6A SIC football preview: Ranking the Boise region’s top teams, contenders and challengers

High school football practices kicked off Monday, and with them came the start of a new era.

Idaho now fields a 6A classification for its largest schools for the first time. Don’t worry, though. Idaho didn’t add a new classification. It merely renamed its previous ones and tweaked the enrollment numbers to get rid of the split 1A classification.

So the 5A Southern Idaho Conference is now the 6A SIC (and the 4A SIC is now the 5A SIC). But other than the name change, the Treasure Valley’s largest football league saw only one major change in reclassification: Nampa dropped a level.

So, what does all that mean for the Boise area’s high school football scene? We polled the league’s coaches and broke down each team’s top players and story lines this fall.

1. ROCKY MOUNTAIN

Division: Foothills

Last season: 7-4, 4-1 5A SIC Foothills

Playoffs: Lost to Coeur d’Alene 24-8 in quarterfinals

Coach: Scott Criner, second season (sixth overall)

Career record: 45-13

Base offense (coordinator): Spread option (Andre Banks)

Base defense (coordinator): 4-3 (Quintin Mikell)

Key players: Isaiah Reed, sr., OLB; Hayden Thompson, sr., S; Jax Tanner, jr., OL; Kaiden Kimble-Turner, sr., RB/CB

Outlook: The perennial power’s season ended unusually early last year, but the Grizzlies enter camp as the heavy favorite in the 6A SIC. Rocky Mountain received eight of the 12 first-place votes in the preseason coaches’ poll, and it’s not hard to see why — they have 17 returning starters (nine offense, eight defense) and six players holding Division I offers.

Reed, a Nevada commit , headlines the defense after leading the team in tackles (68), tackles-for-loss (nine) and sacks (7.5) a year ago. The linebacking corps around him may remain young, but he’s got loads of backup with an experienced defensive line and secondary. That includes junior Rowan Rupp, who has an offer from Boise State , in the trenches, and Thompson, a first-team all-state selection , at safety.

Finding consistency on offense remains the largest hurdle for a team that scored just 25 points per game last fall. The Grizzlies bring back loads of talent with Taeshawn Reece at running back, Jeff Thompson (900 all-purpose yards) at receiver, and Jax Tanner (offers from Boise State , Oregon , BYU ) leading four of five returning offensive lineman. But Rocky Mountain starts camp with a quarterback battle between junior Collin Chapman and senior Austin Rovig, a transfer from Timberline. The Grizzlies will need one of them to take charge after a revolving door at the position last year.

2. EAGLE

Division: River

Last season: 10-1, 6-0 5A SIC River

Playoffs: Lost to Coeur d’Alene 7-6 in semifinals

Coach: James Cluphf, second season

Career record: 10-1

Base offense (coordinator): Spread (McCauley Todd)

Base defense (coordinator): 3-3-5 (Jeremy Ferguson)

Key players: Noah Burnham, jr., RB; Sione Perkins, sr., OL; Nate Williams, sr., OL/DE; Jack Giannini, sr., LB

Outlook: A sneaky young Mustang squad won the league title last season and spent most of the year as the state’s unanimous No. 1-ranked team. But Eagle fell 1 yard and one point shy of the state championship game, a heartbreak that Cluphf said fueled the Mustangs all offseason.

Eagle returns a loaded squad with 15 starters back (eight offense, seven defense). Burnham remains the name in lights after making the All-Idaho first team and leading the SIC in rushing yards (1,448) as a sophomore. But he’ll have plenty of help around him as the Mustangs chase another league and state title.

Perkins (6-9, 285 pounds) and Williams (6-4, 240) are just two of four returning offensive linemen fueling Eagle’s potent ground game, and the Mustangs added a 6-3, 260-pound transfer from Arizona (Kingston Critchfield). Add in junior quarterback Austin Ramsey, an electrifying runner who tormented defenses as a rotating option QB a year ago, and defenses will have to pick their poison.

The Mustangs’ defense (15.2 ppg) remains loaded with familiar names, too. Giannini leads a stacked linebacker group as a three-year starter. Safety Chance Jones will quarterback the defense again. And Aaron Zrno returns after second-team all-state honors at corner.

Penalties often haunted Eagle last year, both in sheer volume and in key moments. Cluphf said cleaning up those mistakes remains a key focus heading into the season.

3. MERIDIAN

Division: Foothills

Last season: 7-4, 5-0 5A SIC Foothills

Playoffs: Lost to Highland 20-14 in semifinals

Coach: John Zamberlin, sixth season

Career record: 33-18

Base offense (coordinator): Spread/Wing-T (Andrew Woody)

Base defense (coordinator): 3-3-5 (Tyjuan Lynn)

Key players: Zeke Martinez, sr., QB; Nic Maloff, sr., OL; Dehani Alvarado, sr., DE; LaGary Mitchell Jr, jr., LB

Outlook: The Warriors have reached the state semifinals three years in a row and the SIC championship game in back-to-back seasons. Yet they find themselves looking up in the preseason rankings.

Thirteen starters (six offense, seven defense) return as Meridian looks to reassert itself as the Treasure Valley’s top program. That list includes one name familiar to opponents throughout the league: quarterback Zeke Martinez.

The senior sports a 22-5 career record as he enters his fourth year under center. He racked up 2,686 total yards and 27 TDs a year ago, and he can take over any game in the blink of an eye. The loss of multiyear starting running backs Marco Del Rio and Rylie Byington leaves a hole. But Meridian returns a strong receiving corps and four of five offensive linemen, taking some of the load off Martinez’s shoulders.

A stout defense stood as the Warriors’ identity throughout its recent dominant run, and don’t expect that to change anytime soon. Mitchell Jr. holds an offer from Boise State and may draw most of the attention. But the Warriors field speed and big hitters up and down the lineup.

4. MOUNTAIN VIEW

Division: River

Last season: 7-4, 3-3 5A SIC River

Playoffs: Lost to Meridian 24-23 in quarterfinals

Coach: Brian Compton, third season

Career record: 20-28

Base offense (coordinator): Spread (Compton)

Base defense (coordinator): 4-2-5 (Roman Keefe)

Key players: Henry Nelson, jr., QB; Valentine Gomez-Ricks, jr., RB; Brody Munson, jr., WR; Aiden Vandewater, sr., OL

Outlook: A missed extra point resulted in a season-ending loss to rival Meridian for a third straight year. But the Mavericks return loaded on offense looking to reclaim their spot as one of the Treasure Valley’s top programs.

Eight starters return on that side of the ball. The group starts with Nelson, who threw for 1,399 yards and 15 touchdowns while completing 61% of his passes in a breakout sophomore season. It also includes two of Mountain View’s top three running backs from a year ago, Gomez-Ricks and Dennis Williams, as well as three starters along on the offensive line. The receiving corps lost Tyler Weaver (10 TDs) to an offseason knee injury. But the Mavericks have all the tools to put up plenty of points in a hurry.

The defense remains another story with just one returning starter, corner Cashton Gennette. Compton said the Mavericks field plenty of strength and speed to rebuild a unit that has long served as Mountain View’s calling card. But a young group faces a brutal early schedule with Utah’s Woods Cross, Meridian and Rocky Mountain the first three weeks.

5. MIDDLETON

Division: Foothills

Last season: 7-3, 3-2 5A SIC Foothills

Playoffs: Lost to Rigby 42-16 in first round

Coach: Bill Brock, 25th season

Career record: 253-127

Base offense (coordinator): Spread (Brock)

Base defense (coordinator): 4-2-5 (Mark Woodall)

Key players: Dallyn Grimes, sr., OL; Drew Holman, jr., QB/LB; Jake Perez, jr., RB; Kevin Scott, sr., OL

Outlook: The Vikings proved they belonged in Idaho’s top classification the past two years, going a combined 14-7, making the playoffs twice and winning a playoff game . Idaho’s new classification rules gave Middleton the option to drop a level. But it instead chose to petition up and remain with the state’s top programs.

Middleton ought to remain a playoff contender again with 10 returning starters (six offense, four defense). Grimes, a 6-5, 260-pound Boise State commit , anchors the offensive line as one of two returning three-year starters up front. But the Vikings will need to replace their quarterback and top three running backs from a year ago.

Holman and senior Brockton Smith enter camp battling for the starting spot under center, a key spot in the Vikings’ spread offense. Perez didn’t see many carries at running back last year (15 carries, 161 yards), mainly dedicating his time at free safety. But Brock said he’s an explosive weapon the Vikings expect a big year from.

Holman (105 tackles) will anchor the defense after making the all-state second team as a sophomore. He may not have a load of returning starters around him. But the Vikings plan to convert former tight end Gavin Mortensen into a linebacker and former offensive lineman Isaac Meyer into a defensive lineman, infusing talent to that side of the ball.

6. OWYHEE

Division: River

Last season: 8-3, 4-2 5A SIC River

Playoffs: Lost to Highland 28-10 in quarterfinals

Coach: Jason Burton, second season

Career record: 32-25

Base offense (coordinator): Spread (Travis Stuart)

Base defense (coordinator): 4-2-5 (Matt Greene)

Key players: Ryan Brekke, jr., WR/TE; Gage Haws, sr., LB; Cade Walker, sr., RB; Logan Haustveit, jr., DB

Outlook: The Storm broke through for the first playoff win in program history last fall. Now in the program’s fourth year, Owyhee starts the season as a trendy dark horse, one with the potential to upset the SIC’s pecking order.

The Storm bring back 10 starters (six offense, four defense), including several with multiple years of experience. Haws led Owyhee in tackles each of the past three seasons and made the all-state first team last fall with 129 stops. Brekke (45 catches, 552 yards) made the all-state second team at wide receiver and holds an offer from Idaho. Walker (458 total yards) enters his third season in the backfield. And while Haustveit’s best sport remains basketball, his six interceptions showed he’s also one of the state’s biggest playmakers on the gridiron, too.

But Owyhee will have to start over at several key positions. Sophomore quarterback Cash Cahill takes over for a three-year starter at the position. And while the defense brings back several big names, it will also break in a host of new starters at all three levels.

7. BOISE

Division: River

Last season: 7-3, 4-2 5A SIC River

Playoffs: Lost to Owyhee 28-21 (OT) in first round

Coach: Mike Altieri, fifth season

Career record: 14-20

Base offense (coordinator): Spread (Joel Clark)

Base defense (coordinator): 4-2-5 (Aaron Asaro)

Key players: Jordan McDonald, sr., WR; Grant Spillman, sr., RB/SS; Trevor Schoolfield, jr., QB; Eli Rich, jr., WR

Outlook: The Brave shocked the world last season. Picked to finish dead last in the SIC, Boise made the playoffs for the first time since 2002 and finished with the program’s best winning percentage since 1988. But Altieri knows many dismiss that historic season as a fluke, and he said Boise aims to prove otherwise.

All that winning boosted turnout for a program that long struggled with it. That extra depth helps Boise as it returns just seven starters (five offense, two defense). Schoolfield headlines that list after leading the classification in passing touchdowns (22) and ranking second in passing yards (2,240). He brings back three of his four top receivers, including McDonald — a 6-5, defending state high jump champ — and Rich, who will take on a larger role after the graduation of Cooper Smith.

Boise’s defense was often its unsung hero last year, establishing a new mentality in the North End. The Brave may bring back only two starters there. But Altieri said they field a strong linebacking corps led by the return of Rhys Harris, who missed all of last season with a knee injury.

The looming question mark remains on the offensive and defensive lines. Experience remains in short supply, and Boise will likely turn to several sophomores in key roles.

8. BORAH

Division: River

Last season: 4-6, 2-4 5A SIC River

Playoffs: Lost to Rocky Mountain 30-15 in first round

Coach: JQ Kenyon, fourth season

Career record: 13-16

Base offense (coordinator): Spread (Kevin McCarthy)

Base defense (coordinator): 3-4 (Kenyon)

Key players: Austin Flaherty, sr., OL/DL; Jon Ceron, sr., DL; Keijen Shearer, sr., H-back/LB; Karden Halpin, sr., WR/DB

Outlook: The 2023 season started with so much promise as Borah raced out to a 4-0 record . But the Lions lost six straight to end the season, and graduation robbed them of the state’s sack leader, a 1,200-yard running back and an efficient quarterback.

Don’t despair too much for the Lions, though. Borah still returns 14 starters (six offense, eight defense). And the bulk of that talent comes on the offensive and defensive lines, which goes a long way to smoothing transitions. Flaherty (42 tackles, three sacks) leads the group as a two-way threat with multiple NAIA offers. But look for Ceron (44.5 tackles, 3.5 sacks) to rack up big numbers on the defensive line with a nonstop motor.

Senior Dylan Luekenga takes over at quarterback. Kenyon said he’s a natural field general with a quick trigger. Combine that with three returning receivers, and the Lions ought to remain dangerous through the air.

Senior Josh Wallas steps into big shoes left by running back Jevon Nelson. Borah loves to run inside the tackles. But with a new running back and a few new interior offensive lineman, Kenyon cautioned that chemistry may take time to develop.

9. CAPITAL

Division: Foothills

Last season: 2-7, 1-4 5A SIC Foothills

Playoffs: Did not qualify

Coach: Kevin Hastin, second season

Career record: 64-47

Base offense (coordinator): Pistol (Hastin)

Base defense (coordinator): 4-2-5 (Chad McKibben/Johnny Rangel)

Key players: Shepard Fish, sr., TE/DE; Bodie Vian, sr., OL/DL; Marcellus Clay, sr., RB/DB; Isaiah Telleria, sr., S

Outlook: The former powerhouse finds itself in unfamiliar waters. After setting a program low with just two wins in 2022, the Eagles tied that record again last fall. But a second year under Hastin and 14 returning starters (eight offense, six defense) provide signs for a rebound.

That turnaround will need to start on defense after Capital gave up 34.4 points per game. Fish (58 tackles, 3.5 sacks) remains one of the state’s most feared pass rushers, and the Idaho commit leads a deep defensive line. Telleria (8.2 tackles per game) returns after leading the team in tackles, and Clay will serve as a shutdown corner again as Capital. All that experience ought to pay off.

On offense, Dudley returns at quarterback after taking over the starting job as a sophomore last year. Four of five offensive linemen are back in front of him. And Capital features several options at running back, including Clay, Austin Brown and Zander Grow, for what should be a strong running game. But the Eagles start camp with few established receivers.

10. KUNA

Division: River

Last season: 4-5, 2-4 5A SIC River

Playoffs: Did not qualify

Coach: Beau Smith, first season

Career record: 0-0

Base offense (coordinator): West coast (Scott Schultz)

Base defense (coordinator): 3-4 (Russ Smith)

Key players: Colton Deatherage, sr., TE; Casey Neff, sr., ILB; Lino Senio, so., QB; Nick Stace, sr., OLB

Outlook: The Kavemen start a new era under Smith, a first-time head coach from Texas . He inherits a program still finding its footing in Idaho’s top classification, posting an 18-36 record and making the playoffs just twice in six seasons with no postseason victories. But he sees plenty of reason for optimism with nine returning starters (four offense, five defense).

Chief among them is Senio, whom Kuna tossed into the fire as a freshman quarterback last season and flashed his promise (55% completion rate, 471 yards). Smith said he’s stepped up as a leader and has grown by leaps and bounds from a year ago.

Kuna lost its entire offensive line and a 1,200-yard running back to graduation. But senior Cameron Hickman steps into the featured role in the backfield. Deatherage returns as a do-it-all security blanket at tight end. And Smith said Kuna has several breakout candidates at wide receiver, providing Senio with plenty of weapons.

Neff (95 tackles) returns to lead the defense again as a wrecking ball in the middle. He’ll pair with Stace, a jack-of-all-trades, to anchor a solid defensive front. But Kuna will need to find some reliable options in the secondary to challenge 6A’s blue bloods.

11. TIMBERLINE

Division: Foothills

Last season: 1-8, 1-4 5A SIC Foothills

Playoffs: Did not qualify

Coach: Ian Smart, eighth season

Career record: 36-59

Base offense (coordinator): Pro spread (Shawn Res)

Base defense (coordinator): 4-3 (Smart)

Key players: Hudson Lewis, jr., WR; Jack Brant, jr., QB; Austin Engroff, jr., DB; Kole Hudson, jr., RB/DB

Outlook: The Wolves struggled again last fall. But after snapping a 16-game losing streak , finishing the year strong and bringing back loads of offensive firepower, Timberline enters the season looking to reclaim its spot as a playoff contender.

Six starters return on offense. That includes Timberline’s quarterback (Brant), top running back (Kole Hudson) and top wide receiver (Lewis). Brant holds an offer from Idaho State, and Lewis owns offers from Idaho and Idaho State. So the Wolves have plenty of talent to put points on the board.

Stopping opponents remains the issue. Timberline gave up the most points in its classification (36.9 per game) for the second year in a row last fall. Five starters are back to shore up that unit, including Engroff and Hudson. Add in the emergence of corners Riley Kirkendall and Jaden Das, and Timberline has the tools for a solid secondary.

But any return to contention starts with shoring up Timberline’s offensive and defensive lines, which were often outmatched the past two seasons.

12. CENTENNIAL

Division: Foothills

Last season: 1-8, 1-4 5A SIC Foothills

Playoffs: Did not qualify

Coach: Keelan McCaffrey, second season

Career record: 39-21

Base offense (coordinator): Wing-T (Juan Colunga)

Base defense (coordinator): 4-3 (McCaffrey)

Key players: Tate Keddington, sr., QB/RB/LB; Gannon Miller, sr., K/P; Rory Schwenson, sr., OL/DL; Abdi Ali, sr., WB/OLB

Outlook: Boise’s resurgence means the Patriots now own the longest streak of losing seasons and missing the playoffs in the state’s top classification (13 years). But a second season under McCaffrey and more familiarity with his system has Centennial trying to make a move up the standings.

McCaffrey said the offense has come a long way from a year ago, when it ranked last in its classification with 12.1 points per game. Four starters return on that side of the ball, including Keddington at quarterback, which should help the Patriots develop a more potent passing threat. Nick Garcia leads a running back-by-committee approach with Ali also expected to contribute behind a rebuilt offensive line led by Schwenson and Issac Di Santo.

Returning starters remain in short supply on defense, too, with just four back. Keddington (85 tackles) will also serve a leading role on that side of the ball as one of several two-way starters. McCaffrey said Centennial fields loads of seniors on defense, but many will step into new roles on varsity.