The Pocatello Bandits reflect back on the most successful season in program history

Who knew that an 8-inch ball had so much impact?

In much of the United States, lacrosse is undervalued, underappreciated, not heard of and not watched enough. However, the Pocatello Bandits quietly had one of the best sports turnarounds over four years, and that will be talked about. Their success is a sign of the growing popularity and potential of lacrosse in Pocatello, paving the way for a brighter future for the sport in the region.

Founded in 2005, the Bandits had a humble beginning, often finishing near the bottom of the league. However, this season marked a significant turning point in their history.

A group of determined boys and one dedicated coach, set the stage for a potential historic fairytale ending to their season. Their journey from the bottom to the brink of a historic victory, was a testament to the power of determination and teamwork.

The Bandits finished off their great season in the state championship game, where they faced the Jackson Hole Broncos. But the fairytale ending was not meant to be. The Broncos dominated the Bandits 19-3 to win the state championship.

The Bandits may not have gotten all the way across the finish line, but the progress and development of the players and as a team, were both on full display last spring.

Senior goalkeeper Cayden Scott recalls the team’s successful season and what it took to get to the championship.

“We’re able to accomplish a lot,” Scott said. “This team has not been very successful in the past. Our coach, coach Charles, was good and pushed us to the very limits from the beginning of the season.”

Not only did the Bandits make a collective impact, but they also left their mark individually. Four Bandit players, including Scott, are set to continue their lacrosse journey at the collegiate level.

Scott, the first player in club history to sign his National Letter of Intent, will take his passion for the sport 260 miles up I-84 W to Caldwell at the College of Idaho next season. The Bandits’ individual successes are both a source of pride for the team and the Pocatello community as a whole.

Born and raised in Pocatello, Scott played an integral part in the team’s turnaround and success. Facing 208 shots on goal last season, he saved 116 of those. A real force for the Bandits, Scott’s hard work and talent paid off with a scholarship to play for the Yotes.

Scott, who has been playing the sport since the sixth grade, was skeptical of playing lacrosse at first, but has turned that into a real love for the sport and a chance to continue playing at the next level.

“I talked to my mom about playing Lacrosse, and she was super skeptical,” Scott said. “She had no idea what lacrosse was. I finally convinced her to sign me up. I came out and fell in love with it after the first practice.

“College of Idaho is a very successful program. On my visit up there, I talked with coach Drake O’Neill, and he just blew me away with how good of a coach he was.”

Charles Parker, the head coach of the Bandits, spoke about Scott’s growth in his six-year journey in the sport thus far.

“When I started coaching them, he couldn’t even throw the ball in midfield,” Parker said.” He grew from that and was a two-year captain of the team. I’m just excited to see how he grows in his leadership and his ability to keep making saves and big plays.

“He’s a guy who just really got more consistent every year. I’m expecting him to go to the College of Idaho and start challenging for playing time immediately.”

Scott, the first Bandits player to get a scholarship, sees the sport’s growth and potential and is proud to be a part of it.

“Just to show people that you can go for lacrosse, but it was also amazing because not only me, but three others on the team got to experience it,” Scott said. “I know that there are many more to come in the future, so I think this is the start of something great and to throw the game of lacrosse out there.”

Scott will have teammate Karson Cutler join him at the College of Idaho to fulfill their dreams.

Cutler, who played midfield for the Bandits, was a vital part of the team and was described by his coaches and teammates as the “ultimate Swiss Army Knife.” He was a versatile player who could play many different positions.

Coach Parker details what makes Cutler stand out and what will make him a rising star for the Yotes over the next four years.

“He could do a little bit of everything,” Parker said. “I would ask him to play offense and defense. He did it all, and I’m just excited to see him go to college and not have to be put in a position where he has to get moved all over the field every day in every practice. I’m excited to see him focus on one position and get good at that, and he will be awesome at it.

Attackers Aaron “AJ” Herdt and Tristian Giesbrecht will continue their academic and athletic careers at Arundel Community College in Maryland.

Both athletes’ journeys to this point could have turned out much differently.

Herdt’s journey with lacrosse began when he picked up a stick and a ball and fell in love with the sport.

“I remember being out there playing with my friend and falling in love with it right there,” Herdt said. “We were trying to throw the ball across the field as far as possible, and it was just something I had never experienced before.”

“Lacrosse opened that gate for me where I finally could let my potential out, which was amazing. It never quite translated to football, but I found my athletic potential in lacrosse, which translated to almost every facet of my life.”

Herdt struggled with personal issues and grades throughout high school and was potentially heading down the wrong path. But lacrosse got him back on the right track to succeed. He’s certainly reaped the rewards of that over the last few years.

The last two seasons Herdt led the Bandits in points, finished his career with a Idaho High School lacrosse club record of almost 200 points and was a lethal attacker for the Bandits.

From where he began to where he ended, Parker saw his growth, improvement and desire both on and off the field.

“It’s safe to say he leaves the Idaho High School Lacrosse League as the all-time leader in points,” Parker said. “He’s a two or three-time all-state selection and has been our best offensive player in the last three years.”

“He’s going to compete out east and then see where it takes him. I’m excited for him.”

Before Herdt became the all-time points leader, he was on the verge of quitting the sport altogether.

“I wasn’t sure that I wanted to keep pursuing lacrosse through high school, but I stuck with it and started to get looks from colleges my sophomore year,” he said. “I ended up talking with the coach at AACC, and if I was going to go this route, this would be the place for me.

Giesbrecht, who is Herdt’s best friend, will follow him to AACC.

“I was talking to around 15 schools, but when AJ signed there and the coach hit me up, I thought, “It would be cool to play in college with my best friend,’” Giesbrecht said. “So I signed there and I am excited to play with my best friend again.”

Giesbrecht has worked hard over the last four years and is a product of what hard work can do. In his junior and senior seasons, Giesbrecht scored over 50 goals in back-to-back seasons and was a first-team all-state selection in both years. Coach Parker lauds his effort and dedication for his improvement and his path to getting his scholarship.

“He’s a guy who came a long way as a freshman,” Parker said. “He was always developing, and he’s your poster child to put in the work. This is what you can turn into in this game.”

For the four players, it’s just the beginning, and for the Bandits, it’s a step in the right direction in the club’s development phase.

The Bandits as a club got better all-around, and the youth teams were also surging and had a great season of their own. They, too, played for a championship. So the potential and future of the club look brighter from the youth teams all the way up to the high school teams.

Justin Jones, who is the head coach of the fifth/sixth grade team, has been at the helm for six seasons. He was proud of his team’s success this past spring and sees the sport of lacrosse in Pocatello getting the recognition it deserves.

“Our little team was successful this year because, for one, we have great little athletes. We have kids who want to learn and are excited to show up even when it’s cold. They want to learn and put the time in,” he said. “If you have kids that want to work hard for their coaches, great coaches, and then great parent support, it’s a hard recipe to fail, and we had all three.”

The Bandits succeeded in turning around a reeling club, which, with the help of support, coaches, players and the development of the sport, became a great program.

One that hopes, with the help of coaches Jones, Parker and many more, will lead to many successful seasons and get kids more opportunities to live out their childhood dreams at the next level. Just like several of the high school kids were able to do this year.