Written by: Brandon Baney
Death, taxes, and West Side running roughshod over the competition.
State championship football has become an annual rite of passage for West Side Pirates, tucked away in the southeast corner of Idaho in the small town of Dayton.
Under veteran head coach Tyson Moser, West Side has claimed the 3A (previously 2A) state title in four of the past five seasons. They’ve accumulated a 51-5 record in those five seasons, and probably could have gone five-for-five in championships if a handful of plays went their way in the 2022 semifinals (a 28-27 loss in overtime to eventual state champ Bear Lake.)
But Moser and his troops aren’t that interested in past history. Every year, breakout players come and go, and this year is no exception. Coach Moser’s son, South East Idaho Conference Player of the Year Parker Moser, has moved on after rushing for more than 1,000 yards in the Pirates’ Wing-T backfield. Also gone is starting quarterback Eli Brown.
But there’s lots to like in terms of returnees, as well. A Wing-T attack is only as strong as the five offensive linemen up front, and seniors Dallas Nelson and Raef Graves, along with junior Ivan Campbell, all return to provide blocking.
Despite playing a complementary role to Moser in the Pirates’ backfield last year, senior Crew Sage still did enough to earn 1st Team All-Conference honors. He’ll be the unquestioned headliner this year, and he’ll be joined by younger brother Drake Sage and converted offensive lineman Judd Selley. Selley was an All-Conference lineman a year ago, but will make the move to fullback in 2024.
All of those players previously mentioned will also play a pivotal role on defense. Nelson and Sage, in particular, were All-Conference selections at defensive line and defensive back, respectively.
Adding a wrinkle to this year’s proceedings are league newcomers Declo and Wendell. Previously competing on their own in District 4’s Canyon Conference, the Hornets and Trojans have joined up with Aberdeen, Malad, Soda Springs and West Side to form a six-team South East Idaho Conference in 2024.
West Side, which fell to Declo in a non-conference game last season, earned revenge over the Hornets by turning back Declo in the state championship game. The latest chapter between these budding rivals occurs on September 27th in Declo.