Formed in 2022, the Gators failed to get into the win column, losing twice to perennial cellar dwelling Gem State Guardians by large margins.  The Gator moniker was scrapped for a rebranding to the "Warhawks" as Brandon Upchurch shed the interim head coach tag for Owner/Head Coach.  Eight players earned all-league nods split evenly between second-team (4) and honorable mentions (4).

The following information provided by Mr. Upchurch:

The formerly known Idaho Gators ownership was a mess and both owners had no choice but to step down unexpectedly. Brandon Upchurch was the Gators GM and when the sudden news that the team no longer had owners and would most likely have to fold, he stepped up and was given the ok by the ICFL board of directors to take the team over. In late November of 2022 Upchurch made the decision to get rid of the Gators name and bad reputation, and created the Idaho Warhawks.

   
On April 1st 2023 the Warhawks made their ICFL debut against the Gem State Guardians, losing 6-8 in a very sloppy back and forth battle. With no real quarterback on the team and very inexperienced O-Line the warhawks just could not find their rhythm and continuously took a beating week after week finishing the season 0-7.

 
At the end of the 2023 season changes needed to be made and a brand new coaching staff was brought in, recruiting, and team workouts started early. The 2024 Idaho Warhawk team will be a different team.    

Following the ICFL season, the Warhawks dipped into the indoor game for an exhibition with the Redmond-based Oregon High Desert Storm.  The Warhawks found it as tough as the Spokane Wolfpack did going indoor in 2023 falling 67-14.  The Wolfpack fell to the Wenatchee Valley Skyhawks 89-12 in their indoor venture on April 29.  High Desert won both June battles against the Skyhawks.  Dustin Hurst became the first in franchise history to earn first-team all-league honors.

Leading into the 2024 season, the Warhawks made a big move by bringing in former Idaho Black Tide defensive coordinator Rob Castleman as head coach after nine seasons with the Tide including eight as defensive coordinator.  During that stretch the Black Tide appeared in six ICFL championships winning three league titles.  Coach Castleman traces his semi-pro roots back to the Douglas County Outlaws as a player/coach/administrator in 1997, winning the Oregon League championship in 2001.  Opening the season 2-2 with a tough overtime loss in the opener, hopes ran high, however the offensive production vaporized the final four games of the regular season as Idaho suffered a four game skid scoring only 6 points.  An invite to take on the Mountain West League Treasure Valley Invaders in Turkey Bowl III ended in a 21-12 loss to the Invaders.  Linebacker Garrison Roach followed up his 2022 1st Team selection as a Gem State Guardian, with an ICFL Defensive Most Valuable Player honor with the Warhawks following the 2024 season.

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