Written by: Lucas Gebhart

Meridian was inches from perfection.

But instead of rolling the dice on a 4th and short late in last year’s state title game, Meridian decided to put the game in the hands Idaho’s best defense.

The problem was Idaho’s best quarterback was on the other sideline. As it turns out, defense, even when they give up less than 9 points per game, doesn’t always win championships.

It was a bitter pill for Meridian to swallow and it marked the first real set back the program has had since bursting onto the scene as a serious state title contender.

In a year that was supposed to be “the year” Meridian had it all, they boasted a roster filled with next-level talent. It helped make up one of the best defenses Idaho had seen in recent memory. On the other side of the ball, a young and emerging quarterback along with two of the conference’s best running backs helped steer a run-heavy offense to over 30-points per game. It was a well-oiled machine, but it wasn’t perfect.

Maybe all it needs is a little bit of adversity.

Meridian enters the 2023 season with a chip on its shoulder and plenty of returning starters.

The defense may not be as good this year without standout linebacker Nathan Reynolds or defensive back Ethan Beard. But what will be better is Meridian’s offense as the Warriors return quarterback Zeke Martinez and running backs Marco Del Rio and Rylie Byington, a trio that even the best defenses in Idaho will have a hard time slowing down.

Maybe defense doesn’t always win championships.