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5A Classification
Football
Rigby 32, Highland 13
For a majority of the season, the Highland Rams enjoyed a top-five ranking in both the statewide media and coaches poll. But back-to-back losses to Madison and Rigby took the Rams out of District 5-6 contention late in the season, with the Trojans right there to take their place. Quarterback Keegan Thompson lit up the stat sheet, rushing for 168 yards and throwing for 170 more. With the win, the Trojans earned a first-round bye and will host the winner of the Eagle, Capital game. Meanwhile, Highland’s strong regular season did not go unnoticed, as the Rams earned an at-large bid to state and will face conference rival Madison.
Timberline 59, Boise 12
The Wolves capped off their rebound season with a blowout win against Boise, earning an at-large bid to the state playoffs and a sixth-place finish in the Southern Idaho Conference. Quarterback Andy Peters threw for 251 yards and three touchdowns, finding receiver Garrett Lavin for all three. Timberline will make the long trip north to face Post Falls next week.
Borah 62, Centennial 21
The Lions kicked off the prep football weekend Thursday, securing the No. 2 SIC seed at state. Austin Bolt, to no surprise, ran wild against the Patriots, gaining 101 rushing yards while passing for three touchdowns and catching another. Borah earned a first-round bye and will host the winner of Madison and Highland two weeks from now.
Lake City 52, Lewiston 28
The Timberwolves needed everything to go their way Friday, with Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene already locking up spots in the state tournament. Lake City’s 446 yards of offense against last-place Lewiston proved just enough for the Timberwolves to earn the last at-large spot in the playoffs. Quarterback Josiah Weaver hit 21 passes for 320 yards, while Nathaniel Hayes gained 127 yards on the ground. Lake City will travel to Mountain View Nov. 1.
Coeur d’Alene 55, Post Falls 14
While both teams knew they were destined for the postseason, an Inland Empire League title was on the line in Friday’s matchup between the Vikings and Trojans. The Trojans jumped out to a hot start, scoring back-to-back touchdowns with Eli Gondo punching it in from a yard out. But that’s where the offensive production of Post Falls came to a screeching halt, as the Vikings scored 55 unanswered. Colbey Nosworthy’s 80-yard catch-and-run put the Vikings on the board, and his 96-yard punt return moments later tied the game. Now without a first-round bye, Post Falls will host Timberline next week. The Vikings, meanwhile, will host the winner of Mountain View and Lake City.
Boys Soccer
Eagle 2, Skyview 1 (2OT)
The Mustangs earned their first state title in program history, overcoming a 1-point deficit against Skyview. Eagle pulled goalkeeper Drew Morris for extra offensive firepower and eventually tied the match on a Truman Hoggan goal. In double overtime, Ben Denton hit the game-winner from 20 yards out.
According to Jason Elliott of the Coeur d’Alene Press, Lake City forfeited its third-place match against Madison “due to athletic code violations.”
Girls Soccer
Rocky Mountain 0 (4 PK), Boise 0 (3 PK)
In another high-stakes 5A state final, Rocky Mountain keeper Kasey Wardle proved to be the hero, wrangling in Boise’s attempted penalty kick that would have put the Brave on top. Sophomore Madison Murphy punched in Rocky’s fourth penalty kick and Wardle put the nail in the coffin, batting down Boise’s final kick of the game.
Timberline 2, Mountain View 1
The Wolves locked up third place with goals by Ava Ranson and London Carter. The Mavericks stayed in the mix with a Brooke Snyder goal, but the Timberline backline proved too formidable.
4A Classification
Football
Pocatello 23, Burley 22
The Indians earned their first trip to the playoffs since 2011, overcoming a 16-point deficit against Burley. The Bobcats creeped within a single point after a 95-yard touchdown drive, leaving the game down to a 2-point conversion. But Burley’s Judson Mathis came up just short on an outside run. The Indians, led by Jadyn Downs and his 290 yards passing against the Bobcats, will face undefeated Kuna in the first round of the state playoffs.
Vallivue 41, Middleton 26
The Falcons finished third in the SIC, thanks to an upset win over Middleton. Quarterback Lan Larison totaled three touchdowns, two on the ground and one through the air, while running back Carson Child scored another two touchdowns. Vallivue takes on Skyline in the first round, while Middleton will travel to Moscow.
Moscow 27, Lakeland 14
Moscow needed a win against rival Lakeland to secure an Inland Empire title, and quarterback Chad Redinger delivered with 300 yards of offense and 13 unanswered points. A stout Bears defense held Lakeland out of scoring range the entire second half, preserving Moscow’s undefeated league record. Moscow hosts Middleton next week for a first-round state battle.
Nampa 25, Emmett 12
Quarterback Donavon Estrada put the Bulldogs up early in a fight for a state berth, scoring Nampa’s first three touchdowns of the night. The Bulldogs needed a win to secure a fifth-place finish in the SIC and a berth to state, and Estrada did not disappoint, totaling 271 yards of offense. Nampa will visit Holt Arena for a matchup with Century next week.
Century 34, Jerome 13
The Diamondbacks honored Eric Neibaur before kickoff, who would have celebrated with the rest of the Century seniors Friday night. Neibaur died two years prior, but the graduating Century class honored his memory by carrying his No. 53 jersey to midfield before the game. The Diamondbacks carried those strong emotions with them for the rest of the night, going up 28-0 and eventually securing a spot in the playoffs. Quarterback Nathan Manning finished with 373 yards on 33 throws with three touchdowns. Century will host Nampa next week.
Boys Soccer
Caldwell 2, Jerome 1 (OT)
Senior Erik Lozano scored the game-winning goal in overtime, capping off an improbable Cougar season. Head Coach Rhys Yeakley’s youngest team in seven years protected their 2018 state championship with Lozano taking the winning shot at the behest of leading scorer Damian Arguello. Yeakley told the Idaho Statesman Lozano nearly gave up the soccer altogether, but eventually committed to the Cougars, becoming a starter days before the state final and completing what Yeakley called a “Disney movie” moment.
Emmett 3, Canyon Ridge 2
Angel Ayala and Kiko Solis combined for three goals in Emmett’s consolation title match over Canyon Ridge.
Girls Soccer
Sandpoint 2, Kuna 0
Sandpoint’s seniors knew nothing but heartbreak in the state finals after losing three straight championships in the last three years. But the Bulldogs earned a well-deserved trophy and the program’s eight state championship Saturday. After junior goalkeeper Hattie Larson exited the game due to a head injury, freshman Kelsey Cessna stepped in, making a valuable save before Larson returned.
Middleton 1, Bonneville 0
Viking keeper Ashlyn Creekmore recorded 10 saves in Middleton’s shutout over the Bees. Junior midfielder Addi Wyatt scored the game’s only goal, earning the Vikings a third-place finish at state.
3A Classification
Football
Gooding 14, Kimberly 8
The defenses took over an expected offensive shootout between the Senators and Bulldogs, with Gooding escaping with a conference championship under its belt. Kimberly looked to be in position to take the lead following a booming kick return to open the second half, putting the Bulldogs on the Gooding 10-yard line. But a fumbled snap doomed the opportunity, highlighting a game that was determined in the trenches. Jon Carpenter scored the winning touchdown on a 5-yard run, and the defense closed out the remaining three minutes. Kimberly’s playoff hopes survived, however, with the Bulldogs’ RPI high enough to earn them a first-round game against Teton.
Homedale 34, Weiser 14
In a Snake River Conference deciding game, the Trojans jumped out in front early and never relinquished their lead. Quarterback Daniel Uranga threw for 163 yards and two touchdowns, while Karsen Freelove and Hayden Kincheloe tallied another two scores. Homedale earns a first-round bye, while Weiser will open state with a game at Marsh Valley.
Marsh Valley 35, American Falls 14
A 22-point fourth quarter showing proved to be the difference in Marsh Valley’s win over American Falls, with Tate Barker recording three touchdowns on the day for the Eagles. Marsh Valley finished the year with an even 4-4 record but lost out on the conference title after last week’s loss to Snake River. The Eagles face Weiser in the first-round next week.
Timberlake 48, Kellogg 6
Timberlake preserved its perfect Intermountain League record with a romp over Kellogg, with both teams advancing to state. Quarterback Joey Follini threw for 225 yards, but finished with a 1-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Kellogg will host Teton in the first round, while Timberlake earned a bye.
Boys Soccer
Sun Valley Community School 6, Weiser 0
The Cutthroats notched their second consecutive state title thanks to three goals by Willy DeWolfe and a dominant backline that held the Wolverines scoreless, all without senior captain Cash Dart, who missed the state final due to injury. In his place, DeWolfe earned his first start at the varsity level, and the junior did not disappoint, completing his hat trick in the first 24 minutes.
Bliss 2, Teton 0
Nick Hernandez scored both of Bliss’s goals in shutout win, while keeper Alex Cruz denied any Teton scoring attempt with four saves.
Girls Soccer
CDA Charter 3, Sugar-Salem 0
For the fourth year in a row, the Panthers can call themselves state champions, all thanks to a 12-minute scoring onslaught that locked the game away just moments after it began. Coeur d’Alene Charter’s Isabella Lucky needed no luck of her own in the opening goal of the match, while Sara Hines and Cadence Wilson followed suit with a pair of goals. Head Coach Stacy Smith’s squad defeated the Diggers in the state title for the second year in a row, and the Panthers now own five of the state’s last six championships.
Sun Valley Community School 2, Grangeville 0
Caroline Estep and Tatum Minor put the Cutthroats on the board with a goal apiece, capping off a one-loss season for Sun Valley.
2A Classification
Football
Declo 58, Wendell 8
The Hornets earned a Canyon Conference title in front of their home crowd Friday night. A balanced offensive attack proved too much for the Trojans, as Declo recorded more than 300 yards through the air and 150 on the ground. Declo will host at-large Salmon, while Wendell departs the season without a bid to the playoffs.
Aberdeen 56, Malad 35
Tiger running back Jesus Guillen led the Aberdeen offense to an explosive night, helping put his team up 14-0 in the first quarter. Malad managed to battle back, scoring late in the fourth with a Riggin Smith 65-yard reception, but a Dragon turnover doomed the comeback as the Tigers capitalized on the mistake, going up by 29 with just six minutes left on the clock. Aberdeen will travel to North Fremont next week, while Malad will face off against McCall-Donnelly.
New Plymouth 20, Nampa Christian 14
Quarterback Kobe Roberts finished with a pair of touchdowns, including a 19-yard run with just minutes remaining to secure the Pilgrims’ third-place finish in the Western Idaho Conference. The Pilgrims will play St. Maries in the first round, while Nampa Christian will travel to Melba for a chance at the quarterfinals.
McCall-Donnelly 29, Cole Valley Christian 6
The Vandals remained untouched in the regular season, capping off their undefeated record with a three-touchdown performance by quarterback Peter Knudson. The WIC champions will host Nampa Christian next week, while Coley Valley Christian travels to Grangeville.
1ADI Classification
Football
Lost Rivers 36, Raft Fiver 16
New-look Lost Rivers completed its inaugural season as a co-op team with a perfect conference record. The Pirate defense stood up the Raft River offense on the goal line four times, capping off an 8-0 year. Lost Rivers will host either Clearwater Valley or Kamiah for the first round of the state playoffs, while Raft River will have to fight past Oakley for a chance to take on Prairie in the first round.
Kamiah 32, Lapwai 26
Gabe Eades needed only three balls thrown his way to make a massive impact for Kamiah. Down two touchdowns, the Kubs leaned heavily on the offensive star, who scored on each of his three receptions for 123 yards. But the Kubs’ work isn’t done just yet, as Kamiah will face Clearwater Valley for a chance at state next week.
Potlatch 24, Troy 6
Jerrod Nicholson put the Loggers on the board first with a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, while Kenon Brown tacked on 115 rushing yards to give Potlatch a second-place finish in the Whitepine League. The Loggers will take on Wilder next week, as Troy says goodbye to the 2019 season.
1ADII Classification
Football
Horseshoe Bend 48, Garden Valley 33
The Long Pin Conference belongs to the Mustangs, who clinched a first-round bye at state after defeated Garden Valley. Austin Fry continued his efficient 2019 campaign with 287 yards on the ground and a score. Colton Meyer threw for another four touchdowns and Ben Howerton proved to be a menace on defense, forcing a fumble and taking an interception to the house.
Mullan 50, Lakeside 42
Lakeside came eight points away from a guaranteed spot in the state playoffs. Mullan’s Ian Farris finished with 138 yards and three touchdowns, putting his team up 18-0, a deficit the Kings could not overcome. But all is not lost for Lakeside, which still has one game remaining against Wampus. Should Lakeside win, the Knights and Tigers would meet again the following week for a North Star League tiebreaker, with the winner advancing to state.
Carey 80, Murtaugh 60
In the weekend’s highest scoring affair, Carey’s Carson Simpson recorded seven touchdowns and four extra points, notching 198 yards on 19 carries. Carey will be hoping for another explosive performance from Simpson when the Panthers host North Gem next week.
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