Team Preview:
Written by: Will Hoenike (@willhoenike)
If momentum could carry over from one season to the next, the Kimberly Bulldogs would enter the 2015 season among the hotter 3A teams in the state of Idaho.
It doesn’t, though, and third-year head coach Rich Bishop knows that. But it does add a little pep to the offseason.
“Another year of working with the guys that are excited about playing football,” Bishop said of his team’s excitement level after finishing 2014 with three straight wins to qualify for the 3A state playoffs. “Working to improve the program.”
The Bulldogs were sitting at 2-3 overall, coming off a big loss in-conference to Gooding, before reeling off its three straight wins. Included were conference wins on the road at Buhl and at home over Filer. That’ll help keep spirits high over the spring and summer.
The next task is to build on that finish. Kimberly returns second-team All-Conference quarterback Zach Wright, trigger-man for an offense that put up 27, 42 and 73 points over those final three games. Bishop and his staff will have to replace a productive tandem of running backs, Chris Shaw and Joe Tews, this fall.
Returning All-Conference wide receiver Mason Egbert could see time in the backfield. Otherwise, its three newcomers that will battle for carries in the Bulldog attack. Canyon Olsen, Lucas Mooney and Josiah Schroeder – all juniors - will each look to slide into one of the roles vacated by Shaw and Tews.
Whether Egbert lines up at receiver or out of the backfield, he’ll be an important piece of the offense. Bishop would like to see the passing game improve to provide a good balance between the run and the pass for the Bulldogs. Egbert had four touchdown catches as a junior, adding two more on the ground, making him one of the conference’s top returning playmakers and a key target for Wright. Junior Braden Cummins will also be looked toward to make plays down the field in the passing game for the Bulldogs.
Egbert is also a skilled defensive back, earning second-team All-Conference honors.
Kimberly will finish this season against the same four teams it did last season – Gooding, Wendell, Buhl and Filer – with only the Filer game being on the road.
Bishop noted that his team had injury problems up front last season. Staying healthy along the offensive and defensive line will be key to Kimberly’s hopes this season.
“We also need to take better advantage of opportunities that we have in games,” Bishop pointed out.
If the team can do that, Kimberly should be in the running once again for a spot in the 3A state playoffs.
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