Nampa Christian High School
School Info
Conference: 2A Western Idaho Conference
Classification: 2A
Head Coach: Cassidy Kotte
Years as Head Coach: 2nd Season
Previous Experience: 2 Years Defensive Assistant at Kuna
1 Year Head Middle School Coach at Nampa Christian
2 Years Defensive Coordinator at Nampa Christian
Record Last Year: 3-6
State Titles: 1981
Assistant Coaches:
Rocky Mouw
Mike Johnson
Daniel Jenkins
Tom Hickey
Chris Glenn
Lance Cheney
Returning Players:
Aidan Bradshaw, OL/LB, 12
Isaiah Cass, WR/DB, 12
Chase Guyse, RB/DB, 12
Josiah Irwin, WR/DB, 12
Garrett Johnson, OL/DL, 12
Michael Miller, WR/DB, 12
Justice Wiles, HB/DB, 12
Joe Ihli, QB/DB, 11
Tanner Hill, WR/DB, 11
Matt Tiersma, OL/LB, 11
Nicholas Mesquita, OL/DL, 11
Ranger Mouw, OL/LB, 11
Brody Ferguson, OL/DL, 11
Brandon Halverson, OL/DL, 11
Returning Players with Honors:
Joe Ihli, All-Conference QB
Key Players lost from last year:
Tyler Black, OL/DL, team leader who opened holes all year
Braxton Bujack, RB/LB, team leader on each side of ball
Dusty Rhodes, HB/DL, dangerous receiver
Wyatt Walker, OL/DL, disruptive force at nose tackle
 Photo By: Willy Harris - #10 Justice Wiles
Team Preview:
Written By: Sven Alskog
Things are going to look fairly different in the 2A Western Idaho Conference this season after key losses to graduation from schools throughout the league. For Nampa Christian, the hope is that the Trojans returning core of talent will allow the team to get back towards the top of the conference after winning three total games last season and just two league games the year prior.
All-Conference quarterback Joe Ihli is back for his junior campaign, with a strong receiving group of Michael Miller, Isaiah Cass and Justice Wiles to give the signal caller plenty of good targets in a hurry-up, no-huddle offensive attack.
Expect plenty of short to intermediate passes to allow the receivers the ability to get out in space and make plays.
Out of the spread run-pass-option look, Nampa Christian will be relying on Chase Guyse to step into the shoes vacated by powerful back Braxton Bujack. If Guyse can have a big season, the passing attack should have the ability to break off more explosive plays this season with some seasoned weapons in the receiving core and a more experienced quarterback returning for another year.
On the other side of the ball, second year head coach Cassidy Kotte is a former defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, so you can expect the Trojans defensive unit to pack a punch.
Linebacker Aidan Bradshaw and defensive end Brody Ferguson are players to watch on the defensive side of the ball, where a big focus will be generating lots of pressure in the backfield out of multiple front sets.
One of the areas of emphasis in the offseason for Nampa Christian is to force more turnovers for the opposing offenses.
It may help that there is so much turnover at key offensive positions throughout the conference.
“Many new faces at most schools [and] lots of turnover at quarterback and other impact positions,” added Kotte.
For Kotte, success will come based on how selfless the Trojans are collectively as a team.
“Culture and chemistry. The team becoming the star and the development of a ‘we before me’ mentality,” he said.
Nampa Christian begins 2018 on August 31 at Grangeville in a rematch of a 41-0 defeat last season.
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