Preseason Coaches Poll:
1. Buhl
2. Declo
3. Wendell
Written by: Brandon Baney
After a two-year dormant period, the 3A Canyon Conference has been restored for the 2026 season. For years, the conference has only featured District 4 programs Declo and Wendell, but in 2024, when District 5’s South East Idaho Conference had an opening, the Hornets and Trojans joined the quartet of Aberdeen, Malad, Soda Springs and West Side, forming a six-team conference that spanned Districts 4 and 5. It instantly became Idaho’s toughest, most competitive conference.
So why did Declo and Wendell leave the District 5 schools this year? Because they picked up another District 4 member. The Buhl Indians slipped just under the student enrollment cutoff number that separates Classes 4A and 3A, so Buhl, Declo and Wendell will forge on as a three-team conference in 2026.
It’s perhaps not surprising that Buhl, a 4A playoff team the past five seasons, is the preseason favorite. However, Declo is no stranger to deep playoff runs, and enthusiasm at Wendell is also high after low numbers and injuries forced the Trojans to cancel their varsity season after just three games.
BUHL
Buhl coach Josh Creasey not only has to replace talented players who left via graduation, but the players who said goodbye were multi-year starters and foundational leaders to the culture he’s built over the past three seasons.
“Porter Higley was the top defensive end in the state (and led 4A in sacks with 11.5),” said Creasey. “Running back/linebacker Fabi Perce did it all for us. He never came off the field and was an All-State player. Zack Azevedo had been our QB for last three years and was a great leader. And Austin Scifries led the trenches as a two-time All-State offensive lineman.”
It’s not all doom and gloom in Buhl, though. Junior linebackers Kannon Gambrel (85 tackles) and Raidyn Pugsley (69 tackles) return to the Indians’ defense. Senior Caelab Carpenter (48 tackles, 2.5 sacks) is back on the defensive line.
All three are expected to contribute on offense as well. Gambrel and Puglsey will line up at running back, while Carpenter will play on the line.
“Our offense prides itself on being a run-first pro-style offense with a play action pass game,” said Creasey. “We aren’t afraid to take shots downfield when the opportunity comes.”
But after three years of Zack Azevedo launching deep balls, who will quarterback the Indians’ offense in 2026? “We will have a QB battle in camp with (junior) Troup Wilson and (junior) Maddox Price,” said Creasey. “Both have a unique skill set that can lead the offense.”
Whoever wins the job will throw to senior Samuel Zamora and sophomores Jarren Sisson and Nathan Orique at wideout. Whoever wins the job will also be working with a green offensive line. “Our offensive line will be a work in progress,” said Creasey. “Byron Byington (junior) is our only returning starter, but Kobe Ayala (junior), Parker Moore (junior) and Drake Brimhall (sophomore) will be filling spots.”
With so many impactful players gone, this is a soft rebuilding year in Buhl. But with a favorable landing at the 3A level, Creasey is optimistic about his team’s chances in 2026.
“With the drop to 3A, it will be nice to play against schools with similar enrollments,” he said. “But with that being said, we gotta stay healthy, as overall depth is a concern for us. We have been pretty spoiled the last three years with the group of kids that we have had. This year we will be asking a lot of underclassmen to step up.”
DECLO
Declo finished 5-5 a season ago, and exited from the postseason in the first round with a 24-14 loss to New Plymouth on their home field. It marked the first time since 2007 that Declo didn’t advance to the quarterfinal round of the playoffs.
The Hornets displayed incredible balance on offense a year ago. Five different players finished with at least 100 yards rushing, and four different players finished with at least 100 yards receiving.
Bad news, though: Four of those offensive standouts (Landen Silcock, Preston Worton, Zane Snedaker and Parker Heward) have graduated.
But now the good news: junior quarterback Traecyn Thaxton returns to pilot Declo’s Wing-T/Flexbone offense after throwing for 1,655 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. Senior Dane Garrard (150 yards) and senior Dawson Darrington (184 yards) will play running back and fullback, respectively.
Senior Dacx Garrard returns at tight end, and he’s joined on the offensive line by seniors Cash Petersen and Tyson Christensen.
“Our strength will be that we have a returning QB and have great weapons for him to throw to and hand the ball of to,” said head coach Rhett Jones. “This will allow us to remain dynamic and be more balanced on offense.”
In addition to serving as Declo’s head coach, Jones also works with the Hornets’ offensive linemen. “I take a lot of pride in our five dudes up front,” said Jones. “I really like the guys we got this year and how they work together. We’re young again, but their effort and willingness to learn is very intriguing.”
“We want a solid run game,” he added. “It starts with them. I’m excited to see what they do!”
Defensively, Declo says goodbye to five starters, including lineman Kyle Bott, the conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2025. All three linebackers (Darrington, Dane Garrard and Dacx Garrard) are back, and all three earned all-conference honors. Senior TJ Robinson will lead the defensive line, and he’ll be joined by junior Newton Rogge and senior Breken Darrington.
“We lose almost everybody from last year in the defensive backfield,” said Jones. “We have one starter returning, and he only started the last three games in 2025. They younger guys we have coming up are very smart and talented kids and they will up to the challenge.”
“They’re ready and chomping at the bit,” Jones added.
Declo is trying to thread the needle this season. They return several talent at a few key positions (quarterback and linebacker), but are more untested on the offensive line and in the secondary.
“We have a solid mix of returning starters and new faces that will be stepping in,” said Jones. “So far we like what we’ve seen with them working together. We have good leadership, mostly from our seniors, but we’ve got younger kids who aren’t afraid to step up and lead.”
“I think that says a lot about this team,” Jones concluded.
WENDELL
Injuries and general attrition forced Wendell coach Josh Yon to pull the plug on the Trojans’ varsity season after just three games last year.
But 2026 is a new year, and a wave of incoming talent via the freshman class has head coach Josh Yon excited.
“The incoming freshman class has some huge potential with the speed and athleticism of Jaxon James to play anywhere on the field, as well as the size and arm strength of Max Singleton at QB,” said Yon. “William Baxter is a lineman we look forward to working with and seeing great strides from also.”
Until those younger players are ready for full varsity exposure, Yon will be counting on upperclassmen like Ben Chisham (QB), Kayden Shives (RB/LB), Beckett Yon (TE/LB), Marcus Campana (OL/DL) and Ryon Rodriguez (LB) to lead the way.
“We will have a larger senior class than in years past, with some athletes deciding to return to the sport,” said Yon. “We have a few four-year athletes in Yon, Shives, Campana, Rodriguez, Jayce Merrill and Karsen Comstock. They will bring experience and leadership into the season.”
Coach Yon is hopeful that an athletic offense can help offset a learning curve on the defensive side of the ball.
“Ben Chisham at QB is an athlete that will extend a play with his feet, while Beckett Yon has great hands and the ability to make big blocks at tight end,” said Yon. “We need sound and strategic play that is repeatable and built upon each week. That allows for continuous growth and confidence as a team as players settle into their positions and understand their roles.”