Preseason Coaches Poll:
1. Twin Falls
2. Minico
3. Canyon Ridge
T-4. Jerome
T-4. Mountain Home
6. Burley
Written by: Tyson Chapman
The Great Basin Conference this season promises to be a tough competition, requiring teams to demonstrate resilience and determination each week. This year, Twin Falls aims to maintain its standing from last season, while Minico and Canyon Ridge are eagerly awaiting a shot at the top seed. Meanwhile, Jerome and Burley are strategically preparing to shake up the conference standings with their gameplay this season.
TWIN FALLS
The Twin Falls Bruins, under head coach Ben Kohring, are looking to replace their QB Ty Hess and other key players such as Dalton Carter, Dillon Spencer, Jordan Bingham, and Jacob Corrillo.
The Bruins went 9-3 last season, including an undefeated record in conference play. The Bruins will lean on senior DB/returner Draikyn Ferreria, senior RB Jackson Sattelberg, junior OL Frank Patterson, senior DL Kira Ifenuk, and senior LB Reggie Farrer to continue that dominance.
Offensively, Coach Kohring is excited about the power and speed that will be available to run the ball while utilizing multiple formations and motions to gain advantages for run or pass plays.
Defensively, Twin Falls returns its’ linebacker crew, and they hope their collective experience can help the defense create stops, force turnovers, and execute better against playoff-caliber teams.
Coach Kohring stated, when asked about the ‘X-factor’ this year, “Finding and maturing our quarterback will be the key to our success and making a run in the playoffs this season.”
MINICO
Head coach Sherm Blaser and the Minico Spartans are eager to prove themselves this year and upset some good teams. Alexis Acosta, Cale Baker, and Travin Whitesides are a few players to keep an eye on this season as the Spartans look to make things happen. With some size on the line, the goal will be to create less pressure for the backfield on offense and more pressure for opponents on defense. Leaning on more players like Bret Anderson, KC Bingham, and Coy McKenzie will be vital in sharing the success this season as a team.
CANYON RIDGE
Fourth-year head coach Juan Alvarado and the Canyon Ridge Riverhawks are entering the season after a challenging 3-6 overall record, aiming to establish a winning season.
The loss of key players such as Brenner Kunz, Thel Ostyn, Lorenzo Juarez, Kalab Hoffman, and Ievin Ceballos will be felt.
Still, Coach Alvarado is enthusiastic about current players like senior WR/S Jack Rothwieler, senior WR/S Grant Hales, senior WR/OLB Gabe Dean, junior OT/DE Evan Gallegos, and junior OLB Nathan Anaya.
On offense, Canyon Ridge plans to leverage its size on the line to generate big plays, whether through the pass or run game, letting plays develop.
Defensively, the Riverhawks will rely on their experience in the backfield and aim to support the line in applying pressure on opponents.
The “X-factor” for the Riverhawks this season, as stated by Coach Alvarado, is the theme of “Burn The Ships.” He emphasized to the team that there is no plan B; they must be fully committed to the program, each other, and the team's culture.
MOUNTAIN HOME
Mountain Home brings in head coach Carl Sutherland for his first year with the Tigers. Key returning leaders this season include: senior LB Chase Ireland, junior RB/LB Aiden Echeverria, senior WR/DB Robi Kipp, senior DB/WR Andrew Zepeda, and senior QB Sonny Lasuen.
Beyond those weapons, others on the team give coach Sutherland lots of excitement for their potential. He stated, “Having athletes like Jathan Santos, Carson Sutherland, Robi Kipp, Sonny Lasuen, Nathan Newton, and Jack Kellerman (is exciting). They are all great athletes that can run. They are all a perfect fit for the spread offense.” Naturally, the spread favors speed, and that will be the Tigers' greatest strength with the ball this season.
Defensively, Mountain Home will be trying to track down everything with their speed on the field being a constant presence.
Coach Sutherland is happy with how his guys have dealt with changes so far and is letting everyone know, “I think our biggest X-Factor this year will be our mindset. We are more focused on what we are doing, instead of what everyone else is doing.”
JEROME
Head Coach Rich Bishop and the Jerome Tigers are eager to get the season underway.
Though they lost two key players in Xaiden Van Tassell and Trey Smith, Coach Bishop will look to junior QB Ben Landrian, junior K Daniel Vega, junior WR/DB Taiten Van Tassell, and senior TE Gabe Capps to execute the game plan on both sides of the ball.
Offensively, Jerome is confident in their passing game to get the ball down the field; the focus will be on the run game with a bigger, more experienced line than last year.
On defense, the Tigers will hold onto their tightened-up run unit from last year, looking to improve more each week.
As a fairly young team, the ‘X-factor’ this season is staying healthy up front throughout the season.
BURLEY
The Burley Bobcats under head coach Cameron Andersen look to turn things around after an 0-8 season last year.
Players to keep an eye on this year include senior RB/DB Marcus Armstrong, junior FB/DL Quentin Alvarado, senior K/WR Xander Alvey, and junior OL Eli Cook.
It will be exciting to see how well Burley improves throughout the year as they make their case for conference contention, working hard each week.