Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Carey
2. Castleford
3. Dietrich
T-4. Camas County
T-4. Hansen
Written by: Will Hoenike
There’s a song from the classic Disney movie “Beauty and the Beast” that talks of the tale as old as time.
It hasn’t been made into a feature-length movie yet but there’s a case to be made that, in the state of Idaho, the tale as old as time could be the Carey Panthers. Every August, veteran head coach Lane Kirkland and his staff begin the process of replacing a slew of talented and productive players who graduated the previous spring. Then, when November rolls around, there the Panthers sit, squarely in the hunt for the 1A Division 2 state championship.
The program has claimed seven state championships overall and, dating back to 2009, has reached the semifinals ten times in 12 years.
Here’s the tale as old as time: the Carey coaches need to replace three-year standout (and three-position, 1st-Team All-State performer) Hunter Smith. Fellow 1st-Team All-State Stars Adrian Gonzalez and Dallin Parke have also graduated. So have 2nd-Team All-State honorees Wyatt Mecham and Ashton Sparrow.
That’s a lot of All-State talent from an entire conference. But that came from just one team.
“I think our ‘X-factor’ will be how fast this team will learn the offense and defensive schemes and execute them at a high level,” Kirkland said. “Those first weeks of practice will be key to that happening.”
The Panthers do return 1st-Team All-State running back Connor Simpson. As a sophomore, he gained nearly 1,500 yards from scrimmage and scored 19 touchdowns – which is even more impressive when considering Carey only played eight games last season, including postseason, due to COVID-19 cancellations.
Senior Chase Bennion and junior Carsn Perkes will compete for playing time at the quarterback position in front of Simpson. Senior Marcus Richcreek and juniors Teegan Kirkland and Franco Ocampo will get playing time along the offensive line. Juniors Colton Larna and Ellis Jensen will also see time in the backfield while juniors Riley Morey and Cris Gamino will be pass-catching targets when the Panthers go to the air.
“We will have a really fast and durable group to field on offense this year, with some depth. They will be young, but very coachable,” Kirkland said. “These guys possess a lot of ability to perform at a high level. I think our greatest strength will be the hunger that each player possesses to play this game, keep up with tradition, and their desire to work together.”
Carey blanked two opponents in 2020 and held three more to just two touchdowns. Kirkland is optimistic that the team’s defense will again be stout in 2021 with Bennion and Perkes at linebacker behind Richcreek and Ocampo.
Many coaches in the Sawtooth Conference have pointed out that it has the makings of a strong, deep conference in 2021. Few teams in the entire state of Idaho, at any level, have been as consistently solid as Kirkland’s Panthers and it seems likely that will continue this fall.
“I really like the feel and camaraderie of this group. They are a tight bunch and know the expectations as a Panther football player,” Kirkland said. “I think they will perform well together and I expect this to be another fun season.”