Sports
Fort Hall Warriors prepare for football season & transition into Idaho Youth Football League
Fort Hall Warriors players receive direction from coach Jeffrey “J.D.” Gallardo during a practice at the Fort Hall football field.
By YVONNE WARJACK
Sho-Ban News
Fort Hall — The Fort Hall Youth Football program is preparing approximately 50 young athletes for another season while transitioning between leagues.
The program consists of the eighth grade Warriors and sixth grade Junior Warriors.
Jeffrey “J.D.” Gallardo, president of Fort Hall Youth Football and head coach of the eighth grade Warriors, said the league transition means the teams may not have the traditional six to seven game schedule extending into early November, but players will still have opportunities for competitive football. The teams are leaving the Southeast Idaho Youth Football League and joining the Idaho Youth Football League in 2027.
Gallardo is entering his ninth year coaching in Fort Hall and his second year as program president. The eighth grade coaching staff includes Gallardo, Vince Sanchez and Devin Bullock. Sanchez works primarily with the offensive and defensive linemen; Bullock oversees the defense and Gallardo focuses on the offense.
For the sixth grade Junior Warriors, Curtis Suetopka serves as head coach and brings more than 20 years of youth football coaching experience, while Mike Sanchez works with the linemen. Players have also been moved into different positions following last season as coaches continue determining where they can best contribute. Returning players have taken on leadership roles as well, helping younger and first-year athletes during summer workouts and encouraging teammates through drills and practices.
“The kids we coach not only need the coaches’ support, but having your peer support as well, that really helps the self-esteem of a kid and makes him really feel like he’s fitting in,” Gallardo said. He said coaches also use football to teach lessons that go beyond the field, including how to respond to challenges and adversity. “Football is just a game we play, but there are things within the game that you’ll face throughout life,” he said. “In the game of football, you got to go through a lot of adversity and figure out how you’re going to get through it and over it.”
Coach Jeffrey “J.D.” Gallardo talks to the Fort Hall Warriors at practice.
Parents and families continue to support the program by attending practices and helping coaches with drills when needed. The program is also seeking sponsorships and donations to provide equipment and assist with upcoming travel expenses.
Gallardo said approximately $3,000 has already been spent this year on helmets, practice equipment, mouthpieces and cleats. Players are currently participating in a popcorn fundraiser, with proceeds benefiting the entire program and helping cover equipment and travel costs.
As the Warriors and Junior Warriors prepare for competition and the transition into a new league, Gallardo thanked families and community members for their continued support. “For our community, I just want to say thank you.” “The tremendous outpouring support that we have had over the last two years as we’ve started to make certain changes, getting ready to move into new things, getting ready to move to a whole new league.”
For young people interested in trying football for the first time, Gallardo encouraged them to give the sport a chance. “The only thing you can do is get out here and try it,” he said.
Blackfoot Broncos JV girls soccer season begins with local players
Blackfoot Broncos JV girls players, from left: Orion Wheeler, Lynaia Moss and Monica Arzate at their August 29 home game.
BLACKFOOT — Blackfoot Junior varsity girls team played August 29 at home against the Idaho Falls Tigers where the Broncos lost 0 to 6 against the Tigers.
JV player Lynaia Moss kicks the ball at the August 29 game.
Native players for the Broncos are Lynaia Moss, Orion Wheeler and Monica Arzate. Bronco varsity player is Keanna Conrad. Next home game is September 8 against Hillcrest High School, junior varsity plays at 5:30 p.m. and varsity plays at 7 p.m.
Lady Chiefs high school girls practice for 2026 volleyball season
Sho-Ban Lady Chiefs warm up with passing drills during practice on Tuesday, September 2.
FORT HALL — The Sho-Ban Lady Chiefs High School volleyball team is preparing for the 2026 season with 13 girls on this year’s roster.
Players have been putting in time in the gym, working through warm-ups, serving, passing and other volleyball drills as they prepare for competition.
Lady Chiefs coach Carlita Rodriguez (left) and player Amelia Johnson during
practice.
Lady Chiefs coach for the 2026 volleyball season is Carlita Rodriguez.
The team will take the court at home when Clark County travels to Sho-Ban on Wednesday, September 9, at 5 p.m. The match-up will give the team an opportunity to put its practice and preparation into action as the season gets underway.
Sho-Ban Lady Chiefs give a round of applause to teammates, showing teamwork.
