CANYON, Texas (KFDA) - Canyon baseball senior Bayler Schilling has become a role model for his teammates as the Eagles prepare for the playoffs.
Schilling was named NewsChannel 10 Sports GOAT of the Week for his leadership on and off the field.
“I mean it’s really a great feeling like knowing the community I have behind me,” Schilling said. “I mean I have such a great fan base and just everyone around me is like just great people and I love to surround myself with great people and it’s good to have.”
Two-sport standout
Schilling excelled in football and baseball for Canyon. He was one of the top players on the field during the football season.
On the baseball diamond, Schilling led the team at the plate heading into the final week of the regular season. He batted .419 with 15 runs and 14 RBIs.
ADVERTISEMENT
His pitching numbers were even more impressive. Schilling posted an 8-0 record with 52 strikeouts.
Positive impact on teammates
Canyon head coach Jed Anderson said Schilling brings energy to the team.
“Just energetic and fun to be around of and whether it’s yeah we cut up every now and then but that’s also getting to learn and that’s the fun part of coaching and and just the positive impact that he has on on his teammates as well as on me it’s it’s really good,” Anderson said.
The coaching staff emphasizes keeping things in perspective.
“We’ve said it multiple times, just Bayler being Bayler and you know not making it bigger than anything else and not trying to make one one game bigger than the next and just going out and playing the game that they all love and that he loves,” Anderson said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Schilling said his focus is on enjoying the game with his teammates.
“I mean I just want to have fun and I want to make sure my teammates have fun. I want to just go win games,” Schilling said.
Academics come first
The coaching staff stresses the importance of academics.
“They’re students first right...then athletes second but our kiddos do a really good job of staying in the moment and staying on task and not really letting grades be a part of it but it also just shows it out here on the field being heads up making smart decisions making good reads making good plays on that and so I think one thing leads it into another,” the coach said.
Schilling said his academic work prepares him for life after baseball.
“It’s a good thing to have and it’s good thing for life. I feel like I really need to prepare myself after school, after I get all this done I mean I need to have a good future,” Schilling said.
Next level
Schilling will continue his baseball career at West Texas A&M University under head coach Cory Hall.
Schilling hopes to be remembered as more than just an athlete.
“I hope they remember just how I wanted to be like a role model. I want to feel like ‘hey he’s good at his sport and he’s good at what he does but he’s also just a good person and he’s fun to be around he’s somebody that you want in your life,’” Schilling said. “Having the name that I have it’s good to have, especially around here and I feel like I’ve done a good job at keeping its weight.”
Copyright 2026 KFDA. All rights reserved.