Photo By Steve Conner - #23 Hayden Kincheloe
Preseason Coaches' Poll
T-1. Homedale
T-1. Weiser
3. McCall-Donnelly
4. Fruitland
5. Payette
6. Parma
Written by: Keller Sherman
The Homedale Trojans have appeared in the 3A state title game in three consecutive years going 0-3 in that span, but with the return of the State Player of the Year and Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Year, a special season could be in store for the Trojans. All three defeats in the 3A state title game have come at the hands of the Sugar-Salem Diggers. Can the Trojans get over the hump and win their first state title since 1997? 3A Snake River Valley Coach of the Year Matt Holtry will try to lead his team to that goal in his 13th season with the Trojans.
The Trojans finished the 2020 season with an 8-2 record. Aside from the state championship game loss, the lone regular season setback came at the hands of the Middleton Vikings, 53-28. Despite that lopsided loss, the Trojans showed that they were more than capable of competing with the 4A Southern Idaho Conference by beating eventual 4A SIC champion and state-runner up Emmett 28-21.
They would have had another chance to make a statement against another 4A SIC team in Bishop Kelly, had the game not been cancelled as a result of a high volume of coronavirus cases within Ada County, where Bishop Kelly is located. In conference play, outside of a 31-28 close call with Weiser, the Trojans won all their conference games by at least 14 points. The state playoffs saw Homedale handle Timberlake and South Fremont with ease before falling in the state championship game 34-28 in overtime to Sugar-Salem.
The Trojans return loads of talent from the 2020 campaign including the return of nine players that brought home a combined seventeen honors at the state and conference levels. Notable returns include 3A Player of the Year and Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Year Hayden Kincheloe as well as All-State selections Eli Heck and Mason Strong.
However, if you are a powerhouse program like Homedale, with notable returns come notable losses. Last year’s seniors combined for five all-state and seventeen all-conference selections. Even with these departures, Holtry still believes that incoming players can step up and fill in the holes left behind by the departing seniors.
In addition to Kincheloe, an additional eight All-Conference and one All-State selection are back, giving this team plenty of returning talent on offense. Willy Haun and Obed Palacios come back to lead the offensive line giving Holtry confidence in the team’s run game. He also feels good about the return of skill positions in the quarterback, running back, and wide receiver units which helps his team feel confident in their ability to execute their offensive scheme. The passing game will continue to be an area where the Trojans will focus on improving as they hope to create more balance within the team while also opening up the run game.
On defense, Homedale returns all of their defensive coaching staff along with five All-Conference and one All-State selection which Holtry believes will give his program consistency and allow his players to understand what he wants to accomplish in this area. Willy Haun and Obed Palacios will be key starters on the defensive line while linebacker Willie White be key to the team’s success in stopping the run. Eli Heck, Josh Brown, and Mason Strong also return as defensive backs and will help with stopping the pass. Holtry also wants to see improvements with his run defense so they can be ready to stop any kind of offense that the team will face. This will prove to be especially crucial in the playoffs because of the minimal time that the team has to prepare for each opponent.
The seniors will feel the sting of three consecutive state title game losses more than any other players on the team. Knowing that this will be their last chance to bring home a state title, they will be more hungry than ever to put an end to Homedale’s 23-year title drought. If the team is to accomplish this, they will need to achieve balance on both sides of the ball as well as continue to work at continuity within the program with new seniors coming in to lead the team.
One of the most important things a team can do to achieve continuity throughout the program is to continue to load up on talent with each departing class. Holtry feels confident in the team’s ability to do just that with the arrival of some incoming impact players. Trenton Fisher and D’Orr Packer are new running backs and linebackers. Omar Rios and Brodie White will come in and strengthen the offensive line while also seeing time on the defensive line. Chase Cooper will also factor into the defensive line rotation and will also serve as a tight end on the offense. Sigmund Goode will see time as a wide receiver and defensive back.
Homedale kicks off their schedule with a trip to 4A SIC opponent Caldwell. This will be the lone road non-conference game for the Trojans in 2021 as the remainder of the non-conference schedule features a three game homestand. This will include visits from the Ontario Tigers and Baker Bulldogs, both members of the Oregon-based Greater Oregon League, as well as Sandpoint. The 2020 4A Inland Empire League champions will provide the Trojans with a good test before they begin conference play. The Bulldogs made a run to the 4A state semifinals before falling to eventual 4A state champion Skyline 20-0.
The Trojans will open conference play at McCall-Donnelly, a team that coach Holtry feels may surprise some people this season as the team returns a lot of talent and is well coached in his eyes. They also have a player in DJ Green that Holtry feels could give his team some trouble.
Following the trip to McCall, Homedale’s schedule softens up with two easier games against two teams widely picked to finish towards the bottom of the 3A SRV in Parma and Payette. These games will serve as a nice tune-up before Homedale heads into a very challenging back-to-back to close out the season.
On October 15th, Homedale will host Weiser for Senior Night. The Wolverines feature yet another player that coach Holtry will be keeping his eye on in Brett Spencer. They will then close the schedule out with a trip to Fruitland. This could be a major trap game if they are caught looking ahead to the playoffs. The team will need to be on their A game if they are to avoid a major upset.
Homedale has demonstrated their ability to reload on talent year in and year out, which is one of the key elements to building a competitive program. In the past three years, Homedale has built a strong, formidable program and has not lost a conference game since September 29, 2017 against the eventual state champion of that year, Fruitland. In addition, the Trojans have also shown that they can hold their own against teams at the 4A classification.
If there is a season for the Trojans to win a state title, it is this season. The seniors that have dealt with heartbreak in the past three state championship games have one last chance to bring a title back to Homedale.
Regardless of what happens in the regular season, Homedale expects to be right back in the state championship game. A state title in 2021 would not only provide the seniors with the best send-off possible while also putting an end to a 23-year title drought, but it would add another chapter to one of the state’s most storied programs.