Written by: Keller Sherman

Coming off a state championship in 2021, the Weiser Wolverines entered the 2022 campaign with sky high expectations. The one hurdle that the 2021 state title winning team could not clear was Homedale, which cost them a conference crown. With the Trojans at home in 2022, many thought it would be the year the Wolverines finally broke through with a league crown.

It was not to be, however, as Weiser lost to Homedale, not just once, but twice, losing the regular season meeting at home 21-7 and then losing again in the state semifinals 35-7. A conference title, a victory over Homedale, and an undefeated season are the only boxes that renowned Idaho high school coach Tom Harrison has not checked off in his tenure with the Wolverines. Can he do it in 2023?

The Wolverines will have to complete their unfinished business without a handful of star players. Malakye Scott was selected to both offensive and defensive all-state teams as a first team defensive back and second team wide receiver. Linebacker Mike Youngberg also earned all-state honors as a second team honoree as well as being the co-offensive conference player of the year.

Other holes that will need to be filled include the departures of Trenton Hawker, Blake Moser, Maddox Stevens, Brayden Walker, Tristan McMahill, Andrew Enders, Willie Sudderth, and Levi Estes. Each of these players collected all-conference honors and will leave big shoes to be filled by the incoming class.

Weiser will have its third starting quarterback in three seasons as Andrew Enders will need to be replaced. Brock Spencer and Kaleb Grove return at running back and will be a key piece to the Wolverine running game, but the passing attack will take a hit with the departures of Malakye Scott and Brayden Walker.

The offensive line loses three starters in Willie Sudderth, Tristan McMahill, and Trenton Hawker. Braden Phillips is back for an offensive line that will have three new starters. On defense, Blake Moser, Trenton Hawker, and Maddox Stevens are gone on the defensive line while the linebacker unit will miss Mike Youngberg and Levi Estes. At defensive back, Brock Spencer returns while Malakye Scott graduated.

The Wolverines open the season with two straight games on the road as they will travel to Buhl and La Grande, Oregon. Bonners Ferry and Cole Valley Christian then visit Weiser before conference play begins with a quick trip down to Payette. This kicks off a three game road stretch with dates at McCall-Donnelly and Homedale next on the docket. Home games against Parma and Fruitland conclude the regular season.

Tom Harrison will have one of his youngest rosters since arriving in Weiser. The last two seasons have seen the Wolverines reach at least the semifinals of the state playoffs. Getting back there for a third straight season and perhaps accomplishing even more with a younger roster than the last two squads will cement Harrison’s legacy as one of the all time greats to patrol the Weiser sidelines. It’s a tall task with big boys like Homedale and Sugar-Salem on the 3A streets, but the Wolverines will look to prove they are able to reload and be right in the thick of things at both the conference and state levels season in and season out.