If playing just for the love of the game is the motto, the Guardians have epitomized that over the years.  Where many organizations would have folded up shop long ago, the Guardian franchise is one of the longest running operations still going entering the 2025 season.  Wins have been few and far between, but the fun and enjoyment of being a part of this franchise has kept the staff, coaches and players on the field since 2012.  Low roster numbers have plagued the team over the years, but the men who showed up to play each week, did so as true sportsmen even when those numbers dipped to the teens.

That first season nearly set a regional record for giving up the most points in a season, the 0-8 effort was nearly "perfection", except for the one touchdown scored in week five.  Gem State ws shut out the other seven games of Rocky Mountain League play.

2013 through 2015 were continued efforts in offensive futility as the team went 1-23 with it's first victory being a 15-14 win over the newly launched Idaho Lancers May 18, 2013.  The improved Lancers smashed the Guardians 51-0 the following season as Gem State was held scoreless throughout the season.

Following another winless 2015 season, the Guardians left the tough RMFL for the Idaho Contact League which had cut it's teeth as a nine-man league for many years.  They would venture out to play the Treasure Valley Invaders midway through the 2017 season and finally ended one of the longest losing streaks in Northwest history at 30 games.  During the summer of 2017, the Guardians hosted a Washington team for the first time with the WSFL Raptors coming to town and leaving with a 14-13 loss marking the first 3-win season in franchise history and avenging the 2016 loss to the Raptors in Everett, Washington.

Another change to the short-lived Idaho Football Alliance hoped to add even competition to the slate and early 10-0 loss to the Idaho Phoenix had hopes high.  But blow-outs against Magic Valley and Mini Cassia followed by the shuttering of the Phoenix franchise, and Ogden never making it to the field, led to a shortened 0-5 season.

Rejoining the ICFL for the Covid-shortened 2020 season, the Guardians improved down the stretch with improved offensive play but repeated the 0-5 season from a year ago.  Freddie Brown landed a 1st Team All-League award after the defensive end recorded 5 sacks on the season.

For the first time in franchise history, the 2021 and 2022 squads posted back-to-back multiple win seasons with identical 2-6 records as the warriors completed their 11th season of play.  Garrison Roach garnered a 1st Team All-League award at the linebacker position.

The 2023 team posted two wins over the Idaho Warhawks, continuing their dominance over the franchise that had been the Gators in 2022.  This marked three consecutive 2-win seasons for the first time in team history.

With a low number on the roster, the Guardians suffered another 0-8 season giving up a record 576 points on the season, a 72-points per game average, scoring only 20 during the 2024 season.

2022 Gem State Guardians

DO YOU HAVE INFORMATION TO CONTRIBUTE?  CONTACT US! (email)