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Columbia High School
School Info
Conference: 5A Southern Idaho Conference - West Division Pod A
Classification: 5A
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Head Coach: Rich Davis
Years as Head Coach: 3rd Season
Record Last Year: 2-7
State Titles: None
Assistant Coaches:
Ryan Albright
Mike Chavez
Mark Haggard
Eric Randall
Dick Davis
Eric Kennedy
Ben Flint
Pat Corbett
Derek Mestrovich
Thomas Kamo
Returning Players:
Michael Davis, TE, 12
Allamar Alexander, RB, 11
Payton Mills, WR, 12
Brett Ashcraft, WR, 12
Cade Flint, OL, 11
Zach Williamson, OL, 12
Michael Lyons, DB, 12
Jackson Lott, WR, 12
Derek Scott, LB, 12
Stefan Weiss, LB, 12
Mike Cox, DL, 11
Austin Elliott, DL, 12
Brock Foster, OL, 12
Returning Players with Honors:
Allamar Alexander, Second Team All-Conference RB
Michael Davis, Second Team All-Conference Flex
Key Players lost from last year:
Garrett Turner, QB,
"Great kid that was able to manage our offense well, as well as be a great leader for us," Coach Davis.
Brandon Kipper, OL
"Another great kid that is a D1 athlete currently playing for University of Hawaii."
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Incoming impact players:
Kekana Fouret, DB, 11
Jacob Thompson, OL, 11
Nate Clements, QB, 12
Skylar Hughes, LB, 11
Jacob Rowan, LB, 11
Kade Grigsby, LB, 12
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Team Preview:
Written by: Sven Alskog
In the gauntlet that is 4A and 5A football in the Treasure Valley, the Columbia Wildcats have struggled to just two total wins in the last three seasons, both coming last year in victories over Mountain Home and Nampa.
After back-to-back winless campaigns in the two years prior, coming away with the 2-7 mark last season was a positive step for Columbia.
Now the task is to try to build on the positive direction and improve upon the win total again.
Third year coach Rich Davis has Second Team All-Conference running back Allamar Alexander returning and Second Team All-Conference flex option Michael Davis back as well.
Davis is a unique threat to opposing defenses from his tight end position, where he'll be relied on to help new senior quarterback Nate Clements get comfortable at the patrols.
The offensive line will try to respond positively to the loss of current Hawaii left tackle Brandon Kipper to graduation.
"Although we lost a division one talent at left tackle, I believe we have overall a very solid offensive line that could become our strength as we go forward," said Davis. "We have a couple All-Conference returning skill players, and a couple new guys that I believe will keep our offense moving in the right direction."
Seniors Brock Foster and Zach Williamson, along with juniors Jacob Thompson and Cade Flint are expected to comprise of four of the five spots on the offensive front.
On the defensive side of things for the Wildcats, a couple of strengths should be in the defensive line and linebacker cores.
"Defensively we have several returning starters in the front seven, and a couple kids that will have an impact right away. We have several linebacker type guys that we believe could have big years," added Davis.
In that linebacker core, seniors Stefan Weiss and Derek Scott are expected to lead the charge.
The duo is part of a senior class that has built up plenty of experience over the past couple of seasons.
"I’m excited to see this senior class that was thrown into the 5A fire as sophomores get a chance to compete, and utilize some of the knowledge and experience they’ve gained," said Davis.
It's a tough schedule as always for Columbia, but some winnable games early against Canyon Ridge and Mountain Home could help spark the Wildcats, with the schedule gradually getting tougher as things go on.
"I believe rivalry games are what high school football is all about," said Davis. "Although we have quality opponents throughout the schedule, I believe the cross-town game with Nampa High is always right at the top of the list."
For Columbia to get a couple of extra wins this season it will be paramount for the offense to increase its productivity, after failing to eclipse more than 27 at any point in 2016. With Alexander and Davis returning, the Wildcats have a chance to do just that.
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