Photo By Ryan Geer - #2 Race Widmier
Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Kimberly
2. Gooding
3. Buhl
4. Filer
Written by: Brandon Baney
It seems odd to begin a preview of Kimberly with a quote from the opposition, but when Gooding Senators coach Cameron Andersen was asked about players to keep an eye on this year in the Sawtooth Central Idaho Conference, he had one simple answer. “Everyone from Kimberly!”, Andersen proclaimed.
Andersen went on to say, “They have absolutely superior talent, so they have players all over the field to keep an eye on. I think Race Widmier is one of the more dynamic runners we have faced. Along with him, Heath Owens at quarterback and Gatlin Bair on the edge…they are scary.”
That trio of offensive playmakers has grabbed the attention of not just Andersen, but every coach in Class 3A. The Bulldogs used their blazing speed a year ago to zoom into the 3A semifinals, where they fell to eventual champion Sugar-Salem 35-27. Returning seniors Heath Owens and Race Widmier are three-year starters at quarterback and running back, respectively, while Bair started as a freshman at wideout a year ago.
However, an offense isn’t comprised of just three athletes. All eleven players will have to be consistent for Kimberly to make another deep run in the postseason. “The main X-factor for our team is how our young offensive line comes along and develops over the course of the year,” said Kimberly coach Rich Bishop.
And while Kimberly’s offense is imposing, Bishop said the Bulldogs defense might be better. “Grant Murphy up front will be a force,” Bishop said. “Race Widmier, Connor Laughlin and Micahel Goff at linebacker will be a solid core. Gatlin Bair in the secondary gives us a playmaker back there (also).”
Kimberly is planning on another deep postseason run in 2021, and have scheduled accordingly. They will play four opponents from the Class 4A Great Basin Seven Conference. Kimberly travels to Jerome on September 3rd and Wood River on October 7th, and hosts Burley and Mountain Home in back-to-back weeks in late September. Their season opener is on the road at Snake River in a rematch of last year’s 3A quarterfinal matchup, a game Kimberly narrowly won 28-26. And the regular season finale could decide the SCIC title when Kimberly travels to Gooding on October 22nd.
Add it all up, and Kimberly could finally win a state football championship for the first time in school history. “I’m excited to see Heath and Race lead this team as seniors and 3 year varsity starters,” Bishop said. “And I’m really excited for some of the young players we have coming up and seeing how they cement their role.”