Football made a return — despite plenty of offseason speculation and worry — to the Gem State over the weekend. Teams across Idaho debuted their 2020 season in a host of non-conference and out-of-state matchups filled with overtime thrillers, offensive fireworks and ballhawking defenses.

Read our recap of last week’s best matchups below.

5A Football

Lewiston 37, Kuna 30

After one of the most miraculous seasons in recent memory, Kuna experienced a rude awakening in its new classification, falling to the Lewiston Bengals. The Kavemen, defending 4A state champions, moved up to the 5A SIC ranks over the summer, marking a return to the toughest league in the state. 

The Bengals hit the ground running early in the first half, going up 25-7 in a crowdless Kuna stadium, thanks to a 15-yard touchdown run by running back Cruz Hepburn and a 43-yard run by quarterback Kash Lang. 

The Kavemen and quarterback Sean Austin refused to go down without a fight, keeping the game within a score for most of the second half. Austin finished with 413 passing yards and three touchdowns, hitting receiver Koltin Teater for 13 catches, 156 yards and all three scores. 

But late sacks by the Bengal defense prevented Austin from reaching the end zone late, handing Kuna its first loss in 13 games. 

Kuna’s path forward in the SIC remains unclear. The Kavemen are scheduled to face Eagle in Week 2, but COVID-19 restrictions in the Treasure Valley could cancel or postpone that matchup. 

Lewiston, meanwhile, heads back up north for a meeting with Lake City Sept. 4

Rigby 51, Box Elder (UT) 0

The defending 5A state champs romped through this weekend’s Rocky Mountain Rumble, steamrolling past their Utah competition in convincing fashion. 

The Trojan defense stole the show, shutting out the Box Elder Bees and allowing just 128 total yards, highlighted by a safety courtesy of Tayllor Freeman and Damien Walker and a blocked punt returned for a touchdown by Jace Poehler.

After graduating a host of senior talent, Rigby’s up-and-coming stars shone bright under the lights of Madison High School. Quarterback Tiger Adolpho finished with 220 yards on nine passes, including an early touchdown to receiver Colton Edwards. Taylor Freeman stepped in at quarterback once the game was securely in Rigby’s hands, tossing a touchdown pass to Trajen Larsen from 41 yards out. Running back Gabe Mobley led the Trojans on the ground with 67 yards on just seven handoffs. 

The Trojans now look to a cross-state matchup at Post Falls Sept. 4.

Highland 0, Sky View (UT) 45

While one Eastern Idaho team flourished in the Rocky Mountain Rumble, another stumbled. 

The Rams, for the first time since 1982, finished on the receiving end of a shutout. Sky View, Utah’s defending state champion, bottled up whatever offensive tactic the Rams attempted, leading head coach Gino Mariaini to try both Easton Durham and Jack Whitmer at quarterback to no avail. 

According the the Idaho State Journal, not only was Saturday’s loss the first shutout for the Rams in nearly 40 years, but the worst loss since 1967, a 60-7 blowout by Borah. 

Highland, now 1-1, looks to get back on track against Logan High School, another Utah opponent, Sept. 4.

4A Football

Pocatello 23, Madison 20

The Indians survived a shootout against the Bobcats, as kicker Kade Jensen put Pokey over the top with three made field goals. Six Madison turnovers killed the Bobcats' chances at preventing an upset, despite quarterback Kieren Valora’s 297 passing yards. 

Madison’s last chance at a comeback came after a Valora 1-yard touchdown run. But after taking his team to the red zone, Madison’s new starting signal caller fumbled the snap, giving the Pocatello offense the chance to take over and run out the clock. 

Madison’s season won’t get any easier, as the Bobcats take on Sky View (UT) Sept. 4, a team that shut out fellow District 5-6 team Highland. The Indians, meanwhile, face off against Twin Falls Sept. 4.

Vallivue 21, Twin Falls 20

The Falcons ushered in a new era after the graduation of quarterback Lan Larison. In his place, Casey Cope led Vallivue to a gutsy fourth-quarter victory, hitting Lincoln Marler from 21 yards out with less than 10 minutes to play. 

Cope finished with 122 rushing yards, followed by running back Santiago Diaz with 106 yards, Vallivue’s leading scorer on the night. 

The Falcons continue their season against Hillcrest Sept. 4, while Twin Falls takes on Pocatello. 

Hillcrest 56, Idaho Falls 20

Idaho Falls, along with Kuna, moved up from 4A to 5A over the summer. And like Kuna, the Tigers failed to gain a footing in Week 1. 

Knight Tre Kofe tallied 201 yards on the night, scoring twice as 4A Hillcrest defeated its 5A cousin. 

Hillcrest takes on Vallivue in Week 2, while Idaho Falls faces Blackfoot. 

3A Football

Sugar-Salem 13, Century 7 (OT)

The defending 3A state champs had their talents tested in Week 1 against a hungry Century team eager to knock off the Diggers. 

In a defensive-dominated game, the Diamondbacks forced overtime with the two teams knotted at seven points apiece. The Diggers managed 235 yards of offense, but the Sugar-Salem defense made the difference in the extra period. 

With Century threatening to score, Jonah Schulthies and Brigham Lee forced a fumble, with Jerek Rammell jumping on the loose ball to secure the win for the Diggers. 

Sugar-Salem takes on Shelley Sept. 4, while Century faces Bonneville in Week 2. 

Fruitland 36, Melba 34

The Grizzlies hung on against their 2A opponent, as a botched two-point conversion attempt by the Mustangs foiled Melba’s plans for an upset. Mustang quarterback Henry Clark finished with 208 passing yards and a pair of touchdowns, missing only seven of his 20 attempts. 

Zane Helm punched the ball in from 15 yards out in the final minutes of the game, putting victory within reach. But according to the Idaho Press, Melba’s version of the Philly Special fell flat due to miscommunication on the two-point try. 

Fruitland plays Nampa Christian Sept. 4. Melba will take Week 2 off and face Parma Sept. 11.

2A Football

Nampa Christian 66, Wendell 0

With COVID-19 essentially putting Treasure Valley football on hold, Nampa Christian was one of just a handful of Treasure Valley schools hitting the gridiron. 

Nampa Christian's offense put on a show in Week 1, racking up 565 yards, led by quarterback Landon Cheney’s five touchdowns. The Trojans didn’t shy away from the high bar set by the offense, holding Wendell to just 34 yards. 

The Nampa Christian faces Fruitland Sept. 4, while Wendell takes on Marsing.

North Fremont 44, Filer 20

Eager to redeem themselves after last year’s 2A playoff loss, the Huskies started 1-0 in 2020 in commanding fashion. 

Jordan Lenz put up 151 yards on the ground for North Fremont, while quarterback Luke Hill added another 115, cementing the Huskies as a ground-and-pound team once again. 

The bulk of North Fremont’s scoring came in the second half, as the Huskies shook off a 14-14 score after halftime.

North Fremont travels to Malad for a Week 2 showdown. Filer will look to rebound against American Falls in Week 3 Sept. 11.

West Side 33, Firth 6

Somehow, the Firth offense defied the odds and managed to score against the defending 2A state champs famously known for an immovable defense. 

But the six-point lead didn’t last long, as the Pirates showcased why they earned the title of best 2A squad in the state in 2019, scoring 33 unanswered en route to a Week 1 win. Parker Henderson led West Side with 68 yards on the ground and receiving, tacking on a 22-yard TD catch.

West Side will face Snake River Sept. 4. Filer takes on American Falls Sept. 11 for Week 3. 

1ADI Football

Butte County 42, Watersprings 8

After losing a multitude of key players from last year’s state runner-up squad, Butte County managed to start 1-0 even without the help of last year’s co-op partner Mackay. 

Quarterback Tyler Wanstrom threw four touchdowns in the Pirates' season opener, with receiver Cummins Anderson hauling in two. Treyton Miller filled out the ground game with two rushing touchdowns. 

Butte County will head to Dietrich for a Week 2 showdown Sept. 4. Watersprings will play Richfield Sept. 4.

Genesee 30, Timberline (Weippe) 24

Just a handful of Washington high schoolers are competing in fall football. And every one of them is doing so as a Genesee Bulldog. 

Idaho’s latest co-op team pulled off a miraculous comeback against Timberline, led by quarterback and Washington native Angus Jordan.

The Bulldogs came alive in the second half, as Jordan threw for nearly 200 yards, hitting receiver Cy Wareham from 14 yards out to spark the come-from-behind win. Outside of a 96-yard touchdown, Timberline would not reach the end zone again as Jordan led the team with three second-half touchdowns. 

Genesee plays Deary Sept. 4. Timberline faces off against Kamiah Sept. 4.

Murtaugh 64, Hansen 26

The Devils came out on top of this year’s battle for the Wagon Wheel. 

Quarterback Jonathan Camarillo led Murtaugh to an impressive offensive showing, including a touchdown to Tom Gibson. 

The Devils face Rimrock in Week 2 Sept. 4, while Hansen takes on Rockland. 

1ADII Football

Rockland 44, Camas County 22

The Bulldogs never gave the Mushers a chance, as Braden Permann and the Rockland offense hit the ground running early. 

Permann found his cousin Brigham Permann from 70 yards out for a quick score, sparking a 22-point showing in the second quarter. Permann finished with 193 yards and four touchdowns.

Rockland takes on Hansen Sept. 4, while the Mushers face North Gem. 

Clearwater Valley 60, Salmon River 12

The Rams relied on the legs of Jesse Knox for a 1-0 start to 2020. 

The Clearwater Valley running back tallied 165 yards Friday night in a non-conference blowout. Anthony Fabbi added another 67 yards of ground attack, coupled with a ball-hawking performance by the Ram defense, which nabbed four interceptions. 

The Savages will look to rebound against Wilder Sept. 4.