Photo By Steve Conner - #18 Cody Walk
Preseason Coaches' Poll
Foothills Division
T-1. Meridian
T-1. Rocky Mountain
3. Eagle
4. Timberline
5. Skvyiew
6. Boise
River Division
1. Mountain View
2. Capital
3. Owyhee
T-4. Borah
T-4. Centennial
6. Kuna
Written by: Wayne Dzubak
The Capital football team was caught in a 2020 Covid-19 holding pattern last fall. They weren’t able to start their season until many teams across the state had already played three to four games.
When the Eagles finally got the green light it appeared there would be no stopping them as they rolled to a 4-0 start.
But back to back losses to Rocky Mountain and Mountain View saw their season end after just six games. Capital finished 2020 at 4-2.
Now Capital head coach Tom Simis heads into his 18th year leading the Eagles with as much optimism and excitement as ever, partly because his roster includes six players named All-SIC, including returning senior quarterback Max Clark,.
“We have a quality senior class and if we can get the leadership of that group to buy into our team first mind set, we’ll be in every game” says coach Simis.
After being one of the final teams to kick-off the 2020 season, Capital will be among the first to play this fall as they host Nampa on Thursday, August 26th at Dona Larsen Park.
Simis says Capital will probably have to play five or six players both ways so staying healthy will be a key to victory.
As noted earlier, Capital has a half dozen players with SIC recognition and that talent played out during the recent Famous Idaho Potato Bowl 7 on 7 Tournament, an event Capital won.
Quarterback Max Clark will have two talented wideouts to throw to in Nate Cherry and Ethan Castillo. Coach Simis says the plan this fall is to develop a more consistent running game, a challenge that may fall to the feet of senior running back Josh Garcia.
The Eagles also have talent on defense and the coaching staff plans to rely on athleticism to create turnovers and disrupt the opponent’s offensive flow. Coach Simis will rely on the likes of defensive linemen Josh Summers, Colin Drew and Michael Sevilla.
Capital made big strides on defense last year and the emphasis will continue to be about playing aggressive football, creating turnovers and getting sacks.
Capital hasn’t won a state 5A title since 1991 but with a quality senior class and the ball bouncing the right way in key situations, the Eagles could be headed for a coveted 5A playoff spot in 2021.