Written by: Zac Dean
Snake River Valley Conference juggernaut Homedale won six consecutive conference titles before Weiser broke the streak in 2024. After three years as conference runner-up, the Wolverines defeated the Trojans 30-6 in the regular season and solidified their route to the conference title. The Trojans, however, got the last laugh with a 27-7 victory in the state semifinals - proving their ongoing battle for conference and state supremacy.
But darkhorses Fruitland and McCall-Donnelly could deliver a shakeup this fall. Both the Trojans and Wolverines lost their conference co-player of the year, co-defensive player of the year and co-lineman of the year to graduation, and the Grizzlies and Vandals will look to build upon their momentum after state tournament appearances a year ago.
Although the Trojans and Wolverines return as top contenders, the conference crown looks to be a wide-open battle this fall.
WEISER
Weiser had the season to remember in 2024: An 8-game winning streak, the Snake River Valley Conference title and a trip to the state semifinals.
Now the Wolverines hit the reset button. Conference co-player of the year and running back/linebacker Kash Cobb graduated. And despite first-team all-conference running back Cole Ingle returning, most of the offense will be new. First-team all-conference quarterback Kolin Cook and the receiving trio of Xander Gray, Luke Sarich and Josh Mizar all graduated.
Cook, Gray, Sarich and Mizar are also big losses to the defense. Senior defensive lineman Dylann Ashley is the new focal point with junior Ty Cobb adding depth to the trenches. Ingle also adds experience as a defensive back.
No other information was provided.
HOMEDALE
The 4A state runner-up lost many talented players to graduation, including conference co-player of the year and wide receiver/defensive back Luke Henry. But that doesn’t discourage head coach Matt Holtry as he enters year 17 with the program.
Holtry’s group of seniors is the glue of the offense, as quarterback Xavier Uranga and running back duo Javid Blewett and Kade Hall will run the show. Fellow seniors Chance Martell, Lukas Hall and Alec Campos are the receiving options and complete the balanced offense. And despite averaging 35 points per game last season, Holtry’s 2025 goal is to improve the efficiency even more by avoiding long third-down situations.
The defense will rely on new varsity starters to step up, as the Trojans need to replace seven all-conference players. But Holtry is excited to see the growth of the new-look defense, featuring all-conference and returning linebackers Tyce Fisher and Sebastian Larzlier.
FRUITLAND
Fruitland returns as one of the most experienced teams in the conference. Conference offensive player of the year and quarterback Titus Vidlak is back. Now in this junior season, he looks to continue his success with offensive coordinator and father Mark commanding the versatile offensive scheme. Newcomer Kysen Mackenzie joins returners Spencer Tracy and Joel Philpot in the receiving group, giving Titus a plethora of weapons to choose from. That bodes well in head coach Jordan Gross’ 2025 goal in improving red zone efficiency.
Defensively, they return upperclassmen Kelvin Obot and Rocky Weatherspoon, headlining an experienced defensive line ready to wreak havoc. The big question is linebacker, as fresh faces will replace the graduating trio of Quinn Hood, Brigham Walker and Jace Mordhorst.
Gross says the team had a great offseason, including more players committing to the weight room and becoming more familiar with the systems. That makes Gross confident the Grizzlies will be the conference’s team to beat.
The Grizzlies were an overtime period away from defeating Kimberly in last season’s state quarterfinals. They open the season with a rematch against the Bulldogs on August 23.
McCALL-DONNELLY
McCall-Donnelly won six of their first seven games in 2024 before ending on a 3-game skid. Despite the finish, the Vandals clinched a 4A state tournament berth and will look to replicate that success this fall.
It’ll start with new head coach David Joyce. Former head coach BJ Sorensen has transitioned to an assistant role, giving the keys to the former Teton High School head coach. Joining Joyce is his son, Joker, last season’s first-team all-conference defensive back and wide receiver for the Timberwolves in the Mountain Rivers Conference. Joker will be part of the Vandals’ new 1-2 punch with Colt Value, a first-team all-conference running back and kick returner who also plays defensive back and kicker.
The offense will also see a new quarterback in Gunnar Newman, last season’s first-team all-conference tight end and defensive lineman. Newman will resume defensive lineman duties, but David Joyce says the “x-factor” of the Vandals’ success will come down to Newman learning the new system and growing throughout the season.
PAYETTE
Payette had a promising 3-0 start to last season before losing five of their final six games. Head coach Marty Avila looks to be more competitive this fall, starting with the offense. Quarterback Darrien Pecunia returns after a strong junior season with seniors Eli Lopez and Calvin Shaffer anchoring the offensive line.
The defense returns a pair of second-team all-conference players in Shaffer and Jesse Baker. They’ll look for reinforcements after the Pirates struggled to keep conference opponents out of the endzone last season.
No other information was provided.
COLE VALLEY CHRISTIAN
First-year head coach Jordan Henslin takes over the program after six seasons as defensive coordinator. He’ll look to flip the script after the Chargers finished last in the conference in 2024.
But Henslin is excited about the chemistry and culture of the team. Former Boise State and NFL linebacker Kamalei Correa is the new defensive coordinator and he gets to develop linebackers Tyler Harr and Carson Kile after promising sophomore campaigns. Defensive back needs to be addressed, as first-team all-conference selection Dawson Leach graduated.
Offensively, the Chargers have the deepest receiving group. Kile, Ethan Minegar and Tristan Horton are the key returners, with newcomers Kaden Krogh and Nampa Christian transfer Tate Mensonides looking for immediate minutes. That should help with Henslin’s goal of more endzone trips this fall.