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Kimberly High School
School Info
Conference: 3A Sawtooth Central Idaho Conference
Classification: 3A
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Head Coach: Rich Bishop
Years as Head Coach: 5th Season
Previous Experience: 21 Years
Record Last Year: 9-1
State Titles: None
Assistant Coaches:
Simon Olsen
Kirby Young
Brett Wright
Gary Hulsey
Chris Ahlm
Ryan Verwey
Scott Plew
Zach Kelsey
Henry Champlain
Returning Players:
Collin Glass, C, 12
Cody Schiess, OL, 12
Jaylen Staker, OL, 12
Noah Heath, OL, 12
Body Siegers, DL/OL, 12
Taylor Holcomb, DL, 12
Hunter Klimes, DL, 12
McKade Huft, RB/S, 10
Blake Phillips, WR/DB, 11
Allan Palmer, LB/WR, 12
Carson Schvaneveldt, LB, 12
Nathaniel Bybee, FB/LB, 11
Austin Laughlin, OL/DL, 12
Returning Players with Honors:
Collin Glass, All-Conference OL
Jaylen Staker, All-Conference OL
Cody Schiess, All-Conference OL
Noah Heath, All-Conference/State OL
McKade Huft, All-Conference and Honorable Mention All-State RB
Body Siegers, All-Conference DL
Hunter Klimes, All-Conference DL
Key Players lost from last year:
Zach Wright, 3 year starter at QB
Mason Egbert, 3 year starter at slot and corner
Tristan Benavidez, 3 year starter at DE
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Team Preview:
Written by: Sven Alskog
Kimberly reaped the fruits of years of labor last year, finishing undefeated in the regular season before falling to Shelley in the state semifinals.
As is the case typically with such a dominant team, some premier talent has graduated, including quarterback Zach Wright and slot receiver and cornerback Mason Egbert.
While some of the key playmakers are gone, the Bulldogs can breathe a little easier knowing the bulk of each line returns.
"Offensive line is our strength," said head coach Rich Bishop. "Seniors who, for several, have been there three years. Should have a strong run game behind them with the young backs we have coming back."
Four of the linemen are All-Conference returners in Collin Glass, Jaylen Staker, Cody Schiess and Noah Heath, which will make the job of running back McKade Huft that much easier.
It's no question that the physicality of this team should make things difficult for opponents.
"Our big guys up front on both sides of the ball," said Bishop. "That's where our leadership will come from."
Defensively a couple stalwarts are back as well in All-Conference line returners Body Siegers and Hunter Klimes.
"We have a strong run defense, with several returners up front. We really want to improve our pass defense and need too to have a shot to win the conference again this year," said Bishop.
It will take major production coming from new players at skill positions on each side of the ball to push the Bulldogs to another conference championship. It is a tall task, but one that is possible with the talent coming up.
It makes the x-factor for winning the district a pretty simple one.
"Stay healthy up front and have some young guys step up in some of the vacated skill spots," said Bishop.
Huft is just a sophomore, meaning if the young ball carrier can get into a rhythm and have a successful year, it will be something Kimberly will have for a couple more seasons. Junior slot receiver Blake Phillips and senior receiver Allan Palmer are a couple of other talents to watch.
The Bulldogs take on 2A, 3A and 4A opponents in the first four weeks of the season before beginning conference action against Gooding on September 29, a game which many think could determine who comes out on top in the Sawtooth Central Idaho Conference.
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