Years as Head Coach
2nd Season

Previous Experience
27 years as a college coach (Boise State 1981-83, 1994-96, also of staffs at Univ. of Cincinnati, Northern Arizona, University of the Pacific, and Sacramento State. I coached 1 year in the XFL (Las Vegas Outlaws), I was the head coach at Timberline and the offensive coordinator at Eagle (2008-2012)

Assistant Coaches
Quintin Mikell - DC/Safeties
Andre Banks - OC/QBs
Mark Criner - LBs
Mike Tanner - LBs
Eric Fillmore - OL
Colin Domene - JB & FLB
Lamont Oliver - RBs
Joel Schneider - Special Teams/WRs
Kekoa Nawahine - CBs
Nick Weatherly - DL
Zach Rupp - DL

Record Last Year
7-4

Conference Record Last Year
4-1

State Titles
2015, 2018, 2020

Returning Players
Kaiden Kimble-Turner, 12, RB/CB
Trey Jacobsen, 12, CB
Hayden Thompson, 12, FS
Trey Broadbent, 12, SS
Isaiah Reed, 12, DE/EDGE
Rowan Rupp, 11, DT
Matt McLeod, 12, NG
Ryland Kelley, 12, LB
Logan Sheraing, 12, OG
Jax Tanner, 11, OT
Cody Wheeler, 11, OT
Kade Benedick, 12, WR
Taeshaun Reece, 12, RB
Jeff Thompson, 12, SLOT

Returning Players with Honors
Jax Tanner, 11 - 1st Team All-State OL/1st Team All-Conference OL/HM All-Conference DL
Hayden Thompson, 12 - 1st Team All-State DB/1st Team All-Conference DB
Taeshaun Reese, 12 - 1st Team All-Conference RB
Jeff Thompson, 12 - 1st Team All-Conference FLEX
Rowan Rupp, 11 - 1st Team All-Conference DL
Ryland Kelley, 11 - 1st Team All-Conference LB
Kaiden Kimble-Turner, 12 - 1st Team All-Conference DB
Kade Benedick, 11 - 2nd Team All-Conference WR
Logan Shearing, 12 - 2nd Team All-Conference OL
Cody Wheeler, 11 - 2nd Team All-Conference OL
Isaiah Reed, 12 - 2nd Team All-Conference DL
Lucian Habek, 11 - HM All-Conference OL
Matt McCloud, 12 - HM All-Conference DL
Trey Jacobsen, 12 - HM All-Conference DB

Key Players lost from last year
Brody Swearhart (ILB) Was our team leader – All State player

Jaryn Ikebe (WR) was our leading receiver

Shawn Thompson (K) All-conference performer

Incoming impact players
Sayer McLinden, 11, K
Austin Rovig, 12, QB
Jordan Kafari, 12, RB
Lincoln Snow, 11, C

Written by: Lucas Gebhart

Assistant coach Joel Schneider has had the idea for a few years now. The Northwest Showdown - hosted at Rocky Mountain and organized by the Rocky Mountain assistant coach, will bring some of the Northwest’s best high school football teams to the Treasure Valley.

The event is set for September 6 and 7 and will bring in Moses Lake (WA), West Lynn (OR) Summit (OR) and Chiawana (WA), to the Treasure Valley, each of which will play one of Idaho’s top 6A schools and it doesn’t appear to be an accident that Rocky chose 2024 to launch its new event.

The Grizz are loaded with talent, boasting the top two recruits from Idaho’s 2024 recruiting class, according to 24/7 Sports in Kaiden Kimble-Turner (defensive back) and Isaiah Reed, who recently announced on social media he would commit to Nevada (defensive end) and enter the season as a popular pick to win the state title.

Although the roster is loaded with juniors, 9 of which started as sophomores, the Girzz have some senior leadership to rely on as well.

Quarterback Austin Rovig takes the reins as he enters his senior year and senior Teshawn Reese has also been on the college recruiting circuit this summer and could end the year as one of Idaho’s running backs.

Junior defensive lineman Rowen Rupp already holds an offer from Nevada and offensive tackle Jax Turner should start seeing the offers flow in as this season moves along.

It's a roster that has come a long way from last year. Rocky started the year 2-2, but the young roster won 5 of its last six before losing to Coeur a’Alene in the state quarterfinals.

“We have some young players who will add depth to an already strong group in the secondary and Defensive line,” head coach Scott Criner said.

Rocky will open the year with Kuna before hosting the Northwest Showdown. The event will feature four games, all of which will take place at Rocky Mountain high school. The Grizz will kick the event off with Chiawana (WA) before Rigby takes on Moses Lake (WA). Rigby will play West Linn (OR) and Highland will play Summit (OR) on Sept. 7.