Treasure Valley's top-25 football players
Players 10-6
The list of the top-25 high school football players in the Treasure Valley has reached the red zone.
We’re getting down to the nitty gritty now.
But before we crack the top-10, take a moment to check out the other players on this list down below.
Photo credit: Dominic Duarte
10. Keegan Croteau, Bishop Kelly, ATH, Sr. — Croteau nearly did it all for the Knights last season.
He was a wide receiver, defensive back, kicker and returner just to name a few. His name ended up on the All-4A Southern Idaho Conference team five times as a result.
And the 5-foot-11, 180-pound do-it-all athlete will expand that ever-growing repertoire when he suits up at quarterback this season.
All of it was bound to get people’s attention sooner or later.
Croteau already has offers from the University of Redlands (California) and Pacific University (Oregon). He was also invited to play in the 2020 Blue-Grey All-American Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Dallas.
“Keegan is really a jack of all trades,” Bishop Kelly offensive coordinator Chris Martineau said. “He can do it all in terms of skill positions: whether it is a catch, run, throw, kick or return, you have complete faith in him making a play.”
9. Braydon Ary, Vallivue, DL/K, Sr. — Ary posted on Twitter the other night, “Wonder if I’ll get slept on this time?”
Not today.
Even at 5-10, 230 pounds, he wreaks havoc on opposing offenses.
He led the entire 4A classification in sacks last season at 15.5 to go along with 104 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles. It got him All-4A SIC first-team and All-State second-team honors.
“One of the best defensive ends I have coached, if not the best,” Vallivue coach Layne Coffin said. “Great balance, quickness, power, and speed.”
And did you know Ary is a really good kicker too?
Ary was also an All-SIC first-team selection at that position last year.
Photo credit: Loren Orr Photography
8. Jordan Erickson, Rocky Mountain, RB, Sr. — Two years ago, Erickson was the seldom-used backup to University of Idaho’s Nick Romano — a Hero Sports Freshman All-American Honorable Mention last season.
Now, the 5-11, 200-pound versatile back has Division I offers from the likes of Air Force, Army, Navy, San Diego and Idaho.
He piled up 737 yards on the ground and another 272 receiving for a combined 19 touchdowns last year to earn All-5A Southern Idaho Conference second-team honors.
While he only ran for 15 yards in the season opener at Mountain View last Friday, Erickson was still the Grizzlies’ leading receiver with six catches for 56 yards. He also took a kickoff 95 yards to the house in the 39-36 win.
“Tremendous worker with great route running ability,” Rocky Mountain coach Chris Culig said. “He can hit a window and be gone. He is the entire package.”
Photo credit: Scott Poulson
7. Charley Hastriter, Capital, OL/DL, Sr. — Hastriter’s future is in wrestling — he committed to Oregon State over the summer — but don’t be fooled. He had an offer for football from Idaho State.
Capital head coach Todd Simis said Hastriter had: “So many flatbacks, you (couldn’t) count them.”
Of the stats that could be counted last season, Hastriter led the 5A in sacks with 14 — more than double what the next closest person had — had 61 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and a pair of blocked kicks.
It was more than enough to earn him All-5A SIC first-team and All-State second team honors at defensive end.
But the 6-3, 220-pounder may be moving over to linebacker this season.
Hastriter was an All-SIC selection along the offensive line in 2019 too.
“Charley is one of the toughest and meanest — in a good way — players that we have had,” Simis said. “His goal is to dominate you and always gives full throttle effort from snap to whistle. He moves very well for a bigger guy and can play with his hands in the ground or in a two-point stance.”
Photo credit: Steve Connor Photography
6. Taylor Marcum, Timberline, RB, Jr. — All eyes were on now Boise State quarterback Andy Peters last season. But Marcum arguably had the better year.
In his first year on varsity, he led the 5A SIC in rushing with 1,117 yards. Marcum also averaged 6.2 yards per carry to go along with eight touchdowns. He garnered both All-SIC first-team and All-State second-team honors for those efforts.
Over the summer, the 6-0, 180-pounder was named the MVP of the Desert Elite Prospect Camp in Las Vegas.
“It has been awesome watching Taylor grow. He has incredible physical gifts that, by itself, would create a phenomenal football player,” Timberline coach Ian Smart said. “But he matches that talent with a willingness to work hard honing his craft and working to continue moving his bar higher each day. It is a pleasure coaching a kid that has a goal and is willing to humble himself to improve each day and Taylor is that.”