BANCROFT — Eight-man football is what has kept football alive in smaller high schools across Idaho. But with those six less players on the field it simply proves a different dynamic to the game for both teams.
For North Gem High School, the 2023 season additionally proved different and difficult when only nine players came out for the team.
This was a challenge but after losing the first two season games, the North Gem Cowboys went on to win five games in a row and finished the season with a 5-4 winning record, good enough for second place in the Rocky Mountain Conference.
The challenge is always there with such a small team. North Gem is the smallest school by enrollment in Idaho to offer varsity football on its own. Many small Idaho schools offer co-op football by partnering with another larger school but not North Gem.
Head coach Corry Hatch took over the football program for the Cowboys in 2020. He established a run first kind of team.
“Well, we are kind of a run only kind of team. We run an offense that keeps the ball on the ground. It has become our identity as a football team,” says Hatch.
Hatch will lead the team this season with Tracey Corta as offensive coordinator and Scott Hayden as defensive coordinator.
Hatch said, “There are no chances taken by our team. No 50/50 plays. We control the ball, the clock, the down, distance and the game. It has worked well for us.”
In the last four seasons, the Cowboys have compiled a 20-17 record, winning the conference championship in 2021 and being runner-up in 2020 and 2023.
Only two seniors graduated last season from the Cowboys' nine-man roster, leaving the team loaded with seven experienced players returning this season.
Those seven are Hayden Frandsen, Rusty Hatch, Ryver Hayden, Kamaka Miller, Luke Rindlisbaker, Lukky Welker and Craig Yost.
They will all play key roles for the Cowboy this season.
Yost was recently named an Idaho Sports Top 10 Running back for the 2024 season. He is unquestionably a force to be reckoned with.
As a fullback last season, he compiled 1,100 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Coach Hatch believes Yost is on track to do at least that again this year.
Senior Rusty Hatch, the head coach's son, is the Cowboys' returning quarterback who will lead the team's offense. He is looking for his third consecutive 1,000-yard season and another dozen touchdowns to add to his impressive career totals.
The Cowboys' offensive line is an experienced group returning to the trenches. They'll undoubtedly be key to the team's More Runnin’ mantra this season.
Coach Hatch said that since 2020 the Cowboys have had games where they don't pass at all. They come to the field on Friday nights to run the ball.
One potential challenge is that North Gem's tiny roster leaves no room for injuries or illness.
But the Cowboys have all positive thoughts going into the 2024 football season with hopes of winning the conference championship.
The players are North Gem tough and plan to execute that on the field.
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