2A WIC football preview: Time for a new champ? The favorites in the parity-filled league
Expect another tight battle atop the 2A Western Idaho Conference this fall.
Nampa Christian topped the preseason coaches’ poll conducted by the Idaho Statesman. But the Trojans narrowly edged reigning league champ Melba, which remains formidable despite an offseason coaching change.
Don’t count out the rest of the league, though. The 2A WIC remains one of the hardest leagues to predict year in and year out, and no one has repeated as champion since Parma in 2008 and ‘09.
We broke down all the challengers, their top players and their chances this fall.
1. NAMPA CHRISTIAN
Last season: 3-5, 2-2 2A WIC
Playoffs: Did not qualify
Coach: Daniel Jenkins, fourth season
Career record: 16-19
Base offense (coordinator): Spread option (Jenkins)
Base defense (coordinator): 3-4 (Chris Glenn)
Key players: Aiden Thompson, sr., QB; Addison Taylor, sr., TE/DL; Luke Lady, sr., WR/OLB; Maiko Nevarez , sr., WR/CB
Last season’s youth turns into this year’s experience as the Trojans bring back nearly their entire starting offense and defense.
Thompson returns at the head of a spread offense after completing 63% of his passes for 1,449 yards and nine TDs. He’ll have plenty of familiar faces to work with as leading rusher Matthew Nevarez and two of the Trojans’ top receivers also return.
Taylor headlines the defense after racking up 51 tackles and seven sacks. But no matter which side of the ball, opponents should expect Nampa Christian to utilize all that experience to attack from all angles.
2. MELBA
Last season: 8-2, 4-0 2A WIC
Playoffs: Lost to Aberdeen 34-30 in quarterfinals
Coach: Cory Dickard, first season (sixth overall)
Career record: 13-29
Base offense (coordinator): Wing-T (Dickard)
Base defense (coordinator): 4-4 (Steve Mitchell)
Key players: Evan Michaelson, sr., OL/LB; Noah West-Barranco, sr., WR/S; Rylan Frank, jr., RB/LB; Cutter Beus, sr., QB
The offseason brought a coaching change as Juan Colunga left to become the offensive coordinator at Centennial. But the Mustangs retained plenty of continuity by elevating Dickard, a longtime assistant and Melba’s head coach from 2006-10.
Melba will enter Year 7 in its Wing-T offense and start four seniors along the offensive line who are well-versed in the Mustangs’ system.
Two-year starting quarterback Cache Beus transferred to Skyview, but expect the Mustangs to remain potent through the air with his cousin, the 6-foot-8 Cutter Beus, taking over under center. Dickard said he’s picked up the position quickly, and he has a crew of tall, athletic receivers to rely on, including West-Barranco, a 6-foot-4 first-team All-Idaho selection.
3. COLE VALLEY CHRISTIAN
Last season: 5-4, 3-1 2A WIC
Playoffs: Lost to West Side 61-14 in first round
Coach: Mark Moreno, fourth season
Career record: 13-12
Base offense (coordinator): Gun-T (Moreno)
Base defense (coordinator): 3-3-5 (Ebo Makinde)
Key players: Ben Beglinger, sr., WR/DB; Tanner Simonson, sr., FB/LB; Kaden Krogh, so., WR/DB; Micah Gee, jr., OL/DL
The Chargers’ last season at the 2A level starts with loads of fresh faces across the field thanks to just five returning starters (two offense, three defense).
Freshman quarterback Cash Cahill leads the youth movement. Beglinger gives him an experienced receiver to rely on as a four-year varsity player. And Krogh made the all-conference first team at defensive back as a freshman last year, providing another big target.
Moreno cautioned it may take time for the young group, which includes four of five new offensive linemen, to find its stride. But he said he’s impressed by the leaps and bounds the Chargers made over the summer, especially in the passing game.
4. MARSING
Last season: 1-8, 0-4 2A WIC
Playoffs: Did not qualify
Coach: Shea McClellin, second season
Career record: 1-8
Base offense (coordinator): Run ‘n’ gun (Sawyer Murphy)
Base defense (coordinator): 2-4-5 (Chris Ackerman)
Key players: Luke Steinmeyer, jr., TE/DE; Mason Enochson, jr., WR/DB; Cache Hance, jr., ATH; Jace Chadez, jr., QB/DB
The Huskies have lost 42 straight league games. But with 17 returning starters (nine offense, eight defense) and playmakers on both sides of the ball, this may be the year that streak finally ends.
Steinmeyer leads the group as a first-team all-conference pick. He’ll move to the defensive line to create more chaos and shore up that unit. He and Enochson, another first-team all-league pick, provide a pair of explosive receivers for new quarterback Jace Chadez. And Hance remains a jack-of-all trades the Huskies can play at any position to exploit matchups.
But even with five offensive linemen returning, McClellin said Marsing will have to become more physical to get out of the 2A WIC’s basement.
5. NEW PLYMOUTH
Last season: 3-5, 1-3 2A WIC
Playoffs: Did not qualify
Coach: Tony Cade, first season
Career record: 13-26
Base offense (coordinator): Spread option (Sam Crockett)
Base defense (coordinator): 3-4 (John Schaffer)
Key players: Nathan Willoughby, sr., OL/DL; Heath Jarboe, sr., TE/OLB; Triston Church, sr., RB/DB; Zack Vian, sr., RB/OLB
Former coach Dallan Rupp left after 10 seasons for Malad, opening the door for Cade, who comes to the Pilgrims with previous head coaching experience at American Falls, Burley and Ontario, Oregon.
He inherits a young team learning a new offense and a new defense. But the returning group of skill position players ought to make the Pilgrims dangerous. Church finished third in the 200 meters at state, and Jarboe provides a difference maker on both sides of the ball.
Willoughby anchors the offensive and defensive lines as the reigning heavyweight wrestling state champ. But size and experience remains in short supply after him.
