Written by: Dallin Fryar
Last fall, Kimberly and Buhl battled for the top spot in the Sawtooth Central Idaho Conference, with their head-to-head matchup ultimately deciding the title. Kimberly came out on top in dominant fashion, earning a 42-7 win to hand Buhl its only conference loss and secure the Bulldogs’ second straight regular-season championship.
Now, the question looms — can anyone in the SCIC slow down Kimberly’s recent run of dominance?
This season brings plenty of intrigue. Filer and Gooding welcome new head coaches, while Wood River continues under the steady leadership of longtime head coach Shane Carden. Across the league, experienced playmakers return to anchor key positions, and a wave of promising newcomers is ready to make an impact. With fresh faces on the sidelines and talent spread throughout the conference, the race for the 2025 SCIC crown is shaping up to be as competitive as ever.
KIMBERLY
Kimberly heads into the 2025 season under third-year head coach Joe Dillie, looking to reload after graduating a strong senior class. Despite the departures of key playmakers like AJ Walker and Jackson May, the Bulldogs return a strong core led by 1st Team All-Conference quarterback McCraye Bruning, two-way threat Johnny Millenkamp at running back and linebacker, 1st Team All-Conference receiver Joe Barrett, and TE/LB Titus Osterman, along with offensive lineman Tayden Stringham. Newcomers WR/LB Gunner Beckstead and DB Dillon Chiatovich are expected to make an immediate impact.
Offensively, Kimberly’s speed and athleticism remain their calling card, with a spread attack designed to get the ball to playmakers in space. The challenge will be rebuilding an offensive line that lost several key contributors. Defensively, that same athleticism, speed, and length give the Bulldogs the tools to slow down run-heavy opponents, though they’ll be working to replace standout defensive backs and an entirely new defensive line.
Coach Dillie believes that if the big men in the trenches can develop quickly, this year’s team could be even better than last season’s. With potentially one of the most dangerous skill-position groups in the state, Kimberly’s success will likely hinge on how fast their offensive and defensive lines come together.
BUHL
The Buhl Indians enter their third season under Head Coach Josh Creasey, looking to build on a strong offseason and a tight-knit team culture. Senior TE/DE Porter Higley, senior leader Zach Azevedo, versatile athlete Fabi Pierce, RB/LB Dallas Price, and lineman Austin Scifries anchor a talented returning core, with WR Kaster Schilder adding more punch to the passing game. Newcomers LB Kannon Gambrel and OL/DL Keaton Thoman are expected to contribute right away.
Buhl’s pro-style offense is built on a powerful run game and vertical play-action passing,
Creasey says this group’s chemistry stands out, with a unified roster committed to its goals. The X-factor? Staying healthy and maintaining their steady year-to-year improvement could have the Indians pushing toward the top of the Sawtooth Conference in 2025.
FILER
The Filer Wildcats enter the 2025 season under first-year head coach Aaron Rife, aiming to build momentum and push toward a winning record. Last year, Filer finished 4-5 overall and 2-2 in the conference, a significant improvement from their 0-9 mark in 2023. While the Wildcats lost key contributors in 2nd Team All-Conference defensive lineman Michael Shaw and defensive back Cody Sanchez, the team returns several impact players, including wide receiver Talyn Weaver and offensive/defensive lineman Cache Palmer.
With a strong core of returning players who contributed last season, Filer is hopeful to sustain its progress and chase its first winning campaign since 2021. Coach Rife is focused on developing consistency and leveraging the team’s experience to compete at a higher level within the conference this fall.
GOODING
Gooding enters a new era in 2025 with first-year head coach Jon Helmandollar at the helm, bringing a wealth of experience from previous stops in both Idaho and Oregon.
The Senators return a deep and battle-tested roster, led by junior dual-threat quarterback Cougar Stockham, who started all of last season, and a veteran offensive line anchored by seniors Zaeden Gonzalez, Karstun Day, Luke Schilder, and Gage Johnson, along with junior Hayden Ward. Playmakers like receivers Bridger Pope and Eli Esterbrook, plus running backs Rio Curtis and Derek Slusher, give the offense a variety of weapons, while sophomore speedster Ezra Gillette and promising sophomore Raiden Johnson add depth and explosiveness.
Defensively, Gooding’s experienced front is expected to be a major strength. Day, Schilder, and Avery Young bring pressure off the edges, while Gonzalez and Ward clog the middle. Physical inside linebackers Rio Curtis and Jack Scroggins will be key in stopping the run, backed by an athletic secondary featuring Stockham, Esterbrook, Cason Page, Pope, and Slusher. The Senators aim to cut down on explosive plays and force opponents to earn their yards.
Helmandollar says the team’s strong summer in the weight room and on the practice field has built confidence and chemistry. With a large core of experienced players returning, the Senators’ X-factor will be staying together and pushing through adversity when it strikes, a trait that could be pivotal every Friday night.
WOOD RIVER
Wood River enters its seventh season under Head Coach Shane Carden with a blend of experience and new talent eager to make an impact in the 2025 campaign. Key returners include versatile playmakers Axel Oelerich, Logan Green, Jack Daly, Mike Juarez, Mateo De La Torre, and Kolton Marcroft, giving the Wolverines a solid foundation at the skill positions. They will look to replace the leadership and production of seniors Sully Carter, Eli Edwards, Owen Gingrich, Wylder Grafft, and Cash Hunter, all of whom were critical two-way contributors.
Incoming talent like sophomore QB Sawyer Morgan, junior WR/DB Wyatt Stone, and junior TE/LB Grady Edwards are expected to help fill those gaps. Offensively, Wood River boasts a well-rounded skill group with size, speed, and strong ball skills. Starting fast and putting points on the board in the first quarter will be a priority after slow starts hampered them in 2024.
Defensively, new coordinator Todd Hunter plans to maximize the team’s speed across multiple positions, with an emphasis on generating more turnovers. A large and hardworking junior class could be the program’s difference-maker this fall, but Carden says the X-factor will be line play on both sides of the ball. If their new offensive and defensive line coaches can mold a strong presence up front, the Wolverines could be in for a breakout season.