Years as Head Coach
2nd Season

Previous Experience
10 years as assistant

Assistant Coaches
Andy Rice, Alec Hamilton, Kenny Swift, Dave Koon, Jason Trujillo, Chris Saban, Robert McCune

Record Last Year
3-6

Conference Record Last Year
0-1

State Titles
1975

Returning Players
Brody Rice, 12, QB/DB
Makeen Loretto, 12, OL
Sulay Abubakari, 11, TE/DE
Kai Aitken, 11, OL
Logan Thorne, 12, DL
Shiloh Berry, 12, DL
Conrad Hiatt, 11, ATH
Taylor Dodd, 10, OL/DL

Returning Players with Honors
None

Key Players lost from last year
Trey Bateman, Ath, Team leader, never came off the field and was near the top of many statistical categories for our team

Matt Treautelaar, RB, LB, led the team in yards, tds, and tackles.

Dakoda Heller, FB, LB, hard nosed player, all the dirty work, play maker

Kolten Rude, C, anchored the o-line.

Incoming impact players
Alex Stolley, 10, QB/WR/S
Jacob Solt, 10, RB/LB
James Morgen, 11, TE/DE

Written by: Brandon Baney

Bonners Ferry was a team on the rise two years ago, hosting the schools' first playoff game in some time (or ever).

Badgers fans are hoping that last year's step back is just a temporary roadblock.

Second-year coach Danny Swift did note that four impact seniors have left a void in the Badgers’ program: Trey Bateman, Matt Treautelaar, Dakoda Heller and Koten Rude. “Trey was our team leader, never came off the field, and was near the top of every statistical category for our team,” Swift says. “Matt led the team in rushing yards, TDs, and tackles on defense. Dakoda was a hard-nosed fullback and linebacker and did all the dirty work. Kolten was our center and anchored the offensive line.”

Despite those losses, the Badgers boast an impressive number of returnees in 2024. It starts with senior Brody Rice, who leads the way at quarterback and in the defensive secondary. Rice showcased considerable athleticism in 2023, and will be counted on to lead a younger group of running backs.

“We want to play disciplined football,” says Swift. “We want to run the ball with a stable of backs behind a hard working offensive line.”

It’s a solid game plan, considering the Badgers return three starters up front in senior Makeen Loretto, junior Kai Aitken and sophomore Taylor Dodd. Combined with massive junior Sulay Abubakari at tight end, Bonners Ferry should be able to pave the way for Rice and company.

Bonners Ferry is also flush with returnees on the defensive line. Abubakari, senior Logan Thorne and senior Shiloh Berry all saw time a year ago.

“We will lean on our front seven to anchor us behind our returning defensive linemen, as well as a strong incoming linebacking corps,” says Swift.

Swift says that now he and his assistants are in their second year with the Badgers program, the learning curve isn’t quite as sharp. “I’m excited about the growth from the coaching staff in our second year,” says Swift. “We have a good amount of returning talent and great numbers within the program.”

That continuity will be crucial as Bonners Ferry tries to topple defending Intermountain League champion Timberlake, as well as newcomer Moscow, which dropped down a level from Class 5A.