With the loss of several star players, including Brady Hatten and starting quarterback Lucas Matthews, Priest River High School head coach Alex Zepeda rolled into the Whitworth football camp this June not knowing what to expect from his Spartans.

The answer he received was an exciting one. 

"We dominated; we looked like the best team in that camp versus the teams that we played," Zepeda said. " I came away from that camp thinking, 'Okay, yeah, we're gonna be fine.' We have a chance to be potentially even better than last year, but it's going to come down to the kids and the choices they make." 

Zepeda opened the team's first outdoor practice on Aug. 11 preaching that message to his team; they could be one of the best teams in school history if they take the process one day at a time. The fourth-year head coach emphasized the need for his team to make good decisions day in and day out to keep them at their sharpest. 

"We can either be below average every day, or we can be excellent," Zepeda said. "If this team decides to be excellent every day, there's a good shot that we can make a run at the state level." 

Lucky for the Spartans, they haven't lost 2025 3A Central Idaho League MVP running back Colton Kupreinko yet. The Priest River star averaged 118 rushing yards per game and nearly 7 yards per carry on 136 carries last season. Kupreinko returns for his senior season and should be a key contributor to the offense, which returns a loaded skill position group, Zepeda said. 

The Spartans will have All-League running back Nate Fegert and All-State wide receiver Layton Goins at their disposal once again. Zepeda also mentioned two pass catchers, senior Kane Berns and junior Madden Redinger as players he expects to make significant contributions. 

"We're stacked skill-wise," Zepeda said. "We have a lot of different things that we could do offensively to try to get everyone the ball, and so we're super excited for this year." 

The skill position players will be supporting new starting quarterback and Priest River baseball standout Jacob Best. Zepeda spoke glowingly of Best's athletic ability and arm talent.  

The Spartans' head coach said that he's worked to simplify the terminology of his offense and that Best has taken to learning the intricacies needed for the position. Zepeda said he's excited to see how Best grows throughout the season as he gets more reps under his belt. 

"We talk about high-low reads on certain concepts, and we're alerting this on cover two, or we're doing that, and he picks it up really quick," Zepeda said. "The crazy thing is that at camp, he looked really good, and I don't even think he really fully understands all of it yet. He's just natural." 

Best and Fegert will also provide a stable presence on defense, alongside All-League linebacker Lane Owens and sophomore defensive tackle Gunner Neal. Zepeda said the Spartans' defense, led by defensive coordinator Brandon Goins, will be one that loves the physical part of the game, tackling, taking good pursuit angles and creating turnovers. 

Priest River will also have Haiden Leach back on defense, a versatile athlete who can make a difference across the field, Zepeda said. 

"I could put him at quarterback. I could put him at receiver. I could put him at running back," Zepeda said of Leach. " I'm curious to see what kind of season he has because he might be getting sacks. He might be getting picks. He might be getting everything." 

The Spartans don't open their season until Aug. 28, with an away game against Bonners Ferry, and are only set to play eight games this year. The extra week allows Zepeda to continue implementing his system on both sides of the ball as Priest River gears up with school history in their sights. 

FUN FACT: Priest River named Jacob Best, Kane Berns, Layton Goins and Nate Fegert as captains for the upcoming 2026 season. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Colton Kupreinko, sr.; Haiden Leach, sr.; Jacob Best, jr. 

MOST ANTICIPATED GAME: Grangeville, the Spartans' final matchup of the season. Zepeda said that this game will likely have 3A Idaho Central League title implications and that it's the game they have circled. 

SCHEDULE:  

- 8/28 @ Bonners Ferry, 7 p.m. 

- 9/4 vs Timberlake, 7 p.m. 

- 9/18 vs Logos, 7 p.m. 

- 9/25 @ Newport (WA), 7 p.m. 

- 10/2 vs Orofino, 7 p.m. 

- 10/9 vs Kellogg, 7 p.m. 

- 10/16 @ St. Maries, 7 p.m. 

- 10/23 @ Grangeville, 7 p.m. 

*Schedule as of 8/20, subject to change 

    Priest River High football head coach Alex Zepeda addresses his team during a practice this summer. Zepeda is entering his fourth year leading the Spartans.