Written by: Will Hoenike
If you’re looking for a thread for the upcoming Rimrock Raiders football schedule, here’s an idea – if the Raiders are on the field, they’ll usually be the smaller team.
Six of Rimrock’s eight opponents draw from larger student bases. According to the latest Idaho High School Activities Association numbers, only two foes (Tri Valley, 85, and Horseshoe Bend, 78) have smaller enrollments than Rimrock’s 87. The 1A Division 1 classification in Idaho goes from a maximum of 159 students to a minimum of 85, meaning the Raiders are hovering perilously close to the cutoff line.
But, if you talk to Sam Ward, the third-year Rimrock head coach makes no excuses for his program. Instead, you’ll find optimism after the Raiders were in the hunt for a playoff spot deep into the 2022 season.
“Our primary area of strength this year will be our ground game since we are returning all three
starters on the offensive line, a dual-threat quarterback and some depth at the running back position,” Ward said. “Our area of strength on defense is that we will have several players who can play multiple
positions, which will allow us to be flexible with our defensive packages.”
The versatility starts with All-Conference quarterback and defensive back Ronaldo Gomez. As a sophomore, Gomez led the team in hundred yard rushing games, rushing touchdowns, and touchdown passes while completing nearly 61 percent of his passes. While he no longer has his security blanket, team MVP Aden Aquiso (920 all-purpose yards last season as a senior), he does have junior Trevor Carothers and sophomore Kas Bachman back this season, along with incoming freshmen Adrian Farfan and Riley Gonzalez, to fill skill-position roles.
Ward referenced three returning starters along the offensive and defensive lines. Senior TJ Gonzalez will team up with sophomores Carlos Escobedo and Morgan Field to battle in the trenches for the Raiders. Returning experience and strength along both sides of the line can often lead to successful seasons. On offense, the benefit is obvious. More time for the quarterback, more running lanes for the backs.
On defense, the benefit is just as important but sometimes tougher to see. If Gonzalez, Escobedo, and Field are able to occupy blockers and minimize gaps for runners, it can be much easier for linebackers like Carothers (eight tackles per game as a sophomore) to find and tackle ballcarriers. If they can provide pass rush, defensive backs don’t have to maintain pass coverage quite as long, which limits – if not eliminates – big plays in the passing game.
Setting the edge on defense and rushing the passer are two areas where Ward hopes to see continued improvement from his team. The Raiders had mixed results on defense: in its three wins, the defense allowed a total of 46 points. But in its four losses, the number skyrocketed to more than 250 points.
The top two teams from District 3’s Western Idaho Conference qualify for the 1A Division 1 state playoffs. Last season, Notus dominated the WIC from start to finish while Idaho City outlasted Rimrock and Wilder to secure the second spot in the playoffs. Rimrock and Idaho City played an entertaining mid-October matchup that, as it turns out, essentially decided the second team to advance to state. Idaho City wound up winning the game by 18 points – has Rimrock done enough to close that gap and overtake Idaho City?
It’s very possible. And, if the Raiders do reach the postseason, there’s a chance they’ll be the smallest school in the bracket.