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Middleton High School
School Info
Conference: 4A Southern Idaho Conference
Classification: 4A
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Head Coach: Bill Brock
Years as Head Coach: 16th Season
Previous Experience: 1982-84 Assistant at Boise HS, 1986 Assistant at Glenns Ferry, 1987-1999 Head Coach at Glenns Ferry
Record Last Year: 9-3
State Titles: None
Assistant Coaches:
Rob Kiser
Bill Ramsey
Harland Ah You
Andy Ankeny
Lewis Dean
David Downs
Pete Dias
Bobby Skinner
Spencer Burchard
Returning Players:
Reece Robinett, TE/DE 11
Dietrich Jordan, OL/DL 12
Nathan Weber, OL/DL 12
Brenden Downs, TE/DE 12
Jaden Coombs, RB/OLB 11
Chase Downs, TE/OLB
Chase Conrad FB/ILB
Chance Turner, FB/ILB
Caleb Harrel, RB/DB 12
Miles Foote, RB/DB 12
Gunner Gull, RB, DB 12
Tyler Lucarelli, RB/OLB 12
Randon Gyer TE/OLB 12
Marcus Labar, RB/DB 12
Tanner Randall TE/DE 12
Ricky Thome OL/DL 12
Ryan Stewart OL/DL 12
Nathan Wilson FB/ILB 12
Cody Barker OL/DL 12
Returning Players with Honors:
Caleb Harrel All-SIC
Nathan Weber All-SIC, 1st-Team All-State
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Photo By: Steve Conner - #7 Caleb Harrel
“Key Players” lost from last year:
Hayden Bennett QB 4A SIC POY
Nick Cordell DB All conference
Joseph Kershaw OL All conference
Travis White WR Leading receiver with 10 TD receptions
Incoming “impact” players:
Ethan McPherson RB/DB 11
Garrett Gasaway, QB/DB 11
Zion Nichols, RB/DB 11
Braydon Mitchell, QB/DB 11
Caden Bailey RB/DB 11
Blake Chainey, RB/OLB 11
Joel Atkinson RB/DB 11
Conner Zufelt, RB/DB 11
Jack Wheaton, FB/ILB 11
Brennen Lucarelli, OL/DL 11
Hayden Barnes, FB/OLB 11
Salik Thompson, OL/DL 11
Henry Tentinger, OL/DL 11
Marq Barid, OL/DL 11
Skyler Holta OL/ILB 11
Kyler Wilson OL/ILB 12
Thomas Jones, RB/DB 11
Zach Draper, OL/DL 11
Jarvis Orr, OL/DL 11
Jonah Schaffeld, OL/DL 11
Gabe Lomas, OL/DL 11
Caden Stevenson, TE/DL 11
Hunter Vroman, OL/DL 11
Mitch Beitia, QB/DB 10
Josh Mertz, OL/DL 10
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Team Preview:
Written by: Will Hoenike (@willhoenike)
When you think of the strongest programs among Idaho’s biggest high school football classifications, you usually start with Highland, Capital, Coeur d’Alene, Bishop Kelly, Blackfoot or Eagle.
The Middleton Vikings don’t often leap to mind.
You know what? They probably should.
Bill Brock’s squad won nine games last season. Ten wins in 2012. Ten more in 2011. Playoffs in 2010, seven wins and state playoffs in 2009.
You get the idea. It’s not a record without blemish but, over the course of the past sixteen years, Brock and his staff have proven to be a thorn in a lot of sides. And, despite the loss of key players like 4A Southern Idaho Conference offensive player of the year Hayden Bennett (among others), there’s no reason to think the Vikings will sail quietly into the night this season.
Middleton likes to pound the ball via the double-wing attack. The Vikings threw the ball with some success last season but the team’s bread and butter is the ground attack. Brock and his staff return five linemen that saw the field in 2014, headlined by Nathan Weber (1st-Team All-State defensive lineman) along with seniors Dietrich Jordan, Ricky Thorne, Ryan Stewart and Cody Barker.
The Vikings have a stable of potential ball carriers, starting with All-SIC performer Caleb Harrel. He’ll be joined by Chase Conrad and Chance Turner at fullback along with Jaden Coombs, Miles Foote, Tyler Lucarelli and Gunner Gull at the running back position. Newcomer Garrett Gasaway will compete for playing time at quarterback with sophomore Mitch Beita with tight ends Reece Robinett, Chase Downs and Tyler Randall serving as potential pass-catching targets.
Middleton’s only losses in 2014 were to 5A Timberline and 4A state finalists Bishop Kelly and Blackfoot. Against all others, the Vikings went 9-0, allowing an average of 21 points per game. Much like the offense, the defensive team has a number of contributors back in 2015, including a very deep group of linebackers. Conrad and Tuner will flip from fullback to inside linebacker along with Nathan Wilson on defense, with juniors Jack Wheaton and Skyler Holta looking to earn playing time. The outside linebacker spots will be filled by Coombs, Downs, Lucarelli and Randon Gyer along with juniors Blake Chainey and Hayden Barnes.
The Vikings’ staff also has a number of quality players to fill roles in the defensive backfield as well, including Harrel, Foote, Gull and Marcus Labar. Juniors Ethan McPherson, Zion Nichols, Brayden Mitchell and Caleb Bailey are among the newcomers who will look to find jobs in the Middleton secondary.
“We have a lot of kids who understand our schemes,” Brock said of his defensive depth.
Middleton starts with a bang, traveling to 3A powerhouse Fruitland before heading to Gem County to face an Emmett team that went 8-3 last season. Keep your eye on the team’s final two games, though – at Bishop Kelly and home against Kuna – as possible playoff make-or-break contests.
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