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Madison High School
School Info
Conference: 5A District 5-6 Conference
Classification: 5A
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Head Coach: Mitch Buck
Years as Head Coach: 7th Season (22nd overall at Madison)
Previous Experience: 34 Years Overall
Record Last Year: 8-3
State Titles: 1981, 1982, 1983, 1994, 1995, 2012
Assistant Coaches:
Preston Berry
Erick Wills
Justin Mumm
Steve Winegar
Damon Mortensen
Parker Buck
Will Evans
Frank Ruiz
Skyler Buck
Kevin McCluskie
Rick Dickson
Matt Pugh
Nathan Hughes
Returning Players:
Coleman Cordero, DB, senior
Blake Moseley, RB, senior
Karson Hastings, FS/PR/KR/RB/REC, junior
Hunter Proctor, OT/DE
Parker Weber, ILB
Preston Weber, ILB
Key Players lost from last year:
Zeke Birch, DE – Weber State University
David Rowe, DE – Idaho State University
Devan Berry, QB
Mason Downey, WR
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Incoming impact players:
Karson Hastings, FS/PR/KR/RB/REC
Jordan Porter, QB
Coy Backstein, WR
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Team Preview:
Written by: Matt Harris
The Madison Bobcats are coming off of their third straight appearance in the 5A state playoffs, having lost to eventual runner up Capital in the quarterfinals.
They also have to replace 18 starters from that run to the playoffs. Many teams would be forced to re-group or even rebuild if they lost that many starters.
That’s not the case at Madison.
“We lost a lot of key players from last year, but no worries – we always lose a lot of kids,” said head coach Mitch Buck, now in his seventh season leading Madison’s program in his second stint at the school. It’s his 22nd season overall in Rexburg as head coach.
Some of the players the Bobcats lost from last season include quarterback Devan Berry, wide receiver Mason Downey and the defensive end duo of Zeke Birch and David Rowe, who signed with Weber State and Idaho State, respectively.
But in Rexburg, it’s the ‘next man up’ mentality. There is always someone waiting in the wings for their shot to shine in the spotlight. Plenty of players will get that opportunity in 2017.
Quarterback Jordan Porter will be leaned on to execute Madison’s spread-it-out offensive attack. He’ll have some help as well with wide receiver Coy Backstein and also Karson Hastings, whom Buck referred to as ‘Mr. Everything’. Hastings will see time at slot receiver, punt returner, kick returner and running back on offense along with free safety on defense.
One of the lone returning skill position players for Madison is senior running back Blake Moseley, an All-Conference selection a year ago. The line will see many newcomers this year, but will lean on offensive tackle Hunter Proctor to lead the unit.
Buck said that his offense will look to use their speed and athleticism to gain advantages against opposing defenses, while also working to improve their ball control and have less turnovers.
Defensively, Proctor will against anchor the line with twin inside linebackers Parker and Preston Weber helping to fortify the front seven. Hastings will be a spark in the secondary.
The head coach said that he wants his defense to focus on improving the turnover margin this season. He went as far to say that turnovers could be the key to their success as a team this season, both offensively and defensively.
The Bobcats open the 2017 campaign in Rexburg at Ferguson Field when they take on the Lake City Timberwolves of Coeur d’Alene. Lake City is expected to be an improved team over last season, when Madison smacked Lake City 48-7 in the season opener.
The red-and-white then host Idaho Falls on Sept. 1 to kick off Labor Day weekend. The team will then play four consecutive games on the road when they play Sky View of North Logan, Utah on Sept. 8, Blackfoot on Sept. 15, Hillcrest on Sept. 22, and at Rigby on Sept. 29. Their rivalry game at Rigby will be video streamed on IdahoSports.com.
Madison will then finish the regular season schedule with two of three games at home when they host another rival, Highland, on Oct. 6. The Bobcats then play at Bonneville on Oct. 13 before finishing up at home against defending 4A state champion Skyline on Oct. 20.
“Every conference game is very competitive,” said Buck. Opposing coaches said that they believe Madison will be near the top of the conference along with Highland again this season.
The success of the Bobcats in 2017 may depend on how quickly the new starters on both sides of the ball can gel together and form a cohesive unit. The sooner they do that, the more dangerous Madison becomes, not only in their conference, but on the state level.
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