Written by: Keller Sherman
If you were the home team against the Payette Pirates in 2021, you likely lost as Kip Crofts’s team recorded an impressive 4-1 mark on the road. Contrast that to the disappointing 0-4 record at home and the Pirates were true road warriors last season. The 4-5 overall record is the best Payette has had in a long time and the 27-14 win at rival Fruitland is arguably the biggest win for the program in recent years.
Entering 2022, Payette will look to build on the successes of the 2021 campaign and reach the next big goal; the state playoffs. A manageable non conference schedule gives a great opportunity for a 4-0 start that could give the team some much needed momentum before an always difficult conference slate.
The non conference slate features three home games and one road game. The opener will take place in Week 0 against Caldwell, who will compete as a 4A independent in 2022. The Pirates will then play three straight games against 2A Western Idaho Conference foes, traveling to New Plymouth then returning home to host Cole Valley Christian and Marsing.
Conference play starts out on a very difficult note with two straight road games at Weiser and Homedale. They then face a Fruitland team that will seek to avenge their loss to the Pirates from last season before going on the road to play at McCall-Donnelly. The regular season wraps up with a home game against Parma.
If Payette can get off to a hot start in the non conference and find a couple wins in conference play, perhaps a special season could be in store for the Pirates. While there is still a wide gap between them and the top of the conference, having a good 2022 season that builds on what the team accomplished in 2021 can help to further close the gap.