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Pocatello High School
School Info
Conference: 4A District 5-6 Conference
Classification: 4A
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Head Coach: David Spillett
Years as Head Coach: 2nd Season
Previous Experience: 15 years overall. Five years as head coach at Century
Record Last Year: 3-5
State Titles: 1989, 1990, 1992, 1994, 2006
Assistant Coaches:
Jeff Davenport
Artie Holmes
Willie Walker
Joe Green
Rick Call
Robert Blevin
Nathan Stradinger
Returning Players:
Will Schumber, QB
Jarom Campos, WR
Trent Cooper, WR
Christian Dayley, LB
Sam Brigham, LB
Bryant Kimbrough, FS
Talon Haskett, LB
Key Players lost from last year:
Colter Brown, RB/LB
Trystan Villano, OL/DL
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Photo By: Willy Harris - #4 Jarom Campos
Incoming impact players:
Braxton Staples, RB/CB
Brock Snow, WR/LB
Trevor Sudweeks, RB/DL
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Team Preview:
Written by: Matt Harris (@IdahoSportsMatt)
Pocatello football has a rich tradition of success. Five state titles and numerous deep runs into the playoffs. However, that tradition of success has taken a detour the last four seasons as the program missed the 4A state playoffs each year and just hasn’t looked like the Pocatello teams that most have been accustomed to seeing.
Enter Dave Spillett.
The Pocatello alum took over the reigns of the program prior to last season. The Indians played and battled hard but only had a 3-5 record to show for it. Now, in year two under Spillett, Pocatello is ready to take the next step and begin to regain the glory of years past.
“Our kids are playing with a lot of confidence and have high expectations,” said Spillett during fall camp.
The Indians return a good number of players with experience in Spillett’s up-tempo no-huddle offense, including quarterback Will Schumber and wide receivers Jarom Campos and Trent Cooper. Joining the fray this year are running backs Braxton Staples and Trevor Sudweeks, along with wide receiver Brock Snow. The coach said the offense is set to take off – but only if the line plays to their potential.
“That’s our ‘X-Factor’ this season… the offensive line has to produce for us,” he said.
Defensively, the Indians will lean on a strong linebacking crew to set the tone. Christian Dayley along with Sam Brigham and Talon Haskett will anchor the linebackers, while Bryant Kimbrough will lead the way in the secondary at free safety. Spillett said to look for Snow to make an impact at linebacker, Staples at cornerback, and Sudweeks on the defensive line.
“Our defense is playing with an edge this year that I love to see,” he said. “We need to improve our third down defense and get good production from the defensive line.”
Spillett said that his kids have put in a lot of time during the offseason and that he can’t wait to see that work pay off on the field.
Pocatello fans will have to travel to get their first look at the 2016 edition of the Indians. They play at an improved Wood River team on August 26th to open the season. Pocatello then returns home for two straight games against reigning Great Basin Conference champion Twin Falls and 5A Madison. The Indians then head to Idaho Falls to take on the Tigers at Ravsten Stadium on September 16th. The Indians will then face long-time rival Highland in the annual ‘Black n’ Blue Bowl’ at Holt Arena on the 23rd. Pocatello finishes the season with games at Preston, home against Century, at Skyline, and home against Blackfoot.
“I truly believe we have one of the toughest conferences in the state,” said Spillett, “and it just got tougher with the addition of Idaho Falls and Skyline”.
Three berths are available to the state tournament for the 4A District 5-6 conference. Pocatello certainly has the opportunity to seize one of those berths and end their four-year playoff drought – which in Pocatello years seems like ages ago.
There are no gimme games in the conference – Pocatello will have to stay focused and disciplined during each contest. If they can do that, the Indians will be in good position to advance to state for the first time since 2011.
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