Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Notus
2. Idaho City
T-3. Rimrock
T-3. Wilder
5. Greeneleaf Friends
Written by: Will Hoenike
When second-year head coach Tyler Hoaglun was asked about keys to success for Greenleaf Friends Academy this fall, he quoted a Bible verse: “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
Teamwork. Togetherness. Unity.
Those three things are key for any team working to achieve any goal. For the Grizzlies, it is embarking on a broader varsity schedule, including three non-conference road games, as the program is in its second season of action after several years without varsity-level football. Last season, the team played some varsity-level games and some junior-varsity games, primarily located near the small, Canyon County community. But this fall, the Grizzlies will play varsity-level road games in Hagerman, Hansen, and at Tri-Valley.
“We’re looking to improve each year,” Hoaglun said. “Last year was the first year playing for many of our players, so coming back with experience will help a lot.”
Hoaglun features an experienced quarterback in senior Tucker TenHulzen along with senior receiver Clayton Holloway. The Grizzlies want to spread the field a little bit so having a pass-catch combo with a year under its belt will be key. Senior Noah Beuschlein will also see significant field time this fall, though the Grizzlies coaching staff is likely to utilize his versatility by moving him around, much as they did last season. Greenleaf will have to replace workhorse running back Christian Hazen and starting center Kevin Holloway but do have senior Colby Watanabe ready to slide into a larger role in the backfield.
Watanabe is also expected to see significant playing time at linebacker on defense, but the strength of the team could be its defensive front with seniors Aedan and Evan Kincheloe. The duo each earned valuable experience as freshmen and sophomores at neighboring Wilder High School as part of a cooperative agreement before Greenleaf Friends re-started its program last season. Now the two schools, separated by five miles, compete head to head on the football field. The two teams played twice last season, with Wilder winning the “varsity” game and the Grizzlies capturing the JV contest. They’ll meet again in Wilder on October 1.
The Grizzlies are playing a road-heavy schedule in 2021. People driving by the field on Highway 19 will only see varsity action twice, September 24 against Idaho City and October 8 against Notus, with the other five varsity games all being played away from Greenleaf.
Hoaglun says, with the help of a cooperative agreement with nearby Centennial Baptist in Caldwell, he expects at least 20 players to suit up this fall, which will help the Grizzlies create a stronger cord, one not quickly broken, as the program continues to grow.