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John L. Braese
JORDAN VALLEY – Nathan Portenier admits he never played 6-man football. Nor has he coached 6-man football. But what Portenier does know is how important the return of home football games to Jordan Valley means to the community.
Mustang fans last saw a Jordan Valley only team take the home field on October 14, 2019 in a 0-54 loss to Crane. Seniors Kasen Skinner, J.J, Echave and Garrett Youren played their final home game on that day. The 2017-18 season saw Jordan Valley coop with Adrian and the following year, the Adrian/Jordan Valley combined team downed Powder Valley at Jordan Valley High School on October 5, 2018. The combined team won a state championship in 2019 and finished 4-2 in the shortened 2020-21 season. The last time a Mustang player stepped on the field in any capacity was April 9, 2021.
A string of female dominated classes kept Mustang football off the field-until this upcoming year. Bolstered by an upcoming heavily male freshman class, first-year coach Portenier is ready to coach a group of young players to again play football in Jordan Valley.
“I played football at Skyview and New Plymouth,” said Portenier. “I have a friend in Texas where 6-man is really popular so I have been watching film and speaking with him all the time. The hardest part has been figuring out the defenses. We have seven games scheduled this year and with the young players we have, I really want to finish above .500 and start building for next year. Three-quarters of this year’s team will be freshmen.”
Even with his limited field experience, Portenier fully realizes the importance of football’s return to the small town.
“Jordan Valley is well known for basketball,” he said. “My goal is the Mustangs are also known for football. The town has waited a long time to watch local players on a Jordan Valley field. The return is important to not just the players but to the community as well. I can’t wait to get started July 1.”
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