For years, the 1A Western Idaho Conference has gone through Notus.
Last season, the Pirates won a fourth straight conference title. But once again, Notus’ time in the playoffs ended early, losing to top seed Oakley 70-6 in the quarterfinals. Their regular season success has yet to translate to postseason success.
That’s led to a different approach this season. In order to prepare for the challenge of the playoffs, the Pirates have scheduled some tougher opponents this season, hoping to be more battle-tested once the postseason arrives.
On the non-conference schedule this season are Council, Raft River, Tri-Valley and Valley. Council and Tri-Valley reached the playoffs last season in 1A Division II. Raft River had just two wins last year but has been a consistent presence in the playoffs in years prior. Valley reached the 1A Division I playoffs last season.
Of course, the first objective is to win the now 2A Western Idaho Conference for a fifth year in a row.
“We get through conference play and we’ve won four in a row, and then we get to the playoffs and we get whooped up on,” Notus head coach Joe Woodland said. “I think some of that has to do with we don’t play that hard football like they do on the east side of the state and up north. We’ve made quite a few adjustments to our schedule this year.”
As for the players on the field, the Pirates lose two key players to graduation. Notus had both the offensive and defensive players of the year in the conference last season in running back Grayson Benitez and defensive lineman Easton St. Germain.
But even as productive as Benitez was, he wasn’t plan A. Junior Gunner Campbell suffered a knee injury ahead of last season, forcing Benitez to move to the backfield. Now healthy as a senior, Woodland is excited to see what Campbell can do at tailback.
“Having him fill in behind Grayson, I don’t think we miss a step,” Woodland said. “He’s not as fast as Grayson, but he’s quite bigger.”
St. Germain’s loss hurts, but Woodland is hopeful that the younger players around St. Germain have learned from him by watching him in practice each day. Among those returning for Notus are senior Kyler Morris and junior AJ Blank.
Morris is a two year starter and was a first team all-conference pick at center last season. He’ll play both sides of the ball. Blank was a first team all-conference defensive lineman.
“A lot of the younger guys have watched his (St. Germain) work ethic and watched how he does things,” Woodland said. “Now we’re getting rewarded for all the hard work he put in. All those younger guys, they got to see and learn from him. They’ll fill in nicely.”
Leading the offense under center is Benny Guevara, who enters his third season as the starting quarterback. He was an all-conference honorable mention last season but was injured going into the playoffs.
Now back for one last season, he has a full understanding of the offense.
“When we went to camp this summer, I don’t think I called five plays,” Woodland said. “I turned him loose with his wristband and experience. Do the things that he thought we needed to work on. He tells all the younger guys what our blocking schemes are. It’s like having another coach on the field.”
In total, seven all-conference players return for the Pirates. Senior Ian Hill was an honorable mention at linebacker last season despite only playing half the season due to injury. He’ll also play fullback on offense.
Junior defensive back Derrick Hunter, senior defensive back Nico Martinez and senior utility Tony Sullivan were all first team all-conference selections last season.
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