Written by: Brandon Baney
Priest River’s football team is ready to party like its 2017. That was the last time Priest River had a .500 or better record in the regular season. That was also the last time that Priest River qualified for the playoffs.
Priest River went 4-4 back in ’17 before a first-round playoff loss to Homedale. Their coach that year was Brad Martin, who resigned his position following his first and only year in charge of the Spartans program.
In the four years following that playoff appearance, Priest River has struggled, going 4-27 in that span. But Martin is back for his second stint as head coach, and Priest River fans have visions of that 2017 playoff team dancing in their heads.
Coach Martin isn’t the only new flavor surrounding Priest River this year. Along with Kellogg, the Spartans dropped a classification level. Goodbye, 3A Intermountain League. Hello, 2A Central Idaho League.
“Coming into a new league, we certainly hope to improve,” Martin said. “We are working hard to compete with all league teams this year and moving forward.”
One positive in Priest River’s favor: they boast perhaps the best player in the CIL this year, senior tight end and defensive end Matyus McLain. A 1st Team All-State and 1st Team All-IML selection a year ago, McLain committed to the University of Idaho this summer.
“I’m excited for Matyus’ senior year,” Martin said. “He has been such a standout in camps, and I think the team will come together with more junior- and senior-level leadership.”
Other upperclassmen coach Martin is relying on for leadership this year include offensive and defensive lineman Landon Reynolds and running back and linebacker Jesse Poisel. Reynolds will be joined by junior John Soy and senior Kaleb Solomon on the lines, while junior Kemper Dombroswki will help Poisel solidify the running back and linebacker positions.
“(Our) size, speed and strength should be improved,” Martin said. “(Especially since) we have more juniors and seniors instead of so many younger players.”
Depth will be key for Priest River this season. A big reason why the Spartans have just four wins in the last four years is the fact that they have had to rely on so many freshmen and sophomores that weren’t ready to face bigger juniors and seniors.
But coach Martin is hopeful that more upperclassmen will help Priest River transition successfully to Class 2A football. “If we can get all the players who can help us out (to join the team) and then keep them out, (that will be our biggest X-factor),” Martin said. “Then, like every season, (we) need to stay as healthy as possible to at full strength for our league schedule.”