doesn’t get a lot of credit – steps up and gets out there and plays,” said Coach Barr. “To me, that’s what’s hitting me today — the Caleb Steffens, Zach Barnes, Jim Wagners and Garrett Copleys all got in the ballgame and took care of business at the position. Man, we have a program. … Huge shout-out to my senior leaders on that field; Colby was hurting, but still managed to play the game at a high level and have control. Alex Marfink was an animal on defense. What else can I say? Andrew Kyler, I honestly think I saw a smile on his face when he was pulling on a sweep. … All leaders!”

After a Bucktail touchdown by senior quarterback Brody Pentz, Barr struck back on Sheffield’s next series with a 28-yard touchdown run.

Barr had 105 yards on the ground in his final high school game, finishing with 865 yards rushing in seven games. He also completed a pair of passes on Friday for 19 yards.

Despite the quarterback’s hip hurting, “I saw true guts and determination come out in the second half as he kept control and took a keeper for a touchdown,” said Coach Barr.

Sheffield added a fourth-quarter score from Barno on a 15-yard run.

Barno carried the ball 13 times for 85 yards, plus the big kickoff and punt returns.

Sheffield more than doubled Bucktail’s rushing yardage, 233 to 91, for the game. Pentz led the Bucks (0-7) with 75 yards on 30 attempts, finishing 100 yards shy of 1,000 for the season.

“A couple of unsung names, Michael Knapp had two extra-point catches and Wyatt Newark’s slant pass caught for 7 yards to keep a drive alive so we can control the clock, was huge,” said Coach Barr.

“It’s hit me that this could be it and honestly, I’ve been thinking a lot about my dad today and how much this season would have meant to him,” said Coach Barr. “Watching the boys put in all the hard work and their success, he wouldn’t have missed a game… Mom didn’t.”

There is a lot to reflect on.

“Well, today is just a day where you look back and think of all the memories and from where it started to where it ended,” said Colby Barr. “It’s sad knowing that it may end and that it could be the last, but all we can do is celebrate and look back at the past and see what we accomplished.

“To have my dad on the sidelines from my freshman year to my senior year, it truly was amazing to have him lead us through the worst and the best. And the fans; they had a huge part last night from taking time out of their Friday night and taking a two-hour plus trip out to Bucktail, it truly means a lot to me and the team. Just hearing them one last time was amazing.”