MIDDLETON, Idaho — Under Idaho's new classification system, Middleton was slated to drop a level and remain in the 5A Southern Idaho Conference this fall with the likes of Bishop Kelly and Emmett.
Following back-to-back appearances in the state playoffs, Middleton elected to petition up to 6A to remain with Idaho's top programs in football and baseball.
Head coach Bill Brock, who enters his 25th season with the Vikings, ultimately let his players make the call.
"We asked our kids what they want to do and there was like a, almost to a person, to a man, that 'coach, we like competing where we're at. We think we fit here.' As coaches and as an administration we agreed," Brock said.
It's no different than where the Vikings were the past two years, compiling a 14-7 overall record, making consecutive postseason trips and defeating Lewiston to reach the 2022 state quarterfinals.
Despite being an undersized school with less than 1,400 students for the 2024-2026 cycle, there's no question Middleton belongs in the top classification.
"Maybe other people would see us as underdogs but honestly, were right up with the best of the best right now," senior wide receiver Kenson Maxwell said.
There's no lack of size on Middleton's offensive line. It's one of the strongest units in the Gem State, headlined by senior Dallyn Grimes, who is committed to Boise State.
"It's the fact that we've played together since like pee wee football," Grimes said. "It's something special. We're just looking to close out on a good senior season and be the best o-line out there and be the most physical and keep doing what we've done in the past."
The Vikings also have great depth at wide receiver.
"We can play any of them. One person goes down, we got some more and they can go make plays," senior wide receiver Colton Severa said.
While Middleton's inexperience shows at running back, the team trusts the youngsters to make a big impact out of the gate this fall.
"They are some dogs," Maxwell said. "They know how to hit a hole, they know how to take the ball down field easy, break tackles. They got all of it."
On the other side, a defense that plays with a unique mantra – "that verge of insanity mentality – ready to cause chaos for Middleton's opponents.
"Flying around just hitting people, not caring about what's gonna happen, just smacking," Severa said.
The Vikings are humble, but they are certainly confident entering the 2024 campaign.
"We just gotta line up and compete every day," Brock said. "We have an extremely difficult conference, great coaches, great players and great traditions, and I think that's what our kids enjoy about it."
"We wanna come back and we wanna prove ourselves as a team," Grimes said. "We wanna show the state of Idaho what we can do."
Middleton is embracing the challenges that lie ahead in the 6A SIC.
"Kids are working hard as a group, they're trying to make each other better every day and I think from that standpoint, we're headed where we were at this point last year," Brock said.
Middleton hosts Nampa to open the season at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30. The Vikings then travel east to battle Madison on Sept. 6.
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