Photo By Clayton bunt - #11 Ty Keopp
Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Kendrick
2. Deary
3. Lewis County
4. Timberline
Written by: Will Hoenike
Kendrick head coach Zane Hobart is entering his ninth year atop the Tigers’ football program and, after a three-win maiden voyage, despite averaging more than seven wins per season, it has been one near-miss after another.
The Tigers have reached the 1A Division 2 playoffs eight straight years, including one appearance in the title game: 2016 against Salmon River. All eight ventures into the postseason have ended with a loss. Kendrick went 6-2 last season, falling to Carey in the semifinals, and it’s reasonable to expect the Tigers to once again reach the postseason in 2021.
“I’m just really excited to have so many guys back,” Hobart said. “We did lose three seniors but really only played with two most of the season (one was returning from a knee injury and missed several games). I am excited to see how hungry the kids are after losing in the state semifinals each of the last three years.”
Kendrick returns its trigger-man in quarterback Ty Keopp on offense. Keopp was named the 1A Division 2 White Pine Most Valuable Player as a freshman last fall and returns a host of weapons, including all-leaguers Maison Anderson (senior) and Jagger Hewett (junior) with another all-leaguer, Jack Silflow, in front of him along the offensive line. That group led the way for an offense that averaged over 40 points per contest in 2020, including two victories where the team produced over 60 points.
“We threw the ball really well last year and had success spreading teams out,” Hobart noted. “Our goal is pretty simple – get our athletes the ball in space and let them make plays.”
The Tigers also return junior Tommy Stamper on the offensive line along with sophomores Hunter Taylor (TE) and Wyatt Fitzmorris (RB) and could see valuable contributions from incoming freshmen Sawyer Hewett, Carson Hogan, and Brock Boyer.
Kendrick struggled defensively in its two losses, allowing a combined 100 points to 1A Division 1 power Prairie and perennial 1A Division 2 title contender Carey. While most 8-man football teams in Idaho would struggle to stop those two opponents, Hobart’s group performed well in its six wins.
“Our strength last year, defensively, was definitely our team speed,” he said. “We are not the biggest by any means but fly to the ball well.
With Anderson and Keopp leading the way at the linebacker position with Fitzmorris, the core returns this fall. Silflow, Stamper, Hogan, and Boyer will fill roles along the defensive front while both Hewetts and Taylor will play in the team’s defensive secondary.
Kendrick opens up with a game in Middleton against District 4’s Lighthouse Christian, formerly a Division 2 team that now plays in Division 1, on August 28. The road winds through September and into October before running into an old friend at home on October 15 when the Tigers host rival Deary.
“Tim Olson, who has been one of my assistants the past five seasons, is now the head coach up there,” Hobart said. “This guy is a heck of a coach and I have no doubt they will be a contender under him.”
Depth and health are two X-factors that are mentioned by virtually every 8-man football coach. Hobart expects more than 20 kids to turn out for football this season – the most in his tenure at the school – which should benefit the team significantly in both categories.