Written by: Marlowe Hereford
Seven of the last nine 5A (formerly 4A) football state titles have gone to a District 6 program. Most recently, the last two teams left standing last season were both from District 6—Hillcrest and Skyline—with the Knights prevailing for their first state title since 2018.
Could Hillcrest repeat and bring another blue trophy and state banner to District 6 this season?
With numerous underclassmen stepping up in a big way last fall, the Knights certainly have the potential to add to eastern Idaho’s title haul.
SKYLINE
The Grizzlies went undefeated versus league opponents during the regular season to ultimately secure the No. 1 seed for the 5A state playoffs, rolling through to the state title game where they fell to Hillcrest, 31-8.
All-Conference Defensive Player of the Year Kaesen Smith (defensive lineman), Second Team All-Conference quarterback CarMyne Garcia, First Team All-Conference offensive lineman Dylan Meek, First Team All-Conference wide receiver Trey Kirkham, and second Team All-Conference defensive linemen Bennett Southwick and Corbin Lancester are among the players who graduated from that 10-3, state runner-up team.
A key returning athlete for the Grizzlies will be All-Conference Offensive Co-Player of the Year returner/slot receiver/running back/defensive back Zyan Crockett, a senior who also helped the Skyline boys track program place second at the 5A state meet in May with four medals, including gold in the 100 meter final.
“By having Zyan Crockett, we have big play capabilities and can score all over the field,” Skyline head coach Scott Berger said. “We will try to utilize our speed and quickness in spreading out our offense and making the opposing defense cover the entire field.”
Second Team All-Conference defensive back Gage Searle (senior), Honorable Mention All-Conference defensive back Taylor Taylor (senior), offensive guard Trey Blue (senior), offensive guard Wyatt Cox (sophomore), defensive lineman Ricky Nila (senior), wide receiver Boston Hugues (senior) and linebacker Sawyer Davis (senior), wide receiver Caden Cruz (junior) and wide receiver Taleai Molifua (junior) are also among the returning athletes for the Grizzlies.
Offensively, Berger said the Grizzlies are striving to improve their pass protection and running game. Defensively, the priority is to improve first down defense.
“The strength of the defense will be our experienced secondary,” Berger said. “We also have a lot of speed and quickness with our line and linebackers.”
Staying healthy, developing new quarterbacks and getting newcomers acclimated to the program will be keys to the season.
“We have some quality returning players, but the success of the team will be how fast some of our younger new varsity players can get accustomed to varsity football,” Berger said.
Skyline begins the season on August 22 versus Granger (Wash.) as part of the annual Rocky Mountain Rumble at the ICCU Dome in Pocatello.
HILLCREST
The Knights ascended to the top of the new 5A classification last fall, taking the No. 2 seed into the 5A state playoffs and defeating league opponent Skyline 31-8 for their third state title in program history. The victory also wrapped up a 10-3 season, avenged a 28-16 loss to Skyline two months earlier and avenged a 29-26 loss to Bishop Kelly in the 2023 4A state championship.
Multiple members of Hillcrest’s state championship team return this fall, including senior starting quarterback and reigning All-Conference Offensive Co-Player of the Year Tyson Sweetwood, First Team All-Conference and First Team All-State running back and Daxon Sargent (senior), First Team All-State offensive lineman Austin Reeves (senior), First Team All-State defensive lineman Damien Simmons (senior), First Team All-Conference defensive back Zach Steadham (senior), Second Team All-Conference wide receiver Mason Davis (senior), First Team All-State kicker Rylan Borgman (senior) and linebacker/tight end Ryan Mecham, a senior who had two interceptions in last year’s state championship game.
“It all starts with the quarterback position, and Tyson Sweetwood is among the very best in the state,” Hillcrest head coach Brennon Mossholder said. “We also return a lot of size on the offense line and Daxon Sargent is a dynamic back to run behind them. We will have new faces at many of the skill positions and will need them to step up in a big way. We were among the top scorers in 5A last season and look to continue that this year. Limiting turnovers, red-zone and third down efficiency are always points of emphasis.”
The Knights also have ample depth and experience on the defensive side of the ball.
“Our defensive front will be our calling card,” Mossholder said. “Damien Simmons, Austin Reeves, Brody Dorning, Gavin Hillman, Kylan Christenson, Bodie Stepp and others give us a deep and talented defensive front that can both stop the run and pressure the quarterback. Much like the offensive skill positions, we will need new faces to step up in the secondary.”
With numerous returning athletes and a promising offseason, Mossholder said he believes the Knights will be a very good football team
“A lot of the key players from last year's team are that much bigger, stronger, faster and more experienced coming into this season,” Mossholder said. “It is always exciting as a coach to see a new team gel and over an off season and I think we are all excited to get back at things with pads on. If our new faces at skill positions and in the secondary can step up at a high level, we will be a very good football team.”
Hillcrest begins the season August 29 with a home game against Madison.
BLACKFOOT
The Broncos went 6-5 overall in 2024, including going 3-2 in league play with both losses coming to eventual 5A state champion Hillcrest and state runner-up Skyline. Blackfoot met Hillcrest again in the quarterfinals of the 5A state playoffs, with the Knights moving on after a 35-7 win.
The Broncos improved impressively from the 2023 season, when they went winless, and are tabbed a team to watch this fall thanks to their returning players.
“Blackfoot was very sophomore and junior heavy last season and still made a run to the quarterfinals,” Hillcrest head coach Brennon Mossholder said. “They will be a state contender.”
Blackfoot head coach Josh Stewart, in his second season at the helm, will have returning players Keyan Monahan (senior, First Team All-Conference offensive lineman), Jason Williams (senior, First Team All-Conference wide receiver/defensive back), Danian Martinez (senior, First Team All-Conference wide receiver/defensive back/return specialist), offensive lineman Carter Ethington (junior) and offensive lineman Lawrence Cousineau (junior) to work with from last year’s team, as well as senior running back Cade Esplin, senior running back/linebacker Ryker Williams and senior Austin Arave, who will move from slot receiver to quarterback.
“Austin Arave has already shown an ability to get the ball out quick and has the added strength of being a very dynamic runner,” Stewart said. “Our top priority is going to be to establish the line of scrimmage and to play with physicality. We are going to be more dynamic in our use of the passing attack to complement our strong running game. We also have more weapons to utilize and we hope to get many kids involved in the offensive attack.”
Jason Taylor, whose previous coaching stops include Marsh Valley and West Jefferson, joins the coaching staff and will guide the defense.
“We will be a 4-3 base with a lot of nickel coverage to defend the spread-style offenses that we see week in and week out,” Stewart said. “As with offense, we strive to play with tough and physical and to establish the line of scrimmage.”
Stewart is encouraged by what he has seen in the offseason and how the Broncos have established depth on their roster.
“We have had phenomenal participation in our summer weights program, and we have unselfish kids who want to work hard and play hard for each other,” Stewart said. “We have been able to develop some significant depth, and we feel like we could have a very competitive team this fall.”
Blackfoot begins the season Aug. 29 at Preston.
BONNEVILLE
Bonneville went 4-6 overall in 2024, going 2-3 in league play, in its first season under head coach Shane Stephenson.
The Bees return senior and All-Conference Honorable Mention wide receiver/running back Makaijden Kelso, senior and Second Team All-Conference running back Aden Mora, junior and Second Team All-Conference linebacker Dallas Jacobson (linebacker), junior and Second Team All-Conference linebacker Gabe Ricks, and junior and All-Conference Honorable Mention offensive/defensive lineman Rider Petersen from last year’s team.
Stephenson said the Bees are hoping to improve quarterback performance from last season, which had 16 interceptions, and he is eager to see what his running backs and receivers can do this fall.
“We like to get the ball to our playmakers in space,” Stephenson said. “We have several young receivers coming back who played quite a bit of snaps on varsity last year in Kaine Rodrigues, Crue Sereal, and Kemper Allen. We have both running backs from last year although Makaijden Kelso was moved to receiver in the spring. Aden Morra, a returning starter, will take the majority of the snaps at running back this season. Our line is young this season, but they are big and athletic. We should be able to run at will.”
Ricks and Jacobsen are returning starters on defense, and Stephenson has seen improvement over the offseason.
“It was our first season in a 4-2-5 defense last season, and we had some growing pains with players and coaches not being on the same page,” Stephenson said. “We worked really hard in the offseason to get those things corrected, and we definitely showed improvement day to day at camp this summer.”
Bonneville begins the season August 22 with a home game against Madison.
SHELLEY
The Russets went 3-7 overall last season, going 1-4 in league play. Clayton Hall takes over as head coach this season, and he said he intends to continue on with the spread offense that was introduced last year under his predecessor Jayson Bird.
“I think the biggest thing we can improve is our passing game,” Hall said. “With a new scheme, it will be fun to see the boys adapt to a spread offense. We have a lot of speed and athleticism in our receiving core this year (senior wide receiver/defensive back Zac Trosper, junior wide receiver/defensive back Kyrev Hawker, senior wide receiver/defensive back Kael Remington, and junior wide receiver/defensive back Cody Cutforth). We have two solid tight ends and a physical offensive line anchored by seniors Peyton Olsen and Marcus Campbell.”
Campbell and Olsen both received Honorable Mention All-Conference last season as offensive linemen.
The Russets will vary their defense, and eliminating big plays will be a point of emphasis.
“I think we are going to hover between a 4-3 and a 3-4 defense,” Hall said. “We will play both man and zone in our secondary. We will have a lot of speed in our secondary and our defensive line will be solid. I think our defense will be very aggressive and physical this season.”
Staying healthy will be a top priority this fall, as injuries struck early last season.
“If we can stay healthy we will be able to compete for a league title,” Hall said. “Going into my first year as head coach of Shelley High School, I am very excited about the upcoming sea-son based upon what I have seen in our spring and summer practices,” Hall said. “We have a bunch of young men that are hard workers, selfless, and want the overall success of our program. This program has a championship pedigree that still exists in the ranks and the athletes as well as the community want to return to the top.”
Shelley begins the season August 22 with a home game against Preston.
IDAHO FALLS
The Tigers went 1-8 overall last season and 0-5 in league play in head coach Marty Duffin’s sixth and final season as head coach. Idaho Falls has a new head coach this season in Joseph Parker, who comes to eastern Idaho from Arizona.
Returning players for Idaho Falls include senior Talmadge Stevens (tight end), senior Trevin Neitzel (linebacker), senior Markeyce Green (defensive lineman), senior Rooke Hawker (Honorable Mention All-conference running back/defensive lineman), junior Cooper Anderson (defensive back), junior Clark Fonnesbeck (offensive lineman), junior Chris Fernandez (linebacker), junior Jack Harris (running back/linebacker), junior Jaren Hoskins (defensive back), junior Emmanuel Landeros (offensive/defensive lineman), junior Griffin Pearson (wide receiver/defensive back), junior James Richeson (running back/defensive back), junior Uziel Sanchez (offensive/defensive lineman), junior Will Thompson (quarterback/defensive back), junior Drake Wilcox (offensive lineman), junior Kole Williams (running back/linebacker) and junior Tate Wood (defensive back).
Parker said he is eager to see the offensive line develop as the Tigers focus on ‘technique and toughness.’
“We expect our offense to be built on consistency and trust this season,” Parker said. “We may not be flashy, but we’re aiming to be efficient and disciplined. Our plan is to take what the defense gives us, stay committed to our system, and limit mistakes. We believe our offensive line will set the tone early, and our skill players will be ready to capitalize and finish drives. Ultimately, our success will come down to execution and doing the little things right every snap.”
Defensively, Parker described his young core of players as eager to gain varsity experience. He specifically mentioned senior corner Chase Hendry and junior linebacker Kole Williams who will embrace big roles this fall for the Tigers.
“We believe we have some tough, physical defensive linemen, so we will utilize a 4-man front to control the line of scrimmage,” Parker said. “We have good speed in our linebackers and secondary that will force turnovers to give our offense numerous opportunities to control the pace of the game. Throughout the season, we hope to improve our communication between players on the field to ensure all players understand their responsibility. We also hope to be a team that is known for great tackling through individual efforts as well as rallying all 11 players to the football.”
Parker commended his team for buying in, and said he believes that will set the Tigers apart this season.
“I’m most excited about our culture shift—players holding each other accountable, stepping into bigger roles, and competing as one,” Parker said. “The buy-in has been outstanding, and our chemistry will be a difference-maker this season. Our X-Factor will be the accountability we’ve built. When every player owns their role and pushes their teammates to do the same, we play faster, smarter, and tougher.”
Idaho Falls begins the season August 29 with a home game against Thunder Ridge.