Sports
Sho-Ban Chiefs football season underway with new head coach Adam Reed
Sho-Ban football coach Adam Reed leads players through practice plays on August 25.
By LORI ANN EDMO
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — Sho-Ban Chiefs football team has a new coach in Adam Reed and he hopes to inspire the kids to be involved with physical fitness in one way or another for the rest of their lives as football has played a major role in his life.
He was an assistant coach last year and previously taught math at the school from 2018 to 2021. He also helped coach basketball and track at the school.
“My interest is mainly the kids. I have taught a lot of them in school and can recognize grit and talent when I see it,” he said. He’s attempted to start a football program for many years at Sho-Ban but there was just a poor turnout – not enough numbers to hold a team. “And this year not only do we have enough numbers, but we have some experience from last year as well.”
Sho-Ban players run a play at practice.
Reed has 12 boys who’ve turned out to play that could be a weakness, along with inexperience. “Their strength comes from a determination that is willing to do whatever is asked of them,” he continued. “Although we have a difficult schedule, I look forward to not only competing with the opponent this year but winning as well.” He noted it’s been over 20 years since Sho-Ban has won a conference football game, “I intend to change that.”
Sho-Ban footballers run practice drills and push-ups on the field.
He had a summer program where some of the boys worked out and it made a difference. “I mean, these boys are faster and stronger, smarter than last year. And it all shows from just a couple of times through the summer.”
Reed is encouraging the community to come out and support the team at their home games. The band teacher has his kids with drums on third down to really excite the crowd. So, the more numbers we have the better. Financial support is always appreciated as well, he continued, as the boys are looking for gear such as matching shirts and shorts. They have to do their own fundraising for each sport and because football is new, their budget is small.
Practicing in the heat can be tough so they take a lot of water breaks, “We will do practice inside if the weather is not cooperative – if it’s way too hot and a risk.”
Sho-Ban football players block during a defensive line practice play.
Reed works as a home health nurse and is a field nurse for the reservation. “Health care is important to me and providing the boys with different avenues of staying physically fit is important to me,” he said.
The Chiefs first game is at home September 4. “This would be a really great way to kick off our season to have the whole community come out show some community pride, some school spirit there will be T-shirts for sale and just a great way to appreciate these boys who have dedicated so much time so much sweat into a new program that I hope is going to stick around for a long time,” the coach said.
Little Mountain wins Cassia County Fair & Rodeo Indian Relay championship race
Cassia County Fair & Rodeo Indian Relay champions: Little Mountain with rider Weston Birdinground in Burley on Saturday, August 22.
By YVONNE WARJACK
Sho-Ban News
BURLEY — Horses thundered around the track as Indian Relay teams competed at the Cassia County Fair & Rodeo for two days of racing August 21 and 22, where Little Mountain with rider Weston Birdinground won the championship and $2,340.
Taking second was Coby Team with Dayton Tendore riding earning $1,404 and third was Frankie Gould riding for Boogie Boys winning $936. Beegup Relay and rider Hernan Tendoy finished fourth, Wolverine Canyon and rider Kalen Hammond was fifth and 4K Relay with rider Kashus Hedoesit were disqualified because of a loose horse.
Little Mountain team rider Weston Birdinground wins the Cassia County Indian
Relay championship on August 22.
In the Consolation race, Teton Team, with Azeri Coby riding, captured first place winning $750. JonMarc Skunkcap and White Knife followed in second earning $460, while Miaus Teton and the Tissidimit Team finished third winning $312. Yokoyama Relay and Dallon Yokoyama placed fourth, followed by Waapi Farmer Creek and Virgil McCormick in fifth. Cedar Ridge and Adrien Honena were disqualified.
Cassia County Fair & Rodeo Indian Relay consolation race winner: Teton Team with rider Azeri Coby.
The competition opened Friday, August 21 with two heats determining the field for the following day’s races. In the first heat, Little Mountain Relay, with rider Weston Birdinground, crossed the finish line in first place winning $840. Beegup Relay, ridden by Hernan Tendoy, finished second earning $504, followed by Wolverine Canyon and rider Kalen Hammond in third winning $336. Cedar Ridge, with Adrien Honena riding, placed fourth, while Waapi Farmer Creek, ridden by Virgil McCormick, finished fifth. Dallon Yokoyama, riding for Yokoyama Relay, was disqualified.
The second heat Boogie Boys and rider Frankie Gould was in first place winning $840. Dayton Tendore riding for the Coby Team, finished second earning $504, while 4K Relay, with rider Kashus Hedoesit, placed third winning $336. White Knife, ridden by JonMarc Skunkcap, finished fourth. Azeri Coby, riding for the Teton Team, placed fifth, followed by the Tissidimit Team and rider Miaus Teton in sixth.
