Years as Head Coach
2nd Season

Previous Experience
Assistant Coach at Kuna HS
Head Coach at Rosamond HS

Assistant Coaches
Assistant HC- Josh Rippy, OC - Scott Schultz, DC - Tim Stanley, OL - Brian Deatherage, WR - Ryan Bertrand, DL - Josh Bravo, DB - Dominic Bouvier, Russ Smith, Royce Davis, Shawn Hickman, Sheldon Stace, Adam Cobb, Matt Heindal, Seve Robison, Luke Larson, Brian Luekenga

Record Last Year
1-8

State Titles
1991, 2019

Returning Players
Cole Luekenga, QB, Senior
Isaac Garcia, RB, Senior
Logan Blades, LB, Senior
Gus Austin, LB/RB, Senior
Brayden Harper, DL, Senior
Jackson Waite, OL, Senior
Kaleb Berger, DB, Senior
Andy Kimbler, DL, Senior
Kayden Hofler - DB, Senior
Luke Snarr, WR, Junior
Austin Lattimer, RB, Junior
Luke Selto, WR, Junior
Jay Monroe, DB, Junior
Brody Bowen, LB, Junior

Returning Players with Honors
Gus Austin - First Team All SIC Offensive Flex and First Team All SIC Linebacker
Cole Lukenga - Second Team All SIC Quarterback
Luke Snarr - Second Team All SIC Wide Receiver
Kaleb Berger - Second Team All SIC Defensive Back
Logan Blades - Second Team All SIC Linebacker
Jackson Waite - Second Team All SIC Offensive Line
Andy Kimbler - Second Team All SIC Defensive Line
Brayden Harper - Second Team All SIC Defensive Line
Kayden Hofler - Honorable Mention All SIC Defensive Back

Key Players lost from last year
Israel Alvarado, WR

Incoming impact players
Brock See, OL, Junior
Keshawn Kelly, WR, Junior
Kody Biggs, DL, Junior
Erich Koeppen, OL, Junior
Colton Deatherage, TE, Sophomore
Dash May, RB, Junior
Mario D'Orazio, RB, Junior
Davien Alvarado, WR, Junior

Written by: Lucas Gebhart

Idaho’s 5A classification has not been kind to Kuna, and neither has the injury report.

After going a perfect 13-0 and winning Idaho’s 4A state title in 2019, Kuna moved up to 5A to begin the 2020 season but has struggled ever since.

Over the past two years, the Kavemen have gone a combined 2-14 while battling injuries to key spots on the roster along the way.

Now, with a healthy squad and a second-year head coach, Jeff Schank is hoping this year will be different.

“We are most excited for our players to have another year in the program,” Schank said. “Consistency in expectations is paramount to success and we have seen a ton of progress.”

The Kavemen return nine players with all-conference honors to begin the 2022 season, their third in Idaho’s highest classification. The passing game wasn’t the problem last season, and it won’t be this year either as Cole Lukenga is set to run the show once again at quarterback.

“His ability to read what the defense wants to do and put us in situations to be successful will be vital for us,” Schank said.

The senior was a second team All-SIC selection last year and will have plenty of weapons to play with. Receiver Luke Snarr is coming into his senior year after picking up a second-team All-SIC selection a season ago. He’s expected to be a big part of the Kuna offense once again along with junior receivers Keshawn Kelly, Davien Alvarado and sophomore tight end Colton Deatherage.

But for this offense to move the ball, Schank says the Kavemen must be better on the ground.

“We have to have a threat in this aspect of our game in order to open things up for us,” he said.

Another area that must improve is the defense. The Kavemen gave up an average of nearly 42 points per game last season, including a season-high 62 to Eagle. That’s the bad news. The good news is the talent that was on that side of the ball is back this year.

Senior linebacker Gus Austin was a first-team All-SIC linebacker last season and Logan Blades was a second team selection at linebacker as well. Kuna also returns two second team all-conference defensive lineman in Andy Kimbler and Brayden Harper while the secondary returns Kayden Hofler, an all-conference honorable mention.

“Can we stay healthy?” Schank asks, adding this will be the team’s x-factor. “Last season we were constantly battling the injury list.”