Kuna gains steam as they win third in a row

KUNA — With four seconds left on the clock in the first half, Owyhee lined up from the 2-yard line with a golden opportunity to not only take a two-score lead into halftime, but to bring all the momentum with them.

The Kavemen defense snatched all of that away.

A handoff to Asher Gaudet fell short of the goal line, and Kuna sprinted into the locker room celebrating. That goal-line stand illustrated how the Kavemen locked up Owyhee, allowing for the offense to eventually take the lead with two late touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Kuna won its third game in a row, 14-3, over Owyhee Friday night at home.

After starting the season 0-2, the Kavemen (3-2, 2-0 SIC River) have found their groove under first-year head coach Beau Smith, who has instantly connected with the players.

“He’s connected us with the community,” Kuna linebacker Nick Stace said. “We have the tribe and everything, connecting with the little guys. We had a moms clinic this year, it was nice to get the moms involved…he brings a new energy. I really enjoy it. He’s done a great job.”

Despite dropping two games out of the gate, Smith was still pleased with how his team was playing. Against Rocky Mountain, the current No. 1 team in 6A, they trailed by three in the second half before ultimately losing 53-14. In week two, they lost by ten to Timberline, who have surprised many by starting the season 4-1.

Kuna’s play on the field in the last three weeks has finally resulted in wins.

“I see no reason why these guys can’t hang with whoever,” Smith said. “They’re great kids and players. They have a lot of potential. As we’ve built in our culture and established who we are, the kids are starting to pick that up and build on it. They’re getting better and better.”

The Kavemen have hung their hats on being a tough and physical team, something that was evident against Owyhee (3-2, 0-2 SIC River).

Possessions came at a premium. Both teams possessed the ball only twice in the first half. Owyhee reached the red zone both times, while Kuna had one drive ruined by holding penalties and another cut short due to a fumbled snap.

Smith remained confident his offense would eventually get the job done.

“It was little things like a dropped snap or one bad block and it was a bad play for us,” Smith said. “Our offense was doing good, moving the ball. Absolutely dominating the run game against what I would think is a formidable defense."

A 21-yard field goal by Lucas Ruby was all that separated the teams until the fourth quarter.

The Storm’s night on offense got even tougher when starting quarterback Nate Keith had to be helped off the field with a leg injury in the third quarter. Backup quarterback Whyatt Russinger didn’t possess the same game-breaking ability Keith had. The offense struggled to sustain drives.

Kuna’s defense forced a three-and-out after pinning Owyhee deep in their own territory and finally took advantage of starting a drive in plus territory. On fourth-and-goal at the 1-yard line, running back Cameron Hickman ran it in for a touchdown, giving the Kavemen a 7-3 lead with 7:34 remaining.

The defense forced another three-and-out, to which the offense capitalized again. Quarterback Lino Senio kept it himself on a 3-yard QB sneak to make it 14-3 with 2:49 left.

No matter how long it took for the offense to put points on the board, the defense was determined to keep them in the game.

“Whenever there’s a turnover or a big stop on offense, we’ve done our best to run out on the field excited,” Stace said. “We’re back on the field, more reps, let's go, having fun. That’s the mentality that we’ve kept. It’s never a dull moment on the field with our defense.”

The 6A Southern Idaho Conference River Division has been flipped on its head. Borah, Eagle and Kuna are 2-0 in the division, while Boise, Owyhee and Mountain View are all 0-2.

Next up on the Kavemen’s schedule? Borah and Eagle.

“Everyone told us going into the season, a program with a new head coach, you don’t see success until like three seasons down the line,” Stace said. “It’s felt good to shove that in their face with a 3-2 record now.”