Last season: 12-10, 7-3 in 4A Intermountain, lost in the final game of the consolation bracket at the 4A State Tournament 

Key returners: Aaron Tadlock, sr.; Riley Beggarly, sr.; Ben Middleton, sr.; Peyton Hinthorn, sr.; Trevor Festini, sr. 

Key newcomers: Miles Oxford, so. 

Outlook: While a new face is leading the Bonners Ferry High boys soccer team in 2026, as Matt Solis takes over for long-time head coach Paul Bonnell, the expectations for the program remain unchanged. 

Solis worked as an assistant head coach under Bonnell for three years prior to taking the position. He said he’s looking forward to taking what he was taught by Bonnell and leading the Badgers. 

Bonners Ferry is fresh off a run at the 4A state tournament, where they fell just short in the final match of the consolation bracket to Teton. Solis said last year was a learning season for the now-seniors and that he believes his team can compete for district and state titles. 

While the seniors were learning last year, Solis expects them to lead in 2026. He’ll especially be leaning on his senior captains, midfielder Aaron Tadlock, striker Riley Beggarly and defender Peyton Hinthorn. Tadlock shined in the team’s second game, a 13-0 win over St. Maries, totaling three goals and three assists. 

Between the posts, the Badgers will need significant contributions from senior Kordale Burt. The keeper held up his end of the bargain in Bonners Ferry’s season-opener against reigning state champions and rivals Coeur d’Alene Charter, making four saves in their narrow 1-0 loss. 

Solis said he’ll rely on senior defender Ben Middleton to support the backline that is otherwise packed with underclassmen, including freshman Jackson Chavira and sophomore Myles McCulla. Rounding out the seniors, Trevor Festini will play a major role on the wing and already did so against St. Maries, scoring four goals in the blowout win. 

The Badgers will boast a unique style of play, Solis said, as they adapt stars from other sports to soccer. While it won’t exactly be club soccer, Solis guaranteed it’ll be good soccer. 

Coach’s comments: 

Solis said of his seniors: “I've been living in Bonners for almost 12 years this coming spring, so I've known them since they were kids. They've grown up to young adults who know what they want. They're passionate. They have love, and they care for their teammates, and so I believe that they can lead this team to a championship.” 

Solis on what he learned from former head coach Paul Bonnell: “Paul's a well-loved man in this community. He's a little older than me, so he always has great words of wisdom. Any situation that comes up, if it's personal or related to the team, he always had some sort of positive impact on not just myself, but the rest of the coaching staff and on the kids.” 

Solis said about the program: “It's pretty consistent, and it's young, and it's growing and it's going to be a really fun year. Everybody should be excited to watch not just Badger soccer, but football, girls soccer, volleyball, all the Badger sports.”  

Schedule: 

8/22 @ Coeur d'Alene Charter, 4 p.m. 

8/24 vs St. Maries, 4 p.m. 

8/28 vs Stillwater Christian, 1 p.m. 

8/29 @ Grangeville, 2 p.m. 

8/31 vs Priest River, 4 p.m. 

9/10 @ Lakeland, 4 p.m. 

9/12 vs Timberlake, 10 a.m. 

9/17 @ St. Maries, 4 p.m. 

9/19 vs Grangeville, 2 p.m. 

9/22 vs Coeur d'Alene Charter, 5 p.m. 

9/26 @ Priest River, 6 p.m. 

10/2 @ Timberlake, 6 p.m. 

10/3 vs St. George's, 11 a.m. 

10/10 @ Stillwater Christian, 12 p.m. 

Schedule as of 8/25, subject to change