Timberwolves complete title run with dominant win over rival Diggers

BURLEY — For the first time since 2016, the Teton Timberwolves are boys’ soccer state champions.

Teton has been building toward this point ever since Kurt Mitchell took over as head coach in 2023. That year, the Timberwolves lost to conference rival Sugar-Salem in the state championship game, finishing with the second-place trophy. Mitchell’s squad finished 2024 with a third-place trophy, then won the consolation trophy last year.

As they have tried to wrestle away 4A superiority from Sugar-Salem, Teton had gone 59-11-3 in four years under Mitchell heading into Saturday’s 4A boys’ Soccer State Championship. But it has always been the Diggers themselves serving as the Timberwolves’ final blockade. In that span, Sugar-Salem has accounted for more than half of Teton’s losses, going 6-5-1 against the Timberwolves.

So it seemed fitting Teton would have to beat its rival Saturday at Burley High School in order to hang a banner. And not only did they do so, they did it in dominant fashion, winning 4-1 and emptying the bench in the closing minutes.

Mitchell said after the game that part of him wished his team would be faced with the test of a new opponent in Saturday’s title game. But he understands and appreciates how much sweeter the win will be for the people of the Teton Valley.

“It did feel good to beat the rival that has dominated this (classification) in the past,” Mitchell said. “When we go back to Driggs, Victor, Idaho, the Teton Valley, everybody is going to be a lot happier that it was against Sugar. The rivalry is really deep … so it’s going to mean a lot to the community.”

Teton got started quick, with senior Elliot Lifton scoring the game’s first goal in its opening minutes. And though the Timberwolves controlled possession in Sugar-Salem’s zone, it took more than 30 minutes to add to the early 1-0 advantage.

Finally, in the 38th minute, junior Dylan Rabago found the net to make it 2-0.

And just as it seemed 2-0 was where the game would be going to the half, junior Jeronimo Solis sent a wide shot from nearly 40 yards out across the box and past the Digger defense. When the officials stopped the clock for a reset after Solis’ goal, just three seconds remained in the first half.

Mitchell said that the late Solis goal “absolutely” changed the tenor of the game and what he had to say at halftime. But he was quick to point out to his Timberwolves that they had been down 3-0 at halftime against Sun Valley in the opening round last year before storming back and having the equalizing goal called off on a handball. So, Mitchell said it was important to impress upon his team the need to maintain a high level of play.

Teton did exactly that, fending off the aggressive attack of the Digger offense behind several stellar saves from senior goalkeeper Bruno Silva.

After a fourth Teton goal, from senior Kale Sarthou in the 75th minute, several Timberwolves were subbed out, including Silva. And less than a minute later, senior Teig Gehmlich put Sugar-Salem on the board.

But the Digger could never muster another attack as the Timberwolves earned the title of state champion.

Teton stormed the field as the clock hit zero on their championship run. And after an extended celebration, several players could be heard challenging teammates to shave their heads as the celebration continues.