Written by: Will Hoenike
If Raft River High School is thinking about a new fight song, head football coach Chad Evans might suggest the 1976 no. 1 single “Welcome Back” by John Sebastian, more commonly known as the theme song of the 70s sitcom “Welcome Back Kotter.”
The Trojans are coming off of a two-win season, which is unfamiliar territory for football fans in Malta. It was a team that lacked depth due to injuries as the short-handed team lost its final three games by a combined score of 170-56, falling short of reaching the 1A Division 1 (now known as 2A playoffs.
Welcome back Rugar Ward and Chase Boden.
“They’re not necessarily incoming players, but both are returning from season ending injuries the last couple of years and we are looking forward to having them healthy again,” Evans said. “They both should make a huge impact. “
The juniors both play skill positions on offense and can fill critical positions on defense as well, which presents much-needed support for senior all-conference standout Kai Ward. Ward earned recognition from the Snake River Conference at three positions – running back (first team), kicker (first team), and linebacker (second team). Ward is commonly considered one of the top all-around players in the classification. In a non-conference game against Tri-Valley last season, Ward ran for 191 yards and three scores while collecting ten tackles on defense. Then, four weeks later in front of a Homecoming crowd at Raft River, Ward galloped for 291 yards and six scores while making 12 tackles against Glenns Ferry.
While having a lead back the caliber of Ward is a great asset for a team, depth in players like senior Blake Tracy and Ruger Ward is an even bigger asset for a team looking to bounce back this fall.
“We have the dudes to make big explosive plays and we know they have the potential,” Evans said. “They just need to trust the process and each other.”
The Trojans do need to replace a strong presence along the offensive and defensive front in Talon Taylor. However, the team returns senior center Ryder Dalton and senior guard Ethan Felthauser along the offensive front. Felthauser also keys the team’s defensive front, where he’ll lead the charge in front of linebackers Ward and Boden. Tracy and junior McCoy Spencer will key the secondary.
Evans and his coaching staff do have reason for optimism coming into the 2024 season.
“Last year we were playing three or four sophomores and one freshman at the varsity level,” Evans explained. “We’re excited about the year of experience and maturity that those kids will have to help contribute to the team.”
The Snake River Conference qualified six teams for the state playoffs last season. Carey dropped back down to the 1A (formerly 1A Division 2) classification and Lighthouse Christian is not offering varsity football this year. Meanwhile, Hagerman moves up to the 2A (formerly 1A Division 1) classification after reaching the playoffs last season in the lower classification. Evans isn’t the only coach in the SRC who considers the Pirates a potential sleeper team this season in a conference that includes perennial powerhouse Oakley along with returning playoff qualifiers Valley and Murtaugh.
Good health along with another big season from Kai Ward could lead to many renditions of the fight song for Raft River this fall, including another reason for the switch to the old TV theme song – the Trojans should find themselves in the thick of the playoff race deep into October in the 2A classification this season.