Written by: Keller Sherman
After a disappointing 3-5 mark in 2022, there is a new coach on the block in New Plymouth. Previous coach Dallan Rupp also served as New Plymouth’s Athletic Director, and left to take the AD job in Malad. Enter Tony Cade, who brings experience at numerous stops with him.
Heath Jarboe, Zack Vian, Nathan Willoughby, Marcus Garcia, Trevin Mullanix, Zane Winward, and Payton Zigga are all key returners for the Pilgrims. Willoughby is the most notable of these being a second team all-conference selection on offensive line and honorable mention on defensive line. Additional returning all conference players include second team punter Parker Boring as well as honorable mentions Colton Frates and Kaden Hawker.
The bulk of New Plymouth’s all-conference talent is gone. First team all-conference and second team all-state offensive lineman Hunter Williams is perhaps the biggest departure. Additional graduated first team all-conference selections include wide receiver Conner Hawker and linebacker Grant Rupp.
Tristan Church, Derrik Walker, Zane Winward, and Dylan Walker are incoming players expected to make an immediate impact. The offense finds its strengths in speed and versatility. Cade believes that these elements will be key to competing for a Western Idaho Conference crown. On defense, Cade will seek to find each of his players’ strengths and play them in positions where he believes they will excel. Cade is especially excited about what he has seen from the youth on the roster and the work they have put in in the weight room.
With a new coach comes a learning curve. Cade believes that for the Pilgrims to be successful in 2023, they will not only need to learn the new offense and defense he will implement, but they must also execute with minimal mistakes and give 100% every single play. “We have the talent, we just need the numbers, which have drastically improved the past 11 weeks,” Cade said.
Cade is excited to begin his coaching tenure in New Plymouth. He expresses his excitement as he states “Getting back to coaching at the high school level and helping young men reach their potential is exciting. Understanding life is hard and you can always do more than you think. It is going to be a new look in New Plymouth and with the motto of “Be Here Now” we look to be competitive and see who emerges as a team leader with our young crew.”
Health both physically and mentally will be the biggest factor to the Pilgrims’ success this season. “Staying Healthy and staying positive in bad situations is key,” said Cade. “Mental toughness will always show each week and how we respond to the great just like we respond to the bad will be our x factor all year!”
The schedule begins with a quick trip to Payette to take on the Pirates. When the two teams met in New Plymouth last season, the Pilgrims took a thrilling 31-28 decision that was one of the bright spots of New Plymouth’s 2022 campaign.
The next two opponents come from across the Snake River as the Pilgrims face Oregon competition with a home date against Nyssa and a road trip to Vale. The second leg of a home and home with Grangeville rounds out the non-conference slate. When New Plymouth made the trip up north last season, the Bulldogs won an exciting 38-31 contest. The Pilgrims will look to return the favor on their home field and take some momentum into conference play.
Conference play includes trips to Marsing and Melba and home dates against Nampa Christian and Cole Valley Christian. Cade speaks highly of the other teams in the Western Idaho Conference and believes that anyone could win it. “Melba’s got some great lineman and a talented receiver, and Marsing has the same. Cole Valley has athletes all over just like Nampa Christian. That is why I am excited to be in the WIC, as it is one of toughest conferences in the state,” Cade said.
While Cade offers praise for the other teams in the conference, he also offers plenty praise for his own squad on why they can surprise. He talks about his excitement for the Pilgrims as he states, “Personally, I would do a disservice if I did not say New Plymouth can contend. We have had kids put in a lot of work this off-season and are in the process of turning a different mentality. This team has been one of the quicker teams turning that mentality. I’m excited to see what that translates to during the season. Everyone looks good with pads!”
In a wide open 2A Western Idaho Conference, anyone could win. New Plymouth will look to be that team that shocks everyone. It is a tough road ahead, but with all of the offseason development since Cade took over, the Pilgrims are ready to show why they need to be taken seriously. They will be a tough out for any opponent as Cade will have his team ready to go each and every Friday night.