Written by: Marlowe Hereford
The road to the football state championship for Idaho’s largest classification has run through District 5-6 in recent seasons.
Last fall was no exception, as the former 5A schools in eastern Idaho made the move to 6A and maintained a competitive conference. In late November, a year after Highland won the state title, it was Rigby winning the state championship for the fourth time in six seasons with a 41-21 victory over Eagle at Albertsons Stadium.
Madison and Highland also made last year’s playoffs and ended the season with winning records, while Thunder Ridge improved on its previous two season records under the direction of head coach Michael Berger.
As the first football practices begin this week, perhaps the biggest question is, will another blue trophy and state championship banner make their way back to 5A District 5-6 in November?
RIGBY
The Trojans made good on head coach Armando Gonzalez’s 2024 preseason prediction last fall about a ‘lot left on the table’ by their underclassmen in 2023. After a loss to Eagle in the 2023 5A state quarterfinals, Rigby’s returning players took a new mentality into the offseason and carried that fire into 2024 and their new 6A classification. The result: 2024 6A state champion (fittingly over Eagle), an 11-game win streak for an 11-1 final overall record and the best offensive line Gonzalez said he has had at Rigby.
The Trojans had 30 total athletes who made All-Conference last year. Among the graduating players were 6A District 5-6 All-Conference Player of the Year and 6A All-Idaho Player of the Year Feki Pouha (lineman), All-Conference Offensive Co-Player of the Year Jerzey Duenes (running back), All-Conference Defensive Player of the Year Parker Graham (defensive back) and First Team All-Conference defensive lineman Gauge Larsen and First Team All-Conference offensive lineman Kannon Oswald.
However, Rigby’s signal caller returns in senior quarterback Jake Flowers (First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-State) as well as Co-Offensive Player of the Year, senior running back Amani Morel. In the state title win over Eagle, Morel piled up 116 yards on the ground for two touchdowns. Additionally, wide receiver/kick returner Owen Golding, who is a sprinter on Rigby’s track team, defensive backs Kannon Korth and Kobe Walker and linebacker Ethan Hickman—all seniors—received First Team All-Conference honors last fall.
Those seniors will be key pieces for the Trojans in an attempt to repeat as district champions and state champions. Rigby went a perfect 3-0 in league play last fall, and the league is anticipated to be as competitive as ever this season.
“Our conference is so tough that each team having success wouldn’t surprise anyone,” Thunder Ridge head coach Michael Berger said.
Rigby begins the season with an Aug. 22 home game versus fellow 6A powerhouse Coeur d’Alene, which reached at least the state semifinals the previous three seasons.
MADISON
The Bobcats indeed lived up to 2024 preseason predictions from District 5-6 coaches.
Madison was described as a team to watch, particularly with its solid offensive line and a varsity roster full of experienced athletes aiming. That experience was reflected in its 9-2 final overall record—its most wins since going 8-3 in 2016—a 6-0 start to the season and a 2-1 final record versus league opponents, with the lone loss coming to rival and eventual state champion Rigby, 35-21. Madison reached the state semifinals, losing 22-16 to eventual state runner-up Eagle, for its deepest playoff run since 2018.
The Bobcats had 26 All-Conference selections last season. Among those who graduated were First Team selections Barkley Beck (running back/defensive back), Bryce Dredge (running back), Rex Salas (offensive lineman), Ezra Sutton (defensive back), Porter Cottle (linebacker).
Among those returning from that solid line for the Bobcats, who will have a new head coach in Matt Pancheri, will be senior Cache Summers (First Team All-Conference linebacker), senior Jack Cordero (First Team All-Conference defensive back), senior Carter Apelu (First Team All-Conference offensive lineman) and senior Jacob Lee (Second Team All-Conference offensive lineman).
“Madison has shown that they have the players to compete for a state championship,” Berger said.
Madison begins the season Aug. 22 at Bonneville.
HIGHLAND
The Rams lost in the opening round of the state playoffs in their first season in 6A, ending the season with a 6-4 overall record.
Markell Bowens (First Team All-Conference defensive lineman, now at Boise State), Paxten Johnson (First Team All-Conference kicker), Lana Alvarico (Second Team All-Conference wide receiver/kick returner), Colt Neeser (Second Team All-Conference defensive lineman), Carson Bates (Second Team All-Conference defensive back) and Chase Zweigart (Second Team All-Conference defensive back) are among those who graduated from that team, which went 1-2 versus league opponents.
Highland does return senior Keaton Belnap (Honorable Mention All-Conference quarterback), junior Cedric Mitchell (First Team All-Conference punter, Second Team All-Conference running back), senior offensive lineman Grayson Barlow, senior McKay Galo (Second Team All-Conference linebacker), senior Bentley Stanislowski (Honorable Mention All-Conference defensive lineman), junior Malakai Mitchell (Second Team All-Conference linebacker) and senior Hunter Burrell (Honorable Mention All-Conference defensive back).
“We are excited to see how we bounce back after last season and use those experiences to grow as a team,” said Nick Sorrell, now in his fourth season as head coach and 21st season overall at Highland.
Sorrell described his offense as balanced with dual threat quarterback Belnap, running backs Cedric Mitchell and Rodney Fluker and receivers Kona Baldwin, Andrew Scott and Easton Almond.
It is defense that will be perhaps the biggest strength for the 2025 Rams, however, with Stanislowski, Jaxson Collard, Landon Summers, Malakai Mitchell, Porter Burrows and Mckay Galo bringing experience holding the line.
“The front seven of our defense will be the strength of this team,” Sorrell said.
Improving third down conversions and stopping the run will be points of emphasis this fall, and Sorrell added that he looks forward to seeing his team’s mental toughness under pressure this season.
“While we have plenty of strengths on both sides of the ball, what will set us apart this season will be our mental toughness and poise when the stakes are highest...our ability to execute in high-pressure situations—especially in critical moments like third downs, red-zone defense, and in the closing stages of tight games,” Sorrell said.
Highland begins the season Aug. 22 with a home game versus Legacy (Nev.).
THUNDER RIDGE
In their third season under head coach Michael Berger, the Titans took another step forward upon ending with a final overall record of 3-6.
Berger said there are not many players on his roster with varsity experience this fall, but he is eager to see his athletes make the most of their opportunities.
“We have a great group of kids that have worked hard in the offseason,” Berger said. “We have made some changes in our coaching staff that will help us be more competitive. Even though we are young, this group has the potential to surprise some teams in the area.”
Sorrell agrees with Berger’s assessment, tabbing the Titans as a program to keep an eye on this fall.
“They have playmakers at their skill positions that could easily break a game open at any time,” Sorrell said.
Radley Nebeker (Second Team All-Conference wide receiver), Bowen Rose (Honorable Mention All-Conference running back), Ezra Moss (Honorable Mention All-Conference quarterback), Tanner Scoresby (wide receiver, Second Team All-Conference punter), Andrew Daines (Honorable Mention All-Conference offensive lineman), Max Hall (defensive back) and Kade Bobish (Second Team All-Conference defensive back) are among those who graduated from last year’s team.
Among the returning players for the young Titans are senior Preston McDaniel (tight end, First Team All-Conference wide receiver), senior Trevor Vincent (Second Team All-Conference linebacker), junior Christian Hansen (Honorable Mention All-Conference defensive lineman), senior Evan Jones (offensive/defensive lineman), senior Seth Mann (Honorable Mention All-Conference offensive lineman), senior Kaleb Brock (wide receiver), junior Drew Crystal (defensive lineman) and junior Ryder Portmann (quarterback).
Offensively, Berger said the Titans aim to run the ball more efficiently than the previous season. Signal caller Portmann’s last complete healthy season was his freshman year, as he was hurt three games into last season.
“He will need to command the offense and distribute the ball to our playmakers for us to have success,” Berger said. “We have had a strong summer with our skill positions, and we look forward to seeing who will raise their level once the season starts.”
Defensively, Berger said the biggest question marks will be at linebacker, where multiple athletes are jostling for roles.
“We have multiple young guys that have the potential to be All-Conference players,” Berger said. “It will come down to how quickly they can adjust to the physicality. On the back end, we will be as athletic as we have ever been. Even with the lack of experience, we are excited about the potential of this group.”
Thunder Ridge begins the season with a bye week before playing Idaho Falls on Aug. 29 at Ravsten Stadium.