Written by: Will Hoenike
The Clearwater Valley Rams went from 1994 to 2019 without appearing in the postseason. So folks around Kooskia are aware there have been darker days. But head coach Allen Hutchens, who was a member of that 1994 playoff team, is anxious to see his team take the next step.
“We have gone to state the last four years and have not been able to get past that first round,” the fourth-year head coach said.
The team has posted an overall record of 21-16 over the past four seasons – a very respectable performance – but hasn’t been able to break through once the playoffs have arrived. Last season ended with a 54-22 loss on the road at Raft River in the opening round of the 1A Division 1 playoffs. With multiple key players returning, could this be the season the Rams finally punch through?
“I am excited to see where this group of players can take CV football,” Hutchens said. “We have tremendous team chemistry and these guys have been playing together for a very long time.”
Hutchens features one of the state’s more underrated performers in RB/DB Bass Myers. The senior moved all over the field last fall as a junior, collecting nearly 150 total yards per game on offense and averaging about eight tackles per game on defense with seven sacks. His coach says he’ll likely move around again this season, depending on the situation, but should see the bulk of his time on defense at safety.
Hutchens has to replace veteran center Austin Curtis, who graduated in May, but likes the makeup of his offensive line. Senior David Davis returns, along with juniors Leighton Davis, Raphael Kessler, and Estuardo Puderbaugh.
“As always, we are a running team first and that helps set up our play action passing game,” Hutchens said. “When we get our running game going well, we are tough to stop and then we can sprinkle our play action passes in there.”
Hutchens also has to replace three-year starter Anthony Fabbi as his quarterback. Senior Landon Schlieper and junior Carson Schilling will each have an opportunity to move under center this season as the Rams are flush with versatile skill-position options. Beyond Schlieper and Schilling, Clearwater Valley can look to Jake Fabbi, Tiago Pickering, Trebor Altman, and Timuni Moses to make plays with the ball in their hands.
On defense, Myers and Jake Fabbi will form the heart of a group that Hutchens believes will be tough to run against. Tiago Pickering, Carson Schilling, and Leighton Davis will also be asked to help solidify a group that was dinged by graduation – Isaac Goodwin, Anthony Carter, and Anthony Fabbi were all either 1st or 2nd team All-Conference last fall. The Rams defense came up big down the stretch last fall, allowing just 16 points per game during a four-game winning streak to close the regular season.
The race for first place in the 1A Division 1 Whitepine League last fall came down to a pair of teams – Clearwater Valley and Kamiah – that are separated by less than ten miles. The same could happen again this fall though there are other teams that will have their opportunity to make noise before it is all said and done. The Rams get Kamiah at home on September 22 and will also host Potlatch and Troy in Whitepine contests. Keep an eye on the September 1 matchup between Clearwater Valley and Logos in Moscow. The Knights feature an explosive offense and are considered a darkhorse candidate to win the Whitepine League this fall.