Written by: Brandon Baney
Gooding’s 2022 season started off on a promising note, as the Senators traveled to Class 4A Jerome and walked away with a 26-7 win and a 1-0 start on the year.
Coach Tanner Baumann didn’t know it at the time, but that would be the last time Gooding tasted victory. Seven losses in a row followed that opener at Jerome. Some were agonizingly close, while others were decided early.
But the experience gained was valuable, and the players that are back in 2023 are eager to atone for last year’s transgressions. “We have a great group of kids that are excited for the journey,” said Baumann. “It’s a group that wants to work together to reach a common goal.”
The player who most embodies this enthusiasm is senior quarterback Braden Martin. “We have players who have bought into the system and the identity that we are trying to establish (because of Martin),” Baumann said. “He has the respect of all of his teammates and will lead us this upcoming season.”
Martin’s top running back (Austin Olsen) and wide receiver (Austin Smith) both graduated, as did both starting guards (Nick Slusher and Alec Hall). Fortunately, senior receiver Cade Page is back after picking up All-Conference honors a year ago, and senior tight ends Butch Morris and Bennet Gilbert will factor into the passing game as well.
Who fills Olsen’s production at running back remains to be seen, but the offensive line should be strong, with senior tackle Devin Del Toro and senior guard Wick Church leading the way up front.
The main area Baumann wants to improve is consistency. “We want to be more efficient with our time of possession on offense,” Baumann said. “We need to be able to establish drives throughout the whole game.”
The reason Baumann wants to control the clock in 2023? Because he has a defense that can back up that style of play. “We have aggressive tacklers that fly to the ball,” he said. “Brodee Greeley led our team in tackles last season and will be a lynchpin on defense this year.”
Baumann is hoping that his junior linebacker will lead a fast and furious style of play that forces the opposing team into making mistakes. “Time of possession and takeaways, if you lead in those two things then you probably win the game.”
The road won’t be easy for the Senators this year, as the Sawtooth Central Idaho Conference is shaping up to be difficult once again. Buhl, Kimberly and Wood River all qualified for the playoffs a year ago, while Filer started mostly freshmen and sophomores that are all a year older now. However, with camaraderie at an all-time high, Gooding has the right mindset to begin the rigorous climb to the top.