As football kickoff inches closer around the country, MaxPreps forecasts the top five teams in the state of Idaho for the 2009 season.
1. Hillcrest
The Hillcrest Knights are a rising program in Idaho and this year they rise right to the top of the MaxPreps preseason state rankings. After losing the first game of the season last year to Madison, Hillcrest ripped off 11 straight wins to capture the 4A state championship with a 55-35 win over Jerome. The Knights can put up the points, as they averaged 48 points a game over the last half of the season. Carrying the bulk of that scoring load last year was Devin Droghei, the High Country Conference MVP who scored 32 touchdowns on the season. He’s one of four returning starters on offense which also includes all-state lineman Nathan Astel (6-0, 220) and all-conference running back Jordan Speirs and lineman Mitch Bierma. Jake Belnap, an all-state linebacker, returns to lead the defense.
2. Highland
Replacing state MVP Taysom Hill at quarterback will be the biggest challenge for coach Gino Mariani. Hill, who is attending Stanford on scholarship, not only passed for 2,269 yards, he also ran for 1,491 yards and had 42 touchdowns passing and rushing combined. Additionally, he was an all-conference punter and kicker. However Highland is not bereft of talent. Whoever does take over for Hill will have all-conference receivers Jace Hansen and Joe Rasmussen (TE) as steady targets as well as Chad Pitcher coming out of the backfield. Returning all-conference tackle Shelton Robinson (6-4, 250) bolsters the offensive line. The defense should also be experienced and athletic with all-conference linebackers Paul Baker and Dillon Filiaga returning along with defensive back Dillon Griggs and sophomore defensive lineman Galen Edmo. Highland went 10-2 last year, knocking off previously undefeated Eagle 28-7 in the finals.
3. Eagle
Eagle fans were left to wonder what might have been last year when starting quarterback Taylor Kelly broke his leg during the playoffs and the Mustangs fell to Highland 28-7 in the 5A state finals after an 11-0 start to the season. The good news is that Kelly, who has committed to play at Nevada next year, has reportedly recovered from his injury. A second-team all-state pick last year, Kelly was the Southern Idaho player of the year after throwing for 1,653 yards and 14 touchdowns. The bad news is that Kelly and defensive back Travis Saxton are the only returning seniors to earn any type of all-conference honors last year. More good news, the Eagle program is solid from top to bottom with all three levels posting unbeaten regular seasons. That type of consistency will help the Mustangs reload rather than rebuild for the 2009 season.
4. Mountain View
It should be a very competitive season in the Southern Idaho Conference with three of the MaxPreps Top 5 residing in that circuit including No. 4 Mountain View. The Mavericks won the first playoff game in school history and eventually fell to Highland in the 5A semifinals 35-7 to finish 8-3 overall. Coach Judd Benedick returns eight starters on offense, however, as well as five starters on defense. Tyson Percifield, who started as a sophomore, is back to lead the offense. He is joined by the team’s top returning receiver (Zander Miles), running back (Davion Trask) and lineman (Tyler Horn).
5. Capital
An experienced defense and a strong group of underclassmen will be the key for the Capital Eagles, who went 8-2 overall last year but won the Southern Idaho 5A conference with a 7-0 mark. Coach Todd Simis returns eight starters on defense and can fill in the gaps with a group of juniors that went 8-0 last year at the JV level. Offensively, Capital returns starting quarterback Jeremy Powers along with receivers Eric Niblet, who is also one of the state’s top kickers, and Kyle Sosnowski, who is also a talented defensive back. Beaugh Meyer returns to anchor the defensive line while Parker Kamps is a returning all-leaguer on the offensive line.
