Head coach Tony Cade took charge of New Plymouth last season with hopes of bringing the Pilgrims further up the conference standings.
The early part of the season spawned hope, going 3-1 in their first four games. But that turned out to be the only highlight of the season, losing its next five games to finish the season below .500 for a third consecutive season.
Heading into year two, Cade has seen an uptick in the number of kids trying out for football — which will hopefully translate to more success on the field.
“We gained 15 kids from the years prior,” Cade said. “It was all new to everybody. Looking forward to year two. Great kids, great environment, great support. The community is great, real small town football. Home games are always electric.”
New Plymouth has just two wins in conference play the last three years combined but has some pieces to increase that number this season. It starts with senior running back Payton Travis, a second team all-conference selection last season.
With Cade having worked with Travis during the track & field season in the spring, he figures to be a focal point of the offense. On the outside, Cade has a trio of wide receivers he’s confident in — senior Derrick Walker — another second team all-conference player — Parma transfer Cutler King and junior Troy Swain. All three will also play defensive back.
Those three will have a new teammate throwing the ball to them. Junior Camren Mowder is set to start at quarterback after playing JV last season.
“If there’s one kid on the team that knows every one of my plays like the back of his hand, it’s Cam Mowder,” Cade said. “He’s a football kid. He’s had a great summer, throws the ball really well.”
New Plymouth returns two offensive linemen in seniors Payton Zigga and Tucker Christopher. Zigga also excelled at middle linebacker last season.
Cole Valley Christian is no longer in the Western Idaho Conference, having moved up to the 4A Snake River Valley conference. The Chargers have finished above the Pilgrims in each of the last three years. Replacing them is Parma, who haven’t had multiple wins in a season since 2017.
Nampa Christian and Melba are always tough teams to beat, but Cade sees a more open conference battle this season. Both Marsing and Melba also have new head coaches this season.
“I think it’s up for grabs this year,” Cade said. “To be the guy, you have to beat the guy. That’s what I see the conference being this year.”
Cade’s mission in building the Pilgrims program up is only in year two, but has seen progress already and is doing everything he can to deliver wins on the field.
“If you have a great community, great team and great people around you, it’s a triangle. It takes us all,” Cade said. “It’s not just coaches or players or the community, it’s all three. That’s what we did…Every time I was at the school, I’d go and talk to everyone I could and we got some more kids out.”
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