The 2020 state football tournament picture is set — almost.
With a combination of conference standings and MaxPreps rankings seeding this year's tournaments, one spot still remains unfilled. In the 3A Mountain Rivers Conference, three teams are still vying for a chance at the postseason, and some Monday night madness will determine which two will keep their season alive.
South Fremont, Sugar-Salem, and Teton are currently all tied for first place in the conference. This year, the Idaho High School Activities Association allotted the conference two spots in the tournament, meaning a "Kansas City Playoff" will commence tonight to determine the top two teams.
IdahoSports.com will livestream tonight's contest. Click here to watch.
Sugar-Salem enters the game as the defending 3A state champion. Ranked No. 2 in the classification, the Diggers' one loss on the year came against South Fremont 10 days ago.
The Diggers didn’t make it easy for their conference rival, rallying from a 21-7 deficit to bring the game within one possession. Ryan Harris picked off Cougar quarterback Kaimen Peebles, taking the stolen ball to the house to tie the game at 21 just before the half.
But Peebles found Dallin Orme in the third quarter for the final touchdown of the game, as the Cougar defense held strong throughout the fourth.
Sugar-Salem has operated all year without offensive weapon Crew Clark, who broke his collarbone earlier in the season.
The Cougars, meanwhile, looked to be the defacto conference champion after their upset win. But whether it be late-season fatigue or an underappreciation for their opponent, South Fremont gave up a chance at the throne to the Timberwolves in the final game of the regular season.
Teton owns the most losses in the Mountain Rivers, losing thrice to Jackson Hole (WY), Snake River and Sugar-Salem. After back-to-back losses to the Panthers and Diggers, the future looked bleak for the recently rebranded Timberwolves.
IdahoSports.com's broadcast will begin at 5:45 p.m. from Madison High School. Alec and Cristina Pope will be on the call.
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