Photo By Loren Orr - #32 Isaac Garcia
Preseason Coaches' Poll
Foothills Division
T-1. Meridian
T-1. Rocky Mountain
3. Eagle
4. Timberline
5. Skyview
6. Boise
River Division
1. Mountain View
2. Capital
3. Owyhee
T-4. Borah
T-4. Centennial
6. Kuna
Written by: Wayne Dzubak
New coach, new culture and a formidable running game. Such is the game plan for the Kuna Kavemen in 2021.
The new coach is Jeff Schank who served as an assistant coach on Kuna’s staff the past two years after logging eight seasons at Rosamond High school in California. He replaces Sherm Blaser, who took the head coaching job at brand-new Owyhee High.
Schank is also faced with the task of replacing one of the most exciting players in the SIC, Sean Austin, who was a First Team All-State quarterback. Austin was a play maker but even with his gifted talents, the Kavemen managed just one win last year, beating Centennial 48-8.
Schank noted linebacker Gus Austin, running back Isaac Garcia and cornerback Iziak Kelso as key returning players but he also expects big things from Luke Selto at wide receiver, Logan Blades on defense and Cole Luekenga at quarterback.
Schank is pretty much starting from scratch, a clean slate if you will, and he has definite ideas on what it will take to win.
“We want to build a formidable running game” says Schank. Certainly that is the complete opposite of the wide type of results we saw last year with Austin under center.
Coach Schank has been busy this offseason. He has to get to know his players, figure out all the puzzle pieces and then find out where they will fit best.
In 2019 Kuna won the 4A State Championship and then headed back to the 5A level where it has been a struggle. Last year they opened the season with a near upset of Lewiston before losing 37-30 and on August 27th the Kavemen will make the long bus ride to Lewiston to open the 2021 campaign.
If you’re trying to start a new culture, a long bus ride might just be what the football doctors ordered to help this team bond into a contender.
Kuna will open the 2021 home season September 3rd when the Eagle Mustangs come calling.