Photo By Patty Theurer - #15 Gage Warren
Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Horseshoe Bend
2. Council
3. Garden Valley
4. Tri-Valley
5. Salmon River
Written by: Will Hoenike
High school athletics are often cyclical. That can be especially heightened in Idaho’s smaller classifications where schools don’t have as many student-athletes to pull from. The Tri-Valley Titans, a co-operative athletic department between Cambridge, Midvale, and Indian Valley, reached the 1A Division 2 state title game in 2017 with a talented, veteran team.
Then came the “down” cycle as the Titans lost 12 consecutive games during the 2019 and 2020 seasons before ending last fall with a big win over Salmon River.
Now it may be time for the “up” cycle to return for Tri-Valley.
“There will always be four or five sophomores on the field at all times,” said second-year head coach Justin Mink. “These sophomores will see their roles increase greatly, but I think they’re up to the challenge.”
Mink’s squad returns two players who earned all-conference honors in the Long Pin as freshmen – Gage Warren and Luke McHenry. Warren’s role may expand to include the quarterback position to replace departed senior Jarret Mink, who is off to play college baseball at Blue Mountain Community College in Oregon (side note: Mink recorded the final out for Weiser High School in its victory over rival Fruitland in the 3A state championship baseball game in May). Like many in 8-man football, Warren will also see time on defense as a defensive back.
McHenry will also play on both sides of the ball, anchoring the defense as a linebacker and moving around on offense as a lineman and a skill-position player.
“As a freshman, Luke was a huge part of our defense,” Mink said. “He had 16 tackles against Idaho City last year, so I’m excited to see how he improves this year.”
The Titans do have some experience to lead the way, including senior RB/DB Charlie Gay, who was also a second-team All-Long Pin performer last year. Troy Paradis, also a senior, will play in the trenches as a tight end and defensive end. Blake Damon, a junior, returns to the offensive and defensive lines. Junior Alyas Walker figures into the team’s plans along the front and sophomore Claytin Harper will see plenty of playing time as well.
“We have lots of speed all over the field,” Mink observed. “We have kids that want to go make plays.”
They’ll have a chance right out of the gates to make plays against some bigger programs as three of the team’s first four games are against 1A Division 1 teams (Tri-Valley is 1A Division 2), including a season-opener on the road in Notus. Many observers expect Notus to be in position to advance to the 1A Division 1 state playoffs in November. The Titans also face Division 1 foes Greenleaf Friends Academy and Idaho City in the season’s opening weeks before opening Long Pin Conference play on September 24 against rival Council.
“We’re very young,” Mink concluded. “And we’re ready to win.”