Written by: Brandon Baney
Think of the great individual rivalries in sports history: Larry Bird-Magic Johnson. Tom Brady-Peyton Manning. Phil Mickelson-Tiger Woods. What made these rivalries great was the sheer amount of talent, discipline and willpower needed just to keep pace. One legend constantly pushed the other, ensuring that all parties involved would continue to get stronger.
On a larger level, that’s what the past five seasons in the High Desert Conference have done to Butte County and Grace. Here’s how each program has stacked up in the past five seasons:
Grace: 30-21, one first round loss, two quarterfinals losses, one semifinal loss, one championship loss
Butte County: 37-11, two quarterfinal losses, one semifinal loss, one championship loss, one championship win
Needless to say, the Grizzlies and Pirates are ready for the latest installment in their rivalry come 2025.
BUTTE COUNTY
One year after winning the 2A state championship over Oakley, the Pirates nearly pulled off the repeat, falling to Kendrick in the championship game, 50-14.
Starting quarterback Keaton Archibald left the contest with a concussion on Butte County’s opening possession, forever altering the Pirates’ game plan in the most important game of the season.
Archibald returns in 2025 for his senior season, but many of the other playmakers he leaned on have departed. Running backs Razor Duke and Rawson Twitchell, receiver Koden Krosch, and tight end Levi Hendriks all graduated. Duke and Twitchell were also standout defensive ends, while Krosch and Hendriks will be missed in the secondary.
“We like to run the football, no doubt about it,” says Sam Thorngren, now entering his 20th season as Butte County head coach. “While we use several option schemes and trapping plays, we would rather just run over you and take deep shots in the passing game when teams load up to stop the run.”
Candidates to replace Duke and Twitchell at running back include junior Teagan Babcock, senior Bridger Livesay and senior Stetson Wanstrom. Top receiver candidates are senior Braxtyn Parsons, junior Cooper Williams and Braysen Cosens. Parsons missed last season with an injury, while Cosens is a transfer from Class 5A school Blackfoot.
The true strength of Butte County’s offense, though, is the line. “All three starters from last year return,” says Thorngren. “Kayson Parsons (senior center), Bracken Powell (senior guard) and Taine Hollist (junior guard) didn’t have a lot of varsity experience when last season started, but they grew up throughout the season and developed into a solid unit. Now we look to improve on last season’s production, and we get a boost with the return of last season’s projected starter, senior Braxten Hymas, who missed last year with an injury.”
Defensively, there is no shortage of playmakers ready for their close-up. “The biggest challenge will be figuring out which guys work best together,” says Thorngren. “It’s important to build depth on defense in 8-man football, otherwise you will eventually find yourself in real trouble when you face the top teams.”
Powell, Hymas and Wanstrom will lead the defensive line, with senior Alex Stone, junior Wade Dailey, junior Jose Arriaga and junior Brodie Reynolds sprinkled in. Babcock, Livesay and senior Isaac Andersen figure to get most of the playing time at linebacker. The secondary will be anchored by Archibald, Williams, Cosens, Parsons and senior Treyson Gamett.
Butte County is taking a business-like approach to this season, according to Thorngren. “One of my favorite things about coaching is finding out what the overall attitude of our team will be each season,” he says. “This particular group seems to be a no-nonsense bunch that should be very coachable. As a staff, we have all been impressed by this team’s approach to the season. They are ready to get after it and compete!”
GRACE
After four seasons as an assistant coach under James Newby, Travis Draper assumes the head coach role for the first time. However, the Grizzlies will look very similar to the units that qualified for the playoffs all four years under Newby.
“We have several seniors returning that are hungry and are looking to continue to build upon the success we have had in recent years,” says Draper.
“We hope to have a balanced offensive attack and share the ball with our playmakers,” Draper adds. That starts with Draper’s son, senior Gavin Draper, at quarterback, and extends to running backs Chase Smith, Carter Kimball and Bryant Moss, as well as 6-foot-5 tight end Parker Yost.
One area of concern are the offensive and defensive lines, where starters Carson Welch, Carson Reeves and Landon Moss all graduated.
Defensively, Draper says, “We want to be aggressive and ‘bend but don’t break’.” Standout linebacker Trevor Mathews and defensive end Derek Hill have graduated, but Draper is hopeful that a strong group of linebackers headlined by Smith, Yost and Moss will lead the way.
As always, the High Desert Conference title will be decided at the end of the regular season, when Butte County battles Grace. “We only Butte County and Grace in the conference,” Draper explains. “Coach Sam Thorngren does an amazing job at Butte County and he has built a terrific program. These past few years especially, his boys are tough, well-coached and always ready to play.”
For Grace to topple Butte County for the first time in three years, Draper says, “We need to stay healthy, focused and hungry.”
He adds, “If you’re not having fun, then you’re doing it wrong.”