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When it comes to Semifinal Weekend in Idaho 8-man football, we do our 3 Stars a little differently.  We select a "star" and an "honorable mention" from each game.  So, technically, this week is our annual 4 Stars.  Maybe we should market it that way?  Anyway...on with the show.

1A Division 2 Semifinal: Carey vs. Dietrich

In a rematch of last year's title game, junior Riley Morey supplied a plethora of big plays to help the Panthers advance to the title game.  He intercepted three passes on defense - returning one for a score - and added a 23-yard touchdown reception in the Carey victory. (Honorable Mention: Jett Shaw, Dietrich)

1A Division 2 Semifinal: Kendrick vs. Castleford

Stop us if you've heard this one before - the winning team had a player intercept three passes and return one of the three for a score.  He also caught a touchdown pass on offense.  Look familiar?  It should.  It happened in both Division 2 semifinal games.  In this one, it was Kendrick's Hunter Taylor who pulled it off. (Honorable Mention: Eric Taylor, Castleford)

1A Division 1 Semifinal: Oakley vs. Butte County

If you watch Oakley enough, you know there's seldom one guy who goes bonkers statistically.  Rather, it's a balanced effort.  The win over Butte County was no different.  Ethan Toribau finished with just nine carries and one reception, but three of those ten touches ended in touchdowns for the Hornets, who look to repeat as 1A Division 1 champs. (Honorable Mention: Boone Gammet, Butte County)

1A Division 1 Semifinal: Raft River vs. Lapwai

Like Oakley, Raft River is balanced and can beat teams in multiple ways.  In its semifinal matchup, Raft River got many key contributions but Kole Spencer's 154 yards rushing (and two scores) stood out.  He also added four tackles, a sack, and an interception to help the Trojans advance to the classification's state title game for the second straight year.  (Honorable Mention: Terrell Ellenwood-Jones, Lapwai)

NOTES
So, yeah, three of the four finalists in the 8-man classifications are the same as last season (Carey, Raft River, Oakley) and the Division 1 matchup is the same as it was one year ago.  This year, Oakley and Raft River will meet at Holt Arena in Pocatello on Thursday (6:30 pm Mountain Time).  Oakley took home the top trophy last season with a 52-22 win over Raft River, but Raft River's defense got the best of Oakley during the regular season, posting a 22-16 win on its home field on October 22.

In Division 2, Carey has won five titles since the IHSAA separated the 1A classification into Division 1 and Division 2 in 2004.  The Panthers (five), Salmon River (six), and Lighthouse Christian (three) have combined to win 14 of the 16 1A Division 2 classifications and every one since 2006 (trivia - it was Horseshoe Bend in 2004 and Mackay in 2005), so Kendrick is looking to break through in the Division 2 ranks.  But the Tigers are no playoff newbie.  Kendrick has reached the playoffs eight consecutive seasons and lost in the semifinals in 2020, 2019, and 2018.  Kendrick also reached the state title game in 2016, when the Tigers fell to Salmon River, 30-20, at Middleton High School.  This time, Kendrick will only need to drive about 20 miles for Saturday's title game, which will be played inside the Kibbie Dome in Moscow at 1:00 PM (Pacific).

Agree? Disagree? Let me know in the comments!