Written by: Lucas Gebhart
For the past two seasons, Vallivue has been stuck in the middle.
The 2021 season ended with a 6-5 record and a first-round exit in the state playoffs. It was a year that nearly mirrored the previous one, which ended in the state quarterfinals and a 6-4 record.
It seems like a tall task to get back to the winning ways of 2019. Vallivue went 8-3 that year. The year before was an eight-win year too. But the Falcons lost some key pieces from last year’s team.
Among the losses: quarterback Casey Cope, running back Santi Diaz, linebacker Carson Fox and defensive backs Andres Mercado and Kip Childs.
“These young men brought work ethic and leadership,” Vallivue head coach Layne Coffin said. “It will be hard to replace.”
What Vallivue does bring back is 12 upperclassmen, all of whom Coffin has identified as key returning pieces. Among them are Oscar Malacara, a 2nd Team All-SIC defensive back, and Jordon Conlon, an honorable mention on the offensive line.
On offense, Malacara will also take reps at receiver, while senior running back Tyson Fox is expected to take the lead role in the Vallivue backfield. Although, don’t be surprised to see Koa Maio, Jackson Kent and Shawn Gassett carry the ball as well at times. All are seniors.
With a new quarterback under center, but an offensive line he feels confident in, Coffin says a big focus will be limiting mistakes.
“Turnovers seemed to be our Achilles heel last year,” he said.” “We need to take care of our possessions.”
Defensively, Coffin says the linebacking core will the team’s strength, but limiting big plays will be the focus. The Falcons run an odd-man front and the 2022 edition will be anchored by Shawn Gassett, Koa Maio, Trey Stump, Alfredo Hernandez and Cannon Hyde.
Vallivue begins the 2022 season with two Magic Valley schools in Twin Falls and Burley before diving straight into what could be the toughest stretch of the year. The middle four games feature matchups against Skyview, who’s coming down from 5A, Columbia, Ridgevue and Bishop Kelly.
While Bishop Kelly presents its own challenges, Coffin says both Columbia and Ridgevue could be two schools to keep an eye on.
“New identity with new coaching staffs,” Coffin says, who is now entering his 19th season as head coach at Vallivue.
The Falcons close the season by hosting Caldwell and traveling to Emmett.