Written by: Will Hoenike
Sam Thorngren and the Butte County Pirates were one game away from the 1A Division 1 state championship contest in 2021 and then had to replace multiple key pieces, including the High Desert Conference Player of the Year, Boone Gamett.
Their reward? More high expectations with the legitimate goal of once again being in the mix for the classification’s top spot.
“We really have some great kids in our program,” Thorngren said. “They have been working hard in the weight room and are good students. We have size, speed, depth, and loads of potential.”
A lot of 8-man teams may have two of those four traits. But Butte County, located in Arco, checks all four boxes. Thorngren and his staff expect to have well over 30 kids in the program this fall, including a host of playmakers off a team that nearly reached the top of the mountain last fall.
Seniors KJ Williams and McCoy Beard return along the team’s offensive and defensive lines with junior Dillon Waymire competing for a spot in the lineup as well. On offense, those players will be charged with leading the way for an offense that ran for more than 350 yards per game last fall. The primary ball-carrier once again will be senior Treyton Allen. As a junior, he ran for nearly 1,300 yards and scored 17 touchdowns en route to being named the conference’s Offensive Player of the Year as well as first team All-State. It’s not hard to envision him posting equally gaudy numbers as a senior for the Pirates.
Senior Cory Gamett will take the snaps under center as the team’s quarterback and his job will be to spread the ball around to Allen and a couple of family members, fellow senior Talon Gamett and junior Braxton Gamett. Senior Lawson Moncur will also see time in the backfield for the Pirates, who scored 40 points or more in all seven of their victories last season. Surprisingly, despite those big numbers, Thorngren would like to see his team make more big plays on offense this fall.
“We moved the ball effectively last year, but most of our points came after long drives,” Thorngren said. “We have a stable of backs, tight ends, and some good talent along the offensive line.”
As is common in 8-man football, the same core of athletes will play defense as well as offense. Cory and Talon Gamett could be playing on the defensive line in front of Braxton Gamett. Moncur and Rebel Beard will lead the way in the secondary with Williams and McCoy seeing time along the defensive line as well. Several newcomers will have an opportunity to contribute as well, including junior linebackers Trent Pancheri, Boston Anderson, and Rafe McAffee and junior defensive backs Brody Westergard and Brycen Cutler.
“We need to be more effective blitzing and forcing turnovers,” Thorngren said. “We forced 20 turnovers last season. Our most successful teams have typically forced 30 or more turnovers.”
The Pirates will tackle a difficult road schedule in 2022, including stops at Carey, Waterspings, Wilder, Lighthouse Christian and Challis. One key to a successful season, especially with a tough road schedule, is replacing the experience and talent that graduated last spring. Another key is good leadership.
“Last year’s seniors set the tone,” Thorngren said. “We have as much talent as anybody, but we need to be willing to compete and outwork our opponents.”
If the Pirates are able to succeed in both areas, another run deep into November in the 1A Division 1 state playoffs seems likely.