By Aimee Durand
Ask Coach Lane Kirkland to what he credits Carey High School’s winning football streak and he will say a combination of great kids and assistant coaches, lots of hard work, fun, and dreaming big.
Kirkland has a long history in the small town of Carey, including graduating from this high school, teaching both social studies and P.E., and taking over as coach 18 years ago—a position his father previously held for 19 years.
“It was a privilege to fill his spot,” the younger Kirkland said referring to his father.
Kirkland has watched his students and athletes grow from classroom to field. This personal growth allows them to fill vacancies from the previous football squads.
“The greatest highlight a coach can experience is watching kids grow,” Kirkland said.
“We graduated eight great seniors last year that left big roles to fill,” he said.
Still, “we went 12 and 0 this season and 12 and 0 the last season, so we are effectively 24 and 0,” Kirkland said.
He heralded the current squad’s ability to pick up and continue to excel and play at a high level.
The last game, on Nov. 15, against Christian Lighthouse, was a big moment and Kirkland knew it was going to be a battle.
“It was fourth and 11 with one minute and 15 seconds remaining when we decided to pass for a first down and seal the deal with two kneel-downs and the game would be over instead of punting,” Kirkland said.
“In big games, if you’re not aggressive, there are not many opportunities to win,” he said.
“It was a big moment for all of us. It was probably the biggest call of my career. These kids did it.”
This year’s Carey Panthers varsity football team was competing in the Idaho High School Activities Association (IHSAA) 1A Division II (schools with 0-99 total students) bracket.
Kirkland is proud of all his players, past and present. When he is out and about and runs into any of his state championship guys, Kirkland always has the same greeting. “I call out, ‘Hey, state champ!’” Kirkland said. “It is a great memory that no one can take away.”
For the past 18 seasons, Kirkland’s win-loss record as head coach is 157-35. He considers working with assistant coaches one of the greatest rewards a head coach can have.
Coach Lane Durtschi is the defensive coordinator and has been with Kirkland since 2006. They share five state championships together. Coach John Saili is the assistant offense coordinator and has been with Kirkland for three years, and coach Jake Nilsen is the assistant defensive coordinator and has been with Kirkland for five seasons.
With this season’s winning streak wrapped up and more history to make, Kirkland offers advice to his team and to all youth.
“Dream big and don’t let anybody stop you,” he said. “To use a quote by Muhammad Ali, ‘If your dreams don’t scare you, then they are not big enough.’”