Confidence, above all else, is of the highest value to Blackfoot coach Stan Buck.

“To have confidence is the biggest hurdle you probably need to overcome in high school,” Buck said. “And once you have that, it just accelerates your focus and gives you a better opportunity to have less distractions.”

Blackfoot will be suited to evade that problem this year because of its experience, which leads to confidence.

The 25-year coach has experience, as does his team that brings back 12 players from last year. More importantly, there is talent among those dozen.

Blackfoot is tied with Highland for the most returners who were first- or second-teamers on the 2015 Journal all-area list with first-team senior lineman Logan Lamb, second-team senior running back Jager Leavitt and second-team senior linebacker Nathon Colvin.

Buck’s message to those on offense has been to continue what they were doing, while he has told the defense to buck up.

“Defensively, we struggled all year last year,” Buck said. “It was pretty frustrating.”

Blackfoot allowed at least 35 points five times in 11 games. Its offense showed flashes of greatness, scoring more than 40 points in wins against Bonneville, Idaho Falls, Pocatello and Minico.

A player who did not make the Journal all-area team, senior quarterback Pacen Hayes, will only get better. He has a rocket arm on the mound that convinced Utah Valley University to offer him a baseball scholarship, which he accepted.

His first chance to show he has progressed on the football field will be against Snake River. The game will be the season opener for both teams and the first meeting since 2012, despite their close proximity.

“They’re always a dominant program,” Buck said. “We will definitely have to be prepared for those guys. There’s no doubt.”

If the Broncos beat the Panthers and do better than the 1-4 start they had last year, they will show they clearly have the confidence that Buck desires.