IEL Preview Football
The dirty dozen
Every team has a handful of players who will be key to their success this season.
Here’s a list of the players, in no particular order, we think represent the league’s top 12.
“Byron Hout, senior, middle linebacker/offensive tackle, Lake City
The All-Idaho 5A player of the year last season, Hout will have a similar impact on both sides of the ball again.
“Levi Buckles, sr., wide receiver, Post Falls
Underutilized last year, the Trojans must do all they can to get the ball in his hands more often this season.
“B.J. Palmer, sr., running back, Lake City
Palmer rushed for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns last year, and he will be the featured back again this season. He has the capability of breaking long runs each time he touches the ball.
“Kyle Johnson, sr., wr/defensive back, Lake City
Big-time playing making ability. He has given Washington State an oral commitment in baseball.
“Nate Clinton, sr., wr/db, Coeur d’Alene
Great hands and feet. A possession-type receiver who will be elusive in the open field.
“Cody Hays, sr., offensive lineman/defensive lineman, Lewiston
A four-year starter who will anchor the Bengals’ lines.
“Scott Carr, sr., rb/safety, Lakeland
Carr will be the Hawks’ top two-way player.
“Kyle Graves, sr., wr/db, Lake City
The speedy two-way player caught the attention of University of Idaho coaches at summer camp.
“Johnny Carlson, sr., wr/db, Coeur d’Alene
He comes in as an unknown after missing most of last season with mononucleosis. He won’t be an unknown for long this year.
“Christian Hanna, sr., lb, Lake City
He played behind an older brother and two other talented ‘backers last year. He will come out of the shadow and make a name for himself.
“Tom Kerr, sr., quarterback, Lewiston
He was thrust into the starting lineup because of an injury, and he ended up throwing for 1,570 yards and 18 TDs in five games.
“Sean Jolin, sr., defensive end, Lake City
His coaches say he’s at the level Hout was a year ago.
Best of the rest: Mat Lawrence, sr., lb, Sandpoint; Johnny Rowland, sr., strong safety, PF; Ryan Armbruster, sr., qb, Sandpoint; Grant Turner, sr., dt, CdA; Billy Clifford, sr., lb/tight end, LC; Thomas Mayo, sr., offensive tackle, LC; Bubba Goodwin, junior, rb, CdA; Shawn Hiebert, sr., lb/rb, Lakeland; J.J. Turbin, jr., qb, CdA; Jacob King, sr., ol, PF; P.J. Munoz, sr,, wr/db, Lewiston; John Novak, jr., place-kicker, Lakeland; Matt Shay, sr., te, Sandpoint; Anthony Williams, sr., wr/db, Moscow; Kyle Gibson, sr., db/wr/pk, Sandpoint.
Down south
The projected 5A power in Boise is Centennial, the perennial playoff qualifier which advanced to the semifinals before losing to Highland.
Other contenders for state playoff berths are: Meridian (which returns talented quarterback A.J. Storms and running back Austin Deck), Capital, Mountain View, Timberline and Caldwell.
Bishop Kelly has run roughshod among the Boise-area 4A teams in recent years. But that could change.
BK is still the favorite, but Mountain Home, Skyview, Columbia and Kuna figure to be in the playoff mix.
Will it be a Boise team?
The Idaho Statesman published an interesting note in its preseason prep football package this week.
Since Centennial won the 5A state title in 1999, Boise-area teams have captured state titles four times, all in odd-numbered years. In even-numbered years, it’s been a different story. Highland claimed titles in 1998, 2000 and 2002, Twin Falls won in 2004 and LC last year.
So if the trend continues, a Boise-area team should capture the title this fall.
Air Bjorkman back
Former Moscow coach Eric Bjorkman, whose teams are long remembered for airing the ball out, has stepped out of retirement and will be Borah’s offensive coordinator.
He is installing a shotgun, spread offense similar to Urban Meyer’s offense at Florida.
Bjorkman joins head coach Vince Mann, who was an assistant for Bjorkman at Moscow when the Bears captured the 3A (then A-2) state title in 1992.
Bjorkman, who retired from education two years ago, lives in Boise.