Written by: Will Hoenike
The Grace Grizzlies didn’t lose a lot of seniors off of last fall’s seven-win, playoff team but the ones who did graduate were significant. Two-way, first team All-State performer Kai Clegg. Second team All-State selection Wyatt Cutler. Joe Clegg, Brennan Sorenson, and Koby Rindlisbaker all earned All-Conference awards.
All gone.
However, fourth-year head coach James Newby has some nice pieces back for the 2024 season, led by all-conference running back and defensive back Braden Kimball. He could be the focal point of an offense that also returns skill players like Trevor Matthews, Derek Hill and Chase Smith to an offense that put 370 points on the board last fall. Senior Carson Welch will be the heart of an offensive line with holes to fill but a large stable of younger players looking to earn playing time.
Junior Gavin Draper returns as the quarterback, leading an offense that was efficient last season. There was a two-week stretch in October where the Grizzlies faced the state’s two eventual 8-man state champions in back-to-back games. Those two teams, Kendrick (6) and Butte County (14), were able to limit Grace to a total of 20 points but, aside from those two games, the team averaged a steady 39 points per contest.
The Grace defense posted four shutouts last fall and held two other opponents to a single touchdown. Kimball (defensive back), Welch (defensive lineman), and Matthews (linebacker) lead a solid group of returning contributors which should allow the Grizzlies to pick up where they left off last fall.
The 2A (formerly 1A Division 1) High Desert Conference is down to just two teams this fall – Grace and Butte County – as Challis petitioned down to the 1A classification this season. The two rivals play the lone conference matchup of the season in Arco on October 25, which means Grace has plenty of time to continue to improve and develop in non-conference games before facing Butte County. The non-conference games aren’t meaningless, the team’s overall MaxPreps mathematical ranking counts for possible at-large playoff berths, but a win in the regular-season finale means a High Desert conference crown.
Grace will play just three home games in 2024, starting with a biggie on August 23 against perennial powerhouse Oakley. The Grizzlies will also host Murtaugh (September 6) and Glenns Ferry (September 20) on their home field. They’ll also play a neutral-site game on September 14 in Twin Falls against Adrian (Oregon).