4A District 6: After a loss in state semifinals, Sugar-Salem feeling ‘a ton of motivation’

EASTERN IDAHO – Back in 2020, the Mountain Rivers Conference regular season ended with Sugar-Salem, South Fremont, and Teton all tied 1-1. The dreaded Kansas City Tiebreaker was invoked, and somehow the Diggers survived and then rolled to another state title.

That might have been the last time there was any kind of drama in the conference as South Fremont and Teton continue to chase the Diggers in 2026.

And things might not get any easier for the Cougars and Timberwolves.

“We’re excited to have a lot more clarity moving into this season than years past with starters coming back with some experience,” Sugar-Salem coach Tyler Richins said. “I think we’re in a good place in our program. We have good numbers. A lot of times we have juniors that play JV because they have seniors above them.”

The Diggers continue to have a loaded and deep roster, with eight All-State or All-Conference selections returning, including QB Frank Fillmore.

Even with all of the accolades and attention, returning players still might have a chip on their shoulder after the Diggers lost in last year’s state semifinal to Homedale, which ended a streak of three straight state championships.

“We’ve been lucky from my freshman year to senior year we’ve had really good players,” Frank Fillmore said, noting it’s up to the upperclassmen to set the example for the younger players and keep the legacy going.

As for ending last season with a loss, it’s motivation for the new season, especially the seniors, Fillmore said.

“We let our guard down and we got outplayed,” he said. “Homedale smoked us. So that’s made us watch more film … hit the weight room harder. There’s a ton of motivation.”

“It was definitely a painful way to end the season,” added lineman Everett Poole. “I think this year we’re really hungry and ready to hit anybody in the mouth.”

So, will anybody in the conference challenge the Diggers?

South Fremont was the last team to hand Sugar-Salem a conference loss in 2020, and have a host of returning players this season.

“I feel we’re a much improved team,” Teton coach Shane Braman said. “We’ve made off-season connections with the kids, had good scrimmages. We’re miles ahead of last year.”

SOUTH FREMONT COUGARS

Coach: Chad Hill, 15th season

Last year: 3-6, 1-1

Impact players: Cy Hill, sr., QB/DB; Nash Brower, sr., WR/LB; Walker Hobbs, sr., OL/LB.

Notes: Cy Hill is back at QB after throwing for 13 TDs and 1,452 yards last season, while also running for a team-best eight scores. Tayson Farley, who led the team with five receiving TDs, will see time at RB this year. The Cougars should be strong on the defensive line, coach Chad Hill noted, and have returning players at linebacker, including Hobbs, Farley and Brower.

TETON TIMBERWOLVES

Coach: Shane Braman, second season

Last year: 2-7, 0-2, state first round

Impact players: Drew Moss, sr., WR/LB; Gideon Taylor, sr., WR; Luke Gankofskie, sr., RB.

Notes: The Cougars’ offense will have a different look in 2026 after the graduation of QB Luke Nelson. The conference Player of the Year accounted for 2,700 all-purpose yards and 31 touchdowns, most coming in the passing game. Coach Shane Braman said the offense should be more balanced this year, especially with a bigger and stronger offensive line. The defense surrendered nearly 34 points per game last season, but should be improved with the return of All-Conference players Moss at LB and Colt Kay at DB.

SUGAR-SALEM DIGGERS

Coach: Tyler Richins, 13th season

Last year: 8-2, 2-0, state semifinals

Impact players: Everett Poole, sr., OL; Walter Fillmore, jr., LB; Frank Fillmore, sr., QB.

Notes: Sugar-Salem has won six state titles since 2018 and doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon. The team returns Mountain Rivers Conference Offensive Player of the Year in quarterback Frank Fillmore and All-Conference linemen in Everette Poole and Brooks Robinson. Despite graduating another talented class of players, the Diggers look to have plenty of players ready to move up and fill spots. They’ll look to replace All-State running back Kimball Tonks, who was an All-State selection.