PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEWS: Grace football team looks to go from good to great this season

The high school football season in Idaho begins on Aug. 23. So to get you ready, we’re counting down with at least one local team preview every day until kickoff.

Up next: Grace Grizzlies

2023 IN REVIEW:

7-4 (second place in 1A DI High Desert Conference)Lost 50-20 to Oakley in Class 1A DI state semifinals

COACH’S RESUME:

Head Coach: James Newby, forth seasonOverall record: 20-11Assistant coaches: Jason Kimball, Travis Draper

RETURNING STARTERS:

5 on offense4 on defense

GRACE — The 2023 football season for the Grace Grizzlies ended with a tough loss in the state semifinals against Oakley.

Yet, Grace made program history with back-to-back third-place finishes after going 7-4 in the regular season.

“Last season was a good season, but not a great season," Grizzlies head coach James Newby said. "Our team is growing on both sides of the ball, as well as our coaching staff.”

Newby will lead the sideline for the 2024 season with assistant coaches Travis Draper, who will coach the offensive and defensive lines as well as special teams, and Jason Kimball, the offensive coordinator and wide receivers and defensive backs coach.

Graduating six heavily relied on seniors last season was a big loss to the team, but the Grizzlies have some talented players who are ready to fill those shoes.

All-league seniors to watch are defensive back Braden Kimball, offensive lineman Carson Welch and linebacker Trevor Mathews. All-league junior Gavin Draper will be directing the offense at quarterback and senior Carson Reeves is another key player on the team's offensive line.

“We are really positive going into the season. I think we expect a lot of ourselves. I know the coaches expect a lot of themselves and a lot from the kids," Newby said. "They continue to improve and impress us. We hope that continues to grow throughout the season. Our confidence will grow as we get more experience and field time.

"Season expectations are to go undefeated and win a state championship."

The Grizzlies may have a lot of new players getting experience this season, but they definitely have the returning talent and the drive to go from good to great.