Previous Experience
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (Canadian Football League)
Weber State University
Idaho State University
Central Washington University
Eastern Washington University
Richmond University
University of Massachusetts

Assistant Coaches
Troy Gleave, Brandon Harris, Porter Lacey, Brent Koetter, Kenny Zamberlin, Tim Brackus, Rob Rathbun, Tom Dowers, Chris Boncz, Eric Johnson

Record Last Year
4-3

State Titles
1986, 2005, 2008

Returning Players
Malakai Martinez, QB, 12 (2nd Team All-SIC)
Quentin Riley, WR, 12 (2nd Team All-SIC)
Kross Antonnacchi, RB, 12 (2nd Team All-SIC)
Davis Thacker, WR, 12 (1st Team All-SIC)
Nathan Reynolds, LB, 11 (2nd Team All-SIC)
Max Gwilliam, LB, 11
Ashland Gardner, DB, 12
Tristan Martinez, LB, 12 (2nd Team All-SIC)

Key Players lost from last year
Blaze Tokioka, TE - 1st Team All-SIC
Zach Webb, CB - 1st Team All-SIC
James Burgess, OL - 2nd Team All-SIC
Caden Lewis, OL - 2nd Team All-SIC
Dray Fisher, S - 2nd Team All-SIC
Cruz Crofts, S - Honorable Mention All-SIC

Incoming impact players
Corban Meisner, DT, 11
Jacob Hartsough, DE, 11
Marco Delrio, RB, 10
Ryan Corder, S, 10
Bridger Bivens, OL, 11
Cainen Sanchez, OL, 11

Preseason Coaches' Poll

Foothills Division

T-1. Meridian
T-1. Rocky Mountain
3. Eagle
4. Timberline
5. Skyview
6. Boise

River Division

1. Mountain View
2. Capital
3. Owyhee
T-4. Borah
T-4. Centennial
6. Kuna

Written by: Wayne Dzubak

Pretty much every 5A SIC football coach we have asked agrees, Meridian will be the team to watch in 2021. Some claim the Warriors will be a “surprise” while others say no surprise at all, but rather a contender with the likes of Rocky Mountain, Eagle and Mountain View.

That’s some lofty praise for the squad of third year head coach John Zamberlin. After a career of coaching college football and even a stint with the Hamilton Tigercats of the Canadian football league, Zamberlin has found a home on the Meridian sidelines.

Much of the positive praise concerning 2021 comes from the Warriors’ 4-3 season of 2020.

Meridian caught the attention of everyone in the SIC with a 41-26 over Mountain View in week three last year but then lost to Rocky Mountain and Eagle.

None the less, their 4-2 record earned a playoff spot and a trip to Pocatello where the Warriors lost to the Highland Rams.

Six Meridian players earned post season honors including returning quarterback Malakai Martinez who was tabbed second team All-SIC. Martinez will throw to a pair of second team All-SIC wide receivers in Davis Thacker and Quentin Riley.

We asked coach Zamberlin for some insight on his offense for 2021 but he said, “I would prefer not to talk on this subject, defense included, as is our house philosophy.”

Coach Zamberlin did say IdahoSports.com could speculate so for the time being, let’s just say things look good when your quarterback and a pair of wide receivers, all three with honors from 2020, return to the starting lineup.

Plus, coach Zamberlin mentioned Bridger Bivens and Cainen Sanchez, both offensive linemen, as impact players to watch.

On defense, linebackers Tristan Martinez and Nathan Reynolds return and both were named second-team All-SIC last season. As for impact players to watch on defense, coach Zamberlin pointed to junior defensive tackle Corban Meisner, junior defensive end Jacob Hartsough, and sophomore safety Ryan Corder.

Another factor in the favor of Meridian is their 2021 schedule. They begin with Mountain View August 27th and finish against Rocky Mountain October 15th. There are no back to back heavy hitters on the schedule, as is the case for several SIC contenders.

While coach Zamberlin was hesitant to yield too much insight into his 2021 Warrior squad he did tell us, “We are a relentless bunch, we are family.”

Throw in a solid base of talent and now we know why plenty of 5A SIC coaches are saying watch out for Meridian!