Photo By Randy Jones - #43 Cooper Cooke
Written by Chris Deremer
Heading into the 2020 season, the Teton Timberwolves are eyeing a shot at the coveted 3A state championship.
After falling short in the opening round of the playoffs a year ago, Teton aims to find an even deeper playoff run with many returning talents.
Fourteen seniors return for Teton, with many of the seniors returning at key skill positions for the Timberwolves.
In order to find more success this season, Teton will have to get by its local conference foes who have proved to be problems in the past. Sugar-Salem, defending Mountain River Conference and 3A State Champions, will enter as the favorites once again within the Mountain River Conference.
Teton Timberwolf Head Coach Brody Birch enters his 17th season with Teton, and once again, dominating conference play is at the utmost priority.
“We like to play everyone, but our league games are also huge,” Birch said. “South Fremont and Sugar-Salem have excellent programs and we are excited to go and compete with them.
With some new faces on the Teton offense this season, Birch said the path to a better offense runs through the front line.
“We are totally dependent on the success of our offensive linemen,” Birch said.
With the Timberwolves relying on the anchors throughout the offensive line, a strong philosophy in Teton’s ground attack has always been the key to the program’s success. This season, Birch aims to utilize other weapons as well.
“We have always run the ball well, but hope to be balanced this year,” Birch said.
Senior Luke Thomson looks to be one of the main options for Teton’s ground attack, aiming to oppose his will on defenses this season.
Reid Nelson will be behind center for the Timberwolves, hoping to provide a nice balance with the ground attack of Thomson to give Teton multiple identities on offense. If the Timberwolf playmakers can elevate their play in 2020, Teton might be finally ready to take that next level.
“Most of our returners have been very active in the weight room and look to show significant growth,” Birch said.
After having some struggling moments on the defensive end, Birch says he is excited about the amount of returning talent he has returning.
“We have a lot of experience back on defense,” Birch said. “Hopefully that will allow us to show a few more looks.”
With 3A Idaho football honing some high power offenses, coach Birch understands just how important strong defensive play is competing for a state title.
“We need to swarm to the ball and be aggressive,” Birch said. “We must tackle well.”
With strong talent returning on both sides of the field for Teton, the Timberwolves seem prepped to make a deep run throughout the 2020 season.
Check back with IdahoSports.com for updated Timberwolves scores and schedules throughout the season.