There’s nothing quite like small town football-the hype, the tailgating, and the people lined up on the fence who refuse to conform their experience to bleachers.  This is what’s on tap this Friday night as Hagerman and Oakley become the feature on Idahosports.com and the Magic Valley Game of the Week.

It’s Homecoming in Oakley (4-1) and they will have their hands full with Hagerman (4-2).  Oakley enters Friday’s game averaging 36 per game and giving up only 15 per game.  That’s huge.  While Hagerman scores an average of 34 per game and gives up a scorching 32 per game.  Advantage: Oakley.

However, upon closer inspection, the Oakley “nay-sayers” bring up an argument that has been quite the talk of Idaho in recent years:  strength of schedule.   Granted, Oakley has been the powerhouse in 1A football since the Civil War, but this year a common knock against them is, “Who have they played?”  They began their season playing two JV teams and although the Hornets had to step up to 11 man football for those games, they were JV teams, right?  After the JV beat downs, Oakley romped over a 1-5 Grace team before they ran into the “buzz saw” in Shoshone who promptly halted their 32 game regular season winning streak.  However, they bounced back nicely against a winless Raft River and now have to prepare for a speedy Hagerman team who plans to steal the crown and sash this Friday night.  So the question remains, “How good is Oakley?”

Well, if one were looking at an Oakley football resume, there are some things that just can’t be ignored.  The Hornets won 32 consecutive regular season games before losing in Shoshone.  They have won two state titles in the past three years and the year they didn’t win, they were the runner up.  They have a LeMoyne Trophy candidate in running back Travis Robinson and a big physical offensive line led by seniors Braxton Sagers and Garrett Critchfield.  Their tandom of linebackers are as good as it gets in 1A with Matt Setoki and Riley Robinson.  So why all the talk about “who have they played?”  To be honest, playing 8 man football in southern Idaho comes with some challenges.  Nobody wants to play them.  Much like the boys of fall who reside on the “Blue”, nobody has a pressing desire to put a loss on their schedule.  So Oakley blazes through who they have in front of them, even stepping up to play 11 man games,  doing their best to be where they always are at the end of the season--playing for a title.  Advantage:  Oakley.

Hagerman Pirate coach Ron Echols knows the task his team faces this week.  “They are big, strong, and physical and our guys are going to have to step it up,” notes Echols.  And he is right.  However, the Pirates just might have the recipe to counter a team like Oakley:  speed.  Hagerman’s skill players are going to have to make a difference.  Senior receiver Ryan Lattmer scored four touchdowns in their big win over Shoshone last week, and the Pirates will need more of that against an Oakley offense who can give scoreboard operators carpel tunnel syndrome .  Quarterback Zack Reid will also be a weapon that the Hornets are going to have to deal with as his arm and legs pose the dual threat that gives defenses migraines.  Then you factor in a guy like center/nose guard Cody Hensley, and the Pirates have leadership and talent across the board.    Hagerman has also been battle tested.  Of the six games the Pirates have played, four teams have winning records.  Hagerman lost to an undefeated Castleford team when the Wolves waxed them for 30 points in the second quarter, and they have also dropped a game to 5-1 Carey.  Hagerman not only has the speed but they have the toughness to spoil Homecoming in Oakley.  According to coach Echols, “we told our kids that our tough preseason schedule would pay off.  Hopefully, it does just that.  However, our kids know that the road to a state title always goes through Oakley.”  Advantage:  Hagerman.

Ok, so we’ve examined both teams and realized that Oakley is always going to be a power because, well, they’re Oakley.  And Hagerman is good because they have been tested and possess enough skill and weapons to make a serious title run.  But a pregame write up wouldn’t be the same unless we compared common denominators.  Both teams beat Grace.  Oakley hammered the Grizzlies 40-12 while Hagerman squeaked by with a 26-22 victory.  Advantage:  Oakley. 

Both teams have played Shoshone.  As we all know, Oakley lost a heartbreaker 18-14 while Hagerman took down the Indians 48-28 giving Shoshone its only loss on the season.  Advantage:  Hagerman.

This is going to be a battle of two heavyweights exchanging blows deep into the 12th round.  It’s the small and quick Hagerman Pirates versus the power of the Oakley Hornets.  Small town football.  Homecoming.  Taligate parties.  Shop owners closing their doors a half hour before game time.  Parades.  Tractors and water towers. 

Advantage:  the football fan.

Catch all the live video and audio action at 7pm on Idahosports.com.  It’s Friday night with Scott and Mike.