Editor’s note: This is Part 3 of the Idaho State Journal’s Summer Football Series that checks in with Pocatello, Century and Highland football as each prepares for the 2013 season.

    They’re short on experience, yes, but don’t overlook the Pocatello Indians.

    Sure, there’s a great deal of uncertainty about how the Indians’ football team will look during their first game in the Rocky Mountain Rumble versus Spring Valley High School (Nev.).

    Actually, head coach Tom Harrison, in his 11th year at Poky, cannot remember a team he’s had in the Gate City where with so few returnees. On offense, linemen Andy Burtenshaw and Nolan Fay return with running back Dexter Gunter and wide receiver Matt Cose. Defensively, nose guard Alex Iszler is back.

    And that’s it. Five starters from an Indians squad that was 5-4, and lost games in heart-breaking fashion to Madison — Pocatello stood on the doorstep of scoring the game-winning touchdown before coughing up a fumble — and Bonneville — the Bees booted in a 26-yard field goal with time expiring after the Indians missed a field goal attempt of their own.

    “This is a year where there’s a great deal of uncertainty, as far as where we’re putting people,” Harrison said. “Some kids looked real good at times in our summer camps, but it looks like we’ve got a long road to go as far as getting those kids up to game experiences and game strength.”

    It’s not like Pocatello’s opponents are concerned the Indians lost their quarterback, multiple running backs, three linebackers and the defensive secondary.

    And Harrison is not asking for mercy either. A pack of juniors are ready to contribute at the varsity level.

    There will be a new quarterback, too. Both Joseph Pollard and Jerred Stiffler have shown off the ability to lead the Indians’ run-heavy offense. Each has a lively arm to punish an opposing team’s defense that lacks respect for Pocatello’s aerial threat.

    “They both came to summer camp, and they both did have some pretty good success,” Harrison said. “It’s going to be very competitive between the two of them.”

    Pollard and Stiffler excel at chucking the football down the field. Certainly, across the greater high school football landscape, spread offenses are in vogue. So, coach, will you throw the ball more?

    “We like to run the ball,” Harrison said. “We definitely like that mentality. We want to force people to tackle, and we like getting after it on offense. We like going forward. We’re not into back pedaling with our linemen as much.

    “We want to go forward and go out and get after people and double team and grind people into the ground. That’s what we do best, so we’re going to run the ball.”

    Whoever Harrison tabs as his starter will jump right into a schedule that kicks off in the Rumble Aug. 31 against a school with an enrollment of just under 2,300 — Poky checks in around the 1,100 mark.

    Then there’s three other non-district dates with Idaho Falls, Shelley and Highland.

    The matchup versus the Russets, the defending 3A state champs, is at Shelley and is the first time the two will meet since the 2011 playoffs where the Indians prevailed 20-14 (2012 was Shelley’s first season since dropping down to the 3A classification).

    “That success they’ve had breeds a lot of confidence on their level,” Harrison said. “They’re no slouch. They’re going to be a lot better than a lot of 4A programs, without a doubt.”

    But with the exception of the Black and Blue Bowl, the Indians are focused squarely on their five district opponents. There’s the two-time defending champion Blackfoot Broncos, Bonneville, semifinal qualifiers in 2012, returns loads of talent and Century attacks a season with a senior class built on experience.

    Either way, there are six teams in the 4A 5-6 District and two playoff slots available. Somebody is going to come in third. Last season, that was Pocatello.

    “If we play well and we execute, then I feel like we can beat anybody,” Harrison said. “... These kids have a real good attitude amongst our team. The kids have confidence, and they’re looking forward to the season.”