Photo By Loren Orr
Written By: Sven Alskog
The Boise Braves won their first game since 2016 last season, defeating Timberline to snap a 16-game losing skid.
More challenges lie ahead for the program, but getting that win out of the way should help give confidence to the returners as they embark on the new season.
A notable subtraction from the roster will be quarterback Carson Bohning, who has transferred over to Capital for his senior year. The quarterbacks remaining on the roster did make growth in the right direction this offseason though.
“Our quarterbacks had a good BSU camp; very competitive and productive. Our receivers are coming along and we have some experience there. I’m excited to see our defensive front and our offensive front come together and produce. I believe they can,” said Boise head coach Jerry O’Mahony.
Hank Strand was the only other quarterback outside of Bohning listed on the varsity roster last season, so he may be a player to watch as he enters his senior year.
Hudson Hamilton and Eathan Bobst will be two of the primary targets for whoever ends up as the signal caller for the Braves, a team that is known for airing it out.
While the skill position pieces are important, O’Mahony notes that it all comes down to the guys up front.
“Our offensive line will be the key, as we have some speed this year out of the spread. We need to get stronger and we need greater depth. That being said, our skill positions are pretty well manned. We must be smart and we can’t afford not to be. Can’t waste plays,” he added.
Multiple standouts from last year graduated and have moved on to play at The College of Idaho, including Jack Molesworth, Andrew Bergey and Alex Ojukwu. The key now is to build depth around the talented pieces in the program that remain to be able to compete with some of the larger rosters within the 5A Southern Idaho Conference.
Linebackers Cole McKinley and Joe Fitzgerald are expected to be two of the key cogs on the defensive side of the ball, as the Braves look to develop more physicality.
“We are faster but not as physical this year. Hopefully we will become that physical defense and running attack,” added O’Mahony. “I’m excited to see how our kids step into positions of depth and produce within that context. We need to share the workload and mature as a group.”
The coach has been happy with the progress of the defense so far.
“We’ve emphasized pursuit, alignment and an aggressive nature. So far it has been a great effort.”
Boise will see a familiar face across the field to begin the season, as the Braves take on Bohning and the Capital Eagles at Dona Larsen Park in week one. O’Mahony then leads his team over to Centennial for a road game in week two.