Boys soccer preview: Ranking the top contenders, dark horses in the Boise area
For more than a decade, boys soccer in the state’s largest classification has been dominated by Boise-area teams.
A team from the Treasure Valley has won the state tournament every year since since 2013, and local teams have claimed the state’s second-largest division six times in the past seven years.
Will the dominance continue in 2025?
We asked every coach in the 6A and 5A Southern Idaho Conference for our annual season preview. Below are the full rankings for each league, and the top players to watch on each squad.
6A SOUTHERN IDAHO CONFERENCE
1. ROCKY MOUNTAIN
Last season: 17-2-2, 10-1-2 6A SIC
Coach: Bill Taylor, ninth season
Players to watch: David Muyolo, jr., W; Camden Shephard, sr., M; Kevin Juarez, jr., M; Paul Mercadante, sr., GK
Outlook: The Grizzlies are a heavy favorite, earning nine of 14 first-place votes in the Idaho Statesman’s preseason coaches’ poll. They wrapped up 2024 as the two-time reigning conference and district champions, with another runner-up finish at state, losing to Boise 1-0 on a penalty kick in overtime. Twelve players are back with experience being in the starting lineup, but they’ll need to replace the production of graduated senior Rylan McPherson (26 goals, 12 assists). Muyolo could be the answer. He sat out last season after transferring from Centennial, where he scored 22 goals in 2023 to make the All-Idaho second team. Defense should be strong again this season (20 goals against in 2024) with Mercadante back. Juarez, a 6A SIC first-team pick, will control the midfield after starting every game last season.
2. BOISE
Last season: 17-3-1, 10-2-1 6A SIC
Coach: Graham Reid, first season
Players to watch: Jack Andonian, sr., D; Meyer Smith, jr., M/F; Confiance Ishimwe, sr., F; CJ Zambukos, jr., M
Outlook: The Brave begin a new era with the retirement of coach Mike Darrow, who headed the team for 24 seasons and left in style last season with a seventh state championship. Only three starters are back, but that doesn’t mean expectations aren’t high in Reid’s first season. Smith (5 goals, 3 assists) and Ishimwe (5 goals, 2 assists) are dangerous scoring threats, and Andonian and Zambukos provide experience on defense and in the midfield, respectively, for a Boise team that allowed a conference-best 16 goals all season. “I believe we have improved our depth and versatility in the current season across the squad as a whole,” Reid said. “As a team, we will have to be less reliant on individual contributors and look to a larger number of players to chip in with goals, assists and defensive contributions.”
3. TIMBERLINE
Last season: 9-6-4, 7-3-3 6A SIC
Coach: Adrian Kane, fifth season
Players to watch: Rhys Ford, jr., F; Patrick Kane, sr., M; Amuza Shanti, sr., M; Kai Anitok, sr., F; Joseph St. Pierre, jr., D
Outlook: Two years removed from a state championship, the Wolves still have key pieces from that team, including the return of six starters. Ford, back with the squad after playing last season with the Portland Timbers Academy MLS Next U16 team, will team with Kane (5 goals, 8 assists) and Anitok (5 goals, 6 assists) as scoring threats. Shanti returns following 6A All-Idaho first-team honors last season and recognition as a regional team ODP player. Center backs Isaac Santillan and St. Pierre bring maturity and poise to a back line that allowed just 21 goals in 2024. Key to Timberline’s success, Kane says, will be an increase in goal production.
4. BISHOP KELLY
Last season: 14-5-3, 9-1-3 6A SIC
Coach: Eneko Bereziartua, fourth season
Players to watch: Cameron Wind, sr., M; Dylan Gale, sr., D; Jackson Stephens, sr., M; Xavier Bloxham, jr., M/D
Outlook: The Knights have made five straight trips to the state tournament between the state’s two largest classifications, and Bereziartua is the reigning 6A SIC coach of the year. BK returns four starters from last season and will get a boost from Timberline transfer Bloxham, who sat out last season, and High Point signee Stephens, who played for Austin FC’s academy in 2024. Wind, Stephens and Bloxham bring loads of experience to the midfield, while sophomore Hudson Fleetwood and freshman Peter Stover will fight to replace 6A All-Idaho second-teamer Justin McGrew in goal. “We are much more technical as a team and have the ability to control games through possession,” Bereziartua said.
5. BORAH
Last season: 11-6-1, 9-4-0 6A SIC
Coach: Brian Shields, third season
Players to watch: Christian Griffith, sr., GK; Isacc Alford, sr., D; Gabriel Figueroa, sr., D; Carter Rojas, sr., M
Outlook: The Lions had one of the league’s stingiest defenses last season (20 goals against), and they’re likely to be even better in 2025. Borah has 18 seniors on its roster and seven starters back, making them a sleeper to steal the conference title despite being picked fifth in the coaches’ poll. Griffith begins his fourth season in goal, having played every minute of every game throughout his high school career. Alford stands at 6-foot-3 and is a menace on defense, earning 6A first-team All-Idaho honors a year ago with an average of three blocked shots per game to go with five goals and four assists. Rojas is poised for a breakout year after sitting out last season because of injury, and Figueroa remains an anchor on a talented back line while also adding three goals and six assists. “We have been a young team in the past,” Shields said. “This year we will have 18 seniors, and they are all hungry for a state title run.”
6. OWYHEE
Last season: 14-6-2, 9-4-0 6A SIC
Coach: Darion Green, second season
Players to watch: Greyson Pew, sr., D; Jordan Shupe, sr., M; Corbon Gill, sr., GK; Ishaq Bisharat, sr., D
Outlook: The Storm made the program’s state tournament debut last season, bringing home a third-place trophy. Nine players are back with starting experience, including 6A SIC and All-Idaho first-teamer Pew, who started every game last season. Replacing goal production will be a key area of focus for Owyhee with the graduation of the state’s No. 4 leading scorer (Colton Papa) and No. 2 assist man (Graham Herzog). The Storm return three of their four starting defenders but will feature a new front three. “With this being my second year, the players understand what I expect and what style of soccer that I like to coach,” Green said. “We won’t have to build a relationship the first half of the season this year.”
7. MOUNTAIN VIEW
Last season: 12-10-2, 6-6-1 6A SIC
Coach: Alejandro Saldana, second season
Players to watch: Jace Obenchain, sr., D; Gerard Alimasi, sr., M; Dominick Tristan, jr., W; Ammar Kapidzic, jr., M
Outlook: The Mavericks ended a four-year state tournament drought last season, culminating with a consolation trophy. Mountain View will make another run at state with the return of eight starters. Obenchain leads the offensive charge thanks to six goals and 11 assists for 6A All-Idaho second-team honors last season. Joining Obenchain in the attack will be key contributors Alimasi (5 goals, 8 assists), Tristan (5 goals, 4 assists) and Kapidzic (2 goals, 4 assists). While offensive production shouldn’t be a problem, the Mavericks will need some inexperienced defensive players to step up. “A lot of our varsity players are coming back with first-team experience,” Saldana said. “The group now knows the standard and expectation we have set as a coaching staff for the program.”
8. EAGLE
Last season: 9-8-3, 6-4-3 6A SIC
Coach: Austin Rogerson, second season
Players to watch: Josiah Pettit, sr., D; Adrian Ochoa, sr., M; Cole Norris, sr., GK
Outlook: Eight starters return for the Mustangs, highlighted by three 6A SIC honorable mention selections in Pettit, Ochoa and Norris. The trio will give Eagle experience on the defensive side, but the Mustangs will need to fill in holes on the attack after the graduation of 65.7 percent of its goal production in All-Idaho second-teamer Lucas Boockholdt, who accounted for 12 goals and six assists, and Matt Macner (11 goals, 4 assists). “The Eagle boys soccer team’s greatest strength lies in its disciplined, cohesive defense and close-knit culture who believes in each other,” Rogerson said.
9. CENTENNIAL
Last season: 5-8-3, 3-7-3 6A SIC
Coach: Geoffrey Poole, first season
Players to watch: Jerrod Belleza, jr., W/D; Aiden Wendel-Kessinger, sr., M/F; Christian Huffman, so., W/D; Jeronimo Osorio, sr., D/M
Outlook: The Patriots start the season with a new coach, and Poole will have five returning starters to build from. Centennial does not have any returning 6A SIC all-conference selections, but Poole expects Osorio to step into a leadership role, and Belleza, Wendel-Kessinger and Huffman provide versatile pieces to move around the field as needed. “This group’s ability to play a variety of styles will make them a solid matchup for even the top schools in the area,” Poole said.
10. CALDWELL
Last season: 5-8-2, 4-7-2 6A SIC
Coach: Rhys Yeakley, 13th season
Players to watch: Sergio Gaxiola, jr., D; Luis Alonso, jr., M; Walter Romero, jr., M; Freddy Achibia, sr., M
Outlook: The Cougars dominated the old 4A level with nine straight trips to state and three championships before moving to the new 6A last season. Although they earned just five wins in 2024, the Cougars are likely to climb the standings this season with seven starters back. Leading the way will be 6A SIC first-teamer Gaxiola, a top defender in the conference who is also a capable scorer when the opportunity arises. Romero contributed nine goals last season as a sophomore, and Alonso led Caldwell in assists. Goal production will be key, as the Cougars ranked sixth in goals allowed (27), but only scored 21.
11. MERIDIAN
Last season: 1-13-0, 1-12-0 6A SIC
Coach: Jake London, second season
Players to watch: Nate Lynch, sr., F; Tanner Hislop, sr., M; Adan Rodriguez, sr., M; Gavin Draper, jr., GK
Outlook: The Warriors finished at the bottom of the conference standings last season, getting outscored 56-14. But the opportunity for an upward trajectory is possible with six returning starters, including 6A All-Idaho first-team pick Lynch, who produced nine goals and two assists. Teammates Hislop (3 goals, 5 assists) and Rodriguez (1 goal) are returning all-conference honorable mention selections, while Draper has been the Warriors’ starting keeper since taking over the position after two games last season, making 117 saves. “This group’s greatest strength is its work rate and willingness to learn,” London said. “We’ve got players who are committed to putting in the effort every day and holding themselves to a higher standard than before.”
12. CAPITAL
Last season: 2-12-1, 2-10-1 6A SIC
Coach: Alex Erazo, fifth season
Players to watch: Jorge Albizo, sr., M/F; Chris Mesillas, jr., M; Scott Cavanagh, jr., M/D
Outlook: The Eagles may have been near the bottom of the league standings in 2024, but they proved they can compete with anyone by snagging a 2-1 win over eventual conference and district champion Rocky Mountain on Sept. 3. Capital will push for a move up the standings after missing out on the eight-team district tournament the past three seasons. Chris Mesillas, the only returning all-conference honoree, will be key to that revival as the Eagles look to close the gap on a 59-21 goal differential. “We want to try to be competitive in each game and play an exciting brand of soccer that makes us fun to watch and hard for other teams to plan for,” Erazo said.
13. KUNA
Last season: 4-12-1, 2-11-0 6A SIC
Coach: Brian Lee, second season
Players to watch: Izaki Abongela, sr., F; Weston Seamons, so., GK; Kannon Barber, fr., M; Kohlton Zubizareta, sr., D
Outlook: Stability in coaching will help the Kavemen, as Lee enters his second season after Kuna previously went through three coaches in four seasons. Goal production will be a key focus, with Abongela leading the way following a 2024 season in which he totaled five goals and three assists for a Kuna team that was outscored 46-16. Seamons will replace graduated 6A SIC first-teamer Robert Foster in goal, and newcomer Barber will provide a consistent passer from the center mid position. “Our entire team has bought into the formation and style we will have to play this year in order to compete,” Lee said. “Our greatest strength will be our unity and discipline in our final third.”
14. RIDGEVUE
Last season: 4-9-3, 2-8-3 6A SIC
Coach: Dylan Manker, first season
Players to watch: Angel Escutia, sr., M; Aroni Malomalu, sr., F; Brycen Wagoner, sr., W/M
Outlook: The Warhawks begin their second season in the state’s largest classification with a new coach, who will have six returning starters to build a foundation. But the graduation of 15 seniors from last season means Ridgevue will field an inexperienced roster. Escutia, a team captain since his sophomore year, will be the Warhawks’ undisputed leader following a 6A SIC honorable mention nod last year with one goal and four assists. Malomalu (3 goals, 1 assist) and Wagoner (4 goals, 6 assists) will each look to up their production in 2025. “We are a very cohesive group that enjoys playing with each other and are all very hard-working,” Manker said. “The team chemistry makes our game look and feel smooth and exciting.”
5A SOUTHERN IDAHO CONFERENCE
1. VALLIVUE
Last season: 12-2-3, 6-2-0 5A SIC
Coach: Joel Bitters, first season
Players to watch: Elijah Grimaldo, sr., M; Leopoldo Ayala, sr., D; Ryan Steinbach, sr., W
Outlook: The Falcons are a favorite to repeat as conference and state champions with the return of one of the most prolific scoring threats in the state. Grimaldo was named the 5A SIC and 5A All-Idaho player of the year in 2024, scoring 26 goals and adding five assists. And one of the state’s top defenders is also back in Ayala, who helped the Falcons limit opponents to just two goals at the state tournament and five shutouts on the season. “The soccer IQ is high and there are several players who are legitimate scoring threats,” Bitters said. “The defense is absolutely solid and athletic.” Nine starters are back from a team that outscored its opponents 54-15 in 2024.
2. NAMPA
Last season: 12-7-1, 4-4-0 5A SIC
Coach: Clifton Thomas, third season
Players to watch: Lucas Barker, sr., D; JJ Silva, sr., M; Makai Venegas, sr., F; Marquez Venegas, so., F/M
Outlook: The Bulldogs fell a game short of qualifying for state last season, losing 1-0 to Moscow in the play-in game. Nine starters are back for a team that scored 42 goals, highlighted by Venegas, a 5A SIC second-team selection who scored 11 goals with six assists while also playing wide receiver for the football team. Barker, a 5A SIC first-teamer, is back to lead the defense alongside second-team pick Silva. “This season we will be strong in attack and creating chances,” Thomas said. “We have exceptionally creative individual players, but we also take the most pride in moving the ball around quickly as a team.”
T-3. MIDDLETON
Last season: 4-11-1, 3-4-1 5A SIC
Coach: Skyler Pyne, first season
Players to watch: Ethan Blanes, sr., F/M; Nate Wilson, sr., D; Jacob Kofoed, sr., F/M; Carter Chris, sr., M/D
Outlook: The Vikings could be the league’s sleeper this season, returning nine starters and eight seniors looking to end a state tournament drought dating back to 2018. Two of those seniors — Kofoed and Wilson — earned 5A SIC first-team recognition a year ago. Kofoed and Blanes, a second-team pick, combined for 10 goals and four assists last season and will lead Middleton’s offensive charge in 2025. Defense will be a key area of focus for the Vikings after giving up a league-high 48 last season. “We are a relentless, conditioned, transitional team,” Pyne said. “We are fast-paced and can attack and defend quickly.”
T-3. COLUMBIA
Last season: 6-7-5, 2-3-3 5A SIC
Coach: David Duran-Arredondo, third season
Players to watch: Diego Arredondo, sr., GK; Damian Xavi Vasquez, so., W/M; Francisco “Cisco” Segura, jr., D; Darey Negrete, sr., F
Outlook: The Wildcats made just their second district championship game in program history last season, falling 2-1 to Vallivue. Now they aim to return to the state tournament for the first time since 2010, and they’ll do so with eight returning starters. While they lost the scoring power of forward Jaime Gaona (102 career goals) to graduation, Columbia will look to Negrete (17 goals) and Vasquez (4 goals) to fill his shoes. Arredondo is the returning 5A SIC first-team goalkeeper, making 119 saves in 2024, and Seguara, another first-team pick, will anchor the back line. “We are a team that challenged the odds,” Duran-Arredondo said. “Making it to the district final is something not many people and teams believed in. Our culture is always improving, and with our Columbia family, support is greater than it has ever been.”
5. SKYVIEW
Last season: 3-8-2, 2-4-2 5A SIC
Coach: Manuel Reynoso, 12th season
Outlook: The Hawks did not respond to the Idaho Statesman’s preseason survey.
This story was originally published August 25, 2025 at 4:00 PM.
