Written by: Brandon Baney
Kimberly’s offense was a sight to behold in 2022. The Bulldogs averaged 38 points per contest behind the play of quarterback Kade Larson. A true dual-threat, Larson threw for 2,700 yards and 26 touchdowns a year ago, while sprinkling in 663 yards and 12 scores on the ground.
Running back Michael Goff chipped in with 507 yards and seven TDs rushing, along with 443 yards and two touchdowns receiving. Speaking of receiving, the duo of Parker Stringham and Mason Jensen combined for 1,018 yards and eight touchdowns.
All four are back for an encore performance in 2023, and that’s just one reason why the Bulldogs were selected as the overwhelming favorite to win the Sawtooth Central Idaho Conference in our preseason coaches poll.
Another reason why coaches point to Kimberly as the team to beat? Eight returning starters on each side of the ball from a team that went 7-3. Another reason? Kimberly’s postseason run ended prematurely with a 48-14 loss to South Fremont in the opening round. As if the Bulldogs needed more motivation.
As Joe Dille prepares for his second season as Kimberly’s head coach, there’s no denying that optimism is high. In addition to the four players mentioned earlier, Kasen Hammond, AJ Walker, Jackson May, and Damon Taylor can all expect to touch the ball in the Bulldogs’ spread offense this year with little to no drop-off.
“With all of those skill position players, we actually think our strength this year might be our offensive line,” Dille said. The hogs up front will feature seniors Brady Dille and Caleb Child, along with junior Mathew Thuernagle. “Offensive Coordinator Simon Olsen always has offense at the top of most categories,” Dille added.
Kimberly’s defense is nothing to sneeze at, either. For all of his exploits at running back, Goff’s best position is linebacker, as evidenced by his SCIC Defensive Player of the Year Award last year. “Our strength on defense is our linebackers, led by Michael Goff,” Dille said. “But our defensive line is bigger and deeper, and we return all but one in the secondary.”
Goff will be flanked at linebacker by Jensen, Stringham and senior Tennessee Owens. Dille and Child will lead the defensive line, while Larson will captain the secondary.
Overall, Kimberly is enjoying one of its strongest athletic classes in some time. The Bulldogs basketball team, featuring Larson, Hammond, Jensen and Stringham, qualified for the state tournament a year ago. Stringham also teamed up with AJ Walker to help Kimberly’s baseball team reach the 3A state championship last spring.
“We love having multi-sport athletes,” Dille said. “We definitely have kids on our roster that you’ll recognize from other sports. This year’s team reminds us of the 2020 squad that went 10-2 with a third place finish. The difference is that this year we are deeper in all positions.”
But that brings us to the elephant in the room: last year’s first round playoff exit. “We have to get over some of the mental hurdles and believe that we can accomplish what we set out to do,” Dille said. “Kimberly has only made it to the state football championship game one time in school history.”
“We have plenty of green (third place) trophies. We’re working on a different color trophy this year,” Dille concluded.