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Jerome High School
School Info
Conference: Great Basin (West) Conference
Classification: 4A
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Head Coach: Sid Gambles
Years as Head Coach: 3 years
Previous Experience: 12 year (6 as defensive coordinator before becoming head coach)
Record Last Year: 6-5
Conference Record Last Year: 5-4
State Titles: 1971, 1974, 1985, 1986
Assistant Coaches:
Brad Thompson, Josh Clixby, Cam Stauffer, Jason Wilson, Mike McDonald, Rich Stock, Tyrell Teeter, Matt McClimans, Jens Jacobsen, Gary Elsensohn, Brad Myers, Sam Craig
Who do you have coming back this year?
Haziel Ledezma, Sr. WR/DB; Tanner Crawford, Sr. OL/DL; Riley Stump Sr. OL/DL, Jonathan Shobe, Sr. DB/WR; Kadin Williams, Sr. RB, Trever Oslter, Sr. WR/DB; Jaime Valdez. Sr. RB/LB; Stephen Carlson, Sr. OL/DL; Nick McDonald, Jr. QB; Jakeb Palmer OL/DL, So. OL/DL; Chris Hayes, So. DL; Lucio Carrillo, Jr. OL/DL
Any Returning Players with Honors?
Haziel Ledezma - 2nd team All Conference; Tanner Crawford - 2nd team All Conference
Any “Key Players” that you lost from last year?
QB Zach Thibault- He started here for basically 4 years. A whole bunch of kids saw him as the face of the program and now he isn’t here…there will be an adjustment period. Ethan Bragg WR/DB - Leadership and commitment to being there every day. Damon Zamora OL/DL - His commitment to the weight room and working hard at everything he does will be missed.
Do you have any new incoming “impact” players?
Two young linemen, Chris Hayes and Jakeb Palmer. Looking for big things from these two young guys.
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Photo By: Steve Conner - #79 Tanner Crawford |
As a team, what are your offensive strengths?
We have good depth along the O and D lines. We don't have great size, but we have kids who have pretty good feet and want to perform well. Looking to get the ball to WR Ledezma and have RB Williams carry the load. We will have to rely on the seniors to get things moving.
Offensive areas you hope to improve on over last year:
Being able to run the ball in situations when everyone knows we want to run the ball. We relied on our screens too much last year.
As a team, what are your defensive strengths?
This will be the third year with our scheme and the kids are really grasping the big picture which allows us to coach the little things to make us better. We are looking for Jonathan Shobe to lead our secondary as he is a smart player who has worked his tail off to get better. Tanner Crawford has a nose for the ball and can play both DE and LB.
Defensive Areas you hope to improve on over last year:
Communication and tackling. Being able to get all our dudes to the ball and to do that we need our guys flying around a little more.
Does your team have a motto/theme for the upcoming season?
Rise Up.
What are you most excited about in regards to this year’s team?
In general, the kids are pretty fun to be around. The seniors are a close knit group with lots of quirks. Will be fun to coach them and see which direction they take us.
For the fans, what is the must-see game of the year on your schedule?
Minico and Twin Falls. We also have a conference game right off the bat against a much improved and talented Wood River team.
What is the ‘X-Factor’ to having success this season as a team?
I think we are in the middle of it. We need some younger kids to buy in to the weight room and off-season conditioning. I would say so far it’s been fair. Of course, as a coach, I want it to be 100% buy in. We will see how it plays out.
If you could change one rule in high school football, what would it be?
Not really a change but how cut blocks are enforced. Need more consistency.
Besides the pay, the fame and the glory, why do you coach high school football?
Two reasons. 1. I love the behind the scenes X’s and O’s. It appears way more complicated than it really is. 2. I love being around teenagers in a team setting. They pleasantly surprise almost every day.
What makes your school the best place to coach for?
Great football tradition. The Jerome community will always rally behind the kids.
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