Last season was a landmark year for the Boise High football team. They kicked off the year with a stellar 5-0 record, ultimately winning seven games and making the playoffs for the first time in 29 years.
Under head coach Mike Altieri, now in his fourth year at Boise, the team achieved something that wasn’t expected from a program previously not known for its football success. Their high-scoring offense, led by quarterback Trevor Schoolfield and wide receiver Cooper Smith, allowed them to compete with the best.
As Boise looks to build on this historic season, the question arises: How will they follow up their impressive 2023 performance? Altieri emphasizes that the hard work is just beginning. “We appreciate what we did last year, but we also want them to understand it’s not an every-year thing,” he said. “That’s something you have to work for.”
With Boise football now on the radar, the element of surprise is gone. The team will face opponents who are well-prepared for them, especially with quarterback Trevor Schoolfield returning for his junior year. Schoolfield had an exceptional first year as a varsity starter, leading the state in passing yards and touchdowns. He will aim to build on his success with a strong group of receivers, even though he’ll be without his top target from last season.
Cooper Smith, who was a standout player and a major contributor with 22 touchdowns last year, has left a significant gap in the offense. Smith was the Co-Player of the Year in the 5A Southern Idaho Conference River Division and earned first-team all-state honors.
He made an impact in multiple roles, including receiving, rushing, returning kicks, and even throwing a few touchdowns. Despite his departure, Boise still has talented wide receivers, such as Jordan McDonald and Eli Rich, who were second-team all-conference players last year. Junior Will Gebert, who was an honorable mention, will also play a key role.
The team has faced challenges in the past with the number of players trying out, especially along the offensive line. Although player numbers are at an all-time high, depth remains a concern. Altieri mentioned that they are likely to start three sophomores on the offensive line.
Another significant change is the departure of running back Alex Hess. Senior Grant Spillman is set to take over the role. On defense, the team returns only three starters but gains a boost from linebacker Rhys Harris, who missed the 2023 season due to injury.
Entering the season with high expectations for the first time in years, Boise is determined not to let past success affect its approach in 2024. Altieri stresses the importance of focusing on the current year rather than resting on their laurels.
“As much as last year was tremendous, we’ve tried to eliminate that from our daily process with the kids,” he said. “We want them focused on this year. We constantly tell them that nobody believes that last year was supposed to happen. It was a shot in the dark. Everything you can say to get these guys not to believe last year was something that was expected.”
The Brave’s strong performance last season has made the 5A SIC River Division more competitive. Every team in the division, except for Kuna, made the playoffs last year. Boise will face Capital, Nampa, and Timberline to start the season, with a key game against Eagle on September 19. If they can replicate their strong start from last season, it will only boost their confidence.
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This year, however, teams will be more prepared for Boise. “We caught some teams by surprise last year, but I don’t think anybody is taking us for granted this year,” Altieri said. “Boise High was looked at as a bye game for most teams leading up to last year. We’ve hopefully changed that narrative a little bit and hope to continue to do that.”
