Staff Report
MaxPreps.com
Best Player: Taysom Hill, Sr., QB, Highland
The multi-talented Hill has already committed to Stanford after earning second team All-State honors last year. A standout basketball player as well, Hill threw for 1,964 yards and 14 touchdowns and ran for 586 yards and 12 touchdowns. Returning Stat Leaders – Passing: Jake Lemmers, Jerome, 191-330, 2,215 yards, 20 TDs; Rushing: Skylar Morgan, Minico 176, 1,345 yards, 19 TDs.
Best All-Time Player: Jerry Kramer, Sandpoint
Kramer was a Hall of Fame offensive guard for the Green Bay Packers during their heyday in the 1960s. Under coach Vince Lombardi, Kramer was a key component in the “Packer Sweep”, which was the essential play in the Green Bay offensive arsenal. Although born in Utah, Kramer graduated from Sandpoint High School and played college ball at the University of Idaho.
2008 Must See: Highland vs. Judge Memorial
Highland, the Idaho state 5A runnerup last year, faces Judge Memorial, the 3A state runner-up from Utah, on Sept. 5 in Pocatello. Taysom Hill, Highland’s standout quarterback will have to keep an eye on Judge Memorial’s top defensively player, Keenyn Walker, who had 11 interceptions last year while earning All-State honors.
On The Throne: Highland
Although Highland lost to Lake City in the 5A finals last year, the Rams are the perennial favorite in Idaho. The Rams have reached the state final every year since 1998 except once. Highland won it all in 2002, beating Lewiston for the crown.
Best Rivalry: Idaho Falls vs. Skyline
The Emotion Bowl annually pits cross-town rivals Idaho Falls and Skyline and is regarded as the top rivalry game in Idaho. USA Today dubbed the matchup, which is in its 42nd year, as the fourth-best rivalry game in the nation.
Future Star: Eric Niblett, Jr., K, Capital
Niblett could be one of the top college prospects from Idaho’s class of 2010. Nearly automatic on extra points (49 of 51 in 2007), the 5-foot-9, 160-pound junior converted 5 of 6 field goals last year, including a pair over 40 yards. He also hit a game-winning field goal to beat Caldwell.
Fun Fact
The myth surrounding the Orofino Maniacs is that the school mascot was named as a result of its proximity to the state mental hospital. Not true. According to the school website, the Maniacs were first named in 1927 because the basketball team played like a bunch of maniacs. The members of the team continued to call each other maniacs and the name stuck. The moniker was chosen long before the hospital was established.
MaxPreps Preseason All-State Team
WR - Kade daRosa, Idaho City
WR - Nathan Nooner, Salmon
TE - Billy Sanders, Lake City
OL - Jacob Gregg, Highland
OL - Ian Brown, Meridian
OL - Seth Ketchum, Kellogg
OL - Steve Darrington, Bonneville
OL - Jordan Nesbitt, Minico
QB - Jake Lammers, Jerome
QB - Tanner Higham, Shelley
RB - Skylar Morgan, Minico
RB - Ian Fadness, Lighthouse Christian
RB - Brian Babbitt, Oakley
Ath - Taysom Hill, Highland
K - Eric Niblett, Capital
DL - Ben Dahl, Pocatello
DL - Shane Oliverson, Preston
DL - Mason Higham, Shelley
DL - Ammon Johnston, Timberlake
LB - McKay Pena, Madison
LB - Miles Hunsinger, Nampa
LB - Jared Heslon, Lake City
LB - Caleb Crim, Fruitland
LB - Darren Markle, Mountain View
DB - Mack Mortensen, Madison
DB - Ridge Fuentes, Lewiston
DB - Tyler Moser, Preston
DB - Adam Hanson, Columbia
P - Chris Kerns, Timberline
