5A SIC football preview: Ranking the favorites, contenders and top challengers in league
A new high school football season in the 5A Southern Idaho kicks off Aug. 18. But based on the annual preseason coaches’ poll, this year may look a lot like last season.
Meridian and Eagle emerged as the co-favorites in the poll, conducted by the Idaho Statesman. The two met in the season opener and conference title game last year, and they’ll meet again in the opener next week. But who advances to the league finale is far from guaranteed in a 13-team league featuring many of the state’s top programs and several up-and-coming teams.
Below, we examined the returning talent and potential breakout stars looking to vault to the top of the 5A SIC.
1. MERIDIAN
Division: Foothills
Last season: 11-1, 5-0 5A SIC Foothills
Playoffs: Lost 28-21 to Rigby in finals
Coach: John Zamberlin, fifth season
Career record: 26-14
Base offense (coordinator): Wing-T (Andrew Woody)
Base defense (coordinator): 3-4 (Rob Rathbun)
Key players: Rylie Byington, sr., RB/WR; Marco Del Rio, sr., RB; Zeke Martinez, jr., QB; Carson Gooley, sr., LB
The Warriors came oh-so-close to perfection a year ago. The state’s unanimous No. 1-ranked team was just 12 minutes away from a perfect season. But the Warriors committed three fourth-quarter turnovers in the state championship game, fueling Rigby’s come-from-behind win for the title.
A motivated and decorated group returns looking to re-establish Meridian as the state’s premier program. The offense remains loaded with six returning starters. That includes Martinez, who is 15-1 as a starting quarterback. But perhaps most terrifying for opponents is the Warriors’ stable of running backs.
Byington (1,263 total yards, 15 TDs) and Del Rio (716 rushing yards, 11 TDs) both return at the head of Meridian’s vaunted Wing-T. And the Warriors added Woody, Eastern Oregon’s offensive coordinator the past five years, to call plays.
Meridian’s elite defense will need to rebuild after leading the state in points allowed (8.3 per game) and turnovers forced (37). Zamberlin said the front seven will remain strong with Gooley, its third-leading tackler (6.9 per game) and a state champion wrestler, serving as the heart of the unit. But an untested secondary will need to prove itself in a hurry against a front-loaded schedule.
2. EAGLE
Division: River
Last season: 6-4, 6-0 5A SIC River
Playoffs: Lost 37-6 to Rigby in quarterfinals
Coach: James Cluphf, first season
Career record: 0-0
Base offense (coordinator): Spread (McCauley Todd)
Base defense (coordinator): 3-3-5 (Jeremy Ferguson)
Key players: Seth Brock, sr., DE; Makeo Sneddon, sr., WR/DB; Leon Evans, sr., OL; Eli Mikita, sr., DB
The Mustangs stand as the top challenger to Meridian, receiving more first-place votes but fewer total points in the preseason coaches’ poll. Longtime offensive coordinator James Cluphf took over the program in April, and he’ll have six returning starters on both sides of the ball to work with.
Injuries decimated the Eagle backfield last season, pressing then-freshman Noah Burnham (345 yards, two TDs) into action. He impressed and figures to take over the No. 1 spot as an experienced sophomore.
The Mustangs’ offense should become more dynamic with the return of quarterback Davis Harsin. The son of former Boise State coach Bryan Harsin helped lead Auburn High to the state championship game in Alabama’s largest classification last year as part of a dual-quarterback system. He has committed to Idaho State and gives the Mustangs an aerial threat they lacked. Expect Austin Ramsey, an athletic sophomore, to see plenty of snaps under center, too.
Brock returns to lead a defense that often carried the Mustangs after racking up 17 sacks, the second most in 5A to former teammate Carter Davis. The three-year starter holds an offer from Idaho. He and Mikita, another three-year starter, give Eagle the tools it needs to install a new defense, one that Cluphf called fast and physical at all three levels.
3. ROCKY MOUNTAIN
Division: Foothills
Last season: 10-2, 4-1 5A SIC Foothills
Playoffs: Lost 34-27 to Rigby in semifinals
Coach: Scott Criner, first season (fifth overall)
Career record: 38-9
Base offense (coordinator): Pro (Jason Campbell)
Base defense (coordinator): 4-3 (Quintin Mikell)
Key players: Brody Swearhart, sr., ILB; Jaryn Ikebe, sr., WR; Jax Tanner, so., OT/DT; Seva Mironov, sr., TE/DT
An offseason coaching change does little to derail expectations at Rocky Mountain. Chris Culig may have left for Bishop Kelly, but with Criner back at the helm, don’t expect the perennial power to slip. The Grizzlies have made the semifinals every year he was part of the coaching staff.
Rocky Mountain returns seven offensive starters and six on defense from units that both ranked as the second best in 5A last year. Criner said speed will remain the name of the game on offense. Taeshaun Reese (330 yards, two TDs) steps into the No. 1 role in the backfield after forcing his way onto the field as a sophomore. He, Carson Adams, Ikebe, Mironov, Isaiah Reed and Jeff Thompson provide a bounty of weapons for new quarterback Gunnar Thompson. But the offensive line must rebuild with just one returning starter, Tanner, a 6-3, 265-pound sophomore.
An elite defense remained the Grizzlies’ calling card throughout their dominant run. Mikell, a former Boise State and NFL defensive back, takes over the defensive play calling from Culig. Swearhart (5.5 tackles per game) leads a loaded linebacker and secondary group. But the Grizzlies will need some young players to develop along the defensive line to maintain their supremacy.
4. MOUNTAIN VIEW
Division: River
Last season: 7-5, 4-2 5A SIC River
Playoffs: Lost 34-10 to Meridian in semifinals
Coach: Brian Compton, second season
Career record: 13-24
Base offense (coordinator): Spread (Compton)
Base defense (coordinator): 4-3 (Roman Keefe)
Key players: Justin McGee, sr., RB/WR/QB; Dillon Starkle, sr., OL; Owen McBride, sr., DB; Troy Grizzle, sr., DL
Six season-ending injuries to skill-position starters decimated the Mavericks last fall, resulting in five losses, the program’s most since 2010. But the perennial power still found a way to reach the state semifinals. Now, they get four of those six players back looking to make another deep run into November.
Mountain View fields nine returning starters (four offense, five defense). McGee leads the group as a do-it-all weapon who excels no matter where the Mavericks line him up. He starts the year in a three-way battle at quarterback with junior Davey Green and sophomore Henry Nelson. But expect him to terrorize defenses no matter who emerges atop that battle.
Sophomore Valentine Gomez-Ricks leads a quartet battling for carries in the backfield. Three of those four are sophomores. But Gomez-Ricks had a breakout game last fall, running for 168 yards and a game-winning touchdown with 34 seconds left in the state quarterfinals before his own season-ending injury.
The offensive line starts camp with just two returning starters and several question marks. The Mavs’ defensive line remains loaded with Grizzle (five sacks, 16 TFLs) as the headliner. But Mountain View lost all three starting linebackers to graduation. A new group will need to step up quickly with the Mavs’ tough early schedule.
5. KUNA
Division: River
Last season: 5-5, 2-4 5A SIC River
Playoffs: Lost 51-10 to Rocky Mountain first round
Coach: Jeff Schank, third season
Career record: 6-13
Base offense (coordinator): I-formation (Scott Schultz)
Base defense (coordinator): Double eagle (Tim Stanley)
Key players: Austin Lattimer, sr., RB; Jay Monroe, sr., CB; Luke Snarr, sr., WR; Luke Selto, sr., WR
The Kavemen have spent five seasons at the 5A level. They’ve yet to post a winning record, and they’ve made the playoffs just twice (2016, ‘22). But coaches throughout the 5A SIC named Kuna as a potential sleeper.
A youth movement started two years ago is about to pay off with eight returning starters on offense. Lattimer, a first-team, all-River Division fullback, has four returning linemen to pave holes for him. Meanwhile, Snarr (42 catches, 739 yards) and Selto (33 catches, 587 yards) provide two explosive receivers for sophomore Jackson Edwards, the projected starting quarterback.
The defense won’t have as much experience to rely on with four returning starters. But they won’t have to spend as much time learning the X’s and O’s in their second year in Stanley’s defense, allowing them to play faster and looser. Limiting big plays remains the top priority for a unit that surrendered too many the past three seasons. If the Kavemen can do that, they can throw a wrench into the 5A SIC’s pecking order.
6. BORAH
Division: River
Last season: 4-5, 2-4 5A SIC River
Playoffs: Did not qualify
Coach: JQ Kenyon, third season
Career record: 9-10
Base offense (coordinator): Spread (Kevin McCarthy)
Base defense (coordinator): 4-2-5/3-2-6 (Kenyon)
Key players: Trevor McKenna, sr., OL/DL; Jevon Nelson, sr., RB/DB; Tanner Sittser, sr., WR/LB; Jacob Detwiler, sr., QB
The Lions missed out on a playoff berth last year on a tiebreaker, a fact that has stuck in Borah’s craw all offseason. But Kenyon said this year’s group has vowed to never let it happen again and to make some noise in the postseason.
McKenna — a 6-6, 260-pound Boise State commit — serves as the heart of the Lions and is one of three returning offensive starters. The three-star recruit is a beast on both sides of the ball, and he brings a physical edge that spreads to his teammates.
Nelson returns as the primary ball carrier after an injury robbed him of his junior season. He’s a threat to take it to the house on every play with his size (195 pounds) and speed (11.29-second 100 dash). Detwiler steps into the quarterback role as a converted free safety. But Kenyon said he already looks like a veteran, and Borah will surround him with its best wide receiver group since 2018.
The defense brings back more experience, with five returning starters. Look for the defensive line, led by McKenna, to anchor the unit until a young linebacker group can get up to varsity speed.
7. CAPITAL
Division: Foothills
Last season: 2-7, 2-3 5A SIC Foothills
Playoffs: Did not qualify
Coach: Kevin Hastin, first season
Career record: 62-40
Base offense (coordinator): Gun Wing-T (Hastin)
Base defense (coordinator): 4-2-5 (Andrew Woodbridge)
Key players: Brody Call, sr., WR/FS; Joren Peterson, sr., RB/FS; Victor Byaundaombe, sr., WR/CB; Keaton Larson, sr., LB
The Eagles stumbled to their worst season in program history last fall, snapping a streak of 15 straight playoff appearances, the longest in the 5A SIC. But Capital enters the year with renewed enthusiasm after hiring Hastin, a two-time coach of the year and league champ at the 6A level in the Portland metro area.
He inherits a squad with five starters back on both sides of the ball. Call stands atop that list as a threat to take the tops off of defenses and spring big plays on special teams. Peterson also returns to the offense. But the former quarterback moves to running back, where Hastin sees him as a potential breakout player, while junior AJ Danaha takes over under center.
On defense, Byaundaombe, the reigning state triple jump champ, leads an experienced secondary. The linebacking corps has talent but little varsity experience. It will have to grow up in a hurry to shore up a defense that gave up 37.6 points per game last fall, the second worst in 5A.
8. MIDDLETON
Division: Foothills
Last season: 7-4, 3-2 5A SIC Foothills
Playoffs: Lost to Meridian 18-6 in quarterfinals
Coach: Bill Brock, 24th season
Career record: 246-124
Base offense (coordinator): Spread (Brock)
Base defense (coordinator): 4-2-5 (Andy Ankeny)
Key players: Cole Holman, sr., RB/LB; Patxi Franks, sr., RB/LB; Wyatt Steifel, sr., DE; Cash Weeks, sr., QB/LB
The Vikings surprised in their first season as a 5A program. After finishing ninth out of 13 teams in the 5A SIC preseason poll, Middleton made the playoffs for the ninth straight year, held 5A’s top offense to seven points in a first-round upset, then gave Meridian everything it could handle in the quarterfinals.
That translated to little respect in this year’s preseason rankings. But Middleton returns nine starters (five offense, four defense) looking to prove those picks wrong all over again.
All that returning talent includes three returning offensive lineman and Franks (819 rushing yards, four TDs), Middleton’s top ball carrier from a year ago. He and Holman give Middleton a potent two-headed ground attack. They’ll pair in the backfield with Weeks, who steps into the quarterback role after playing linebacker with a broken hand last season and still racking up 75 tackles.
Weeks will pull double duty with Holman (105 tackles) to lead a stacked linebacker corps. But getting a young wide receiver and defensive back group up to speed will go a long way in determining how far Middleton makes it in Year 2 in 5A.
9. OWYHEE
Division: River
Last season: 5-5, 2-4 5A SIC River
Playoffs: Lost to Rigby 49-14 in first round
Coach: Jason Burton, first season
Career record: 24-22
Base offense (coordinator): West coast/spread (Travis Stuart)
Base defense (coordinator): 4-2-5/4-3 (Zac Farnam)
Key players: Jack Young, sr., DL; Gage Haws, jr., LB; Ryan Brekke, so., WR; Matt Irwin, sr., QB
The Storm took a major step forward last fall. Owyhee reached .500 after going 1-8 in its first season, and it made the playoffs for the first time. Now the Storm look to keep climbing after an offseason coaching change and with 14 returning starters (six offense, eight defense).
Burton takes over the program from Sherm Blaser after Owyhee opted not to renew his contract. Burton won two 5A SIC coach of the year awards at Borah after building that program into a regular contender. He’ll look to do the same at the newest West Ada high school, where he inherits plenty of weapons.
Irwin returns under center, a luxury for any new coach, and he’ll have lots of returning talent around him. Tim Jamerson and Cade Walker return in the backfield, and Brekke is back at wide receiver after serving as the No. 2 pass catcher as a freshman.
But some of Owyhee’s top talent comes on defense. Haws, a sideline-to-sideline linebacker, has led the Storm in tackles each of the past two years, averaging 8.8 stops last fall. And Young will demand double teams all season as a force on the defensive line.
10. NAMPA
Division: River
Last season: 7-3, 5-1 5A SIC River
Playoffs: Lost to Mountain View 44-0 in first round
Coach: Dave Sandau, first season
Career record: 0-0
Base offense (coordinator): Spread option (Sandau)
Base defense (coordinator): 3-3-stack (Zach Randolph)
Key players: Josh Peterson, sr., WR; Julia Tapia, jr., DT; Dominic Almarez, so., QB; Pat Lewis, sr., CB
The perennial underdogs took the 5A SIC by storm last fall. After finishing 12th out of 13 teams in the preseason poll, the Bulldogs racked up seven wins, finished second in the River Division and hosted a first-round playoff game before injuries derailed their postseason chances.
Nampa finds itself with few believers again as Sandau, a former Oklahoma junior college offensive coordinator, takes over the program. He’ll have plenty of experience to rely on with 12 returning starters (five offense, seven defense). But he pointed to a talented sophomore class making an immediate impact in several key roles.
The Bulldogs’ offensive line remains their calling card. Three starters return from a group paved the way for 5A’s top rushing offense (327 yards per game) last fall. Senior Josh Lindauer stands as the beneficiary, stepping in for Daniel Carrillo, a first-team All-Idaho running back. But that group will also help Almarrez, a sophomore quarterback, grow into a varsity role.
The defense brings back plenty of leadership, including three starting linebackers. It will also rely on a few sophomores in key positions. But if history is any guide, opponents overlook Nampa at their own peril.
11. CENTENNIAL
Division: Foothills
Last season: 1-8, 1-4 5A SIC Foothills
Playoffs: Did not qualify
Coach: Keelan McCaffrey, first season
Career record: 38-13
Base offense (coordinator): Wing-T (Juan Colunga)
Base defense (coordinator): 3-4 (McCaffrey)
Key players: Kai Twaddle-Dunham, sr., OL; Fabrice Ndaitouroum, sr., FB/DL; Daniel Demers, sr., WR/S; Austen Brackley, sr., DB
The once mighty Patriots haven’t made the playoffs or posted a winning record since 2010. But a decorated new coach and 11 returning starters (six offense, five defense) give Centennial plenty of reasons to believe both streaks can end this year.
McCaffrey comes in after going 38-13 and winning four Great Basin coach of the year awards in five years at Minico, his alma mater. He built the Spartans into an explosive Wing-T team, running for 249 yards per game last fall. Centennial installed the Wing-T last fall, aiding the learning curve.
The Patriots’ backfield comes loaded with options as Skylar Howard, Ashton Broomhead, Jordan Kafari and Tayson Anderson battle for carries. Three starters return along the offensive line to protect senior quarterback Marcus Conors. But make no mistake — the Patriots plan to run the ball early and often.
Ndaitouroum leads the defense yet again as a three-year starter and someone who can collapse half of an offensive line by himself. But a senior-laden defense will need to learn a new scheme in a hurry to shore up a unit that gave up 32.4 points per game last year.
12. TIMBERLINE
Division: Foothills
Last season: 0-9, 0-5 5A SIC Foothills
Playoffs: Did not qualify
Coach: Ian Smart, seventh season
Career record: 35-51
Base offense (coordinator): Spread (Shawn Res)
Base defense (coordinator): 4-2-5 (Smart)
Key players: Lucas Midgett, sr., TE/DL; Jacob Schauble, sr., LB; Aiden Nixon, sr., WR/DE; Cooper Kelly, sr., OL
The Wolves struggled in all phases last year, finishing with 5A’s worst offense (6.7 ppg) and defense (38.2). But they have plenty of bright spots to look forward to this fall as they try to climb back up the standings.
Timberline brings back seven offensive starters, including three offensive linemen, the key to any turnaround. Several of the Wolves’ top playmakers also return, including Nixon and Heath Res, who takes over as the starting running back. All that talent should create the explosive plays the Wolves lacked last year.
The defense brings back just three starters. Schauble will serve as the cornerstone after racking up 48 tackles a year ago, and Smart said his defensive line can create pressure with just four linemen. But any return to glory requires shoring up a secondary that regularly gave up back-breaking plays.
13. BOISE
Division: River
Last season: 2-7, 0-6 5A SIC River
Playoffs: Did not qualify
Coach: Mike Altieri, fourth season
Career record: 7-17
Base offense (coordinator): Spread (Joel Clark)
Base defense (coordinator): 4-2-5 (Aaron Asaro)
Key players: Cooper Smith, sr., QB/WR; Jordan McDonald, jr., WR; Max Anderson, sr., FS; Duncan Thompson, sr., OL/DE
The Brave returned to the 5A SIC last fall after two years as an independent program. Boise continued its climb back to the competitive ranks, starting 2-0 for the first time since 2012. But it promptly lost its next seven games to miss the playoffs for the 20th straight year.
The Brave aim to snap that streak with nine returning starters (five offense, four defense). Altieri pointed to an improved offensive line as a reason for optimism, and Boise fields plenty of pass-catching weapons for sophomore quarterback Trevor Schoolfield. That group includes Smith, last year’s athletic quarterback, and the 6-5 McDonald, whom Altieri said would become the focal point of the offense.
Boise’s largest improvements under Altieri have come on defense. The Brave gave up 29.7 points per game last year, their first year under 30 since 2009. Anderson returns to lead that unit as an eraser in the secondary who averaged 11 tackles before an injury ended his junior season. But he’ll have plenty of young faces around him.
This story was originally published August 9, 2023 at 1:44 PM.
