Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Blackfoot
2. Hillcrest
3. Skyline
4. Bonneville
5. Century
T-6. Pocatello
T-6. Shelley
8. Idaho Falls
Written by: Marlowe Hereford
Seven of the last 10 5A (formerly 4A) football state titles have gone to a District 6 program. Hillcrest made its third consecutive state title game appearance last November, falling to undefeated Bishop Kelly 31-14.
The league will look different this season as District 5’s Century and Pocatello join to make an eight-team conference. This is the first time since the 2017-18 school year that Districts 5 and 6 have been combined to form a conference across multiple sports.
Century joins this new conference having gone undefeated in the regular season last fall, claiming the District 5 regular season title and reaching the quarterfinals of the 5A state playoffs.
Will another eastern Idaho team make a deep playoff run this November?
HILLCREST
The Knights went undefeated versus league opponents last season en route to reaching its third consecutive state championship game, falling to undefeated Bishop Kelly 31-14.
Hillcrest graduated 30 from that 11-2 state runner-up team, including All-Conference Offensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Idaho quarterback Tyson Sweetwood, All-Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Idaho linebacker Daxon Sargent and All-Conference Lineman of the Year and First Team All-Idaho offensive lineman Austin Reeves, who contributed to three consecutive state title game appearances.
Taking the reins under center will be quarterback Logan Taylor, a junior head coach Brennon Mossholder said has greatly improved during the offseason.
“We should still be able to run the ball effectively behind a really good offensive line led by seniors Gavin Allen and Bodie Stepp while featuring several running backs that we feel good about,” Mossholder said. “We have been good on offense the past few years and are working to continue that positive momentum. Especially with a new QB, taking care of the football will be important.”
Allen and Stepp both received First Team All-Conference honors last season. The Knights also return senior tight end/defensive end Boston Morris, junior wide receiver/defensive back Ethan Saunders and junior running back/linebacker Elam Miner.
Defensively, Mossholder said the Knights coaching staff likes the athleticism of the Knights, and priorities will be pressuring opposing quarterbacks and stopping the run.
Mossholder said health will be Hillcrest’s X factor in 2026.
“We do not have the depth that we have had in the past and will need to stay healthy to play into November,” Mossholder said.
He added that he looks forward to conference games this season.
“As a coach, I am excited about the number of position battles we have going into camp,” Mossholder said. “It should make for an exciting and competitive environment. I am also excited for our league games this season. Adding Pocatello and Century will make an already competitive league that much better.”
Hillcrest begins the season August 28 at Pocatello.
CENTURY
After going winless in 2023 and 2024, the Diamondbacks made a 180 last fall with their lone loss coming to Twin Falls in the 5A state quarterfinals.
Adrian Gonzales (First Team All-Conference defensive back), Gavin Howe (First Team All-Conference defensive lineman), Deshawn Clark (First Team All-Conference wide receiver), Dailen Corrigan (First Team All-Conference offensive lineman), Carter Ward (First Team All-Conference kicker) and Ben Clifford (First Team All-Conference defensive lineman/linebacker) are among those who graduated from that team.
Century joins the new combined District 5-6 this season with returning players senior tight end Xen Fleischmann, senior running back Tito Villano, senior linebacker Braxton Jablonski, and senior quarterback Justus Mangum, all of whom received First Team All-Conference recognition.
“With lots of experience and the start of a team culture, we are excited how these guys can lean on each other and continue to build to be a successful team in the state,” head coach Ryan Fleischmann said.
Fleischmann described the Diamondbacks as an experienced, close knit group. He added that he looks forward to seeing how competitive Century will be in a new and competitive conference.
“We have an O-Line that is super close together and have been playing together for years, a fast wide receiver core that catches everything, an intelligent and competitive leader for a quarterback and a running back core that is explosive,” Fleischmann said. “We have a tenacious and quick defensive line, linebackers with experience that play smart and fast, and fearless defensive backs that fly around the field.”
Century begins the season August 28 at Blackfoot.
SKYLINE
The Grizzlies went 9-3 overall and 4-1 versus conference opponents in 2025, with the lone loss coming to eventual state runner-up Hillcrest (25-19). Skyline reached the semifinals, falling to eventual state champion and undefeated Bishop Kelly by one point, 21-20.
Zyan Crockett (First Team All-Idaho and First Team All-Conference wide receiver; now at Idaho State), Taylor Taylor (Second Team All-Idaho defensive back and First Team All-Conference defensive back), Sawyer Davis (Second Team All-Idaho linebacker and First Team All-Conference linebacker) and Gage Searle (All-Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year) are among those who graduated for the Grizz.
Skyline returns senior quarterback John Giannini (All-Conference Honorable Mention), senior tight end/defensive end Dax Clinger (First Team All-Conference), senior wide receiver Taleai Molifua (Second Team All-Conference), senior running back Caden Cruz, junior offensive lineman Wyatt Cox (First Team All-Idaho), junior defensive lineman J.J. Anderson (First Team All-Conference) and junior wide receiver/defensive back Sam DeMott.
Skyline head coach Scott Berger said the Grizz have ‘good experience in key spots.’ Priorities will be continuing to spread the ball around and run effectively on offense, utilize their experience on defense and avoiding injuries.
“We will try to be multiple and use different coverages to help our success, try to create takeaways,” Berger said.
Skyline begins the season August 28 at Bonneville.
BLACKFOOT
The Broncos went 7-4 overall and 3-2 in conference play last season, with the losses coming to eventual state runner-up Hillcrest and semifinalist Skyline. Blackfoot reached the 5A state quarterfinals, falling to eventual undefeated 5A state champion Bishop Kelly 40-8.
The Broncos graduated First Team All-Conference quarterback Austin Arave, First Team All-Conference running back Cade Esplin, First Team All-Conference offensive lineman Keyan Monahan, First Team All-Conference linebacker Ryker Williams and First Team All-Conference defensive back Dainian Martinez.
Senior Carter Ethington (First Team All-Conference offensive lineman), senior Briggs Esplin (Second Team All-Conference wide receiver), senior Chet Hyde (Second Team All-Conference tight end), senior Zeke Mickelsen (Second Team All-Conference offensive lineman), senior Parker Wright (Second Team All-Conference kick returner), senior Kai Brooks (Second Team All-Conference defensive lineman), senior Kaleo Brooks (Second Team All-Conference defensive lineman) and senior Lawrence Cousineau (All-Conference Honorable Mention offensive lineman) all received all-conference honors as underclassmen last year.
Blackfoot begins the season August 21 at Shelley.
SHELLEY
The Russets went 2-8 overall and 2-3 in conference play last season. Shelley graduated First Team All-Conference offensive lineman Peyton Olson, First Team All-Conference defensive back Kael Remington, Second Team All-Conference running back Jenson Horlacher, Second Team All-Conference running back Conley Bennett, All-Conference Honorable Mention tight end Aaron Jensen, All-Conference Honorable Mention offensive lineman Marcus Campbell, All-Conference Honorable Mention kicker Tristan Howell, All-Conference Honorable Mention kick returner Zac Trosper and All-Conference Honorable Mention defensive lineman Makoy Cooper and Bracken Draper.
Junior Ryker Balmforth (defensive back) and senior Krev Hawker (defensive back) both received All-Conference Honorable mention last season as underclassmen.
First year-Idaho Falls head coach Dustin Medellin said to keep an eye on the Russets this season.
“They have been building momentum over the last couple of years, and I think this could be the year they put it all together and make a postseason run,” Medellin said. “They have impressive athletes and a solid coaching staff that know how to teach good football coach to the strengths of their players.”
Shelley begins the season August 21 at home versus Blackfoot.
BONNEVILLE
The Bees went 3-7 overall and 1-4 in conference play last season. Bonneville graduated First Team All-Conference running back Aden Mora, Second Team All-Conference kicker Kason Landon, Second Team All-Conference defensive lineman Payton Lycan and All-Conference Honorable Mention linebacker Brock Faulkner.
Numerous players return from that team, including senior wide receiver Kaine Rodriguez (First Team All-Conference), junior running back Cooper Stephenson, senior quarterback Jaxton Briggs, senior offensive lineman Colton Young, senior linebacker Dallas Jacobson (First Team All-Conference), junior defensive back Logan Arnold (All-Conference Honorable Mention), senior defensive back Rydge Vail (Second Team All-Conference), senior wide receiver Kemper Allen and senior defensive lineman Rider Pedersen (Second Team All-Conference).
“We have eight returning (offensive) starters, and three coming in that have started several games last season,” Bonneville head coach Shane Stephenson said. “We have an experienced quarterback, veteran receiving corps and two physical running backs.”
On defense, the Bees have nine returning starters. Jacobson is a three-year starter.
Additionally, this is Stephenson’s third year as head coach.
“They are starting to understand the process within the program and have started buying in,” Stephenson said. “The sky is the limit for this group.”
Bonneville begins the season August 28 at home versus Skyline.
POCATELLO
Pocatello went 1-7 overall and 0-2 in conference play last season, competing with Century and Preston in the now-defunct District 5 South East Idaho Conference.
The Thunder graduated First Team All-Conference wide receiver Hunter Cordell, but was otherwise young. Junior Sam Braunersrither (First Team All-Conference offensive lineman), junior Spencer Kent (First Team All-Conference defensive lineman), senior Bear Spillett (First Team All-Conference linebacker), senior Cowen Gummersall (First Team All-Conference defensive back), junior Kaison Garza (Second Team All-Conference offensive lineman), senior Ephraim Wadsworth (Second Team All-Conference defensive lineman/defensive back), senior Isaac Allen (Second Team All-Conference linebacker), senior Kyle Covey (Second Team All-Conference defensive back) and junior Charlie Gonzales (All-Conference honorable mention offensive lineman) all received all-conference honors as underclassmen last season.
Pocatello begins the season August 28 with a home game versus Hillcrest.
IDAHO FALLS
The Tigers went 0-9 overall and 0-5 in conference play last season. Taking over as head coach is Dustin Medellin, who most recently spent the previous five seasons as Hillcrest’s defensive coordinator.
He has got a bunch of athletes back out to play and has assembled a good staff,” Hillcrest head coach Brennon Mossholder said. “Watch out for them.”
Among the athletes returning for the Tigers are senior quarterback Will Thompson (Second Team All-Conference), senior wide receiver/defensive back James Richeson (All-Conference Honorable Mention), senior offensive lineman Drake Wilcox (All-Conference Honorable Mention), senior running back Jack Harris, senior defensive lineman Aden Murdoch (Second Team All-Conference), senior defensive back Cooper Anderson (All-Conference Honorable Mention), senior offensive lineman/defensive lineman Uziel Sanchez, junior wide receiver Ace Williams (Second Team All-Conference) and senior wide receiver/defensive back Griffin Pearson (Second Team All-Conference).
“We will run a spread offense and we feel like we have several weapons we can get the ball to that will be able to create explosive plays downfield,” Medellin said. “We expect a big year from guys like (senior wide receiver) Daniel Hillam, (senior tight end/linebacker) Johnny Pyper, (junior tight end/defensive end) Hudson Palmer, James Richeson and Griffin Pearson. Will Thompson returns at quarterback and we feel like he has the confidence and the skills to lead our offensive group to a successful season on the field.”
Medellin added the Tigers will aim to avoid turnovers and eliminate mistakes on offense. Defensively, improving tackling will be a priority.
“We feel like our secondary will be a strength for us defensively,” Medellin said. “Seniors James Richeson and Cooper Anderson will lead a group that we feel can match up with other team’s weapons in the passing game. This will allow us to utilize multiple blitzes to attack opposing quarterbacks. We expect a big year from Max Baldwin, Hudson Palmer and Aden Murdoch in pressuring the quarterback. Most importantly, we need to be able to stop the run by being gap sound and controlling the line of scrimmage.”
Medellin also added that junior running back/free safety Kenyon Spencer will be a name to look for in box scores this season for I.F.
Medellin commended the Tigers for being coachable and receptive to the instructions from coaching staff so far.
“They are excited to be the group to try and turn this program around,” Medellin said. “We have been able to get a lot of players back out that did not play last year, and we think people in this area will be surprised with the athleticism we have as a group.”
He added that the X factor for Idaho Falls will be how the athletes get up to speed on new schemes and systems and avoiding injury.
Idaho Falls begins the season August 28 with a home game versus Shelley.