Photo By Loren Orr - #3 Landon Cheney
Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Melba
2. Nampa Christian
T-3. Cole Valley Christian
T-3. New Plymouth
5. Marsing
Written by: Brandon Baney
The last time Nampa Christian finished with a winning record, the year was 2015, and the Trojans advanced all the way to the Class 2A semifinals that year before falling to eventual champion Grangeville. The Trojans have qualified for the 2A playoffs in three of the five years since that semifinal run, but each appearance has ended with a first-round exit and sub-.500 record.
Last year’s squad finished 4-5 under new head coach Daniel Jenkins, and just missed out on the postseason. Now in Year 2 under Jenkins, the former Parma head coach says enthusiasm is high. “I am excited for Year 2 in our systems,” Jenkins said. “We have added some new wrinkles on both sides of the ball, as well as experience. We have great team chemistry and great buy in to the program. I am looking forward to a great season.”
Nampa Christian returns most of their starters from a year ago, headlined by senior quarterback Landon Cheney, the Western Idaho Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Year last season. Senior running back Dane Bradshaw could be the best ballcarrier in the WIC this year, and a strong offensive line will be headlined by seniors Jaydn Curry, Geoffery Williams, Gabriel Bowlin and JeanCarlo Siguenza, along with junior Ethan Pearson.
The lone question mark on offense is at wide receiver, as Jenkins must replace the dynamic duo of Rusty Vander Woude and Ryan Schober. “Both of those young men were a big part of our program the last 4 years. Their leadership will be missed more than their play on the field,” Jenkins said. “Rusty was our only All-State player from last season, which leaves a big hole in our receiver room. We will also have to somehow replace Ryan’s speed and his ability to get open.” A combination of seniors Simon DeJong, Muluken Knudson, Daiden Glenn and Josh Tiersma will have to step up to fill the void on the perimeter.
Just like the offense returns a Conference MVP in Cheney, the defense has a similar playmaker to build around. Senior linebacker Caleb Johnson earned the WIC Co-Defensive Player of the Year last season, and will headline a linebacker unit that also includes Glenn and junior Devon McDaniel.
“Our defensive strength is our ability to attack from everywhere on the field,” Jenkins said. “We will again be aligning in a 3-3 Stack Defense. Our general focus on defense is to limit big plays.” To that end, the secondary will feature a number of two-way players including Cheney, DeJong, Knudson and Tiersma.
The WIC appears to be wide open this year, and Nampa Christian’s schedule sets up nicely for the Trojans to control their own destiny. They will host Wendell in the season opener August 27th, before traveling to 3A Fruitland and Parma in consecutive weeks. A home game against Valley on September 24th and a road trip to Declo on October 8th round out the non-conference schedule.
Nampa Christian’s final two games of the regular season are at home against Melba and at Cole Valley Christian, the two squads that the Trojans will more than likely by fighting for the conference title. If the players continue to develop in Year 2 of coach Jenkins’ system, the Trojans have the potential to boast their best squad in some time.