Pocatello Bandits to Host State Lacrosse Playoff Game for First Time in Program History
Lacrosse is one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States, and Southeast Idaho is getting its share of the action. The Pocatello Bandits, a high school lacrosse program drawing athletes from across the region, are set to host a state playoff game this weekend — a milestone the program has never reached before.
The Great Western Lacrosse League now spans 18 varsity high school teams across a wide geographic stretch, running from Spokane, Washington, east to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The Bandits’ run to a home playoff berth signals that the sport’s footprint in Eastern Idaho is no longer just emerging — it’s arriving.
A Program Built on Regional Talent
The Bandits roster pulls together players from communities throughout Southeast Idaho, forging a team identity around speed, physicality, and technical skill. Head coach Ryan Guerrero says the program is ready for the moment. “We’re looking to go cause havoc, have some fun on our home turf,” Guerrero said. “You can leave it all out on the field.”
One standout on the roster is senior Ruben Guerrero — the coach’s son — who has parlayed his lacrosse development into a college opportunity. After taking up the sport in eighth grade, he has committed to continue playing at the University of Idaho. “I’m excited to take my skills up to the next level,” he said. “It’s a great atmosphere up there and a fun team to play with.”
Ruben also spoke to what draws athletes to the game. “It’s all about stick work and the technical side of it,” he said. “There’s some physicality on defense, but overall it’s just a really fun sport.” His college commitment follows a path similar to the one the Century High School tennis program has carved out — regional programs producing athletes ready to compete at the next level.
The Next Generation Already Hooked
The excitement surrounding the Bandits isn’t limited to varsity players. Young participant McKinley said the sport has become a family tradition for her household. Her father and brother played, and her younger brother is set to join next season. When asked how long she hopes to play lacrosse, her answer was straightforward: “For a long time. I want to play in college.”
That kind of multigenerational enthusiasm suggests the sport’s roots in Bannock County are deepening. Community programs that combine family participation and athletic development have a strong track record of sustainability in Southeast Idaho — whether on the lacrosse field, the tennis court, or, as seen recently, at community events like the Freezin for a Reason fundraiser in Ammon.
The Bandits and their coaches also extended public thanks to Century High School for providing use of its turf field for both practices and the upcoming playoff games. For the state tournament, the football field is being converted with fresh lacrosse field markings ahead of Saturday’s competition.
What Comes Next
The Pocatello Bandits open state tournament play Saturday at Century High School’s turf facility in Pocatello. The home playoff game marks the program’s first such opportunity and represents a broader signal that competitive lacrosse has found a legitimate home in Eastern Idaho. Whether the Bandits advance further in the bracket, the milestone of hosting a state-level game stands as a marker of how far the program — and the sport — has come in the region.