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Something that first-time readers of the Idaho8Man “3 Stars” should know: there’s no magic criteria that automatically means Player X will be honored. It’s a bit of an intentional floating target – the goal is to recognize many kids and teams, not just a few.

This week’s winners all had massive performances, not just statistically, in crucial games for their respective teams:

1. Blayne Meyer, Horseshoe Bend
The undefeated Mustangs (4-0) went on the road to Idaho Falls and had to grind out a win over a gritty Watersprings team and Meyer was a driving force behind the win, rushing for 243 yards and three scores.

2. Tayden Hibbard, Prairie
It was a balanced game for the senior, who rushed for 124 yards and two scores, caught a touchdown pass, and collected six tackles (four for loss) in the Pirates’ (4-0) White Pine win over Potlatch.

3. Anthony Fabbi, Clearwater Valley
The Rams (1-3) also picked up a league win, it’s first of the year, by exploding for 82 points to defeat Logos. Junior Anthony Fabbi had a hand in five touchdowns and four two-point conversions, rushing for 128 yards and passing for 178 along the way.

Honorable Mention
Cody Power (Dietrich)
Qwuincy Hall (Lakeside)
Payton Beck (Oakley)
Mason Brown (Lapwai)
Micha Nelson (Timberline)
Alex Martinez (Rimrock)
Isaac Rodriguez (Wilder)
Jrew Plocher (Watersprings)
Carter Woodland (Notus)
Clay Silva (Lighthouse Christian)
Kalab Rickard (Deary)
Cy Wareham (Genesee)
Tyler Howard (Potlatch)
Jack Driskill (Logos)
Josh Gipe (Council)
Hudson Fields (Garden Valley)
Ty Koepp (Kendrick)
Kole Spencer (Raft River)
Adam Ball (Mullan/St. Regis)
David Kludt (Kamiah)

Notes

In Raft River’s win over Lighthouse Christian, the Trojans’ front three of Davin Jones (LG), Mason Whitaker (C), and Lad Hansen (RG) paved the way for six players to gain at least 75 yards of offense. In Notus’s win over Camas County, nose guard Aaron Jiminez had seven tackles and four sacks while defensive end Julian Gallegos had five tackles and three sacks. Lapwai’s Sage Lone Bear is averaging – AVERAGING – nearly four tackles for loss per game. Moral of the story: the long runs and great catches may get the social-media buzz, but you don’t win without great play up front.

If you need a reminder of how good Oakley’s defense is, the Hornets kept Kendrick off the scoreboard two weeks ago. In Kendrick’s other three games, the Tigers have scored 42, 72, and 82 points. Oakley (4-0) has allowed a total of 46 points in its four games, 28 of which came in the first half of the season-opener against Lapwai. Just eighteen points allowed in the three and a half games since then. That’s almost unheard of in 8-man football.

He hasn’t been officially tabbed as a weekly “3 Stars” winner yet, but a quick check in on Prairie’s Brody Hasselstrom: 699 yards and 11 touchdowns rushing, 115 yards and two touchdowns receiving, 22 tackles, a sack and an interception. In four games, all comfortable wins, where he’s not necessarily on the field the whole game. Could he follow in the footsteps of Dean Johnson (2020) and Cole Martin (2019) and be the third consecutive Prairie player to earn 1A Division 1 Player of the Year in Idaho?

Similar story for the dynamic tandem of Luke Trogden and Adam Ball at Mullan/St. Regis. Each has a little under 600 yards, combined, rushing and receiving. Trogden has eight total touchdowns, Ball has seven. They’ve accumulated those numbers is about 10 quarters of playing time for the Tigers (3-1).

Agree? Disagree? Let me know in the comments!