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West Jefferson High School
School Info
Conference: 2A Nuclear Conference
Classification: 2A
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Head Coach: Jason Taylor
Years as Head Coach: 3rd Season
Previous Experience: 11 years at Marsh Valley High School
Record Last Year: 7-3
State Titles: 2007
Assistant Coaches:
Cory Hollingsworth
Returning Players:
Gabe Pancheri, OL/DL
Tristan Wright, OL/DL
Braxton Ramirez, DB/S
Returning Players with Honors:
Gabe Pancheri, All-State OL
Tristant Wright, All-State OL/DL
Braxton Ramirez, All-State DB
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Team Preview:
Written by: Matt Harris (@IdahoSportsMatt)
The culture of West Jefferson football continues to shift under third year head coach Jason Taylor.
Two straight appearances in the state quarterfinals after three straight losing seasons, including a 17-game losing streak, will certainly aid in the transformation of the Panthers program.
Last season, West Jefferson came up painfully short of reaching the state semi-finals for the first time since 2007 after falling in overtime to Declo 34-28. However, the team is in good position to be a threat in the 2A classification once again.
The Panthers return All-State players Gabe Pancheri, Tristan Wright, and Braxton Ramirez from last year’s 7-3 squad. Pancheri and Wright play big roles on the offensive line in Taylor’s double wing offense, which ran for over 4,000 yards in 10 games last season.
Taylor said that offseason weight training will certainly help his team heading into the 2016 season.
“We had a greater emphasis in off-season weight this year,” he said. “We have tough players who will allow us to run the ball on offense.” Their hard work in the weight room during the offseason can only help magnify that strength for the Panthers this year.
West Jefferson opens up their schedule with a home date against Soda Springs before playing three consecutive road games – at South Fremont, at Teton and at Homedale. West Jefferson then returns home on September 23rd to begin Nuclear Conference play as the Panthers host Ririe. September 30th is a date that is circled on the calendar for most Nuke fans – a showdown in Ashton against North Fremont. The Panthers then finish the season with a home game against Firth and then on the road at Salmon.
“We can’t overlook any team in our conference,” Taylor said. “However, we hope that we will play twelve games this season… the twelfth one being the one to watch.”
Taylor has continually increased the expectations at West Jefferson since his arrival in 2014. He hopes that he and his staff can get the most out of the kids this season.
“Our ‘X-Factor’ this year is team unity and senior leadership. I enjoy being around great young men who are committed to a common purpose.”
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