Last season: 6-3, 2nd in 3A Central Idaho League

Coaches: Alex Zepeda, head coach, third year; Zack Goins, assistant coach; Brandon Goins, assistant coach; Ryan Boles, assistant coach, Cory Coleman, assistant coach; Mike McMahon, assistant coach; Steve Lamb, assistant coach.

Key returners: Lucas Mathews, QB, sr.; Kane Berns, CB/WR, jr.; Jacob Best, QB/OLB, so.; Layton Goins, MLB/RB, so.; Nate Fegert, RB/SS, jr.; Niki Porinchok, G/DE; Brady Hatten, T/DT, sr.; Colton Braden, C, sr.; Anden Griesemer, G, so.; Colton Kuprienko, SS/RB, jr.

Key losses: Sawyer Staudt, RB; Skyler Simcox, WR/CB; Luccas Simcox, TE/C.

Key newcomers: Elijah Camp, fr.; Gunner Neil, fr.; Branson Stokes, fr.; Brady Laffoon, fr.

Outlook: Priest River, after playing a mixed varsity/junior varsity schedule in 2023, took the 3A Central Idaho League by surprise last season when they posted a 6-3 overall record, 3-1 in the league, to finish runner-up to Grangeville, the winners of the title in back-to-back years now.

Losing just four seniors to graduation and returning the entire offensive line, the surging Spartans are looking to turn the tables on the Bulldogs under third-year head coach Alex Zepeda — also the Athletic Director and a teacher at the high school.

Replacing 3A All-State Second Team running back Sawyer Staudt, who broke multiple school records last season, will be a challenge, but the Spartans have multiple guys with varsity experience who will step in.

5-foot 9-inch, 180-pound junior Nate Fegert, who compiled 651 yards on 12.3 yards per carry and eight total touchdowns a year ago (one defensive touchdown), is more than able to be the Spartans' next big-time rusher. Junior Colton Kuprienko (5-8, 175) and sophomore Layton Goins (5-9, 165) will also see significant time in the backfield. As is the case with most small schools, Goins, Fegert, and Kuprienko, all three of whom were All-Central Idaho League selections, led the team in tackles on the defensive side of the ball — with Goins accounting for 74 tackles, 42 solo, the most in Bonner County in 2024. As a whole, the Spartans outscored opponents 318 to 174 and collected 19 turnovers (10 interceptions and nine fumbles) last season.

Out in front of the rushing attack will be senior All-Central Idaho League pick Brady Hatten, an offensive and defensive tackle who recently measured up at 6-foot-4-inches and 300 pounds. He's had a monster offseason and is a problem for opponents, says Zepeda, who also noted Hatten is one of the most coachable players out there. Senior Colton Braden (5-9, 220), sophomore Anden Griesemer (6-2, 245), both All-Central Idaho League selections, and senior Niki Porinchok (6-5, 210), will play key roles on one of the deepest offensive lines in the state's 3A classification.

Under center is seasoned four-year starter Lucas Mathews (6-1, 175), who completed 50 of his 95 passes for 676 yards and seven touchdowns last season. Zepeda is confident with Mathews at the helm and plans to open up the passing playbook a bit more often this year.

Other key players that will return on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball are sophomore outside linebacker Jacob Best and junior cornerback and wide receiver Kane "ball hawk" Berns.

Priest River, which qualified for the state playoffs a year ago for the first time since 2012, beefed up this year's schedule and are ready to get the ball rolling. When they're operating as a well-oiled machine, they're a team that's hard to stop — new heights are on the horizon.

Coach's comments: "This year is a year we're really looking forward to ... we've been a young team for a number of years, but now it's 'fair'. They are a group of fighters and also brothers at the same time. Super excited for what's to come; the entire football program is in a really great place." — Coach Alex Zepeda

On the offensive line: "We have eight incoming freshmen and five of them are solid linemen. At our intersquad scrimmage, it turned into my freshman linemen against our older linemen — and the freshman absolutely held their own ... we have about 15 linemen, with my back five being on the top 10 of most teams." — Coach Alex Zepeda 

On Lucas Mathews abilities as a quarterback: "He's going to make a big step this year. He understands pass protection and is able to check it at the line. He's always had a great ball. We expect big things from him." — Coach Alex Zepeda 

On Layton Goins at wide receiver: "We had 7-on-7 all summer and Layton was making one-handed grabs; he's all over the place. He's double-covered and he's still catching it. We have a true No. 1 receiver now, which is exciting in terms of play action." — Coach Alex Zepeda 

On Nate Fegert and Colton Kuprienko at running back: "They're both different runners in a great way. Colton is extremely explosive while Nate is more of our bruiser. Both of them have hit the weight room every day this offseason." — Coach Alex Zepeda 

On coaches Steve Lamb and Brandon Goins: "They started the youth program years ago and you're starting to see the benefits of that right now. They have been a big part of this process and I credit a lot of our success to them." — Coach Alex Zepeda 

Priest River Football Schedule

8/23 — vs. Salmon, 7 p.m.

8/30 — vs. Bonners Ferry, 7 p.m.

9/5 — vs. Grangeville, 7 p.m.

9/12 — vs. Newport, 7 p.m.

9/19 — @ Kettle Falls, 7 p.m.

10/3 — @ Colfax, 7 p.m.

10/10 — @ Orofino, 7 p.m.

10/17 — vs. St. Maries, 7 p.m.

10/24 — @ Kellogg, 7 p.m.

2024 RESULTS

9/6 — @ Grangeville L 36-8

9/13 — @ Newport L 20-12

9/20 — vs. Kettle Falls W 43-0

9/27 — @ Medical Lake W 43-0

10/4 — vs. Colfax W 34-27

10/11 — vs. Orofino W 48-15

10/18 — @ St. Maries W 24-8

10/25 — vs. Kellogg W 64-26

11/2 — @ Abderdeen L 42-12*

* denotes state playoff game

    Priest River High senior center Colton Braden readies to snap the ball during last year's 3A state playoff game against Aberdeen.