Written by: Brandon Baney
When asked which team in the Great Basin Conference could surprise people this year, second-year Canyon Ridge coach James Poole didn't hesitate.
"Canyon Ridge!", Poole exclaimed. "I don't say this because it's my team. I say it because we have played lots of football in the offseason and we feel we've put in more work than any team in the state."
In its short history as a high school, Canyon Ridge has never really been a factor on the statewide football scene. There are occasional playoff appearances here and there, but sustained success has been fleeting.
Poole is trying to change that. It started with a 2-7 campaign a year ago, and has continued with all of that offseason work Poole alluded to earlier.
Hidden beneath that 2-7 record was a trio of gut-wrenching losses: A 14-13 loss to Wood River in the season opener, a 28-22 setback against Jerome, and a 21-20 defeat against Century. If Canyon Ridge wins those three games, the Riverhawks finish the year with a winning record of 5-4.
The fact that Canyon Ridge was competitive in most of their contests opened eyes around the Great Basin Conference last year. Poole has brought an infectious energy to the Riverhawks, and the fact that Canyon Ridge won two of their final three games in 2021 propelled the team through their summer workouts.
"Guys are very comfortable and understand the system," Poole said. "In Year 2 we will have an identity as to who we are."
That identity on offense will be a wide open aerial assault. Canyon Ridge's Air Raid passing attack will be triggered by junior quarterback Connor Willis, who earned 2nd Team All-Conference honors a year ago.
"We have numerous talented receivers we will look to get the ball to," Poole said. Senior Tanner Eldredge has been a starter since his sophomore year, and will be joined by junior Alex Fierros and sophomore Kade McEntire in the receiving corps.
Last year, Canyon Ridge featured a physical ground game, but that departed with the graduation of all-conference back Wyatt Somers. "Wyatt was a do-it-all running back," Pool said. "His leadership and production will be the thing we'll miss the most."
With Somers' departure, the running back situation is more fluid this year. Junior Layne Schulz will lead the offensive line, as Canyon Ridge tries to re-establish their power run game.
Defensively, Canyon Ridge's 4-3 defense suffocated opposing passing games a year ago. "An aggressive man-to-man style of play is our MO," Poole said.
While the pass defense was excellent, all of Canyon Ridge's blowout losses came to power rushing teams (Gooding, Shelley, Minico and Twin Falls). "We have to get better at stopping the run," Poole admitted.
While Minico is the overwhelming favorite to take the Great Basin Conference title in 2022, there's no consensus on the pecking order beyond that. If Canyon Ridge can take that offseason work and turn it into consistent play on the field, there's no reason the Riverhawks can't contend for a bid into the 4A playoffs.