|
There’s no denying the obvious — 2020 has brought serious changes to Idaho high school sports.
From limited attendance to rescheduled games, home games far from home to last-minute cancellations, this football season has been beyond unpredictable.
But one of the state’s most infamous rivalry games remains a constant among the chaos, as the 56th Annual Emotion Bowl plans to kick off Saturday afternoon.
IdahoSports.com will live stream Saturday’s game starting at 4 p.m. Click here to watch.
The origins of the Emotion Bowl date back to 1966, when Skyline High School split off from Idaho Falls High School.
But just one football field remained between the two programs, and one of the most bitter rivalries in the Gem State was born. Every year since, the winning team’s student section rushes the field to paint the goal posts their school’s colors.
Since 2014, the goalposts at Ravsten Stadium have remained a brilliant blue, as the Grizzlies look to continue their recent dominance in the series.
"Growing up watching the Emotion Bowl, the thing we looked forward to the most was seeing those goalposts painted blue," said Skyline quarterback Cade Marlow. "Having that chance again this year is an awesome feeling."
The Grizzlies enter the matchup in the midst of their best season in years. Should Skyline improve to 6-1 after their battle with the Tigers, the Grizzlies would be off to their best start since 2016, the year they won their fifth state championship.
Saturday could also mark the Grizzlies’ sixth-straight victory over their cross-town rival, tying for the second-longest streak in the series. The Grizzlies currently lead the series 32-22.
Skyline dominated the early years of the rivalry, winning the first meeting in 1966. The Grizzlies rattled off eight-straight wins, until Idaho Falls finally snapped the streak in 1973.
The Tigers currently own the second-longest win streak after an impressive run from 1983 to 1988. The ‘80s were the two teams’ most dominant years, with the 4A state champion hailing from either Idaho Falls or Skyline from 1985 to 1992, with each winning four titles apiece. The four championships stood as the most by any 4A squad for almost two decades, until Bishop Kelly broke the record with its fifth title in 2014.
But Saturday could feature a very different Idaho Falls team from years past. The Tigers have limped through 5A competition this season, posting a conference-worst point differential of negative-25 while failing to win a single game. The six consecutive losses mark the worst skid in Head Coach Marty Duffin’s career, and the most losses by an Idaho Falls team since the Tigers went winless in 2015.
Gates will open for the 56th Annual Emotion Bowl at Ravsten Stadium starting 2 p.m. Saturday. Masks and social distancing will be required for all attendees, according to the Skyline Activities Department.
The live GameStream of the 2020 Emotion Bowl is made possible by the D91 Education Foundation.
The D91 Education Foundation would like to thank these donors, companies and community partners who make it possible for them to continue their work of providing support to D91 students and teachers.
Maeck Family Foundation
Fluor Idaho
Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center
Teton Toyota
Teton Volkswagen
|