Preseason Coaches Poll:
1. Bonners Ferry
2. Moscow
3. Timberlake
Written by: Brandon Baney
The Intermountain League will remain a three-team league for at least the next two seasons, and for that reason alone, there’s more intrigue than ever in north Idaho.
Bonners Ferry and Timberlake have been long-standing members of the IML, but the addition of Moscow (a 5A school) two years ago raised eyebrows. In 2024, the Bears successfully petitioned down to the 4A level after a couple of non-competitive seasons in 5A.
Any team can appeal to option down at any time, and those appeals are then approved or denied by the Idaho High School Activities Association’s Board of Directors. In a fairly subjective exercise, criteria such as overall winning percentage (including JV and freshman programs), and overall participation numbers are considered.
So when Moscow went 13-6 over the past two seasons with an IML title in 2024, many assumed the Bears would be fast-tracked back to the 5A level. But after reporting low participation numbers, school officials expressed concerns about player safety, and their appeal to remain in 4A for at least two more years was approved.
Despite all the hullabaloo around Moscow, fans might be quick to forget that the Bears actually missed out on the 4A playoffs last year despite a 6-3 record overall. Bonners Ferry represented the IML in the postseason, and is intent on repeating the feat in 2026.
BONNERS FERRY
Fourth-year head coach Danny Swift’s top priority is replacing running back Keenan Maas, who rushed for 1,664 yards and 20 touchdowns a year ago. The Badgers’ second-leading rusher, Conrad Hiatt (584 yards and six scores) also graduated.
Despite the exit of those bruising backs, Swift says the gameplan for Bonners Ferry in 2026 remains the same.
“We will lean on a hard-nosed running game, along with versatile quarterback play from Alex Stolley,” said Swift.
Stolley, a senior, returns after starting all nine contests for the Badgers, completing 56.4% of his passes for 932 yards, 13 touchdowns and just three interceptions.
But who are these new “hard-nosed” runners coach Swift alluded to? Senior Jake Solt (6-foot, 195 pounds) and senior Easton Scarborough (5-foot-11, 170 pounds) will play running back and fullback, respectively.
In the passing game, senior receiver Riston Allred and senior Cooper Higgins both return. The offensive line will be led by senior Taylor Dodd.
Defensively, Swift is counting on “toughness and our defensive line depth.”
Dodd and a trio of juniors (Grady Atkins, Caden Bates and Chace Winkelseth) will play on the defensive line. Solt and Scarborough will lead the linebackers. And Higgins (strong safety) and Stolley (free safety) anchor the secondary.
Swift knows that repeating as IML champs will require hard work, progression and a little injury luck. “Health is critical,” Swift said. “The league race is as close as it’s been in a long time.”
MOSCOW
Despite a 6-3 record last season, the MaxPreps math did not work in Moscow’s favor, so when the Bears fell on the road to Bonners Ferry, 41-26, their fate was sealed.
Head coach Rob Bafus retired in the offseason, and Dwight Tardy was hired to take his place. Tardy is a newcomer to coaching, but is certainly not a stranger to football on the Palouse. Tardy was a standout running back at Washington State University. He became the first Cougar ever to lead the program in rushing all four seasons.
Additionally, Tardy’s high school coach, Marijon Ancich, was knows as the “John Wooden of high school coaches” and is California’s second-winningest coach in state history with 360 victories.
Wyatt Cross started all nine games at quarterback as a freshman, and finished the year with 1,681 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Joining Cross will be the running back tandem of senior Kolten Kendall and junior Mason Marzolf. Kendall averaged 6.2 yards per carry last season, while Marzolf ripped off 8.9 yards per rush.
Senior Ryle Chaney led the Bears with 479 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns a year ago, and dynamic slot-man Keaton Frei is back after an injury-plagued junior season.
Marzolf, Kendall and Chaney finished second, third and fourth in total tackles defensively last year as well.
The biggest question marks for Moscow reside on the offensive and defensive lines, where multi-year starters Finny Needham and Paul Dixon will need to be replaced.
TIMBERLAKE
A new era is about to begin at Timberlake, as Bryce Buttz becomes just the fourth head coach in school history.
“We are excited to build the foundation of our culture in Year One,” said Buttz. “Everything we do is rooted in teamwork, camaraderie, and the belief that every Tiger plays an important role in our collective success. Every Tiger understands that individual success comes from team success. We celebrate each other’s wins, embrace our roles, and work relentlessly toward one common goal.”
Injuries derailed Timberlake’s season a year ago, as the Tigers finished 1-8. But despite their overall record, several players earned valuable experience they can apply to this year.
Senior Ryker Brennan returns to quarterback the offense. He’ll hand the ball off to senior running back Mason Shively. Seniors Westin Herbert and Gaige Haines will start at wide receiver, while senior Blake Smith and junior Nick Rostege will line up at tight end.
The offensive line is bolstered by returning starters Archer Higgins (senior), Fisher Timmins (senior), Taran Spurgeon (senior) and Gunner Delgado (junior).
On defense, Higgins, Timmins, Spurgeon, Delgado and Rostege will play on the defensive line. Shively and Smith are linebackers, while Herbert and Haines will lead the secondary.