New Plymouth, Nampa Christian favored in 2A WIC football

COLE VALLEY CHRISTIAN CHARGERS

With a first-team all-conference quarterback and eight returning lettermen on offense and defense, the Chargers are looking to return to the playoffs for the third time in four years. Senior signal caller Luke Lithander, who shared first-team honors last season with Melba’s Eli Bangerter, enters his third year as a starter and will have a strong group of receivers to throw to, coach Dan Reece said. Look out for freshman running back Obi Gee and senior safety/receiver Tyler Krogh, a transfer from Summit Academy, to make an immediate impact.

* conference game

Last season: 2-6, 1-4 2A WIC

Coach: Dan Reece, third season

Stadium: Meridian High

MARSING HUSKIES

The Huskies have suffered through a rough two years, going 0-8 twice, scoring three TDs last season, firing their coach two games into 2015 and replacing him with Norm Stewart, the district’s superintendent. Stewart returns along with nine lettermen on both sides of the ball, and he said enough players turned out to field a JV team again. “We are focusing on the fundamentals of football,” Stewart said. “We are attempting to rebuild the program.”

* conference game

Last season: 0-8, 0-5 2A WIC

Coach: Norm Stewart, second season

Stadium: Marsing High

MCCALL-DONNELLY VANDALS

The Vandals broke through last season under coach Lee Leslie, reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2012. And with nearly their entire lineup returning, the Vandals could be in line for their first playoff victory since 2004, when they reached the 3A title game. The offense returns 11 players who started at one point last fall, including first-team all-conference receiver Miguel Rodriguez. The defense brings back nine starters, including four-year starter Doug Wilkinson at linebacker.

* conference game

Last season: 2-7, 2-3 2A WIC

Coach: Lee Leslie, second season

Stadium: Sabala Field

MELBA MUSTANGS

Melba returns four starters on both sides of the ball from a team that won its first playoff game since 2004. Three of those starters remain on both lines, leaving the Mustangs strong up front. And they bring back senior QB Eli Bangerter, a co-first-team all-conference pick. Experience at the skill positions remains light, but Melba adds running back Brian Reyes, who finished fourth at state in the 100-meter dash but suffered a knee injury during the first game last year.

* conference game

Last season: 6-3, 4-1 2A WIC

Coach: Sherm Blaser, third season

Stadium: Melba Memorial Field

NAMPA CHRISTIAN TROJANS

The reigning league champ reached the state semifinals for the first time since 2008 last fall, but graduation robbed the Trojans of four All-Idaho picks. The offensive line was spared, where all but one starter returns, and Nampa Christian has so much depth it converted one returning lineman into a tight end. Junior Braxton Bujak, a two-way, first-team All-Idaho pick, moves from defensive tackle to linebacker, allowing him to get involved in more plays.

* conference game

Last season: 8-3, 5-0 2A WIC

Coach: Jerry Smith, second season

Stadium: Campbell Field

NEW PLYMOUTH PILGRIMS

The Pilgrims dropped to third in the conference last season. But with six starters on both sides of the ball returning, they are the favorite to capture another league title. New Plymouth’s running game will remain strong with three offensive linemen — Dallin Beus, Dylan Kuhlman and Dylan Hendry — clearing the way for senior Jake Wilson, a reigning first-team all-conference pick. But coach Dallan Rupp said the Pilgrims will have to improve their passing game to keep defenses honest and to take advantage of Cody Fernley on the outside.

* conference game

Last season: 4-5, 3-2 2A WIC

Coach: Dallan Rupp, fourth season

Stadium: Pilgrim Field

COACHES’ POLL

STATESMAN PICKS

2015 STANDINGS

This story was originally published August 22, 2016 at 11:41 PM with the headline "New Plymouth, Nampa Christian favored in 2A WIC football."