Written by: Keller Sherman
Another year, another heartbreaking defeat at the hands of Sugar-Salem. For the fifth straight season (four times in the championship game, once in the semifinals), the Trojans’ season fell short of a title at the hands of the Diggers. With a handful of key pieces from last season gone, can the Trojans finally get over the hump and give Matt Holtry his first state championship as the Homedale head coach?
The good news is that Homedale does return a good amount of all conference talent. This includes three first team selections, two second team selections, and four honorable mentions. Brodie White is the most significant of these being an all-state first team honoree on offensive line and second team honoree on defensive line in addition to receiving first team all-conference honors at both of those positions.
Tight end Oklin Carson is the only other returning first team all-conference selection. Offensive lineman Emario Cuellar and defensive back Luke Henry make up the two returning second team honorees. Luke Henry, Brock Walker, Michael Rose, and Caden Layne were honorable mentions in 2022 and are key returners for the Trojans.
Homedale will need to replace a group of seniors that featured multiple three year starters. All state wide receiver and defensive back Mason Strong provided a role model for leadership on both sides of the ball. Jaxon Dines, a three year starter, conference offensive player of the year, and first team all state quarterback, also graduated and leaves a major void to be filled under center.
Trenton Fisher, Omar Rios, Sigmund Goode, and D’Orr Packer are additional all-state honorees that graduated. Rylan Binford, Jeffery Layne, Elijah Renteria, and Chase Cooper are additional key players that graduated leaving big shoes to fill all around the roster.
The 2023 season will be the first with a new quarterback since 2019 for the Trojans, but Holtry believes that the replacement for Dines is more than ready to step up. “We do our best to be a balanced offense with the ability to run and pass,” Holtry said. “We are excited about Dillon Fine and his progression this summer.” With Fine stepping into the void vacated by Dines, Holtry is hopeful that the passing game will continue to improve.
Holtry is especially excited for the growth he has seen in the Trojans’ defense. “We have been fortunate to have these players learning our defense over the past 4-5 seasons and so we are excited to see the continued growth of the defense as a whole and the returning players' progression as they play with confidence,” Holtry stated. Team defense and communication will be focal areas for improvement on this side of the ball.
Defense is one of many things that has Holtry excited for the upcoming season, but another significant development is four of five starters returning to the offensive line. Staying healthy and communication are x-factors to Homedale’s success.
Homedale’s schedule sets up well for the Trojans to start 3-0. Home dates against Filer and Baker City, Oregon along with a road trip to Gooding lead into a big showdown. Sandpoint is expected to be one of the favorites in the 4A classification. The Trojans and Bulldogs have met the past two seasons with both games going to the home team. Now, the two teams will meet on a neutral field in Hermiston, Oregon.
Conference play begins with homecoming against Parma. A road game at Payette leads into a crucial home date against Weiser. The Trojans host the Wolverines for Senior Night with the conference title on the line in all likelihood. The regular season concludes with road trips to Fruitland and McCall-Donnelly. Can the Trojans make it six straight conference titles?
There will be several new faces in Homedale’s starting lineup in 2023, but that should not stop Homedale from once again being the favorite in the Snake River Valley Conference and a contender to win the state title. Holtry is excited to see how the new faces will step up as they are the ultimate key to Homedale continuing the successes they have had in recent years.