Team Preview:
Written By: Sven Alskog

While Idaho City came just short of a playoff spot to end the 2017 season after falling to Horseshoe Bend 28-20 in the regular season finale, there were plenty of reasons to be optimistic about what lies ahead for the future of the program.

Among the highlights for the Wildcats were a young group making the most of increased playing time opportunities and the first win over Notus since 2014.

With another year of experience and an offseason spent in the weight room, even more success should come this time around.

“This group has been working hard in the weight room and I’m excited to see it pay off for them,” said sixth year head coach Jason Roeber.

A backfield led by senior quarterback Kaleb Severns and senior running backs Juan McFarlane and Jake Sharp will benefit from a front line that has good size and strength to potentially overpower some opponents this season.

Junior lineman Sam Roeber brings some experience and size to each line. A handful of returners around him should make for some good depth up front.

If Idaho City can hold on to the ball, a lot of good things can happen for this team on the offensive end, as evidenced by scoring 34 points or more on five separate occasions last season.

While Jake Standerwick has graduated, don’t expect the focus to change much when it comes to being a ground and pound team offensively and a gritty group on the other side of the ball.

“Our defensive philosophy is that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, so we will be looking at who plays the roles they have been assigned. They are a blue collar crew and [I am] excited to see them take the field this fall,” added Roeber.

One of the things to watch in the early season is going to be who steps in to replace Standerwick as one of the team leaders on the defensive side of the ball where trust and communication are of premium importance. Having linebacker Aaron Ostrom back for his senior campaign makes him the most likely candidate to be even more of a vocal leader.

The Wildcats first three games come against 1AD2 Long Pin competition in Cascade, Council and Tri-Valley before jumping into conference action on September 21 at home against Wilder.