The wild, wild WIC

Photo Courtesy: Michelle Slate

There was probably a time in the not-so-distant past when Notus head coach Sam Crockett looked at his team's 1-3 record and thought the Pirates' chances of repeating as 1A Division 1 Western Idaho Conference champions were remote at best.

The Pirates had absorbed losses to Division 2 foes Garden Valley, Tri-Valley and Salmon River while trying to replace its entire offensive line, two of whom (Justin Hutton/Eastern Oregon, Eryck Peterson/College of Idaho) moved on to play college football.

However, here we are, with two weeks left in the regular season, and Notus finds its fate is squarely in its own hands.

But so does Idaho City. And Wilder. And Horseshoe Bend.

Welcome to the wild Western Idaho Conference.

Wilder's path is the clearest. At 3-0 in conference play, the Wildcats still have a game in Notus on October 27. Win that game and it's an outright WIC title for Kyle DalSoglio's team. Lose that game, however, and there's a mathematical shot for a 3-way tie for two playoff spots atop the WIC. Wilder, Notus, Idaho City, and Horseshoe Bend could all end up 3-1 in conference play (though not at the same time, Horseshoe Bend plays Notus and Idaho City and all three already have one conference loss).

Wilder (4-1 overall, 3-0 WIC) has been buoyed of late by the strong play of Ezequiel Vargas. The versatile senior has five touchdowns in each of the Wildcats last two games, helping the team dispose of Horseshoe Bend and Idaho City (hello tiebreakers!). Junior Benji Escutia has also provided a big lift for DalSoglio.

Notus (3-4 overall, 1-1 WIC) has good skill players. Caleb (QB) and Michael (RB) Zimmerman form a potent 1-2 punch for the Pirates, along with senior Mark Green, who is garnering college interest as a tight end. Crockett and his staff have done a tremendous job continuing to work with the team's lines and rebounding from the tough start to find themselves in position to win the conference title again. Win out and, at worst, Notus would find itself in a tiebreaker situation.

Idaho City (3-4 overall, 1-1 WIC) finishes with two games on the road after Friday's home loss to Wilder. Head coach Jason Roeber's roster features just four seniors and speedy sophomore Juan McFarlane has proven to be a handful for several defenses this season. Win out and, at worst, they're in the tiebreaker conversation. Not bad for a team that most felt was a year away from making a splash.

Horseshoe Bend (1-4 overall, 1-1 WIC) may seem like the unlikeliest team in this scenario, but head coach Craig Elliot has a tough group that has left itself a chance. Home games remain against Notus and Idaho City, meaning, like the other three teams, the Mustangs' fate is in their own hands. Two Horseshoe Bend wins means both Notus and Idaho City would have two WIC losses - and Horseshoe Bend would have just one. Thus, the 2-seed out of District 3 in the postseason (Wilder holds a tiebreaking advantage over the Mustangs). And, like Idaho City, Elliot's team is very young. There are just two seniors (QB/DE Gavin Miller; WR/DB Blake Foster) listed on the roster and eleven freshmen or sophomores.

The fifth team in the WIC, Rimrock (3-5 overall, 0-3 WIC), has been eliminated from postseason play but can be a factor in who emerges out of District 3 for the 1A Division 1 playoffs. The Raiders host Idaho City this Friday, a win would change the landscape of the WIC going into the final week of the regular season.

Both teams from District 3 will host a quarterfinal game on November 3 or 4 (peek at the bracket, courtesy of IdahoSports.com, HERE). Every team in the WIC has something to play for, whether that be a playoff spot, a conference championship, or just a direct "spoiler" role, with two weeks left in the season.

A wild WIC indeed.

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