Written by: Lucas Gebhart
After having their rival’s number for years, Mountain View can’t seem to get past Meridian.
The Warriors have eliminated the Mavs from the state playoffs in each of the last three seasons and as head coach Brian Compton enters his third season, he’s hoping the experience Mountain View brings back on offense can finally get them over the Meridian hump.
“We have most of our skill guys back on offense,” head coach Brian Compton said.
Mountain View will open the new season in Pocatello’s newly named ICCU Dome, taking on Woods Cross (UT) in the Rocky Mountain Rumble, a long-standing kick-off to the Idaho High School football season that traditionally pits a top Idaho high school against one of Utah’s top programs.
The Mavs will bring an experienced offense with them to Pocatello that is led by new quarterback Henry Nelson, who takes over for Justin McGee. Nelson with have a duo of running backs in Valentine Gomez-Ricks and Dennis Williams joining him in the backfield while his top targets are receivers Brody Munson and Kian Foy. Tight ends Cooper Patterson and Kelby Rice are also in the mix.
“We will look to improve out run game consistency,” Compton said.
Defensively, Compton says Mountain View should have “good team speed” but will have “lots of youth,” adding that he hopes to prevent big plays in the passing game as the Mavs will be without one of Idaho’s best corners in Owner McBride, who graduated last spring.
“I think we have good team chemistry,” Compton said. “Our players play together and have been together for a few years and have worked hard in the off-season.”
The Mavs will travel to Meridian in Week Two before hosting Rocky Mountain on Sept. 13.