5A SIC football preview: The favorites, top contenders and dark horses this fall
A pair of last-second losses kept Boise-area teams out of the 5A state championship game last fall. But a reloaded and reconfigured Southern Idaho Conference looks to bounce back this year behind its traditional football powers and a few upstarts.
First, the changes: The league bid goodbye to Skyview but still grew to 13 teams, the largest in its history. That includes the addition of Nampa and Middleton, as well as the return of Boise as a full conference member.
The SIC also reshuffled its Foothills and River Divisions during Idaho’s biannual reclassification, leading to new groupings for the third straight season.
But even with all the changes, a familiar face remains atop the preseason predictions. The league’s coaches overwhelmingly picked Rocky Mountain as the favorite. The picture after that grows murky as Meridian, Mountain View and Eagle all vie to knock off the Grizzlies, with a host of upset-minded dark horses following.
We examined each team and their prospects below.
1. ROCKY MOUNTAIN GRIZZLIES
Division: Foothills
Last season: 7-3, 4-0 5A SIC Foothills
Playoffs: Lost to Highland 22-21 in quarterfinals
Coach: Chris Culig, sixth season
Career record: 47-6
Base offense (coordinator): Pro (Scott Criner)
Base defense (coordinator): 3-4 (Culig)
Key players: CJ Jacobsen, sr., WR; Art Williams, sr., RB/OLB; Troy Wilkey, sr., DB; Gage Tanner, sr., LB
The perennial power’s run of three straight league titles and eight straight trips to the state semifinals came to an end last year. But with 35 returning seniors, the Grizzlies enter the fall heavily favored to rule the SIC again and make another deep run into November.
Four of those seniors have already committed to a Division I scholarship, with more sure to come. Offensive lineman Jackson Fuller has committed to Kansas State, defensive lineman Kade Steadman to Air Force, and running back Art Williams and offensive lineman Zach Penner to Idaho.
An offense that scored 35.4 points per game returns nearly intact with 10 starters back, including all five on the offensive line. Senior quarterback Tegan Sweaney will have weapons all around him. That includes Jacobsen, a 6-5, 230-pound wide receiver/tight end with offers from all over the country. Injuries limited him last season. But expect a breakout season with him back to full health.
The defense has more fresh faces with five returning starters. Long the backbone of Rocky Mountain’s success, it took a step back last year. But a fast and athletic group led by Williams, Tanner and Wilkey will seek to reestablish the defense as the state’s most feared unit.
T-2. MERIDIAN WARRIORS
Division: Foothills
Last season: 8-4, 2-2 5A SIC Foothills
Playoffs: Lost to Rigby 55-49 in 3OT in semifinals
Coach: John Zamberlin, fourth season
Career record: 15-13
Base offense (coordinator): Spread (Troy Gleave)
Base defense (coordinator): 4-3 (Rob Rathbun)
Key players: Nathan Reynolds, sr., LB; Marco Del Rio, jr., RB; Zeke Martinez, so., QB; Ryan Corder, sr., LB
The Warriors reasserted themselves as a state power last fall, winning their first playoff game since 2007, upsetting unanimous No. 1 Mountain View in the quarterfinals and then taking eventual state champ Rigby to triple overtime. Now Meridian brings back the vast majority of that history-making team with 17 returning starters (eight offense, nine defense).
The stacked defense ought to remain one of 5A’s toughest again. Reynolds, a three-year starter with multiple Division I offers, returns as one of the state’s top linebackers after first-team All-Idaho honors a year ago. He leads a front seven full of seniors. The only position in need of fresh blood comes at corner.
The offense returns loads of talent as well, and Zamberlin said the Warriors will remain a physical team that runs the ball well. But Meridian will have to replace key pieces at quarterback, running back and wide receiver.
Zeke Martinez saw lots of playing time under center as a freshman and impressed while filling in for his injured brother, Malakai Martinez, last fall. In the backfield, Del Rio (540 rushing yards, 11 TDs) proved himself as a sophomore. But Meridian will have to find new, dependable weapons at wide receiver.
T-2. MOUNTAIN VIEW MAVERICKS
Division: River
Last season: 9-1, 5-0 5A SIC River
Playoffs: Lost to Meridian 35-6 in quarterfinals
Coach: Brian Compton, first season
Career record: 6-19
Base offense (coordinator): Spread option (Compton)
Base defense (coordinator): 4-3 (Roman Keefe)
Key players: Dawson Wahl, sr., QB; Braden Moore, sr., OL; Mason Chiles, sr., LB; Grayson Flatten, jr., WR
The Mavericks captured the 5A SIC title last fall, entering the playoffs undefeated and as the unanimous No. 1-ranked team in the state. Then Mountain View committed six of its nine turnovers all season in a single night to fall to Meridian in the quarterfinals.
The perennial power attempts to turn the page after an offseason coaching change. Compton takes over the program from Judd Benedick, providing continuity. Compton served as Benedick’s assistant for 14 years, building one of the state’s most prolific offenses year in and year out.
He starts the season with five starters back on offense, including Wahl under center and three returning linemen. Wahl eases the transition as a veteran presence who threw for 1,712 yards and 16 TDs with just three interceptions a year ago. A shoulder injury kept him sidelined through basketball and track seasons, but he returns as the team’s undisputed leader.
The state’s best defense (13.0 ppg) will have to reload with just three returning starters. Chiles (7.6 tackles per game) and Maximus Maile (4.8 tackles) lead a talented and explosive linebacking group. But the Mavericks are searching for reliable new options along the defensive front.
4. EAGLE MUSTANGS
Division: River
Last season: 9-3, 3-1 5A SIC Foothills
Playoffs: Lost to Highland 29-27 in semifinals
Coach: John Hartz, fourth season
Career record: 22-9
Base offense (coordinator): Spread (James Cluphf)
Base defense (coordinator): 4-2-5 (Mark Woodall)
Key players: Ian Duarte, sr., WR; Deegan Martinho, sr., RB; Carter Davis, sr., DE; Kall Renner, sr., OL/ILB
A walk-off 40-yard field goal kept the Mustangs out of the state title game last fall. Eagle returns a powerful offense as it guns to make it back to the finals for the first time since 2011.
Eight starters return from a unit that racked up 35.7 points per game, third most in 5A. All eyes turn to Duarte at wide receiver, a home-run threat every time he touches the ball. And the Mustangs will remain potent on the ground with three returning linemen clearing the way for Martinho and Roy Hull, two more explosive playmakers.
Hartz said that will allow Eagle to remain balanced and force defenses to stay honest. But the Mustangs will have to replace quarterback Jack Benson, who accounted for 2,859 total yards and 26 TDs last year.
The defense has less experience, with five returning starters. Davis forms the heart of the unit as a leader who can wreak havoc and holds offers from Army, Navy and a host of FCS programs. The Mustangs will miss the security blanket of two-time All-Idaho pick Gage Jones in the secondary. But Hartz said Eagle has a few replacements who stood out in spring practices.
5. BORAH LIONS
Division: River
Last season: 5-5, 4-1 5A SIC River
Playoffs: Lost to Eagle 31-15 in first round
Coach: JQ Kenyon, second season
Career record: 5-5
Base offense (coordinator): Power spread (Kevin McCarthy)
Base defense (coordinator): 3-2-6 (Kenyon)
Key players: Parker Rushton, sr., RB; Trevor McKenna, jr., OL/DL; Jovari Beasley, sr., OL/DL; Trace Freeman, sr., WR/LB
The Lions bounced back from a winless season in 2020 to make the playoffs last year. Now they’ll look to take the next step behind Rushton.
Borah returns 13 starters (seven offense, six defense), but none are bigger than the 5A classification’s leading rusher (1,227 yards, 16 TDs), who will serve as the heart and soul of the Lions on both sides of the ball.
He and three returning offensive linemen give Borah a formidable ground game and a blue-collar identity. And should teams pack the box, senior quarterback Korbin McCarney has the freedom, experience and proven production (2,025 yards, 14 TDs) to punish man-to-man coverage.
The size and experience up front extends to the defense. McKenna (6-6, 225) demands a double team after tallying five sacks a year ago. And Freeman has the athleticism to match up with any of the league’s top weapons. But Kenyon said Borah will have to shore up a young secondary to prevent big plays.
6. OWYHEE STORM
Division: River
Last season: 1-8, 0-5 5A SIC River
Playoffs: Did not qualify
Coach: Sherm Blaser, second season
Career record: 39-43
Base offense (coordinator): Spread (Blaser)
Base defense (coordinator): 4-2-5 (Zac Farnam)
Key players: Gabe Alvarado, sr., WR; Gage Haws, so., LB; Beau Jacques, sr., DL
The Storm struggled through typical first-year growing pains last season. But with 17 returning starters (nine offense, eight defense) and a stacked offensive line, the Storm expect to jump into playoff contention this fall.
Boise State commit Carson Rasmussen (6-5, 296) and Montana State commit Zac Nyland (6-4, 300) anchor an offensive line that brings back four of five starters. They’ll clear the way for junior quarterback Matt Irwin, junior running back Tim Jamerson and sophomore running back Cade Walker, all of whom earned valuable experience as underclassmen.
But the underclassman who really turned heads last fall was Haws, who led the team with 9.3 tackles per game as a freshman. He’ll captain the defense as a sophomore from his middle linebacker position. Combined with Jacques (eight sacks) coming off the edge, Blaser said the defense should take big steps after allowing 39.8 points per game.
Blaser added he’s still setting expectations for the new program. But Year 2 has the Storm far more comfortable and confident.
7. TIMBERLINE WOLVES
Division: Foothills
Last season: 5-4, 1-3 5A SIC Foothills
Playoffs: Did not qualify
Coach: Ian Smart, sixth season
Career record: 35-42
Base offense (coordinator): Pro spread (Grant Hampton)
Base defense (coordinator): 4-2-5 (Smart)
Key players: Preston Sansoucie, sr., LB; Bobby Lee, sr., LB; Ben Schulte, sr., LB
The Wolves saw a promising season slip through their fingers last fall, starting 4-1 before losing three of their last four to miss the postseason. Now Timberline hits the reset button with just two returning starters on each side of the ball.
The loss of three-year starting running back Taylor Marcum, now a walk-on at Boise State, leaves a massive hole. Senior Kellan Brown steps into the featured back role after serving as Marcum’s backup. Smart described him as a downhill, between-the-tackle runner, an ideal fit for the Wolves’ offense.
The quarterback position remains a battle between junior Ronnie Dahlberg and sophomore Austin Rovig. Both provide an athletic option under center. But whoever delivers the most consistency will take the job.
But even with all the youth on its sideline, Smart said Timberline enters camp far ahead of the same time last year in its new offense. That comfort breeds confidence and a faster tempo.
8. CAPITAL EAGLES
Division: Foothills
Last season: 7-4, 3-2 5A SIC River
Playoffs: Lost to Rigby 41-14 in quarterfinals
Coach: Jay Bohner, first season
Career record: 33-38
Base offense (coordinator): Spread (Bohner)
Base defense (coordinator): 4-3 (Andrew Woodbridge)
Key players: Tucker French, sr., RB/DE; Brody Call, jr., WR/RET; Joren Peterson, jr., QB; Victor Byaundaombe, jr., WR/DB
After making the playoffs 15 years in row, one of the state’s blueblood programs finds itself in an unfamiliar position, with little preseason expectations.
Capital enters a new era with Bohner at the helm. The 1989 graduate of the school steps in for Todd Simis, who resigned after 18 years leading the program. Bohner spent the past 33 years in Illinois, coaching at the college and high school level.
He inherits a young squad with just three returning starters (two offense, one defense). The rebuild starts with finding a replacement for quarterback Max Clark, who broke Jake Plummer’s single-season touchdown record and will walk on at Arizona State. Bohner believes they’ve found the solution in Peterson, a dual-threat playmaker. But he’ll have to adjust to the varsity level behind five new offensive linemen.
French anchors the defense after racking up 12 sacks last year. The secondary should remain strong with Byaundaombe and Trevor Pooley leading the way. But the linebacking corps is all making the jump to varsity together.
9. MIDDLETON VIKINGS
Division: Foothills
Last season: 5-5, 4-3 4A SIC
Playoffs: Lost to Blackfoot 52-24 in 4A first round
Coach: Bill Brock, 23rd season
Career record: 239-120
Base offense (coordinator): Air raid (Brock)
Base defense (coordinator): 4-2-5 (Rob Kiser)
Key players: Tate Johansen, sr., WR/DB; Dekker Hagler, sr., QB/DB; Matt Hazard, sr., TE/LB; Cole Holman, jr., RB/LB
The perennial 4A contenders make the jump to the state’s highest classification for the first time, bringing their explosive air raid offense, 16 returning starters (six offense, 10 defense), and the 5A and 4A SIC’s active leader in coaching victories with them.
The offense gets a new trigger man after the graduation of 4A’s two-time passing leader, Ky McClure. The Vikings turn to Hagler, who already holds an offer from Idaho State despite only now taking full control of the team. He’ll have four returning starters on the offensive line protecting him. But he’ll need to break in some new receivers, with Tate Johansen (64 catches, 793 yards, seven TDs) as his main returning target.
An experienced defense led by Johansen and Hagler, both three-year starters, provides a security blanket as Middleton transitions to the 5A level. But staying healthy with so many two-way players will remain key if the Vikings are to make their ninth straight playoff appearance.
T-10. CENTENNIAL PATRIOTS
Division: Foothills
Last season: 2-7, 2-3 5A SIC River
Playoffs: Did not qualify
Coach: Matt Greene, third season
Career record: 2-13
Base offense (coordinator): Wing-T (Nate Weddle)
Base defense (coordinator): 4-2-5 (Jeff Zerfas)
Key players: Brad Ames, sr., LB; Fabrice Ndaitouroum, jr., H-back/DL; Dominic Hines, sr., WR; Kai Twaddle-Dunham, jr., OL
The Patriots climbed out of the cellar last year, finishing fourth in the six-team River Division. Now they’ll look to take the next step and vie for their first winning season and playoff appearance since 2010.
An experienced defense with eight returning starters gives Centennial a calling card early in camp. Centennial allowed 40.8 points per game a year ago. But the Patriots return their top three tacklers from a year ago in Ndaitouroum (9.1 per game), Ames (8.3) and senior defensive lineman Josiah Brooks (6.2). All that experience should allow Centennial to play fast and force turnovers, Greene said.
The offense remains a work in progress as the Patriots switch to the Wing-T after getting shut out four times and scoring a 5A-low 13.8 points per game. Greene said Centennial will run the ball much more effectively in the new set. But key battles at quarterback (Marcus Connors, AJ Johnson) and running back (Damian Suarez, Nick Varchaver) remain open as practices start.
T-10. KUNA KAVEMEN
Division: River
Last season: 1-8, 1-4 5A SIC River
Playoffs: Did not qualify
Coach: Jeff Schank, second season
Career record: 1-8
Base offense (coordinator): Spread (Scott Schultz)
Base defense (coordinator): 3-4 (Tim Stanley)
Key players: Gus Austin, sr., RB/LB; Jackson Waite, sr., OL; Logan Blades, sr., LB; Luke Snarr, jr., WR
The Kavemen took their lumps last year as a young team. Now they plan to reap the benefits of all that hard-earned experience.
Kuna returns nine starters on both sides of the ball as it seeks to prove it can contend at the 5A level. The passing game ought to remain potent with the return of senior quarterback Cole Luekenga (2,396 yards, 23 TDs, five INTs). He’ll also have one of his top receivers in Snarr and the team’s leading rusher, Gus Austin, back alongside him.
But any shot at contending starts with shoring up the defense, led by a new coordinator. The Kavemen allowed a 5A-high 41.9 points per game a year ago, their second straight season giving up more than 40 points a game.
Austin leads a linebacker corps with high expectations after earning first-team all-River Division honors on both sides of the ball. But he ought to have plenty of help as all 11 projected starters saw significant playing time a year ago.
12. NAMPA BULLDOGS
Division: River
Last season: 6-5, 5-2 4A SIC
Playoffs: Lost to Blackfoot 28-14 in 4A quarterfinals
Coach: Jon Choate, first season (fifth overall)
Career record: 11-25
Base offense (coordinator): Spread power option (Danl Richards)
Base defense (coordinator): 4-3 (Choate)
Key players: Payton Gunter, sr., TE/DE; Daniel Carrillo, sr., RB/CB; Gabe Navarro, sr., QB; Ethan Kincheloe, sr., OL/MLB
After winning at least one playoff game four years in a row, Nampa lost the exemption that allowed it to play in the 4A classification. So it returns to 5A after going 9-27 at the state’s highest level from 2014 to ‘17.
The offseason also brought a coaching change, with Choate returning after six years as a College of Idaho assistant. The 5A SIC is familiar to him as he led the Bulldogs to a 7-11 mark over the 2015 and ‘16 seasons.
He inherits a program with 14 returning starters (six offense, eight defense). That includes 4A’s third-leading passer in Navarro (2,279 yards, 14 TDs, seven INTs) and its sixth-leading rusher in Carillo (1,121 yards, 11 TDs).
That experience will allow the Bulldogs to play fast and wear down opponents in the running game. But Choate said Nampa will have to become more physical on the offensive and defensive lines to contend at the 5A level.
13. BOISE BRAVE
Division: River
Last season: 2-7 (independent)
Playoffs: Did not qualify
Coach: Mike Altieri, third season
Career record: 5-10
Base offense (coordinator): Spread (Joel Clark)
Base defense (coordinator): 4-2-5 (Aaron Asaro)
Key players: Jared Fuller, sr., RB/LB; Luke Britt, sr., WR/DB; Carson Nilson, sr., RB/DB; Cooper Smith, jr., QB
Boise spent the past two years as an independent. That afforded the long-struggling program freedom to make its own schedule as it sought to reestablish the program. Now the Brave return to the 5A SIC as a full member with a full league schedule.
Eight starters (five offense, three defense) return as Boise tries to make the playoffs for the first time since 2002, the longest active drought in 5A. Altieri said he’s excited about several athletic options at wide receiver and a dual-threat quarterback in Smith. But he cautioned Smith is new to the varsity level and will take time to acclimate.
The defense has improved under Altieri and Asaro, allowing 34.2 points per game in 2021. That’s down significantly from the days of Boise regularly surrendering 50 points. Fuller, Britt and Nilson give Boise three solid pieces to build around. But experience is limited beyond those three.
This story was originally published August 9, 2022 at 4:16 PM with the headline "5A SIC football preview: The favorites, top contenders and dark horses this fall."
