Fall is once again upon us and that can only mean one thing: are you ready for some football? No other sport, program or event dominates public interest the way high school football in eastern Idaho does. As students head back to class after a short summer break, it’s the first home game of the season that seems to officially kick off the start of a new school year.
This year there is plenty to cheer for and look forward to with a couple schools getting new coaches, plus underclassmen that are coming back for their senior and final year on the gridiron. To get you ready for the upcoming season, we’ve highlighted the key players to watch.
Blackfoot
Under center again this year will be senior quarterback Trae Pilster, who threw for 24 touchdowns, completing 206 of his 306. The Bronco signal caller passed for 2,736 yards, the most by any eastern Idaho quarterback since 2004.
“Knowing they didn’t have a great run game, he faced a lot of zone and man-under coverage, and he still made a lot of the right reads,” said Shelley coach Dave Hadley in a Post Register interview.
As a junior, Pilster earned Post Register’s First Team Offense honors, which was dominated by senior players. His coach, Stan Buck, was also named Coach of the Year after Blackfoot qualified for the playoffs for the 18th time in his 19 years as the coach. Another state title could be in reach when Pilster and the rest of the Blackfoot squad take the field this fall after just coming up short for the 4A Championship last season.
Bonneville
The 2011 season kicks off with a new coach prowling the sidelines. Pennsylvania-native Fred Armstrong was named during the off-season and is looking for a fresh start and a new beginning with this Bonneville squad. The Bee’s chances of bouncing back in 2011 are good, thanks to a lot of key players that are returning for their senior years. But it’s not just the seniors who will have an impact on the year, look for some underclassman to fill the holes left by last season’s seniors.
One particular player to watch for is junior Trae Walker, who as a sophomore, found plenty of ways to get on the field. Listed as a wide receiver as well as a defensive back, Walker’s speed and agility will keep defenses on their toes once number 23 gets the ball. If the Bee’s are going to bounce back from a down year, it will be up Walker and the rest of the offense to get Armstrong’s reign as coach off to a good start.
Hillcrest
As a sophomore, Caden Neuerburg earned Second Team Defense honors by the Post Register as a defensive back, but look for this junior to carry the football as a running back in 2011 as well. Neuerburg made a name for himself early last year in the 27-26 win over Preston where he rushed for 94 yards and two scores. His athleticism and allusive running style help make the 5-foot, 10 back a hard target to tackle, which has Hillcrest fans excited for the upcoming season.
And of course with coach Darin Owens in command and a talented group of returning players, the Knights are sure to be in contention for another state title after winning it all in 2008. This varsity team is made up of a lot of talented players that has Hillcrest fans ready for another title run.
Idaho Falls
Not too many people outside of Tiger Nation knew Dylan Raymond’s name before the 2010 season started. But the underclassman stepped up to fill the quarterback role after an early injury to its starting QB and the rest, as they say, is history. Raymond proved to be a dual threat with his running and passing ability, which left defenders struggling to even get a hand on him, much less actually tackling him.
Raymond’s talented ability earned him Second Team Offense honors by the Post Register as well as 5-A Offensive Player of the year and the senior quarterback is back for another exciting year, which is great news for Tiger fans.
The Tigers have kept the goal posts orange for four straight years after beating its rival Skyline High in the Emotion Bowl last season. Idaho Falls has got the best of its rival seven of the last nine years thanks to head coach Chuck Johnson who will be looking to extend that streak in 2011.
Madison
A familiar face will be back on the sidelines for Madison football this fall as Mitch Buck, who spent 15 years coaching the Bobcats, will be back after a three-year hiatus.
Buck had been the coach at Bonneville the past three years and in 2011 he’ll be looking to repeat his success that he had at Madison that included two state championships and a pair of state runner-up trophies.
One thing is for sure, the offensive and defensive lines will be solid for Madison this year, thanks to several returning seniors. And one guy that is sure to take advantage of the extra protection up front from the offense line is senior quarterback Tyce Parkinson. His mobility as a passer as well as his experience will be a valuable asset on Friday nights. Plus it doesn’t hurt that senior running back Clint Ferrin will be back strong this season after playing on a bad knee last year.
Rigby
When offenses line up this fall, they better know where number 23 is. At just 5-foot, 6, 135 pounds, Austin Shippen has a nose for the ball and last season as a junior he averaged over 12 tackles a game. By getting to the ball quickly, being aggressive and always putting himself in a position to make the tackle, this defensive back earned First Team Defense honors by the Post Register last season.
Look for Shippen to have another great season as the leader of a Rigby defense that will intimidate and scare a lot of opponents this year. Head Coach Casey Faulkner will once again have the Trojans inspired and ready to play as the team looks to rebound from a down year.
Shelley
To be recognized as one of the area's best wide receivers and be named to Post Register’s First Team Offense is impressive, but to do this when you’re only a sophomore is nearly unheard of. Last year McKay Cannon frustrated opposing coaches as well as defensive backs by his ability to create the big play. He hauled in just 36 passes, but had 739 yards, the third most in the area. He also caught six touchdowns for the Russets during Dave Hadley’s year as the interim head coach where the team finished 8-3 and went deep into the 4A playoffs.
After serving our country in Afghanistan, Dwight Richins is returning to the sidelines this season with plans to lead Shelley back to the playoffs. In 2009, Richins guided his team to the 3A State Championship, the fourth title in seven years before being deployed. In the team’s second season in the 4A classification, look for the Russets to once again compete for the title.
Skyline
Head Coach Scott Berger will once again have his team ready for another exciting year. The Grizzlies will continue to be a tough opponent, especially at home where the team finished 4-1 last season at Ravsten Stadium.
The good news for the Grizz is all-conference center Zach Havlovick will be returning after a solid year that landed him on Post Register’s Second Team Offense as a junior last season. The bad news is he’s the only returning starter as Coach Berger will need to replace 21 starters this season.
But anyone familiar with the Skyline Junior Varsity program knows the cupboard is far from bare for the Grizzlies. After putting up great numbers in JV, senior quarterback Tyson Dennart will get his chance to play under the lights this season and Skyline fans will have plenty to cheer for when this athletic signal caller takes the field.