Written by: Lucas Gebhart
The growth effects of the Treasure Valley are once again impacting high school sports in Idaho and Middleton is a 2022 example of it. Middleton, a small town that sits about 30 miles from downtown Boise, suddenly feels not so small anymore.
This year, the town’s only high school made the jump to Idaho largest classification and it’s not hard to see why. Over the last 11 years the town’s population has nearly doubled, growing from an estimated 5,500 in 2010 to over 10,000 in 2021, per U.S. Census data.
Despite the changes, one thing remains the same. Bill Brock is now entering his 23rd season as head coach and is ready to navigate all the changes.
“Kids have been working hard,” he said. “Very excited to see how we come together as a team.”
The Vikings air raid offense will be one of two new faces to the 5A SIC this year as Nampa will also make the jump while Skyview returns to 4A.
Brock’s team will have a lot of experience coming back and the offensive line is no exception.
Three of the five, Dallin Sager, Coltin Fuentes and Garrison Grimes, are seniors, but Middleton will have a new face under center as the program lost two-year starter Ky McClure at quarterback.
The receiving core will also be missing Tyler Mederis, who was a star on the Vikings basketball team and will be continuing his career at Utah Valley. But Middleton does return senior receiver Tate Johansen and Dekker Hagler, another senior the Vikings like to get the ball to.
The defensive side of the ball is where you’ll find most of the experience. Both Johansen and Hagler return to that side of the ball with accolades. Johansen was a 4A All-State linebacker in 2021 and Hagler, a 2021 4A SIC All-Conference linebacker. They are two of seven seniors returning to Middleton’s defense.
On the front seven, Paxti Franks and William DeLeon return to the line while Matt Hazard and Cole Holman return to the linebacking core. Cooper Davis, Sawyer Heck and Colton Moore round out the secondary. Five of the seven returners are seniors.
Despite the experience, there is one thing Brock says must improve.
“We have to be better defending the run,” he said. “(We’ve got) some valuable experience in our front seven.”
It’s a challenge that will be even more difficult with the Vikings new 5A schedule.
For the first time in over a decade, Middleton won’t be playing archrival Bishop Kelly. Instead, the Vikings get a warm welcome to 5A football by taking on one of the best programs in their new class, Rocky Mountain, a program that’s won three of the last seven 5A championships.
Brock says one key to navigating the new schedule will be limiting the turnovers.