Previous Experience
Marsh Valley, West Jefferson, Wilder Assistant Coach/Rimrock, Columbia Head Coach (12 years combined)

Assistant Coaches
Cory Dickard, Steve Mitchell, Matt Haggard, Dallin Forsgren, Victor Samaguey

Record Last Year
6-2

State Titles
1991, 2002

Returning Players
Dillon Stosich, WR/DB, 12 (2A All-State, 1st Team All-WIC)
William Vail, TE/DE, 12 (2A All-State, Honorable Mention All-WIC)
Kyler Oakes, RB/LB, 12
David Cossel, OL/DL, 12
Sean Canoy, OL/DL, 12 (1st Team All-WIC)
Trace Stimpson, FB/LB, 12 (1st Team All-WIC)
Alfredo Orozco, WR/LB/K, 12 (1st Team All-WIC)
Ben Evans, FB/LB, 12
Tra Theobald, OL/DL, 12 (Honorable Mention All-WIC)
Robert Knight, OL/DL, 12
Joshua Waite, OL/DL, 12
Cody Dickard, OL/DL, 11 (2A All-State, 1st Team All-WIC)
Manny Zapata, FB/LB, 11

Key Players lost from last year
Henry Clark – WIC Player of the Year/1st Team All State DL
Donvaun Rose – WIC Defensive Player of the Year
Zane Helm – WIC Offensive Player of the Year/2nd Team All-State RB/2nd Team All-State Safety
Cam Wood – 1st Team WIC WR/2nd Team WIC CB/1st Team All-State WR
Braulio Colunga – 1st Team WIC OL
Chris Zavala – 1st Team WIC DL
Andrew Herman – Started 19 games on Defense last two seasons/2019 2nd Team All State DB
Joey Bradshaw – One of the best athletes in the state at 2A, great leader

Incoming impact players
Cache Beus, QB/S, 10
Gabe Shaffer, RB/CB, 11
Kaden Dayley, RB/CB, 11
Brenton Overall, RB/DL, 11
Noah West, WR/S, 10
Carlos Colunga, FB/LB, 10

Preseason Coaches' Poll

1. Melba
2. Nampa Christian
T-3. Cole Valley Christian
T-3. New Plymouth
5. Marsing

Written by: Brandon Baney

Juan Colunga took over as head coach of the Melba football program in 2017. Last season featured the first group of players that had been with Colunga for all four years of high school, and that chemistry was on display during a 6-2 season. “All these guys were freshman my first year,” Colunga said. “They developed into great leaders and LOVED the program and the brotherhood that had been created over the last four seasons. The accolades they earned as seniors speaks volumes about their commitment and the FTH attitude they embaced over the last four years. They lived and preached our team motto, ‘Those who stay will be Champions’ since day one and proved it by winning the Western Idaho Conference for the first time since 2004.”

Such a heralded class is certainly a tough act to follow, but Melba is in good hands with seven players returning who garnered either All-State or All-Conference honors a year ago. For a team that loves to run the football, the Mustangs biggest strength is up front on the offensive line. Seniors Sean Canoy, David Cossel, and Tra Theobald will pair nicely with Cody Dickard at center and William Vail at tight end.

At the skill positions, senior wide receiver Dillon Stosich returns after an All-State season a year ago. The backfield will feature Gabe Shaffer, Trace Stimpson and Kyler Oakes. The biggest question mark is at quarterback, where sophomore Cache Beus must replace the departed Henry Clark. “Cache has demonstrated incredible growth and leadership throughout the summer and was phenomenal at camp in Twin Falls and during 7 on 7’s,” Colunga said. “He will carry on the tradition of great QB’s at Melba.”

Just like on offense, Melba’s defensive strengths start up front. Canoy, Dickard and Vail lead the way, and will be spelled by Cossel, Theobald and Robert Knight. Three starters (Stimpson, Alfredo Orozco and Manny Zapata) return at linebacker, while Oakes, Carlos Colunga and Ben Evans will all see time as well.

As for the secondary, “The biggest challenge is to replace three all-state defensive backs,” Colunga said. “But we have some very athletic and agile players looking to do so.” Stosich is the only returning starter at safety, and will be joined by Shaffer and Kayden Dayley at cornerback. The final starting safety spot is up for grabs, with Noah West-Baranco and Beus fighting for that spot.

While Melba went 6-2 a year ago, their season ended abruptly with a 50-14 loss to Declo in their playoff opener. It’s an area that Colunga says they have to get better at. “We must be able to get the job done in the playoffs, when it matters most,” Colunga said. “We must be able to handle the physicality and toughness of state title contending teams such as North Fremont, Grangeville, West Side and Declo.”

Melba will test their mettle against two of the four teams Colunga mentioned as state contenders. The Mustangs host North Fremont on September 4th and will travel to Grangeville for their regular season finale on October 22nd. They will also travel to Valley, host Nyssa, Oregon and open their season at home against Class 3A Fruitland. Melba is hoping all of those quality non-conference games pave the way towards a deep playoff run and a second consecutive WIC title.