EASTERN IDAHO In the Nuke, it’s just another year.
After more than two decades in the region, West Jefferson coach Cory Hall’s description of the Nuclear Conference is likely accurate.
The conference is quite competitive, even though Firth and North Fremont have been at the top in previous years.
Ririe might improve in 2025 after having a stellar season the previous year.
While Salmon and West Jefferson aim to get better and contend for the playoffs, Firth, who won the league the previous year, must replace one of the best all-around players in the league.
North Fremont, which has always been dependable, gets a new head coach.
Jason Wright, coach of the Huskies, stated, “We want to be the best team in our conference.”
Get ready for yet another exciting season in the Nuke.
FIRTH COUGARS
Coach: fourth-season Rigo Vasquez
Season previous: 7-3, 4-0
Impact players:Kelton Robinson, OL/DL; Bryce Anderson QB/DB; Kamdon Bott QB; Beau Ringel, RB/LB; Grant Vasquez, RB/LB.
Notes: Firth proceeded to the state semifinals and went undefeated in the fiercely difficult Nuclear Conference.
The Cougars are trying to replace running back Fisher Anderson and quarterback Darrell Vasquez, two of their best performers from the previous campaign.
Firth will have to replace nine seniors overall, but Vasquez anticipates that the younger players will step up. Bryce Anderson, who missed the previous season due to an ACL injury, will start at quarterback, while senior Kamdon Bott may also take over as the main quarterback.
Ricky Arriaga, who has the ability to catch passes out of the backfield, Beau Ringel, and Grant Vasquez have all had a lot of varsity experience in the backfield.
Anderson must step up defensively on the other side of the ball after Darrell Vasquez left the secondary. Cooper Park and Kelton Robinson, two of Firth’s best lineman, are also back.
Firth’s season opener at New Plymount is this Friday.
NORTH FREMONT HUSKIES
First-season coach Jason Wright
Season previous: 6-4, 2-2
Impact players: Josh Heiner, OL; Bryce Nedrow, OL; Andrew Martin, RB; Cameron Shuldberg, DL; and Owen Reid, RB.
Notes: Wright, who served as defensive coordinator the previous season, takes over as head coach.
After placing third in the conference behind Firth and Ririe, the Huskies made it to the state quarterfinals the previous year.
With Josh Heiner, Cameron Shuldberg, Bryce Nedrow, and Owen Reid at running back, the squad has a lot of skill returned despite losing three starters. At running back, Andrew Martin makes a comeback.
Although the team has experience, Wright stated that the goal of camp was to return to the fundamentals.
Wright stated that the team’s offensive and defensive lines should be strong going into the season and that the main goal is to concentrate more on the basics.
In Friday’s first game, North Fremont takes on South Fremont.
RIRIE BULLDOGS
Josh Huntsman, fourth-season coach
Season previous: 7-3, 3-1
Impact players:Kolter Lewis, RB; Cooper Huntsman, OL/LB; John Slachter, OL; Logan Trimble, OL; Austin Landon, OL/DL; Bryce Barber, LB; Ian Johnson, FB.
Notes: After hosting their first playoff game, Riley went to the state quarterfinals, where the Bulldogs lost to eventual champion West Side. Riley finished second in the Nuclear Conference, behind Firth.
Offensive Player of the Year Kolter Lewis, who was a member of the team’s two-pronged running assault the previous season, is one of nine all-conference players that the Bulldogs are returning.
According to Huntsman, there are several seniors returning who can assist us on both sides of the ball.
As Ian Johnson and Garrett Van Noy join Lewis in the backfield, don’t expect the team’s rushing style to change.
If defenders pack the box, Breylon Moon at quarterback provides the offense with a throwing threat, according to Huntsman.
He stated that there were normally six passes every game and that this season that number might quadruple. “We’re going to try to expand the playbook,” he remarked.
At Melba, Ririe kicks off the season on Saturday.
SALMON
Coach:Keith Director, first season
Season previous: 1-6, 0-4
Impact players include Clayton Allen, WR/TE; Maddox Thimins, RB; Thomas Baumer, FB/DE; Brock Jarvis, C; and Pason Phillips, QB/LB.
Notes: After leading North Fremont to a postseason spot the previous season, the director now assumes leadership of a Salmon program that is prepared to start from scratch.
According to the director, such is the strategy going into the season with just 21 players.
As the program works to establish a foundation, expect many underclassmen to witness action. The director stated that he and the players are both prepared for the challenge.
Salmon didn’t win a conference game and finished 1-6 last season.
According to the director, they must think they can compete. We want to instill self-confidence in them; we won’t reduce our standards; we just want to be competitive.
At Big Sky High School in Missoula, Montana, Salmon will play St. Maries in their season opener on Saturday.
WEST JEFFERSON PANTHERS
Coach: second-season Cory Hall
Last season:4-5, 1-3
Impact players include Justus Burtenshaw, RB/DB; Isaac Hall, LB; Johnny Bonilla, K; Mac Hall, LB; and Mason Tomlinson, OL/DL.
Notes:The Panthers made the playoffs last year with their one conference victory and return six starters and five all-conference selections.
According to Hall, who noted that player development between the sophomore and senior years is essential, I enjoy that we have some guys with several years of varsity experience.
The team boasts several returning players with experience, including three-year varsity players Mac Hall and Justus Burtenshaw.
In the run-heavy attack, Ryker Burtenshaw takes over at quarterback.
At Wendell, the Panthers kick off the season on August 29.
