Written by: Will Hoenike
The Castleford Wolves won nine games in 2022, reaching the 1A Division 2 semifinal round before being knocked out by eventual classification champion Kendrick.
That dynamic, talented team is turning the page in a big way in 2023. The Wolves’ roster listed just 12 players last season and eight of those were seniors. And not just any seniors. First team All-State receiver Ethan Roland is gone. So is second team All-State linebacker Gus Wiggins. And All-Conference RB/LB Gabe Mahannah. And All-Conference defensive back Santi Alvarado.
You get the point.
Veteran head coach Brian Lowry and his staff welcome back senior QB/DB Jayme Ramos and senior OL/DL Cache Keetch, each of whom were selected for all-conference honors themselves last season, so there are pieces to build with. Senior Crash Taylor and sophomore Adan Cordova round out the list of four varsity players who are back this fall for Castleford. The rest of the lineup will be comprised of newcomers.
The Wolves have gone 24-7 over the past three seasons in the competitive Sawtooth Conference. Camas County and Dietrich both return solid rosters while Hagerman and Hansen would like to move their way up in the standings this fall, so the Wolves will have their work cut out for them. The team plays three important non-conference games to open the season – home against North Gem, at Garden Valley, and home against Rockland – before opening conference play, which will give the coaching staff crucial time and repetitions to fill their lineup in time for the Sawtooth opener on September 22 against Shoshone.