Written by: Lucas Gebhart
After a four-year stint in Idaho’s 5A classification, the largest in the state, Skyview is dropping back down to 4A and will bring one of the state’s most explosive offenses with it.
Quarterback Max Cutforth is one of seven seniors on this year’s squad. He will lead an offense that also features a senior running back in Andrew Schneider, a senior at receiver in Thad Robinson and four senior offensive linemen.
“Offensively we return a lot of seniors and a lot of fire power,” head coach David Young said. “Last year was good, but this year could be much better.”
When the dust settled in 2021, the Hawks navigated themselves to a 5-5 record and a first-round exit in the playoffs. The sights are set a little higher this year. Last time Skyview competed at the 4A level, the Hawks went 10-1 and took a trip to the 2017 state semifinals.
Cutforth, and offensive linemen Jacob Peck and Adam Davenport picked up all-conference honors last year. Cutforth and Peck were all-conference honorable mentions while Davenport looks to be one of the conference’s best linemen after picking up a 2nd Team All-SIC award last year.
Ayden Martinez is also back at receiver while Mason Krahn enters his sophomore campaign at wideout. Young says the hope is newcomers Leon Hanslee and Ryker Oswald will help make an immediate impact in the back field as well.
“We also have a full stable of running backs and wide receivers,” he said. “It replaces the production of last year’s athletes in a big way.”
There’s no question the Hawks will have a lot of talent when they line things up Week One in Elko, Nevada. The question instead will be can that talent stay on the field because without it, what appears to be a promising season in August, could go by the wayside come October. Young says it’s all a numbers game.
“We do not have big numbers,” he explained. “We must stay healthy.”
The defensive side of the ball is a much different story for Young’s squad, because they are exactly that – young. Only two starters return and Young says it’s a group that must mature quickly. Despite the youth, he still thinks it’s a group that will play fast.
“We feel like this will be one of our most athletic defenses by the end of the season,” Young added.
Despite the move to 4A, the Hawks won’t play a school in their new class until Week Four when Skyview visits Vallivue. After opening the year in Nevada, Skyview then takes on 5A programs in Kuna and Middleton, both of which recently made moves to 5A. Kuna made the jump in 2020 while Middleton moves up this year.