1A football preview: Preseason favorites are clear. These are their top challengers
The Boise region’s two 8-man football leagues share one trait in common to start the season: Both have overwhelming favorites for league titles.
Notus emerged as the unanimous favorite in the 1A Division I Western Idaho Conference, and Council received every first-place vote in the 1A Division II Long Pin Conference in preseason coaches’ polls conducted by the Idaho Statesman.
But those titles come only on paper. An excess of two-way talent, playoff pedigree and high expectations leave both leagues with plenty of challengers.
We broke down each team’s chances and their top players to watch this fall.
1A DIVISION I WIC
1. NOTUS PIRATES
Last season: 8-2, 4-0 1A D-I WIC
Playoffs: Lost to Butte County 42-12 in quarterfinals
Coach: Joe Woodland, fifth season
Career record: 21-15
Base offense (coordinator): I-formation, spread (Woodland)
Base defense (coordinator): 4-4 (Brad Huter)
Key players: Carter Woodland, sr., RB/DB; Aaron Jimenez, sr., DL; Easton St. Germain, jr., OL; Grayson Pylican, jr., WR
The two-time defending league champs return loaded for a third title with 11 returning starters (five offense, six defense).
Carter Woodland is back to terrorize opponents in his fourth year as a starter. He earned second-team All-Idaho honors a year ago after racking up 2,254 all-purpose yards and 31 TDs. He’ll have two of three linemen returning in front of him, including St. Germain, a first-team all-conference pick. And Joe Woodland said an improved receiver group should make Notus more two-dimensional, giving defenses even more to consider.
The Pirates’ defense returns equally loaded, headlined by Jimenez, another second-team All-Idaho selection after tallying 15 sacks and three blocked punts. The Pirates will need to plug in two new starting linebackers. But the rest of the defense returns intact.
2. WILDER WILDCATS
Last season: 5-3, 3-1 1A D-I WIC
Playoffs: Did not qualify
Coach: Kyle DalSoglio, 14th season
Career record: 73-41
Base offense (coordinator): Split backs, spread (DalSoglio)
Base defense (coordinator): 5-2-1, 3-3-2 (DalSoglio)
Key players: Noe Anguiano, jr., RB/LB; Isaac Rodriguez, jr., RB/QB/DB; Raul Luna, sr., QB/TE/DE; Cristian Cuellar, sr., RB/TE/DB
The Wildcats may not have the overwhelming numbers or star power of years past. They bring back just six starters (three offense, three defense). But they still return a potent and flexible squad to contend in the WIC again.
It starts with the Wildcats’ fastest and most physical weapon in Anguiano, a first-team all-conference linebacker with 75 tackles last fall. He’ll also get some carries in a deep backfield that includes playmakers like Rodriguez, Luna and Cuellar.
Injuries at quarterback leave questions going into the season. DalSoglio said the Wildcats are eyeing both Rodriguez and Luna under center. But either way, Wilder will rely on running behind a deep offensive line.
3. RIMROCK RAIDERS
Last season: 3-4, 2-2 1A D-I WIC
Playoffs: Did not qualify
Coach: Samuel Ward, second season
Career record: 3-4
Base offense (coordinator): I-formation (Ward)
Base defense (coordinator): 3-3-2 (Dalton Allison)
Key players: Aden Aquiso, sr., FB/LB; Ronaldo Gomez, so., QB/DB/P/K; Eli Aquiso, sr., OL/TE/DT
After not meeting his team until the first day of practice last year, Ward starts his second season much further ahead and the Raiders are much more comfortable with his system.
Rimrock brings back nine starters (five offense, four defense). Aden Aquiso sets the tone after making the all-conference first team on both sides of the ball. His instincts and punishing hits will place him in the thick of nearly every play.
The Raiders can also rely on a returning quarterback in Gomez, who racked up 825 yards and 12 TDs as a freshman. Ward says he’s grown into the role as a sophomore. But an undersized offensive line means Rimrock will have to get creative against bigger, physical opponents.
4. IDAHO CITY WILDCATS
Last season: 2-6, 1-3 1A D-I WIC
Playoffs: Did not qualify
Coach: Jason Roeber, 12th season
Career record: 49-47
Base offense (coordinator): Power-I (Roeber)
Base defense (coordinator): 6-2 (Roeber)
Key players: Brody Backus, sr., RB/DE; Dax Olvera, jr., C; Ian Roeber, sr., RB/WR; Trey Martiny, so., QB
The Wildcats fell to fourth in the WIC last season. But with 12 returning starters (six offense, six defense) creating the kind of depth Idaho City hasn’t seen in years, Jason Roeber thinks his team can jump back into contention.
Backus leads the group as a returning two-way starter, one who earned first-team all-conference honors on the defensive line. He’ll pair with Ian Roeber to give Idaho City two experienced seniors in the backfield.
The Wildcats break in a new quarterback in Martiny, a sophomore. Jason Roeber cautions he hasn’t proved anything yet, but he said the league should look out once he gets rolling.
5. GREENLEAF-GEM STATE GRIZZLIES
Last season: 0-8, 0-4 1A D-I WIC
Playoffs: Did not qualify
Coach: Jeremy Perkins, first season
Career record: 0-0
Base offense (coordinator): Read option (Jeff Roberts)
Base defense (coordinator): 3-3-2 (Brad Soule)
Key players: Braedon Cornwall, sr., QB; Jaden Anderson, sr., TE/DE
After losing 13 straight games since re-establishing the program two years ago, the Grizzlies joined forces with Gem State in a co-op to keep the team alive and provide more depth.
The Grizzlies hit the reset button with a rookie coach in Perkins, Gem State’s athletic director, and only six returning starters (three offense, three defense). Cornwall, a first-year quarterback, will lead a new-look offense, but Perkins said he has the athleticism and intelligence to wear down defenses. And he’ll have a 6-5, 220-pound tight end in Anderson to rely on.
Perkins said the Grizzlies won’t have much size in the trenches, so they’ll have to rely on their speed to outflank opponents.
1A DIVISION II LONG PIN
1. COUNCIL LUMBERJACKS
Last season: 5-3, 3-1 1A D-II Long Pin
Playoffs: Lost to Dietrich 60-38 in first round
Coach: Andy Glenn, second season
Career record: 5-3
Base offense (coordinator): I-formation (Dan Shumway)
Base defense (coordinator): 4-2 (Glenn, Shumway)
Key players: Wyatt Vining, sr., TE/DE; Josh Gipe, sr., QB; Jaxon Thomas, jr., OL/DL; Mason Roberts, jr., LB
The Lumberjacks couldn’t finish a varsity schedule five short years ago. Now a loaded junior and senior class has Council eyeing a deep postseason run.
Council brings back 15 starters (eight offense, seven defense) as the runaway favorite in the Long Pin. That includes Gipe, a four-year starting quarterback and reigning league offensive MVP. He racked up 1,613 total yards and 28 TDs a year ago, and he returns most of his weapons. The only looming question is who takes over as the primary ball carrier.
The defense also remains stacked, especially up front. Vining holds an offer from Eastern Oregon after a second-team All-Idaho season that saw him finish with 11 sacks and 16 tackles for loss. He’ll pair with Thomas (305 pounds) to form an opposing front line. And Roberts (six interceptions) will clean it all up behind them.
2. HORSESHOE BEND MUSTANGS
Last season: 8-1, 4-0 1A D-II Long Pin
Playoffs: Lost to Kendrick 48-8 in quarterfinals
Coach: Craig Elliot, seventh season
Career record: 33-20
Base offense (coordinator): Spread (Elliot)
Base defense (coordinator): 4-4 (Richard Beyers)
Key players: Blayne Meyer, sr., RB/LB; Kaelun Jones, jr., RB/LB; Carson Drake, jr., QB
The defending league champs return nine starters (four offense, five defense). And the Mustangs can lean on some reigning All-Idaho and all-conference talent to challenge again.
A powerful running game returns its two stars in Meyer, a first-team All-Idaho pick, and Jones. The duo combined for 1,919 total yards and 26 touchdowns last year. And they’ll form the heart of the defense after both posted 50 tackles from their linebacker positions.
The Mustangs lost their quarterback and top receiving threats to graduation. They’ll turn to a first-year starting quarterback in Drake and a developing wide receiver group as offensive reinforcements this fall.
3. GARDEN VALLEY WOLVERINES
Last season: 3-6, 2-2 1A D-II Long Pin
Playoffs: Lost to Rockland 46-6 in first round
Coach: Jason Yearsley, 12th season
Career record: 48-53
Base offense (coordinator): I-formation (Yearsley)
Base defense (coordinator): 3-3 (Ben Fackrell)
Key players: Tacoma Kelly, jr., QB/DB; Jaiden Hunt, sr., OL/DL; Aaron Nokes, sr., RB/LB; Gavin Kelly, sr., OL/LB
The Wolverines return seven starters on both sides of the ball, making them a team to watch out for in 2022.
First-team all-conference quarterback Tacoma Kelly provides the offensive juice, leading Garden Valley in passing yards, rushing yards, total points and touchdowns in 2021. And the defense returns three first-team all-conference picks in Kelly, Hunt and Nokes. The latter two are a pair of hard-nose tacklers who can terrorize offenses.
Garden Valley also gets a boost with the return of Kaden Zimmer, who underwent two shoulder surgeries last summer but is poised to become its leading receiver.
4. TRI-VALLEY TITANS
Last season: 3-5, 1-3-2 1A D-II Long Pin
Playoffs: Did not qualify
Coach: Justin Mink, third season
Career record: 16-18
Base offense (coordinator): I-, T-formation (Randy Nichols)
Base defense (coordinator): 4-2 (Carson Kindall)
Key players: Luke McHenry, jr., FB/LB; Gage Warren, jr., RB/DB; Claytin Harper, jr., TE/DB; Heath Fortin, jr., OL/DL
Mistakes often plagued a young team last year, Mink said. But with 13 returning starters (six offense, seven defense) and a talented junior class, the Titans will threaten to make a playoff run.
Quarterback Zane Nichols, Harper and McHenry all earned second-team all-conference honors as sophomores. The trio will form the backbone of the offense and defense alongside Warren, a spark plug on both sides of the ball.
Mink added that the wealth of experience has Tri-Valley looking more driven and hungry. And the depth on the offensive and defensive lines could pose a serious challenge for opponents.
5. SALMON RIVER SAVAGES
Last season: 2-6, 0-4 1A D-II Long Pin
Playoffs: Did not qualify
Coach: Ty Medley, fourth season
Career record: 6-18
Base offense (coordinator): Spread (Derek Wilson)
Base defense (coordinator): 3-4 (Medley)
Key players: Devon Herzig, so., OL/LB; Cordell Bovey, jr., WR/LB; Tyrus Swift, sr., WR/LB
After three straight losing seasons, Medley sees potential in Salmon River climbing up the rankings with seven returning starters on both sides of the ball.
It starts with a well-balanced offense led by the linemen and Herzig, who exceeded expectations in his freshman season with second-team all-conference honors. He’ll help clear the way for fellow all-conference pick Bovey, whom Medley said is poised for a breakout season.
And keep an eye out for Swift, the team’s leading receiver and leading returning tackler. Salmon River will devise all sorts of ways to get him the ball in space and find mismatches.
6. MEADOWS VALLEY MOUNTAINEERS
Last season: 0-5 (independent)
Playoffs: Did not qualify
Coach: Jared Mcllvain, second season
Career record: 0-5
Base offense: I-formation
Base defense: 3-4
Key players: Koby Rivas, sr., WR/CB; Cason Priddy, jr., RB/DL; Anthony Larrea, so., QB/LB; Ethan Osborn, so., RB/OL/LB
The Mountaineers fielded their first team since 2010 last year and took their lumps as an independent. But the growing program rejoins the Long Pin as a full member with seven starters back on both sides of the ball and improving turnout.
McIlvain said the program has grown “leaps and bounds” in its second year. The offense fields loads of potential, headlined by Rivas, a state runner-up in the 300 hurdles and high jump last spring. Priddy also remade himself in the offseason, losing 30 to 40 pounds.
McIlvain said the team’s main goal is securing its first win since 2009, which could come sooner rather than later.
7. CASCADE RAMBLERS
Last season: 0-0
Playoffs: Did not qualify
Coach: Keala Hoe, first season
Career record: 0-0
Base offense (coordinator): Option (Hoe)
Base defense (coordinator): 3-2 (Hoe)
Key players: Hayden Hull, so., C; Stuart Derrick, so., RB/DB; Tyler Thurston, jr., QB/DB; Cole Olson, so., TE/QB/DE
The Ramblers return after being unable to field a team the past two seasons and playing only one game in 2019 due to low turnout. But a young group has the program on the upswing.
Cascade partnered with McCall-Donnelly last year, allowing Hull and Derrick to earn playing time there. Derrick will contribute on both sides of the ball with his speed and vision. And Thurston returns to the sport after leading the Ramblers to the state basketball tournament last year.
The learning curve remains steep as many players see varsity action for the first time. But with several athletic playmakers, the Ramblers look to re-establish themselves as a Long Pin mainstay.