Written by: Keller Sherman
In Charlie Dotson’s debut season at Columbia, the Wildcats posted a 3-6 record. The Wildcats collected narrow wins over Fruitland and Ridgevue and crushed Caldwell 35-13, but all six losses came by two or more possessions. Can Columbia continue to improve in 2023 and contend for a conference crown?
Jared Payne, Alejandro Waters, Marcos Serratos, and Talan Crandall are key returning players for the Wildcats. Waters and Payne were second team all-conference selections at offensive/defensive line and defensive back respectively.
Columbia lost two key pieces from its 2022 roster in Ikaika Ho and Manny Variz. Both players received all-conference honors with Ho being a first team running back. Four additional Wildcat seniors were entered into the all-conference teams and will also leave big shoes to fill for the 2023 roster.
Dotson goes into further detail on Ho and Variz as he states, “(Ho) had 1,500 yards all purpose last season and was the centerpiece of the offense. (Variz) was the leading tackler for the team and was the fullback that helped open holes for Ikaika.” Ryan Foster is an incoming player that will look to fill in the void left by Ho’s departure at running back and he will also play linebacker.
Columbia will utilize a spread offense that makes use of the skill positions with players such as Jared Payne, Ryan Foster, and Marcos Serratos leading the way. Consistency is the main area the Wildcats will seek to improve in on this side of the ball.
The defense will see Ryan Foster at LB, Jared Payne and Marcos Serratos at DB and Alejandro Waters and Talan Crandall at DL. The bear front defense will look to improve on consistency much like the offense.
As Dotson enters year two leading Columbia, he is excited to see continued development and to see players, both old and new, step up in new roles. He emphasizes staying healthy as the x-factor to Columbia being successful and perhaps being in the thick of the conference race this season.
The schedule opens with a unique opponent. Lowry High School located in Winnemucca, Nevada travels up to Columbia for a “week zero” game. Columbia then travels to Fruitland for the second leg of a home-and-home that began last season in Nampa with a 17-12 Columbia victory.
Another home-and-home series will see its second chapter as Canyon Ridge makes the return trip to Columbia following a 30-21 Riverhawk victory in Twin Falls last season. Conference play then begins with a trip to Vallivue followed by a home date with crosstown rival Skyview.
Emmett then comes to Columbia for the final home conference tilt before road dates at Ridgevue and Bishop Kelly. The regular season concludes with a home date against Caldwell.
Columbia has a great opportunity ahead of them in 2023. With Skyview at home along with manageable road dates at Vallivue and Ridgevue, the Wildcats could threaten for a third place finish in conference. Getting Emmett at home will give Columbia a shot at that upset so could a special season be in store for the Wildcats?