Written by: Will Hoenike
He may be in his first year as head coach at Challis High School but Les Webb is no newbie. It may be his first year atop the Viking program but he has plenty of coaching experience, including a decade as an assistant at 4A Emmett High School in District 3.
One of Webb’s first challenges is stocking the shelves. Challis formed a cooperative team with nearby Mackay High School in 2022, finishing the season with a 2-5 record. But this season the two schools are fielding their own teams, leaving holes to fill on both rosters.
“We are building from six kids last year to get more turnout,” Webb said. “We have to get kids to believe they can win.”
The Vikings have a good, young core that is being augmented by some older newcomers in 2023. Sophomore Rigin Dixon ran for 130 yards and a touchdown last fall as a freshman. Fellow sophomores Garrison Applegate (six tackles per game) and Teage Erickson (defensive back and wide receiver) return for Challis. They’ll be joined by junior quarterback Jacen Farr, senior OL/DL Will Carter, and senior RB/LB Brycen Cutler. That group should form the nucleus of the team’s offense and defense in 2023.
Webb wants his players to believe they can win. A big step in that process will be leveling the playing field. Increased experience and increased speed will help Challis reach that objective.
“We want to develop a higher tempo offense and increase our football IQ,” Webb continued. “We have some kids that played defense last year and we want to focus on disciplined, assignment defense.”
The Vikings play in the three-team High Desert Conference with perennial contender Butte County and Grace, which reached the 1A Division 1 state championship game last season. That breeds a lot of familiarity when it comes to handicapping the playoff race.
“No surprises,” Webb said. “Grace and Butte County are tough.”
One team from the district will earn an automatic berth into the 1A Division 1 state playoffs. The other two will have the opportunity to qualify for an at-large berth, based on a mathematical formula created by a national website. After opening the season at home against a tough Murtaugh team, the Vikings will face four consecutive 1A Division 2 opponents – including former teammates from Mackay on September 22 – before embarking on its quick, two-game conference slate. Challis will host Grace and travel to Butte County.
A saying that the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals used en route to Super Bowl LVI in February 2022 – “why not us?” – is one that Challis could adopt this fall. For a team with limited numbers, staying healthy will be pivotal for the Vikings in 2023. With an opportunity to grow and improve early in the season, Challis can put itself in position for a playoff berth once conference play rolls around.