Written by: Marlowe Hereford
In two seasons under head coach David Joyce, Teton has gone a combined 18-5 with back-to-back state playoff runs, reaching the 3A state semifinals in 2022 and the state title game last season versus conference rival Sugar-Salem.
The Timberwolves began last season 6-0 and ultimately took runner-up to the repeat state champion Diggers --the only team to beat them in 2023--to finish 10-2 overall. Teton, South Fremont and Sugar-Salem make the jump to the 4A classification this fall for the first time in the history of their schools, but the Mountain Rivers Conference will remain as competitive as ever even with the classification change.
The names on Teton's varsity roster are familiar this season, multi-sport athletes who look to build on last year's success on the gridiron. Third-year coach Joyce said much of his returning players had older brothers who graduated from last year's team.
Mountain Rivers Conference Offensive Player of the Year, running back/wide receiver Thomas Heuseveldt, First Team Mountain Rivers Conference quarterback Jack Nelson and First Team Mountain Rivers Conference tight end Ty Brown are among the players who graduated, but First Team Mountain Rivers Conference defensive back--now playing at safety--Joker Joyce returns. Teton also adds juniors Bradley Brown (wide receiver), Aidan Moulton (linebacker) and Hyrum Godfrey (offensive/defensive lineman).
Coach Joyce described the Timberwolves offense as fast and big.
"Jack Joyce will be the fastest running back in the state and was second overall leading rusher last season, regardless of class," Coach Joyce said. "We are a tempo team who loves to get the ball to our playmakers in space. Bradley Brown is also a matchup nightmare."
Defensively, Coach Joyce has high expectations for safety Joker Joyce and 6-foot-3, 215-pound Moulton. He added that the performances of the defensive line and quarterback will be keys to success this fall.
"Joker Joyce is a dynamic safety who is very versatile and will enforce on the backend with big hits," Coach Joyce said. "Aidan Moulton has the potential to be one of the best linebackers in the state."
Teton begins the season Aug. 23 by hosting Declo before playing Soldotna (Alaska) on Aug. 31 in the annual Rocky Mountain Rumble at the ICCU Dome (formerly Holt Arena). The Timberwolves begin Mountain Rivers Conference play Oct. 18 at South Fremont.