Kuna and Nampa were the only schools in the 5A Southern Idaho Conference River Division to not reach the playoffs last season. The division was loaded with Eagle at the top, Owyhee winning a playoff game and Boise coming out of nowhere to shock the state.
A big change in the offseason came at the head coaching position, with Texas native Beau Smith taking over. Coming over from one of the top states in the country when it comes to prep football, he’s eager to get his feet wet in the Pacific Northwest. In addition to coaching at the high school level, he played and coached at Sam Houston State and was a graduate assistant at the University of Texas El-Paso.
His arrival to the Treasure Valley was welcomed with open arms.
“It seems like the whole community is behind what we’re doing,” Smith said. “All I did was point it in a certain direction…Everybody has been ‘OK, let’s do it.’ Getting everybody in line with the vision that we’re trying to bring, everybody has bought in.”
Now, the work begins at a school that won a state title in 2019. The Kavemen are looking to establish themselves on the radar in Idaho’s top class since rejoining in 2020. They’ve been on the upswing, winning nine games in the last two years compared to just two wins combined in 2020 and 2021.
One of the top players Smith will have at his disposal is senior tight end Colton Deatherage. Regarded as the top blocker and receiver on the team, he’ll set the tone on offense.
“He’s an all-around tight end that defensive coordinators are not going to like to deal with,” Smith said. “He’s not a one-tool kid, he’s got multiple tools that make him dangerous and you can’t characterize him a certain way. We’re going to line him up in a lot of different places.”
At quarterback is Lino Senio, who got experience playing on varsity as a freshman last year. Now more seasoned as a sophomore, Smith is excited for what he can bring to the team.
Cameron Hickman has a tall task of replacing Austin Lattimer at running back, a first team all-conference player last year. Brody Loveless is a senior offensive lineman that will lead a unit to help pave the way for him.
Senior linebacker Casey Neff headlines the returners on defense. He was first team all-conference last year. Nick Stace at linebacker and defensive end Jaydon Barker are other key pieces returning.
“We’re going to have a defense that will bend and more keen on creating explosives out of the defense,” Smith said. “Things like sacks, turnovers, that kind of thing. We’re going to be chaotic. It’ll look chaotic to the offense, but I promise you, it’s just our kids playing with amazing effort and speed.”
That same mentality applies to the offense, where Kuna hopes to lean into the ground game even more.
“Our kids are here to hit people,” Smith said. “We’re not afraid to pop pads a bit. That’ll show in their play. I plan to be offensively, we’re going to be a down the hill, run the ball kind of team and get play action off of it. We plan to have success in the run game.”
Even though it’s only his first year in Idaho, Smith is eager to make an impression not only to his own team, but to the rest of the conference. The Kavemen open the season against Rocky Mountain, a team they’re 0-6 against all-time.
“I’m going into my first game wanting to make history,” Smith said. “I want to be the first team that beats them on a Friday night. That’s my plan….my goal is to win week one right now.”
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