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Young Explodes for 349 Yards in Yotes Victory

BILLINGS, Montana – Quarterback Caden Young delivered a masterful performance, accounting for 349 total yards and three touchdown passes as No. 18 College of Idaho defeated Rocky Mountain 37-20 on Saturday afternoon at Herb Klindt Field.

The Yotes improved to 2-0 on the season behind Young’s dual-threat capabilities, as the senior signal-caller completed 23 of 35 passes for 238 yards and three scores while adding a team-high 111 rushing yards on 17 carries.

Fourth Quarter Explosion Seals Victory

After Rocky Mountain’s Darius Haskin hauled in a spectacular 75-yard touchdown reception to cut College of Idaho’s lead to 16-14 in the third quarter, the Yotes responded with authority. Young orchestrated three consecutive touchdown drives in the final frame to put the game away.

The highlight came on a 32-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Morales, who made a circus catch while battling two defenders before tumbling into the end zone. Young also found Torey Watkins for a 5-yard scoring strike earlier in the fourth quarter.

While Young commanded the offense, he received plenty of support from his skill position players. Watkins led all receivers with 10 catches for 71 yards and a touchdown, serving as Young’s most reliable target throughout the contest.

Running back Rylie Byington provided the ground game’s finishing touch, carrying 19 times for 91 yards and capping the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown plunge in the closing minutes. Travis Marieiro also contributed with five receptions for 49 yards and a crucial 4-yard rushing touchdown before halftime.

The Yotes dominated time of possession 40:09 to 19:51 and amassed 484 total yards of offense, including an impressive 246 yards rushing that wore down the Battlin’ Bears defense.

College of Idaho’s defense rose to the occasion when needed most, limiting Rocky Mountain to just 29 rushing yards for the entire game. While Battlin’ Bears quarterback Trent Nobach threw for 336 yards and three touchdowns, the Yotes’ ground control and defensive stops in crucial moments proved decisive.

Haskin was virtually unstoppable through the air for Rocky Mountain, hauling in six catches for 207 yards and two long touchdown receptions, but the Yotes’ ability to control the game on the ground ultimately made the difference.

Looking Ahead

The victory sets up College of Idaho perfectly for their next challenge as they return home to Caldwell for Homecoming weekend. The Yotes will host Montana State-Northern on September 20th at 12:00 PM, looking to maintain their perfect start to the season.

With Young’s dynamic playmaking ability and a balanced offensive attack complemented by opportunistic defense, College of Idaho appears well-positioned for another successful campaign as they climb the national rankings at 2-0.

Team Statistics

Game Stats	COI	ROCKY
Total Yards	484	365
Pass Yards	238	336
Rushing Yards	246	29
Penalty Yards	9-90	6-55
1st Downs	31	14
3rd Downs	8-14	4-11
4th Downs	0-0	0-1
TOP	40:09	19:51

Scoring Play	Visiting Team Score	Home Team Score
1ST QUARTER
11:31 – ROCKY – Tuff Adams 7 yd pass from Trent Nobach (Austin Drake kick) 8 plays, 85 yards, TOP 3:29	0	7
2ND QUARTER
10:19 – COI – Jackson Ames 6 yd pass from Caden Young (Josh Horn kick failed) 13 plays, 91 yards, TOP 6:10	6	7
01:55 – COI – Travis Marieiro 4 yd run (Josh Horn kick), 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 5:14	13	7
3RD QUARTER
05:20 – COI – Josh Horn 31 yd field goal 9 plays, 53 yards, TOP 4:45	16	7
03:23 – ROCKY – Darius Haskin 75 yd pass from Trent Nobach (Austin Drake kick) 4 plays, 88 yards, TOP 1:52	16	14
4TH QUARTER
12:57 – COI – Torey Watkins 5 yd pass from Caden Young (Josh Horn kick) 11 plays, 81 yards, TOP 5:21	23	14
06:38 – COI – Jacob Morales 32 yd pass from Caden Young (Josh Horn kick) 7 plays, 82 yards, TOP 4:34	30	14
05:55 – ROCKY – Darius Haskin 53 yd pass from Trent Nobach (Trent Nobach pass failed) plays, yards, TOP	30	20
01:47 – COI – Rylie Byington 1 yd run (Josh Horn kick), 9 plays, 55 yards, TOP 4:08	37	20

Next Game: Montana State University-Northern
Date: September 20, 2025 | 12:00 PM
Location: Caldwell, Idaho (Homecoming)

6 September 2025

Snake River Valley Teams Explode in Week 0 Openers

The Snake River Valley Conference made a statement to open the 2025 season, with four dominant performances highlighting the depth and talent across the league. From shutouts to offensive explosions, Week 0 showcased why the SRV remains one of Idaho’s most competitive conferences.

Payette 41, Parma 0

The Pirates opened their 2025 campaign in commanding fashion, shutting out Parma 41-0 while dominating on both sides of the ball. Payette controlled the line of scrimmage, recording 12 first downs and racking up 381 total yards of offense. Senior Darrien Pecunia led a balanced rushing attack with 95 yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns, while quarterback Jahzyon Sylva contributed 37 rushing yards and 35 passing yards with a touchdown pass. The Pirates’ defense was suffocating, forcing multiple turnovers and getting strong performances from linebackers like Alex Fugate and the secondary. Gabriel Pelayo handled kickoff duties with authority, averaging 41.6 yards per kick. This complete team victory signals Payette’s potential for a breakthrough season in the 4A SRV.

Player of the Game: Darrien Pecunia – 95 rushing yards, 2 TDs, 6 tackles

Fruitland 49, Kimberly 13

The Grizzlies delivered a dominant offensive showcase, overwhelming Kimberly 49-13 behind the stellar dual-threat performance of quarterback Titus Vidalk. Vidalk was nearly unstoppable, throwing for 201 yards and 3 touchdowns while adding 164 rushing yards and another score on the ground for 365 total yards. His favorite targets were Sawyer Tracy (4 catches, 83 yards, 1 TD) and Jaxon Philpot (4 catches, 48 yards, 2 TDs). The Grizzlies’ balanced attack also featured Kendall Wilson contributing 58 rushing yards and a touchdown. Fruitland controlled the game from start to finish, outscoring Kimberly 35-6 in the first half and cruising to victory. This explosive offensive performance signals the Grizzlies are ready to compete for another SRV title.

Player of the Game: Titus Vidalk – 365 total yards, 5 TDs (201 pass, 164 rush)

Homedale 31, Snake River 6

The defending conference contenders delivered a dominant road performance, overwhelming Snake River 31-6 behind a complete team effort. Quarterback Xavier Uranga was efficient and effective, completing 16 of 23 passes for 268 yards and 4 touchdowns with just one interception. His primary target was Colton Martell, who hauled in 6 catches for 140 yards and 2 touchdowns, showcasing excellent chemistry between the pair. Kade Hall was a versatile weapon with 75 rushing yards and strong contributions in the receiving game (3 catches, 42 yards, 1 TD). The Trojans controlled field position and the clock, holding possession for over 24 minutes while limiting Snake River to just 6 points in the fourth quarter. Homedale’s special teams were outstanding, with Lukas Hall averaging 58.3 yards on kickoffs. The balanced 478-yard offensive attack signals the Trojans are ready to defend their SRV crown.

Player of the Game: Xavier Uranga – 16/23, 268 yards, 4 passing TDs

Cole Valley Christian 35, Marsing 6

The Chargers made an emphatic statement in their second year in 4A, dominating Marsing 35-6 behind a balanced offensive attack and stifling defense. Quarterback Blake Van Boven orchestrated the victory with 221 passing yards and 2 touchdowns while adding 22 rushing yards. His top target was Ethan Epler, who hauled in 5 catches for 117 yards and a touchdown, consistently finding openings in the Marsing secondary. The ground game was led by Ashton Shanks, who powered through for 80 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns, providing the physical presence that controlled the line of scrimmage.

Cole Valley’s defense was equally impressive, limiting Marsing to just 6 points while recording multiple sacks and tackles for loss. The Chargers’ special teams unit was outstanding, with Tyler Given booting 6 kickoffs for 352 yards at a 58.7-yard average and converting all 5 PAT attempts. The dominant 35-0 lead through three quarters showcased Cole Valley’s readiness to compete in the 4A classification. This complete performance signals the Chargers could be surprise contenders in the Snake River Valley Conference.

Player of the Game: Blake Van Boven – 12/22, 221 yards, 2 passing TDs + 22 rushing yards

Week 0 proved the SRV Conference is loaded with talent and ready for another exciting season. With performances like these across the board, fans can expect fireworks when these teams start facing each other in conference play.

24 August 2025

Veteran Idaho Football Coach Arrested on Child Sexual Abuse Charges

Kip Erik Crofts, 59, taken into custody by Nampa Police Department

A longtime Idaho high school football coach with more than three decades of experience was arrested Wednesday on charges of sexual abuse of a child under 16, according to local reports.

Kip Erik Crofts, 59, was taken into custody by the Nampa Police Department and is currently being held on charges related to the sexual abuse of a minor. Crofts had been coaching at Caldwell High School since 2023, according to a Facebook post from the Caldwell School District that welcomed him to the program.

Extensive Coaching Background

Crofts built a notable coaching career spanning 32 years across multiple Idaho high schools, including several championship-winning programs:

Meridian High School (2007-2012): Crofts led the Warriors to their most successful period, capturing a 5A state championship in 2007 with a perfect 12-0 record. This marked Meridian’s second state title in three years. However, the program struggled in his later years, finishing 1-8 in his final season before he resigned in December 2012.

Bishop Kelly High School (2013-2015): After leaving Meridian, Crofts served as junior varsity defensive coordinator at Bishop Kelly, where he was part of the coaching staff during the Knights’ historic run of three consecutive 4A state championships from 2013-2015.

Payette High School (2016-2021): Crofts took over a struggling Payette program that had endured decades of futility, including an infamous 80-game losing streak that ended in 1992. Under his leadership, the Pirates showed gradual improvement, achieving their first Snake River Valley Conference victory since 2014 during the 2020 season. Despite the challenges, Crofts called a key victory that season one of his “top-five moments in 32 years of coaching.”

Caldwell High School (2023-present): Crofts joined the Caldwell program in 2023, according to district social media posts welcoming him to the school.

Current Status Unclear

As of Wednesday evening, Crofts remained listed on Caldwell High School’s staff directory, though it’s unclear whether he is currently serving as the team’s head coach. The Caldwell School District has not yet responded to requests for clarification about his employment status.

Unconfirmed reports circulating on social media suggest Crofts may have been placed on administrative leave from Caldwell High School prior to his arrest due to alleged inappropriate behavior within the school, though these claims have not been officially verified by school district officials.

Investigation Ongoing

The Nampa Police Department has not released additional details about the investigation or the specific circumstances surrounding the charges. This remains a developing story as authorities continue their investigation.

The arrest represents a stunning fall for a coach who had been a fixture in Idaho high school football for more than three decades, working with student-athletes across multiple school districts in the Treasure Valley region.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

26 June 2025

Tag: idaho