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5A Classification
Football
Peak rivalry
The latest installment of the Battle of the Mountains proved predictable, as the defending State Champion Rocky Mountain Grizzlies axed Mountain View with an electric defensive and special teams effort.
Following the pregame celebrations worthy of an NCAA game, the Grizzlies excelled in two of three phases, scoring first on a 43-yard punt return courtesy of Tiloi Nawahine, and then again on an Landon Albert 80-yard pick-six.
From there, the special teams of Mountain View seemed to implode, as Rocky Mountain’s Kaden Birch opened the second half with a 70-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. It wasn’t until late in the third quarter that either team scored on offense when Mountain View’s Leyton Smith snuck into the end zone on a 1-yard run. But Maverick quarterback Jake Farris’s three interceptions stifled any chance for a Mountain View comeback, and the Grizzlies exited the field once again wielding the rivalry’s 50-pound trophy: an axe emblazoned with “Battle of the Mountains” across its handle.
Bolting to the next level
Borah quarterback Austin Bolt is no stranger to the spotlight, as the Lions’ Swiss Army Knife announced his offer to play football from Boise State Sunday night. The announcement came a day after Bolt once again proved to be nearly unstoppable on offense, rushing for five touchdowns in the Lions’ 35-14 victory over Skyview in a game which was, ironically, delayed until Saturday due to lightning.
Capital gains
Timberline will have to wait for its next outing against Capital to overcome its 17-game slide against the Eagles, a losing streak dating back to 2003. Late in the fourth quarter, it looked as if the Wolves could actually pull off the improbable, but a late Eagle touchdown on a 33-yard screen pass put Capital up 22-15, a deficit Timberline failed to overcome in the final two minutes.
Boys Soccer
Same old Brave
Is anyone really surprised? Through seven games, the Boise Brave are just as dominant as ever, going undefeated and outscoring opponents 20-5. Granted, Boise’s seven opponents so far have a total of 11 wins between them, with three of those opponents empty handed in the win column.
Borah should prove to be Boise’s biggest test of the week, as the 3-1-1 Lions look to upset their conference opponent Monday night.
Girls Soccer
Border wars
The Lewiston Bengals clinched a dramatic victory over Clarkston in the inaugural Clash at the Border, the first designated soccer rivalry game between the two neighboring schools.
The grueling match saw two overtime periods and a handful of shootouts from either team, but it was Lewiston’s Laura Kokernak who nailed the final goal.
The Bengals’ goalkeepers made the difference in Saturday’s match, as Rylie Reagan and Madison Arlint combined for 15 saves.
4A Classification
Football
The class of upsets
The No. 1 spot in 4A football seems eternally in flux this year, as Bishop Kelly knocked off the Vallivue Falcons 30-27. The win comes one week after the Knights, the heavy preseason favorites, dropped their season opener to Nampa. The upset threw Bishop Kelly out of the media rankings the following week, but the Knights rebounded efficiently against the state’s new No. 1.
The Falcons’ 453 yards of offense didn’t suffice, as the Knights cruised behind quarterback Beau Nelson’s four touchdowns, three of which came on the ground, while the defense racked up three turnovers.
Meanwhile, Kuna once again defied the odds, upsetting No. 3 Nampa. The Kavemen came into the season unranked in the preseason, but now have two conference wins against top-five teams to their name and sit atop the 4A SIC. Jon Edwards led the charge for Kuna with 116 yards on the ground and four touchdowns, while quarterback Sean Austin piled on the points with another two scores through the air.
Century honors Eric Neibaur
The Class of 2022 won’t soon forget one of their own.
Ahead of their matchup against Idaho Falls, members of the Diamondbacks carried out a No. 53 jersey in honor of Eric Neibaur, a former member of the Century freshman team who died in a car crash in the summer of 2017. The tradition will continue during every Century home game this season, which would have been Neibaur’s senior year and final outing with his teammates as a Diamondback.
The Diamondbacks put forth an impressive offensive showing, led by Jovan Sowell’s five receiving touchdowns. Century overcame a 14-point deficit against Idaho Falls in Holt Arena, winning 42-20.
Boys Soccer
Game of inches
The No. 2 Emmett Huskies now lead the 4A SIC with an unbeaten record, overtaking Caldwell, the conference’s previous leader. The Huskies have failed to surpass at least three goals just once this season — a 1-0 grind against Nampa. The No. 1 Cougars lost their top spot after a tie with Nampa Sept. 3.
The two soccer powerhouses will meet Tuesday at Emmett, a matchup that will prove key in how the conference shakes out later in the season.
Girls Soccer
Pokey over Preston
The Indians are off to a hot start offensively after defeating Preston Saturday 3-1. Pocatello has crept into the double digits twice this season, scoring 14 against Minico and 10 against Burley, while the Indian backline has allowed just 4 points all year — 3 against Mountain Home and 1 against Preston.
Pocatello also reached a milestone over the weekend, with their victory over Preston snapping a seven-year slide.
3A Classification
Football
Snake River escapes
In a 3A vs. 2A matchup, No. 5 Snake River survived No. 1 West Side in a 7-6 grind.
The Panthers managed to hang on to their unbeaten record, even after giving up 12 penalties for 140 yards against the Pirates. A missed West Side extra point proved to be the difference maker in the first half, as the teams went on to engage in a scoreless defensive battle in the second.
Dude, Where’s My Refs?
The field was prepped. The fans were ready. The players were suited up.
But Sugar-Salem’s matchup against Shelley missed one key element before kickoff: officials.
According to Sugar-Salem Assistant Coach Ted Parkinson, a simple mix up within the district led to no officials being assigned to the Friday night game. But, Richens said a phone call to the district cleared the air and the game commenced an hour later. The No. 1 Diggers exceled, regardless of the officiating personnel, blanking Shelley 40-0 en route to two straight wins.
Boys Soccer
CDA Charter’s debut
The Panthers may be new to the world of high school soccer, but they entered the 3A Intermountain League with a bang. From Sept. 5 on, the Panthers have shot to a 2-0 record, blowing out Priest River 6-0 and then blanking Orofino 9-0 a mere two days later.
But the honeymoon may soon be over for the newest member of 3A soccer, with a matchup against unbeaten Timberlake scheduled for Tuesday.
Girls Soccer
Cutthroat competition
Sun Valley Community School seemed to have taken offense after its season opener.
The Cutthroats tied with Canyon Ridge 4-4 back in August to start the year. The 4A Riverhawks have proved to be a thorn in the side of Sun Valley for years, often handing the Cutthroats their one loss or tie in otherwise undefeated regular seasons.
But in keeping with tradition, Sun Valley returned to its dominant ways with three straight blowout victories, including a 12-0 shutout against Bliss a week ago.
1A DI Classification
Saving Grace
The Grizzlies can do no wrong in the early weeks of the 2019 season, as Grace demolished the Challis defense 56-6, snapping a two-year losing streak to the Vikings. Through two games, the Grizzlies have outscored opponents 102-14.
Against the Vikings, Connor Mickelson recorded a school record six touchdowns with 260 yards on the ground, coupled with an interception and a sack while on defense. In his previous game against North Gem, Mickelson finished with another five scores; three on offense, one on a punt return and another on an interception return.
1ADII Classification
Long road for the Long Pin
Horseshoe Bend did something Friday no other team in the Long Pin Conference has this season — win.
A 14-0 shutout against Glenns Ferry served as the go-ahead game to put the Mustangs atop the otherwise winless conference. Hunter McKee gave his team the defensive edge with eight tackles, two sacks and a fumble returned to the house.
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