Years as Head Coach
4th Season

Previous Experience
Horizon High School in Scottsdale- 5 years

Assistant Coaches
Aaron Rife, Trevor Thomas, Jake Weaver, Austin Rea, Miguel Perez, Tom Grant, Tony Jardine

Record Last Year
0-9

Conference Record Last Year
0-4

State Titles
None

Returning Players
Cache Palmer, 12, OL/DE
Carson Swainston, 12, RB
Talyn Weaver, 11, WR/DB
Jaxson Brown, 12, OL/DL
Micheal Shaw, 12, RB/DE/LB
Andrew Lawrence, 11, OL/DL
Kaiden Reikerk, 12, DL
Tristan Rea, 11, QB
Cody Sanchez, 12, WR/DB

Returning Players with Honors
Tristan Rae, 11 - 1st Team All-Conference QB
Talyn Weaver, 11 - 2nd Team All-Conference WR
Cache Palmer, 11 - 2nd Team All-Conference DL

Key Players lost from last year
Keaton Hawker brought an attitude to our offensive line that will be missed and Dillion Patterson’s leadership and toughness will be difficult to replace.

Incoming impact players
Griffen Grant, 10, LB
Tristan Patterson, 10, LB

Written by: Dallin Fryar

If one were to look at the 2023 Filer Wildcats football record, it would be viewed as a forgettable season. While they may have finished 0-9, their record does not reflect how competitive their team was throughout the season. Not to mention, a lot of valuable varsity experience for their underclassmen. The Wildcats return nearly every starter on both sides of the ball, and Coach Justin Brandsma cannot wait to get his team back on the field in 2024.

“We are bigger, faster, stronger, and will be returning starting experience in every position…This team’s chemistry is very strong. We have a ton of experience and now have the size and strength to better execute every aspect of our game,” Brandsma said. Coach Brandsma, in his fifth season at the helm of the Wildcats described this group as “football first guys…this is what they love and what they have been working for since the final snap of last season.”

On the offensive side of the ball, the Wildcats will have a much more balanced approach looking to utilize their size in the run game and speed in the passing game led by junior QB Tristan Rea. The Wildcats only averaged just under 14 points per game last season, but much of that could be attributed to their turnovers. Look for the Wildcats to make keeping possession of the ball a major focus in 2024.

With nearly everyone returning on the defensive side of the ball as well, a new defensive coordinator, and a new identity, Wildcat fans can expect the defense to be improved as well. Coach Brandsma said, “trust in each other and understanding responsibilities” will be essential to the defensive improvement.

Filer will be tested immediately in their season opener as they welcome 4A powerhouse Homedale.

A shift in classification in the state of Idaho only affects one aspect of the Sawtooth Central Idaho Conference, 3A to 4A. All conference members remain the same, meaning the Senators have their work cut out for them this season. If the Wildcats can put it together, they could add to the depth of the SCIC.