4A SIC football preview: The teams, players trying to restore the league to greatness
The Southern Idaho Conference long held the reputation as the toughest 4A league in the state — by far. But that prestige took a hit last fall when only one team (Emmett) made it to the semifinal round.
That stands in stark contrast to the three teams the league sent to the semifinals in 2018 and ‘19. And it was the fewest for the Boise-based league since 2015.
A new bounty of talent tries to restore the league to glory this fall, and it appears the trademark depth has returned to the conference. A preseason coaches’ poll pegged the 4A SIC as a three-team race, with little separating the trio.
Perennial power Bishop Kelly stands atop the preseason coaches’ poll for the fourth straight year. But Middleton is nipping at its heels, and defending league champ and state runner-up Emmett seeks to prove it is more than a one-hit wonder.
Below are scouting reports on all eight teams as fall camp heats up.
1. BISHOP KELLY KNIGHTS
Last season: 7-2, 6-1 4A SIC
Playoffs: Lost to Century 33-14 in quarterfinals
Coach: Tim Brennan, 26th season
Career record: 222-77
Base offense (coordinator): I-formation (Chris Martineau)
Base defense (coordinator): 4-3 (George Gamber)
Key players: Seth Knothe, sr., RB; Jason Buss, sr., WR/DB; Marques McFadden, sr., OL; Jack Heffner, sr., WR/DB
Last season ended earlier than many expected for the Knights. But the formula remains the same for the perennial power — run the ball, play tough defense and contend for titles.
Knothe, a reigning second-team All-Idaho running back, returns to lead the ground game. His physical running style fits BK’s identity perfectly, and he’ll even see some time at linebacker this year. He’ll wear defenses down and open the door for the rest of the Knights.
Buss and Heffner give BK two explosive weapons at receiver. But one concern remains on the offensive line, which returns just one starter. That group may need time to gel before hitting its full stride.
The defense also remains thin on experience, with just three returning starters. But Brennan said he has a ton of depth and speed, ensuring points will be hard to come by against BK — as always.
2. MIDDLETON VIKINGS
Last season: 6-4, 4-3 4A SIC
Playoffs: Lost to Nampa 44-42 in first round
Coach: Bill Brock, 22nd season
Career record: 234-115
Base offense (coordinator): Spread (Brock)
Base defense (coordinator): 3-4 (Rob Kiser)
Key players: Ky McClure, sr., QB; Tyler Medaris, sr., WR; Tanner Ford, sr., LB
The state’s second-highest scoring offense (36.7 ppg) stands loaded again with seven returning starters. That includes five offensive linemen. But it also includes the Vikings’ triggerman in McClure, who led all 4A passers with 256.9 yards per game a year ago and was Middleton’s leading rusher.
The 6-7 Medaris also returns after leading the team in receptions (39 catches, 492 yards, seven TDs). The reigning 4A All-Idaho Boys Basketball Player of the Year gives McClure a towering target on the edge. But Middleton will need a slew of new players to step up at the skill positions.
The defense will have a lot of new faces with just three returning starters. Ford leads the linebacking corps, and juniors Tate Johansen and Dekker Hagler return in the secondary after gaining valuable playing time as sophomores.
Middleton struggled to get off the field at times last year against the conference’s top teams, allowing 27.3 points per game (16th in 4A). Any improvement there could vault Middleton back to the top of the conference standings after finishing fifth a year ago.
3. EMMETT HUSKIES
Last season: 10-3, 6-1 4A SIC
Playoffs: Lost to Skyline 42-22 in state finals
Coach: Rich Hargitt, fourth season
Career record: 26-42
Base offense (coordinator): Pro style (Brandon Young)
Base defense (coordinator): 3-4 (Zane Hines/Chris Roeper)
Key players: Caden Young, sr., QB; Jeff Lockett, sr., RB; Caseyn Pearson, sr., WR
The Huskies shocked the world last year. Picked fifth in the 4A SIC, they won their first 4A league title in program history and made a run all the way to the state championship game.
Graduation hit Emmett hard, though, leaving just three returning starters on both sides of the ball. But the Huskies can comfort themselves with the fact that Young, the reigning 4A All-Idaho Player of the Year, is one of them.
The dual-threat quarterback makes the Huskies a threat night in and night out. He brings back his top target, Pearson, and another starting receiver, Tanner Wilkerson. The rest of the offense remains up in the air as a crew of young, unproven talent enters the fray.
It’s the same story on defense, where Pearson leads the way as a second-team All-Idaho pick. Hargitt said the Huskies will remain athletic on the back end. But a new group must try to replace a defensive line that was key to last year’s run.
4. VALLIVUE FALCONS
Last season: 6-4, 4-3 4A SIC
Playoffs: Lost to Blackfoot 42-12 in first round
Coach: Layne Coffin, 16th season
Career record: 113-85
Base offense (coordinator): Pistol (Coffin)
Base defense (coordinator): 3-4 (Talon Sudbeck)
Key players: Casey Cope, sr., QB; Anthony Calderon, sr., C/NT; Carson Fox, sr., TE/LB; Braxdon Bailey, sr., WR/DB
Three straight losses to end 2020 spoiled a 5-0 start. But with 12 returning starters (five offense, seven defense), the Falcons stand poised to make noise.
Cope returns for his second year under center and fourth in the starting lineup. His strong left arm and quick feet make him tough to contain, let alone stop. He racked up 2,271 total yards and 19 TDs last fall, numbers that likely will climb.
Senior Santiago Diaz (492 yards, nine TDs) returns alongside him at running back in a new pistol set. But the Falcons will have to break in three new offensive linemen.
The defense remains strong on the back end, with three starting linebackers and four defensive backs returning. The graduation of Braydon Ary, 4A’s sack leader each of the past two years, leaves big shoes to fill along the defensive front though.
5. NAMPA BULLDOGS
Last season: 6-3, 5-2 4A SIC
Playoffs: Lost to Skyline 42-21 in quarterfinals
Coach: Dan Holtry, sixth season
Career record: 25-26
Base offense (coordinator): Spread (Danl Richards)
Base defense (coordinator): 4-2-5 (Holtry)
Key players: Ryan Schuler, sr., RB; Payton Gunter, jr., QB/DE; Daniel Carrillo, jr., RB; Trais Higgins, sr., WR
Graduation losses leave the Bulldogs with just seven returning starters (three offense, four defense). But after winning at least one playoff game three years in a row and leading the 4A ranks with 434 yards of offense per game last fall, Nampa expects to reload, not rebuild.
Two dynamic running backs boost the Bulldogs’ confidence heading into the season. Schuler returns after earning first-team all-conference honors last year despite playing just three games before a season-ending foot injury. And Nampa saw little drop-off when it turned to Carrillo, who ran for 204 yards in a playoff win at Middleton.
The two will pair up to give opposing defenses fits and lead a strong group of skill position players. But Nampa must replace three all-conference selections on the offensive line. And it needs to settle a quarterback battle between Gunter and Gabe Navarro, both juniors, before it can dream of another deep playoff run.
6. COLUMBIA WILDCATS
Last season: 2-5, 2-5 4A SIC
Playoffs: Did not qualify
Coach: Greg Asbury, third season
Career record: 108-61
Base offense (coordinator): Spread (Colton Sweesey)
Base defense (coordinator): 4-2-5 (Jarome Bell)
Key players: Ikaika Ho, jr., RB; Manny Variz, jr., ILB; Nico Rodriguez, sr., OL/DE; Conner Burfeind, sr., WR/CB
A youth movement that began last year will start to pay dividends, as the Wildcats return 21 starters (10 offense, 11 defense). But many of them still remain juniors.
Rodriguez brings veteran leadership to the team. The two-time state wrestling champion earned first-team all-conference honors on both the offensive and defensive lines last season. He’ll make his presence felt all over the field and set an example for the underclassmen to follow.
Junior Matt Davis returns for his second year as a starting quarterback. Columbia lost its leading rusher (Adrian Martinez) to graduation, but the Wildcats have plenty of options, with Ho, Variz and Ramon Caballero all vying for carries.
The defense makes the switch from a 4-4 to a 4-2-5 after ranking second in the state with a +12 turnover margin last year. Asbury said the new system will create a learning curve but allows Columbia to employ more pressure and become even more aggressive.
7. RIDGEVUE WARHAWKS
Last season: 2-7, 1-6 4A SIC
Playoffs: Did not qualify
Coach: Tom DeWitz, sixth season
Career record: 10-35
Base offense (coordinator): Spread option (Ryan Andreason)
Base defense (coordinator): 3-4/3-5-3 (Ryan Beason)
Key players: Cole McDonald, sr., QB; Zack Saulls, sr., ILB; Massimo Valle, sr., OL/DL; Trevor Warren, jr., DB
After the school opened six years ago, the Warhawks’ best season remains a 3-6 campaign in 2017. But with nine returning starters (four offense, five defense), Ridgevue looks to turn a corner this fall.
A large part of the Warhawks’ optimism stems from McDonald’s return at quarterback. He started Ridgevue’s first four games last season before knee surgery ended his season. The Warhawks run a lot of option — both running and passing — so an experienced leader at that position goes a long way, DeWitz said.
Ridgevue has a solid linebacker corps in Saulls and Juan Santiago. But the Warhawks lost their top five tacklers from last season on a defense that gave up 34.3 points per game. A young group will have to prove itself to earn respect around the 4A SIC.
8. CALDWELL COUGARS
Last season: 0-7, 0-7 4A SIC
Playoffs: Did not qualify
Coach: Steven Fleshman, third season
Career record: 0-16
Base offense (coordinator): Spread (Anthony Marin)
Base defense (coordinator): 4-3 (Fleshman)
Key players: Zaylor Bruegeman, so., QB; Cameron Morales, sr., TE/DE; Matthew Vialet, sr., RB/DB
The long-struggling program hit a new low last year, forfeiting its final three games because it didn’t have enough players academically eligible to field a varsity team. But patience in a youth movement should show signs of progress this fall.
All the freshmen and sophomores Caldwell relied on last fall are now sophomores and juniors, providing an immediate boost in experience and maturity. Fleshman said his most seasoned units are the offensive and defensive lines, positions key to any turnaround.
Morales provides a veteran presence, one with the skills allowing Caldwell to flex him around the field to find mismatches. He was a second-team all-conference pick last year despite the Cougars playing just 2.5 games.
Vialet returns as last season’s leading rusher. And Fleshman said Bruegeman has grown into a leader at quarterback after playing varsity baseball and basketball last year.
This story was originally published August 11, 2021 at 5:09 PM.
