News Story - Idaho State Journal

Commentary by Kellis Robinett

The first high school football games of the season are less than a week away, which means if you were planning on making a few preseason predictions your time is running out.

By now, you already should have picked up every bit of knowledge you could from the Journal in our yearly fall football preview section. But if you’re still on the fence, or didn’t grab Thursday’s paper, I’m still willing to help you out.

Here are a handful of my own predictions and little known tidbits on the upcoming season:

Everyone wants to talk about Taysom Hill � and deservedly so, he’s the best individual player in southeast Idaho this year � but if Highland is to contend for a 5A state title, he will only be part of the reason why.

The main key to the Rams’ success this year will be its defense.

Last year, because of massive injuries that affected the entire unit, Highland had all kinds of trouble stopping the opposition and suffered a tough loss in the first round of the state playoffs. Madison, Idaho Falls and Pocatello moved the ball almost at will against the Rams late last year, and it cost them in the end.

This year should be better. Waves of injuries like that don’t happen often, and Highland returns seven defensive starters who coaches are high on. Expect Highland to return to its traditional juggernaut-like form on that side of the ball, and be tough for anyone to beat.

That being said, I don’t think that there’s ever been a bigger slam-dunk preseason pick for all-area offensive player of the year than Hill.

The Stanford-bound senior quarterback realistically could lead the Fifth District in both individual passing and rushing yardage.

When you play football at Preston, it’s tough for college coaches to know who you are. Not only is the 4A school located in a lightly populated area for recruiting standards, it’s located in a lightly populated area for Idaho standards.

But the Indians have two seniors who coach Shawn Marlow claims Division I programs have contacted.

Shane Oliverson, who is arguably the top lineman in southeast Idaho this year, is being recruited by Idaho State and Utah State, and he said Boise State, Idaho and Oregon have each contacted him.

Marlow said a handful of Ivy League schools are looking at wide receiver Koltyn Hobbs because of his high GPA and sure hands.

It’s good that they are getting noticed like that.

Along with running back Brayden Shepherd and quarterback Jordan Holton, they will make up one of the best senior classes to ever come through Preston.

Making the 4A state playoffs for a second straight year will prove that much.

Spirits are high at Century right now. Coming off a winless season, that’s an inevitability. Things can’t possibly be worse this year, right?

Indeed, things will be considerably better for the Diamondbacks this year. They will undoubtedly win at least one game. Maybe even a handful of them. The key will be whether they can stay upbeat early.

Century starts the year with three tough road games.

Of all the people I’ve talked to about the Pocatello football team this summer, not a single one of them was able to give me a player they knew would stand out this season.

But just because there may not be an Izzy Ramirez, Geoff Roberts or Jared Barthlome on this year’s Indians’ squad, it doesn’t mean Pocatello is in for a down year. Quite the opposite.

The Indians should be as good as ever on defense and a force on offense with their experience at quarterback, speed at running back and size on the offensive line.

Poky will win a whole bunch of games as always. The stats just may be spread out a little more than usual.

The battle for the 2A Fifth District regular season title, which is by far the most competitive district race of the area every year, will come down to Malad and Aberdeen.

Like always, West Side and Soda Springs will be in the mix, but the Dragons and Tigers feature teams good enough to make it through the district season without a loss.

Malad boasts one of the best offensive/defensive line combinations in the state, with an entire group coming back that averages 240 pounds. It will be easy for the Dragons to run behind those big boys.

Aberdeen will be the most experienced team in the district with 20 seniors on its roster. The Tigers will also be motivated all season long after ending their season a year ago on a missed field goal in the state playoffs.

The two face each other Oct. 10 in Malad. Who will win? It’s a toss-up in my book. But I will say this: That’s a game I don’t want to miss.

Kellis Robinett’s column appears on Sundays. Call him at 239-3136 or e-mail krobinett@journalnet.com with comments or story ideas.

This document was originally published online on Monday, August 25, 2008

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