Preseason Coaches Poll:
1. West Side
2. Aberdeen
3. Malad
4. Marsh Valley
5. Soda Springs
Written by: Zac Dean
Few would have guessed that two 3A South East Idaho Conference teams would reach the 2025 state tournament semifinals. West Side used their suffocating defense throughout the season before their upset loss to eventual state champion Nampa Christian. Aberdeen, meanwhile, relied on their offense to advance past Melba and Priest River before falling just short to the classification's top seed in Ririe.
Both teams are primed for similar success in 2026. With 2025 conference runner-up Declo moving to the Canyon Conference, that puts Aberdeen in the driver’s seat to challenge West Side for conference supremacy.
Malad, Soda Springs, and conference newcomer Marsh Valley, however, provide offenses that could wear opponents down. The Dragons and Eagles offer strong rushing attacks with more than one standout back. Meanwhile, the Cardinals’ passing attack options and hurry-up tempo could be difficult to contain.
West Side has won the last three conference titles across the 3A and 2A classifications, but the rest of the conference’s offensive artillery could put their impressive streak in jeopardy.
WEST SIDE
The Pirates were a force to be reckoned with in 2025, sweeping all conference foes and limiting opponents to just 12.2 points per game. Many of the defensive stars return this fall, headlined by second-team all-state linebacker Drake Sage. Sage and fellow senior Willi Hurren form one of the classification’s strongest linebacker duos. Defensive back Tanner Henderson and defensive lineman Ezra Benavidez add to West Side’s dangerous defensive pieces.
The Pirates also return the classification’s best running back in Sage. Earning 2025 first-team all-state honors, defenses will have no choice but to scheme around him this season.
ABERDEEN
The Tigers surprised many with their 2025 state tournament run, going from at-large berth to one touchdown away from the state championship game. No one should be overlooking head coach Derek Jolley and his squad this season, especially with the amount of talent returning.
No offensive line will be better than Aberdeen’s, as incoming “impact” senior Cody Pratt joins all-state selections Aksel Ortiz and Jacob Harris in the trenches. And as a run-heavy team, the quality offensive line should open the door for running back Treyton Jenkins and fullback Adan Valdez to find running room. But Jolley is hoping to have a more effective passing game in 2026, and that will start with new starting quarterback Isaac Driscoll.
Defensively, Harris, Jenkins, and Valdez serve as the linebacker three-headed monster. Ortiz is one of the conference’s top defensive lineman, while Driscoll and Jovanny Valeriano handle defensive back duties.
MALAD
Despite a 3-5 record and three losses in their final three regular season games, the Dragons snuck into last season’s 3A state tournament with an at-large berth. That at-large nod gives head coach Brady Price confidence that they can return to the state tournament this fall.
Similar to Aberdeen, Malad likes to establish a strong ground game. 2025 second-team all-conference selection and senior Drake Morrison will be the focal point of a running back core that features newcomers Ky Willie, Rylin Beck, and Riggin Montgomery.
Easton Green, Braxden Kaufman, and newcomer Mason Ball complete a strong linebacker group, but Price says pass coverage will need to be more consistent if they want to contend with the top 3A teams.
SODA SPRINGS
New head coach James Poole takes over a team that failed to win a conference game last season. Only once did the Cardinals score 20 or more points in 2025, but that should change thanks to the large wide receiver room. 2025 all-conference receivers Zayden Garbett and Owen Miller will get the bulk of this season’s targets, while Blake Maughan and newcomers Beau Jensen and Jay Liechty will also be vying for attention.
The plethora of receiving options should benefit senior quarterback Makai Browning. They’ll also implement a fast tempo offense, giving defenses little time to readjust to the next snap.
Poole stated that players have been grinding in the offseason, making him confident that Soda Springs will shock the conference this fall.
MARSH VALLEY
The Eagles played only three games in 2025 as part of a 4A independent/junior varsity schedule, as low numbers forced officials to cancel the season prematurely. They join the 3A South East Idaho Conference with renewed excitement.
Head coach Jared Michaelson says many players are entering year three in the offense, and that should translate well in a run game that includes Luke Schroeder, Preston Guthrie, and Vance Larsen. That, plus the experienced offensive linemen of Jace Ketner and Stetson Losee, should give defenses plenty of trouble.
Look for the defense to give opponents trouble as well. The Eagles embrace a “swarm tackling” style that Michaelson sees as a significant strength of the team.