Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Notus
2. Idaho City
3. Wilder
4. Rimrock
5. Greenleaf Friends
Written by: Will Hoenike
Jason Roeber has 24 years’ worth of coaching experience in Idaho City. He’s been in a state championship game, his teams have won Western Idaho Conference titles, his teams have had down years. Sons of former players – and sons of his – have come through the program. There aren’t many things in the 8-man game in Idaho that Roeber hasn’t seen.
In 2021, he sees the W.I.C. having some of its best competition. Notus returns nearly everyone from a state-playoff team a year ago. Wilder always has good athletes, Rimrock returns several talented football players. Greenleaf Friends is a year deeper into the re-launch of its program.
And, of course, his Wildcats. Idaho City has just three seniors but key experience at key spots on the field. That group is led by senior Connor Rapacon. Injuries forced him to shoulder a little more of the load last fall than Roeber would have liked but the feisty Rapacon proved up to the challenge by earning all-conference accolades. This fall, Rapacon will shift from running back to quarterback, replacing the departed Thomas Luthy, but Roeber has confidence in his senior signal-caller.
“We will be looking to explore the roster a little more this year to find some athletes willing to step up in some key positions,” Roeber said. “But we will have a solid offensive line and an experienced quarterback (Rapacon) to navigate a tough conference this year.”
The program’s other two seniors, Jerimiah Nelson and Gavin Wood, will anchor that offensive line along with junior Liam Barber. They’ll pave the way for an offense that averaged more than 42 points per game last season. With Rapacon moving to quarterback and the graduation of all-conference RB/LB Trayton Nelson, Wildcat coaches will look to new(er) faces to carry the ball. Juniors Brody Backus and Ian Roeber should both be in the mix to see time at the running back position in 2021.
The team will need to make strides on defense if it wants to return to the state playoffs after not qualifying last season. In Idaho City’s three losses, it surrendered 54 points per game. Roeber is turning to a former player to help make some adjustments on the defensive side of the ball as Kent Johnson is the team’s new defensive coordinator.
“His expertise and enthusiasm should prove to be a huge improvement,” Roeber said. “Coach Johnson will be looking for creative new ways to keep the high-powered offenses in our conference at bay.”
The team has a good defensive line to build around. Nelson, Wood, Barber, and Backus give the team options to stop opponents’ running attacks and to rush the passer. The younger Roeber at linebacker and Rapacon in the secondary will be asked to make plays on the defensive side of the ball as well.
One team from District 3’s Western Idaho Conference is guaranteed a berth in the 1A Division 1 state playoffs. And, last season, one team was all the conference got. Notus, the defending conference champ, comes to Idaho City on October 1. The Wildcats will also host Wilder in its final home game for “Senior Night” on October 15. Idaho City’s performance in those two games could go a long way in determining whether the team gets the automatic berth or gains an at-large invitation to the playoffs at the end of October.