Even though the Mustangs finished 2023 10-1 and won the 5A Southern Idaho Conference title, their semifinal loss to Coeur d’Alene stuck with many in the offseason, Losing 7-6 on home turf, it felt like Eagle left a lot on the field in the game. The Mustangs’ fiery offensive attack was halted by the Vikings, ending what was such a promising season.
Head coach James Cluphf admits the loss stung and has stuck with some of his players as motivation for this season, but they’ve flipped the page on the new season.
“The 2024 Eagle Mustangs haven’t won a game,” Cluphf said. “We have our own work to do, it’s a new squad. We have a lot of guys coming back but there are some new faces that have to contribute. Our focus is on 2024 more than anything.”
Fortunately, some of the key pieces that played a big role in last season’s run are back. Junior running back Noah Burnham broke out last year, rushing for over 1,400 yards and 18 touchdowns as a sophomore. A first team all-state selection, the 5-foot-9 enters the new season arguably as Idaho’s top rusher.
It wasn’t an even split, but both Davis Harsin and Austin Ramsey saw plenty of action at quarterback last season. With Harsin now gone, playing for Idaho State this fall, Ramsey has been given the keys to the offense. When he saw the field last year, he was primarily utilized as a running threat. He was a second team all-conference selection as a FLEX player.
Now with the position all to himself, he appears primed for a breakout junior season.
“We saw his playmaking ability last year,” Cluphf said. “He can do both, run and throw it. I don’t think there’s a lot of guys in the state that can do both those things at the level that he does it. What’s been really impressive is to watch and see him grow into that leadership role. He’s done a great job over the summer holding his teammates accountable.”
He’ll have a couple of options in the passing game returning with wide receiver Zay Wright and tight end Treyson Anderson back.
Eagle has three returning senior offensive linemen — Sione Perkins, Anthony Toomey and Nate Williams. All three earned all-conference honors last season. Perkins stands at 6-foot-8 and holds multiple FCS offers.
Defensive end/tight end Seth Brock is a big loss, the reigning Co-Player of the Year in the River Division. The defensive line will have to work in some new players, but the united behind them are set. Linebackers Jack Giannini and Jaxson LeBeau will patrol the middle of the middle while defensive backs Aaron Zrno and Chance Jones cover the back end.
Expectations remain high for Eagle, especially after last year’s success.
“We’re excited to at least duplicate what we did last year,” Cluphf said. “We’re hoping to win a couple more games…excited to continue the physical brand of football we had last year. Our defense flew around and brought a lot of pressure. OUr offensive line was a dominant force.”
The Mustangs will be tested right out of the gate as they travel to Meridian in a rematch of last year’s SIC title game. The following week, they’ll play West Linn, one of the top teams in Oregon’s highest class. It’s part of the Northwest Showdown, hosted by Rocky Mountain, consisting of eight teams across Idaho, Oregon and Washington.
Like last year, Eagle knows of the target on their back and is prepared for whatever might get thrown at them.
“We’re going to get everyone’s best regardless if it’s West Linn, the favorite from Oregon, or a team that’s not favored as much in the conference,” Cluphf said.
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