BOISE, Idaho — Treasure Valley high school football teams kicked off their first practices of the season Monday. KTVB Channel 7 is also kicking off its prep previews ahead of Friday Night Football, starting with a look at the Capital Eagles.
Capital is in the midst of a big turnaround following the end of the Todd Simis era. This season, the Eagles are coming bigger, stronger and ready to get back to the program's standard set decades ago.
It was once one of the premiere high school football teams in the state of Idaho. Leaders of Capital's roster said "it would mean everything" for this to be the year the Eagles ascend back to the top.
Capital really isn't far removed from the days of being a perennial state playoff power.
"I watched all the people before me leave after having great seasons, and then we went 2-7, we went 2-7 junior year as well," said Bodie Vian, senior defensive end and offensive tackle. "This year if we could just come back and prove ourselves that we're not that team, we're still Capital."
A lot of the work to push the Eagles forward has already been done.
"I preach to the kids all offseason, 'you build teams in the weight room,'" head coach Kevin Hastin said.
Capital's commitment to its training has become a commitment to teammates.
"It felt like we were light in the pants last year," Hastin said. "We've changed how we look up front and I'm expecting us to control the line of scrimmage."
The Eagles certainly don't carry themselves like a 2-7 squad.
According to senior defensive back and running back Marcellus Clay, Capital is "out to prove that we're still the baddest around town."
There's evidence the toughness and physically the Capital football program has been built on for decades is being restored.
"It's great. I see bodies on the floor all the time," Clay said. "Sometimes I have just wide open touchdowns."
Helping guide the physicality is senior defensive end and tight end Shepard Fish, who is committed to the University of Idaho. Fish is a three-star prospect and the No. 4 ranked player in Idaho for the class of 2025, according to 247Sports.
"All of our guys have gotten bigger, stronger in the weight room, and we just want it more this year," Fish said. "We really feel like we got a shot at making something big happen. We're gonna give it our all."
It's the Eagles' second year under Hastin, but it's the first will a full-length offseason – enough time to build their bodies, their schemes and most importantly – their culture.
"All I've asked them is to focus on attacking every day and change the culture," Hastin said. "Build men of character and that's our focus, and I feel like the culture's moving in the right direction. I feel like we're gonna be a tougher team, we're gonna play as a team and it's gonna be a great year."
Capital plays every game at Dona Larsen Park until the final week of the regular season. The Eagles open the 2024 campaign against Boise at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30.
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