3A state champ Emmett returns to 4A looking for more history

After dominating the 3A classification last fall on its way to an undefeated season and the program’s first state title, Emmett returns to the 4A Southern Idaho Conference in 2016.

The Huskies’ trip to 3A was a short (two years) and successful (19-3 overall). But Emmett returns to a league and classification it occupied for 16 years and never made the playoffs in.

“I’m a reality-based coach, and I understand that there is a better level of competition there,” Emmett coach Mike Schroeder said. “Our depth is what’s probably going to hurt us a little bit in certain games. But on the other hand, we probably have more talent than we’ve had in the past.”

That talent starts with a pair of players who’ve received offers from Idaho State — tight end/outside linebacker Mitchel Maxfield and wide receiver/defensive back Luc Overton. They’re two of the three players in the 4A SIC with a preseason Division I scholarship offer.

The Huskies’ largest holes come on the offensive line, where they must replace three starters, and at running back, where they lost 3A All-Idaho Player of the Year Mason Farnsworth to graduation. A pair of juniors, DJ Crump and Jayden Smith, are splitting carries early in fall camp.

But with a fast, stout defense returning eight starters, the offense will have some time to get up to speed as the Huskies try to make some noise in their return to 4A.

“Our kids our confident, and they were confident before we went into 3A,” Schroeder said. “We’ve changed some attitudes and culture here, which has helped.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

The 6-3, 223-pound senior is physical enough to set the edge on defense, but he owns soft enough hands to also be a weapon on offense.

Emmett’s leading receiver in 2015 (38 rec., 855 yards, 13 TDs), the 6-1 senior is a dynamic athlete on both sides of the ball.

The Huskies will look for Buck to use his arm and his frame (6-1, 193) to run the option and stretch defenses in multiple ways.

Emmett will move the explosive and fluid runner all over the field to find favorable matchups in space.

SCHEDULE

* conference game

Last year: 11-0, 5-0 3A SRV

Playoffs: Beat Gooding 54-22 in 3A final

Coach: Mike Schroeder, fifth season

Record at school: 31-10

Stadium: Huskie Stadium

This story was originally published August 15, 2016 at 1:47 PM with the headline "3A state champ Emmett returns to 4A looking for more history."