Written by: Keller Sherman

After a Cinderella run to the state championship game in 2020, the Emmett Huskies have followed with two straight first-round exits in the state playoffs. A streak of two straight conference titles ended in 2022 when Bishop Kelly took home the conference crown. That leaves reigning 4A SIC coach of the year Rich Hargitt’s 2023 squad with three big goals; beat Bishop Kelly, win the conference title and make a deep playoff run. The Huskies get the Knights at home this season which gives Emmett a great shot to win that game and move one step closer to achieving their goals.

The Huskies will have to replace numerous key pieces as quarterback Dakota Perry, wide receiver Stevie Howe, and offensive lineman Sam Schroeder are among a handful of talented seniors that graduated. Howe and Schroeder were named to the second team all-state while all three brought home first team all-conference honors.

Callen Conklin, Ry Fullerton, Remington Hardman, Brady Dillon, Daniel Walker, Joe Lummus, and John Reimers collected all-conference honors as well and are a part of a graduating class that will be missed dearly by the Huskies.

Returning key players for Emmett include Cristian Sanchez, Bryan Walker, Issac Brennan, Sam Buck and Lucas Briscoe. Sanchez and Walker were first team defensive all-conference players with Brennan was tabbed a second team honoree on offense. Buck and Briscoe picked up offensive and defensive honorable mentions, respectively.

Emmett continues to challenge itself with its non conference slate. A road trip to Blackfoot goes along with neutral site tilts with Fruitland at Albertsons Stadium in Boise and Lake City at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow.

The Huskies will not play a home game until their non conference finale against Twin Falls on September 22nd. It is one of only three home games all season for the Huskies with Bishop Kelly and Ridgevue being the other two such contests. Emmett travels to Skyview, Columbia, and Vallivue in conference play.

Rich Hargitt has proven himself as one of the state’s best head coaches. His skills will be put to the ultimate test with a difficult schedule after losing several key pieces. Emmett has cemented itself as a perennial contender at the 4A classification and will look to be a factor at both the conference and state levels in 2023 as they have for the vast majority of Hargitt’s tenure.