Written by: Keller Sherman
The Skyline Grizzlies endured a rough start to the 2021 season as they began 1-3, but they rebounded in one of the best ways possible with a state title.
That was Skyline’s fourth championship in the past six years and it cements the Grizzlies as one of the best programs at the 4A classification since they dropped back down to the level in 2016. That includes going back-to-back in 2016 and 2017 and again in 2020 and 2021.
Now, coach Scott Berger will look to take his program to something that it has never achieved before; a three-peat. There is no doubt that the Grizzlies have the talent and tools necessary to accomplish this, but can it all come together for a third straight year?
The Grizzlies should reload in multiple areas of the ball. Eight players that received honors at both the state and conference levels return, none bigger than reigning 4A Player of the Year Kenyon Sadiq. Playing wide receiver, defensive back, punter, and kick returner, Sadiq showcased his talents in all three areas of the game and is seen as a four-star recruit and the top ranked player from Idaho in the 2023 recruiting cycle by 247 Sports. Being a part of one last state championship team at Skyline would solidify his place among the top recruits to come out of the state of Idaho in recent years.
Three additional all-state selections return for Skyline in 2022. That includes first-team offensive lineman Tui Edwin as well as second-team selections wide receiver Caden Taggart and defensive back Ian Galbreaith. Edwin and Galbreaith also received first-team selections at the conference level while Taggart was a second-team selection. Four other players received all-conference honors in Abrahn Silverio, Lachlan Haacke, Jake Murdock, and Trey Olson.
Skyline’s ability to reload will be greatly tested as several key players from last year’s team are gone. High Country Conference Defensive Player of the Year and first team all-state linebacker Chandler Robinson has graduated. He was seen by Berger as an impact player on every down. First team all-state defensive lineman Jaxon White led the state in sacks. Inside linebacker Kiano Kishiyana demonstrated great leadership while defensive end Jonny Baczuk was described in Berger’s eyes as a fundamentally sound player.
Defensive lineman Alex Cortez will be missed for being a force up the middle while the senior leadership of defensive end Keegan Maas will also be missed. Rounding out the major departures from last season’s team are free safety Parker Kucera who showed great athleticism and Issac Farnsworth, an outside linebacker who led all linebackers in the state in interceptions.
These departures will leave big shoes to fill, but with a handful of incoming players expected to make immediate impacts, Skyline should be able to reload as they have in the past. Hamilton Woodruff will come into the slot and play a major role in that area. Wracer Collins should show his athleticism as he plays quarterback and defensive back. Dillon Meek should become a key piece to the offensive and defensive lines while finally, Kaeson Smith should be a major asset to the defensive end position.
One of the greatest strengths of Berger’s teams has been his team’s ability to run the spread offense efficiently and effectively, but also make adjustments when the opposing defense makes it necessary. Berger also feels his team has “lots of good speed and playmakers.” He also hopes to improve on the “overall intelligence and consistency” of his offense. The offense is also expected to be very experienced this season with multiple returners and Berger’s team also has “lots of offensive returners and (we’ll) look to capitalize on that experience.”
The defense should also be very strong in 2022. “We have experience at the safety and corner positions. We get the kids to play hard and run to the football with a purpose,” Berger says of his team’s defensive strengths. He also states that “getting off the field on 3rd downs” will be another critical element to defensive success. Berger also feels that the biggest dictator of his team’s success this season will be “avoiding injury and playing smart football.”
Skyline will participate in its fourth straight Rocky Mountain Rumble to open the season as they travel to Madison High School to face Stansbury, Utah. Last year’s appearance in the game was a heartbreaker for the Grizzlies as they fell to Green Canyon 16-15. Two straight games against 5A competition follow that with a home game against Highland followed by a road game at Thunder Ridge. The game against the Rams will be the first since 2015, while the game against the Titans has been an annual fixture on Skyline’s schedule since Thunder Ridge High School opened in 2018 with the Grizzlies holding a 4-0 record against their crosstown rivals. Conference play starts off with a date against Hillcrest before the big rivalry game with Idaho Falls.
In this year’s edition of the Emotion Bowl, the stakes could not be higher. After a two year stint at 5A, Idaho Falls returns to the 4A classification which also reinstates the classic rivalry’s status as a conference game. With Idaho Falls also expected to be good, just about everything will be on the line in this year’s game from conference standings to playoff seeding to bragging rights and everything in between. Conference play will take a brief break following that for a game against defending 5A state champion Rigby. The Trojans handed the Grizzlies their only loss by more than four points last season 28-14. This year, the game will be played on Rigby’s home field which is seen as one of the toughest road environments in the state.
Conference play resumes in full swing as the calendar turns to October and Skyline travels to Blackfoot. Last year, the Broncos came into Ravsten Stadium and shocked the Grizzlies in a 17-13 upset meaning Skyline will travel to Blackfoot with revenge on their minds. They will remain on the road for their next game as they travel to an up and coming Bonneville team before returning home for Senior Night and the regular season finale against Shelley.
Scott Berger’s storied coaching career hits the 40-year mark in 2022. As he heads into his 14th year at the helm of the Skyline Grizzlies, he has an opportunity to make history by capturing Skyline’s first state championship three-peat. It won’t be easy though, as his team will have to navigate a loaded conference and also go up against some of the state’s best in the playoffs. However, the players and talent are there to make that goal possible. The turnaround from 1-3 to state champions was one of the best stories in Idaho high school football in 2021 and winning a program-first three-peat in 2022 can add yet another chapter to the storied and decorated history of Skyline football.