Written by: Lucas Gebhart
Idaho’s newest high school has another “first” to add to its short history – the football program’s first head coaching change.”
Former head coach Sherm Blaser was dismissed after just two seasons and six wins with the Storm.
Although the Storm did win more games in year two (5) than they did in year one (1), and made the postseason postseason under Blaser, Owyhee’s run ended with a first round loss to eventual 5A champion Rigby. Given the success of other programs within Owyhee’s athletic department, the heat was turned up on the football program and Blaser couldn’t get the water to boil fast enough.
Taking over is former Borah head coach Jason Burton. Burton was Borah’s head coach from 2016-2020 and led the Lions to the state playoffs in four of five seasons before moving to the Sun Valley. Jason’s wife, Kayla, took a job in her hometown of Carey, becoming the high school principal.
So for the past two seasons, Burton helped out at neighboring Wood River, coaching the Wolverines’ offensive line and serving as an offensive coordinator. But after a two year hiatus, Burton has made his return to the Treasure Valley.
“We are building the culture of Owyhee football,” Burton said. “We want to take the next step as a program.”
Helping Owyhee take that next step is a defense that returns half its starters and the biggest senior class in school history.
Burton says over 30 seniors are back this season, including defensive lineman Jack Young, defensive backs Kaden Newman, Kade Martin and Matt Rogers and kicker Nathan Gammette. All were given some type of All-SIC honor in 2022.
Junior linebacker Gage Haws, Owyhee’s lone first-team all-conference returner, is also back and appears to be one of the state best linebackers entering the season.
Offensively, Burton says the Storm will look to improve the running game and will lean on running backs Tim Jamerson and Kade Walker to do so.
Owyhee opens the season August 18 at Madison.