Written by: Brandon Baney
The South East Idaho Conference has been under the domain of Snake River for the past three seasons. The Panthers have gone a combined 7-0 against league foes in claiming the past three regular season titles.
But Marsh Valley and American Falls, despite not finishing first, have found ways to qualify for the 4A postseason via at-large berths, and the Beavers won their first playoff game since 1995 last October.
Bear Lake, no stranger to postseason success at the 3A level, begins year two as a 4A program, still trying to find its footing as one of the smaller schools in the classification.
SNAKE RIVER
The Panthers said goodbye to most of the playmakers from last season’s explosive offense. Quarterback Rylan Ibarra graduated, as did running backs Johnny Jones and Landon Williams, along with wideouts Johnny Walker and Justin Wray.
Those aren’t the only losses for head coach Jeff Dalley, though. There’s Morgan Sant (“a great leader and hard worker on the offensive line”), Ian Fillmore (“a leader of the o-line”) and Caleb Mickelsen (“another leader on the o-line”).
But the cupboard isn’t completely bare. Dalley still likes his offensive line, even with the loss of the aforementioned trio. “We have a big offensive line with good experience at protecting the QB and opening running lanes,” Dalley says.
Seniors Jeremy Stuckey, Max Van Orden, Kole Preston, Michael Chavez, Kyler Orr and Lynden Stone, along with junior Brigham Van Orden, will all fight for playing time up front. That group will be tasked with protecting senior quarterback Bryden Mortensen. The running back rotation will include seniors Royal Dalley and Clancy Howell, and junior Jonas Bishop. Seniors Prestyn Wheatley and Hunter Lee will play wide receiver, while junior Owen Jones is poised to start at tight end.
Defensively, Preston, Chavez, Orr, Stone, Jones and Brigham Van Orden will play on the line. Dalley, Stuckey, Howell and Bishop are the linebackers. Mortensen and Wheatley will lead a relatively untested secondary.
AMERICAN FALLS
American Falls broke through in a major way in 2024, finishing 6-5 and earning their first postseason win since 1995. That win came on the road in Moscow in a come-from-behind 24-16 win, and was followed by a 47-0 loss at Weiser in the quarterfinal round.
A talented senior class that paved the way for that postseason success has graduated, and third-year head coach Tim Hoppe has nothing but kind things to say about them.
“Austin Adair (WR/LB/P) was a three year starter on both sides of the ball, a super smart player and just good all-around human,” Hoppe says. “Dax Brower (QB) had a big arm and threw a great deep ball, was never panicked or outwardly flustered, and made some clutch throws for us. Micael Torres (WR/LB) was the heart and soul of the team. Cash Williams (C) was the leader of the O-line. It’s hard to find a kid who can snap with the consistency that Cash had. Benson Taylor (OL/DL) was the enforcer, and played with attitude and aggressiveness. And Adrian Carvajal (OL/DL) was hands down the fastest defensive tackle in the state. He started for three years and made plays in the backfield every year.”
So with all of that talent now missing, you might think American Falls is in trouble for 2025. Not so fast!
On offense, a strong running game will be featured thanks to returning running back Zak Grigg, an All-State selection in 2024. He’s joined by three returning starters on the offensive line: Aaron Vega, Fred Murillo, and Ty Smith. Vega and Smith are both three-year starters.
“Our strength is definitely running the ball,” says Hoppe. “We were a power spread team last season and this year we will spread the ball out a little more. We have three returning starters on the offensive line and six returning starters overall on offense. Two of the remaining five spots will be filled by players who started on defense for us last season, so we have plenty of experience.”
The Beavers’ passing game will be bolstered by senior wideouts Kahlen Hernandez and Gavin Adamson, although who will throw them the ball is still being determined.
“For the first time in four seasons we are going into fall without knowing who the quarterback will be, and that’s a good thing,” says Hoppe. “Gavin Adamson has been the backup the last two seasons and will compete with Zak Grigg for the starting spot. Each is unique in their skillset, but they both can run the ball.”
If Grigg is named the starting quarterback, sophomore Tripp Wagstaff could take over at running back. If Grigg stays at running back, Wagstaff could play wide receiver. Either way, Hoppe plans on using the talented sophomore. “Tripp was skilled enough to play varsity last year as a freshman, but he just wasn’t big enough. If he isn’t the fastest kid on the team he is very close. He’s definitely the quickest.”
Defensively, American Falls returns eight starters to a unit that had allowed just 14 points per game entering the playoffs. The back end of the Beavers’ 3-4 defense is stout. Hernandez and Adamson return as starting cornerbacks. Hernandez nabbed six interceptions a year ago. Grigg and Brian Lopez will start at safety. Ty Smith returns at middle linebacker, and led all returning 11-man players in Idaho in total tackles last year. Sophomore Thorne Rose flanks Smith at linebacker after starting every game last year as a freshman. A relatively new defensive line will be paced by Murillo.
“The only place we really struggled on defense last year was holding a late lead,” says Hoppe. We gave up game-winning fourth quarter drives to Aberdeen and Buhl, then we let Filer back into the game late and needed a stop on the final drive of the game to seal the win. We had a big final drive stop in the Moscow in the playoffs, so hopefully that turned things around for us.”
After breaking through with a playoff win last year, American Falls is poised to take the next step forward in 2025. Hoppe is excited to see what this group can do. “This senior group is special as it is the first group of freshmen I had at American Falls (on the JV team), so it is exciting to see how far they’ve come since our inaugural 0-8 JV record they had my first year.”
MARSH VALLEY
In Jared Michaelson’s first season as Marsh Valley head coach, the Eagles finished 5-4 overall on their way to a playoff berth. Their season ended in the opening round to Buhl, 38-15, and then 13 seniors graduated.
“We lost a large group of seniors who will definitely be missed,” says Michaelson. “They were integral in the culture changes we are trying to make. We have new players at almost every position on both sides of the ball. They will all have to make an immediate impact.”
Junior Kash Fullmer will quarterback the Eagles’ offense in 2025. He’ll hand off to junior running backs Luke Schroeder and Prestyn Guthrie. “Our team was very successful at running the ball last year,” says Michaelson. “Our line should be much improved, which will only help us control the line of scrimmage even more. Watch for Luke and Prestyn to follow our front five up and down the field.”
That front five will be anchored by senior Liam Clark and junior Jace Ketner. Senior receiver Kash Rhead and junior tight end Carson Branson will be top targets when Fullmer drops back to pass. “We’ve been focusing on improving our passing game,” says Michaelson. “We were just a few minor details away from winning another game or two last year, and the ability to throw the ball with some consistency will go a long way in helping us pick up an extra ‘W’.”
Defensively Michaelson says, “We’re sticking with what worked for us last season. Our kids are working on being more disciplined in their assignments this year. Our defense had a pretty good season last year and this year’s group is only looking to improve. Our seniors set a new bar last year and this year’s team is looking to raise that bar even higher.”
Senior Boston Sorenson and Branson will pair up at defensive end, while Schroeder, Rhead and Guthrie will play linebacker. Fullmer will lead the secondary from the free safety spot.
“I’m excited to watch these kids accomplish goals on the field that nobody thought they could,” says Michaelson. “We’ve got a young team, but with the right guys in the right places, they’re going to surprise a few people.”
BEAR LAKE
2022 marked the pinnacle of achievement in the Bear Lake football program. The Bears turned back Firth for the Class 3A (previously 2A) championship, their first in school history.
Just two years later, the Bears were trying to navigate life as one of the smallest 4A (previously 3A) schools. Bear Lake just crept over the enrollment number totals for 3A, and in their bigger classification last fall, the Bears went 2-6.
But several underclassmen earned valuable experience, and second-year head coach Houston Reynolds believes that will serve his team well in the long run.
The excitement starts on offense, where junior quarterback Jack Hulme returns after starting as a sophomore in 2024. “He’s fast and makes great decisions,” says Reynolds. “He is a true leader and loved by all the boys. He helps keep things light and has fun playing the game. He has improved a ton this summer and we expect him to throw the ball all over the field this year.”
Hulme has several talented playmakers to distribute the ball to. Senior wide receiver Kaden Anderson returns, and sophomore Tate Ewing is “a tall, explosive receiver,” according to Reynolds. “He can jump with anyone and outrun most. We expect him to be on the receiving end of many of Jack’s big plays.”
Tight end Brox Birch is another name to watch. “This kid is a stud,” says Reyonlds. “His name will start to be known this season on both the football field and the basketball court. He has put on 30 pounds and is ready for a fight. He has incredible hands and finds ways to get open all over the field.”
Senior Kaleb Wiscombe and sophomore Preston Wright will play running back and fullback, respectively, while senior Peyton Bruce is the only returning offensive lineman. “He will be instrumental in helping out the younger linemen,” says Reynolds. “He really came along last year and we expect him to have a great year for us.”
The Bear Lake defense, meanwhile, will be led by the linebackers. “Kaleb Wiscombe is our heart and soul,” says Reynolds. “He is in on every tackle. Preston Wright is an all-around tough kid. He will anchor the middle of our defense. And junior Kutler Keetch is new to our program this year as he moved in from out of state. This kid can play. He is strong and sharp. He will help us on the edge and with force plays.”
Anderson returns to anchor a young secondary, Birch will factor in at defensive end, and sophomore Rowdy Johnson is a name to watch on the defensive line. “Rowdy is our biggest and strongest player,” says Reynolds. “This sophomore will be expected to step up right away, but he is plenty ready for the challenge. He hopes to play at the next level, and has been improving every practice.”
Overall, Reynolds is excited to see how everyone develops in year two of his system. And for an undersized, under-manned team like Bear Lake, speed can be the great equalizer. “We have some dudes that can fly,” says Reynolds. “If we can get them the ball, we could be explosive. And if we can hold teams down on defense, and get the ball out to our speed in space, we could be a force.”