Couer d'Alene still the team to beat in Idaho, but look out for Highland, Eagle, Blackfoot and Fruitland.
Boise State commit Joey Martarano and Fruitland have made a habit of reaching the 3A state title game. Fruitland is our pick as the No. 5 preseason team in the state.
Photo by David Keefer
2011 finish: 12-0
Head coach: Shawn Amos
Team previewWhile the Vikings lose state 5A MVP Chad Chalich to graduation, they are still the team to beat in Idaho. Coeur d'Alene went 12-0 last year for its second-straight state championship. The Vikings have also won 21 games in a row, return solid depth and good quickness and have a 9-0 junior varsity squad moving up. Offensive lineman
Jeremiah Hazard (6-foot-3, 250 pounds) is the top returning player while juniors
Addison Johnson (WR/DB) and
Matt James (6-4, 170) give coach Shawn Amos two weapons at wide receiver. Couer d'Alene will need to replace two players whose names can be found on the list of
Idaho Class of 2012 Division 1 signees.
2. Highland (Pocatello)
2011 finish: 10-1
Head coach: Gino Mariani
Team previewThe Rams are the team to beat in the 5A High Country Conference, winning every league championship since 2003 with a state championship in 2008. Highland went 10-0 in the regular season before falling to Eagle in the playoffs last year. Coach Gino Mariani returns nine starters from last year's squad, including six on offense. The Rams are stocked at the skill positions with quarterback
Neil Jewell back in the fold along with his favorite target
Tanner Tingey.
Thomas Ryan (6-3, 235) returns at middle linebacker for the defense. Highland ranks as the No. 2 team on our
Idaho's Top 10 most consistent programs list.
3. Eagle
2011 finish: 10-2
Head coach: Paul Peterson
Team previewEagle was a senior-dominated group last year, but coach Paul Peterson does return
Corey Neilson on the defensive line. A total of 26 other lettermen are expected to return. Eagle last won a state championship in 2009 and has won the 5A Southern Idaho league title three of the past four seasons. Eagle ranks second on our June, 2011 list of the
Top 10 Idaho football dynasties.
4. Blackfoot
2011 finish: 12-0
Head coach: Stan Buck
Team previewWinners of three state championships in the past five years, Blackfoot could be the team to beat again in Class 4A. The Broncos return nine starters from last year's 12-0 squad, including six on offense and three on defense. Coach Stan Buck also has two reliable weapons on offense in quarterback
Alonzo Ramos and wide receiver
Colby Pearson. A total of 23 lettermen return, including defensive end
Austin Campbell (6-3, 220). Blackfoot appears often on our list of
Idaho state football champions for the past 10 years.
5. Fruitland
2011 finish: 11-1
Head coach: Bruce Schlaich
Team previewThe Grizzlies fell just short of the 3A state title last year, losing 35-33 to Snake River to end an undefeated season (11-1). Fruitland has won six straight league championships and has appeared in virtually every 3A state championship game for the past five seasons, winning it all in 2010. Coach Bruce Schlaich also returns the state's top prospect in Boise State commit
Joey Martarano (6-3, 230, QB-LB), who is also a potential MLB draft pick in June. The Grizzlies also have one of the state's best tight ends in Boise State commit
Alec Dhaenens (6-4, 235). Running back
Kris Olinger (6-1, 205) also returns for Fruitland, which has six starters back on both offense and defense. Search for Fruitland players on our list of
Idaho 2011 All-League football teams.
