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ORDER GAME PHOTOS
Written by: Christian Weaner
FOOTBALL
Minico @ Century
7 p.m. Friday
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Minico (3-1) has looked like a legitimate state title contender at the 4A level so far this season. The Spartans lone loss was a narrow 21-20 defeat on the road against a stout Ridgeline (Utah) team, and Minico has posted impressive wins over Thunder Ridge and Beaver (Utah). Last Friday, the Spartans dismantled Mountain Home — a 4A playoff team from a season ago — by a score of 54-0. If Century (0-3) hopes to avoid a lopsided loss like that at home this week, the Diamondbacks will have their work cut out for them. Century is yet to win a game this season and is coming off a shutout loss at home against 5A Highland last Friday night.
Skyview @ Emmett
7 p.m. Friday
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Emmett (2-1) will return home this Friday after capturing two straight victories on the road. In Week 2, the Huskies dominated Fruitland in a 40-0 shutout win, and last week Emmett bounced back from a slow start to knock off 5A Lake City 55-27 in a game played at Baker High School in Baker City, Oregon. The visiting Skyview Hawks (0-4) have not faired quite so well this season. Skyview has hung tough in all four of their games but come up short each time. Despite the record disparity in this matchup, the Hawks — who transferred back down to the 4A ranks this year after competition in 5A for four years — are not a team Emmett can overlook. As 4A Southern Idaho Conference (SIC) play begins, a lot is riding on every game, regardless of what the other team’s record might be.
Pocatello @ Highland (Pocatello)
7 p.m. Friday
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The annual Black and Blue Bowl is possibly the most highly anticipated game every season for Pocatello and Highland, and it will be no different this season. Highland (1-2) has dominated the series in recent years, winning 11-straight matchups against Pocatello (2-1), including a 41-14 domination at Holt Arena last season. The Rams have showed some signs of weakness this year, however, as they got off to a 0-2 start to the season before shutting out Century last Friday. The Thunder, on the other hand, has looked impressive in back-to-back blowout wins, and they are hoping to knock of Highland for the first time since 2010. They will have to do so without the help of starting quarterback Dre Contreras, who will be out Friday night with an injury. Regardless of who is under center for the Thunder, both teams should put on a show at Iron Horse Stadium this week in the annual rivalry game.
Coeur d’Alene @ Lakeland
7 p.m. Friday
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Friday night’s matchup between Coeur d’Alene (1-2) and Lakeland (4-0) is shaping up to potentially be the game of the week in North Idaho. Under first-year head coach Mike Schroeder, the Hawks are off to their first 4-0 start since 2001. Ironically, 2001 was also the last time Lakeland defeated Coeur d’Alene. In the teams’ last meeting back in 2020, the Vikings dominated the Hawks 48-7 at home. This year, Coeur d’Alene will make the trip up to Rathdrum to face the explosive Lakeland rushing attack. The Vikings are coming off a much-needed bye week after they beat the Hawks fellow 4A Inland Empire League (IEL) foe Sandpoint 27-15 in Week 2 for their first win of the season. So far this year, Schroeder and his Hawks have passed every test, but Lakeland will get a good look at where they stand over the next two weeks as 5A IEL contenders Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls come to town in consecutive weeks.
Borah @ Mountain View
7 p.m. Friday
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Borah (2-2, 0-2 SIC River Division) and Mountain View (1-2, 1-0) have been on opposite trajectories so far this year. The Lions got off to a resounding start to the season with back-to-back shutout wins over Capital and Timberline (Boise). Then, over the past two weeks, Borah lost two road contests, including a stinging 35-28 overtime defeat at Kuna last Friday in a game that the Lions led by 16 points in the fourth quarter before allowing a wild Kavemen comeback. Borah will need to right the ship quickly as they have another difficult road fixture this week at Mountain View, who is coming off its first win of the season against the upstart Owyhee Storm. The Mavericks opened the season with losses to Meridian and Rocky Mountain, but last Friday’s road victory proved that they are still the team to beat in the SIC River Division this year.
Raft River @ Oakley
7 p.m. Friday
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Raft River (2-0) will travel to Oakley (2-1) Friday night in hopes of avenging last season’s 1AD1 state championship game, which the Hornets dominated 42-14 en route to their second straight state title. In fact, Raft River has lost to Oakley in the state finals in each of the past two seasons. If the Trojans are to reverse their recent fortunes, they will need to slow down the Hornets prolific offense, which is averaging north of 53 points per game. Raft River will enter Friday’s showdown with some confidence after notching hard-fought wins over Kamiah and Lighthouse Christian in consecutive weeks.
Blackfoot @ Shelley
7 p.m. Friday
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Despite what their records might show, Friday’s matchup between 4A High Country Conference rivals Blackfoot (3-0) and Shelley (0-3) will be an exciting game. The Broncos were one point away from an appearance in the 4A state championship game last season, and they have looked the part of a state title contender so far this year, winning all three of their games handily. Friday will not be a cake walk for Blackfoot, though, as they travel to take on the Russets. Shelley was a 4A state quarterfinalist in 2021, and the Russets heartbreaking 42-38 loss at Burley (3-0) last Friday proved that they are probably better than their 0-3 record might reveal.
Hillcrest @ Skyline
7 p.m. Friday
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The Skyline Grizzlies will host their first 4A High Country Conference game of the season Friday when the Hillcrest Knights come to town. Hillcrest currently sits at 1-2 on the year following back-to-back losses to Thunder Ridge and Blackfoot. Skyline, on the other hand, lost its season opener in the Rocky Mountain Rumble before bouncing back for two impressive wins in a row over 5A opponents Highland and Thunder Ridge. The Grizzlies recent success has reminded Idaho high school football fans why Skyline has won back-to-back 4A state titles, and shown that they are likely the favorites again this season as they vie for a three-peat.
Lapwai @ Clearwater Valley
7 p.m. Friday
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1AD1 Whitepine League fans will want to keep an eye on this exciting matchup taking place down in Kooskia between Clearwater Valley (2-1, 1-0 Whitepine) and Lapwai (1-1, 0-1). The Rams started the season 2-0 with victories over Glenns Ferry and Logos, but they faltered last week in a 62-22 road loss to Notus. This week, Clearwater Valley will face a tough test when the Lapwai Wildcats come to town. Lapwai opened the season with a devasting 34-28 loss to Kamiah, but the Wildcats bounced back for a blowout win over Timberline (Weippe) in Week 1. The Wildcats will also enter Friday’s game well-rested after having a bye last Friday.
Horseshoe Bend @ Camas County
4 p.m. Friday
A pair of undefeated teams in the 1AD2 ranks will do battle Friday afternoon when Horseshoe Bend (3-0) travels to Camas County (2-0). The Mustangs and Mushers were both state quarterfinalists last season, and both teams have looked like state playoff contenders through the first several weeks this year. Horseshoe Bend ad Camas County have each outscored opponents by 35+ points per game so far this season. Something must give this Friday in Fairfield when the Mustangs and Mushers face off.
Council @ Kamiah
6 p.m. Pacific time Friday
Council will travel up to Kamiah Friday evening to play the Kubs in an intriguing 1AD1-versus-1AD2 matchup between a pair of 2-1 teams. The Lumberjacks have proven their ability to compete with schools from the larger classification, as they pummeled Logos 40-14 in their season opener. Council also enters Friday’s road test coming off a big 30-26 win against Lewis County last week. Kamiah, meanwhile, has looked like a solid team so far this year. The Kubs knocked off Lapwai in their season opener and walloped Logos last week. Their lone loss came against Raft River in Week 2.
Carey @ Lighthouse Christian
7 p.m. Friday
Lighthouse Christian might be the best 0-2 8-man football team in the state. The only problem is they likely have the toughest schedule of any 8-man team in Idaho. The Lions have lost two one-score games to Grace and Raft River, and this week they will host the 2021 1AD2 runner-up Carey. Lighthouse Christian cannot overlook this matchup Friday night but coming down the road over the next couple of weeks are teams like Butte County, Oakley, and Murtaugh, who all look like playoff team this year. The Panthers (1-1) on the other hand, are looking to continue proving they can compete at the 1AD1 level, after moving up classifications this season. Carey lost 7-0 to Grace to open the season before bouncing back for a huge 34-28 win over Butte County two weeks ago. The Panthers will be fresh for Friday’s game, as they were idle last week.
Weiser @ Cole Valley Christian
7 p.m. Friday
The defending 3A state champion Weiser Wolverines (3-0) are off to a roaring start to the 2022 season. The Wolverines have allowed less than eight points per game while scoring nearly 30 a contest thus far. Weiser gets a tough test Friday when the team heads down to Meridian to face the 2A Cole Valley Christian Chargers (2-1). Cole Valley Christian’s lone loss came two weeks ago at Payette in a back-and-forth game that ended with a 24-21 final score. The Chargers will be rested and ready to go Friday after their game last week with Salmon was cancelled due to poor air quality.
Firth @ Declo
7 p.m. Friday
Firth and Declo both might be 1-2 to open the 2022 season, but either team could easily make a run the rest of the way and end up playing late into the playoffs in the 2A ranks. In fact, the Cougars and Hornets played each other last season in the state quarterfinals in a game that Firth won 20-16. So far this year, the Cougars find themselves at 1-2 by virtue of losses to West Side — the three-time defending 2A state champions — and Bear Lake last week on the road. Declo got knocked off by the upstart Aberdeen Tigers in Week 2 and fell last Friday to 3A Buhl at home. This matchup is huge for both squads, as a 1-3 hole would be tough to overcome.
Owyhee @ Eagle
7 p.m. Friday
The Owyhee Storm (3-1) suffered their first loss of the season last week at home in heartbreaking fashion against perennial SIC powerhouse Mountain View, losing 34-31 after a furious fourth quarter surge fell short. Despite dropping the game against the Mavericks, Owyhee proved its hot start this season is no fluke. Eagle (1-2) has had a much slower start to the season than the Storm, although the Mustangs record might seem worse than things really are. With losses on the road against the top two teams in the 5A ranks — Meridian and Rocky Mountain — the Mustangs have certainly been battle tested. Eagle will need to be ready Friday night when the upstarts from Owyhee come to town if the Mustangs want to avoid a 1-3 start to the year.
BOYS SOCCER
Idaho Falls @ Blackfoot
11 a.m. Saturday
Blackfoot (4-1-1) hosts conference rival Idaho Falls (6-2) Saturday morning a matchup of the 4A High Country Conference’s No. 1 and 3 teams, respectively. The Broncos snuck past the Tigers 3-2 last Thursday in Idaho Falls. This time, the Idaho Falls will looks for some payback when they make the trip down to Blackfoot.
Boise @ Mountain View
11 a.m. Saturday
One thing is for sure: the 5A SIC is absolutely stacked, and the top of the conference standings will seemingly be shaken up every week. That is what happened this week when former conference leaders Mountain View (7-2) lost two straight matches to Rocky Mountain and Timberline. This weekend, the Mavericks will need to bounce back quickly to get ready for the 8-0-1 Boise Brave. Since drawing with Rocky Mountain 2-2 in their first match of the year, the Brave have rattled off eight straight victories, a streak they would like to continue Saturday.
Teton @ American Falls
1 p.m. Saturday
For the second time this season, Teton (5-0-1) will play American Falls (6-2) in a matchup of potential 3A playoff teams. If the second meeting is anything like the first, Timberwolves and Beavers fans are in for an exciting Saturday afternoon. In the team’s first meeting three weeks ago, Teton and American Falls played to a 1-1 draw.
Sun Valley Community School @ Kimberly
6:15 p.m. Friday
Sun Valley Community School @ Wood River
1 p.m. Saturday
The Sun Valley Community School Cutthroats (7-1) are coming off a tough loss to conference rival Wendell last Saturday, and they will have a couple of difficult road tests again this weekend. After squaring off with Kimberly — the team that defeated the No. 1-seeded Cutthroats in the first round of last year’s 3A state playoffs — Friday night, SVCS will travel to play 4A Wood River Saturday afternoon. The Wolverines (7-2) currently sit in second place in the 4A Great Basin 7 Conference.
GIRLS SOCCER
Gonzaga Prep (Washington) @ Lake City
4 p.m. Friday
Lake City walloped Moscow 10-1 Wednesday to improve to 7-0 on the season. The defending state champion Timberwolves will put their 25-match unbeaten streak on the line Friday afternoon when they host one of the best teams out of Washington’s 3A/4A Greater Spokane League — the Gonzaga Prep Bullpups. Gonzaga Prep (4-1) will enter the match riding a four-game winning streak.
Sun Valley Community School @ Kimberly
4:30 p.m. Friday
Soccer fans are in for a doozy Friday evening when Sun Valley Community School travels to take on Kimberly in a clash between the perennial powers of 3A’s High Desert Conference. The Cutthroats enter Saturday’s match with a perfect 8-0 record after notching three tough wins over the past week against conference foes Wendell, Gooding and Buhl. The lone blemish this season for the Bulldogs was a 1-1 draw at Wendell in their second game of the season. Aside from that match and 3-2 win against Buhl, Kimberly has been completely dominant this year, posting five shutouts and averaging more than six goals a game. The last time the Cutthroats and Bulldogs did battle was in the first round of last season’s 3A state playoffs — a match that SVCS won 2-1 in overtime.
Teton @ American Falls
11 a.m. Saturday
Teton (3-0-2) will go on the road to face American Falls (6-3) Saturday afternoon in a non-conference match. The Timberwolves defeated the Beavers 3-1 earlier in the season on their home field, and they will look to do the same this weekend on the road.
Highland (Pocatello) @ Canyon Ridge
11 a.m. Saturday
The Highland Rams will make the trek over to Twin Falls Saturday morning for an exciting 4A/5A matchup with the Canyon Ridge Riverhawks. Both teams sit atop their respective conference standings, as Highland bolsters a 6-2-1 record on the year and Canyon Ridge is 6-2. The Rams enter Saturday’s match as winners of their last four in a row, including a big 2-1 victory over Thunder Ridge on Monday. The Riverhawks, meanwhile, will look to dust themselves off after a 3-1 loss at Wood River Tuesday evening.
VOLLEYBALL
Bonneville Classic
After some exciting action at last week’s Triple Threat Tournament — won by the host Thunder Ridge Titans — the city of Idaho Falls will once again be the center of some of the state’s best volleyball competition this weekend during the annual Bonneville Classic. In addition to the Bees — last season’s 4A state runners-up — the tournament field includes Skyline, Kimberly, Canyon Ridge, Minico, Wood River, Fruitland, Weiser, Highland (Pocatello), Century and 2021 Bonneville Classic winner and 3A state champion Sugar-Salem.
Idaho Classic
While many of Idaho’s larger school’s do battle at Bonneville, some of the best 1A, 2A and 3A squads will square off at the Idaho Classic hosted by Mountain View. Competitors include Filer, Homedale, Hagerman, Carey, Cascade, Garden Valley, Council, Horseshoe Bend, Cole Valley Christian, Melba, Nampa Christian, Firth, Ririe, Greenleaf Fields, Liberty Charter, Vision Charter, Victory Charter, South Fremont, North Star Charter, Notus, Murtaugh and Lighthouse Christian.
Durango Fall Classic
Idaho’s first, second, and third place finishers, respectively, in the 5A ranks last season — Skyview, Madison and Eagle — will travel to Las Vegas, Nevada, this weekend to participate in the prestigious Durango Fall Classic. The Hawks, Mustangs, and Wildcats will face off with some of the best squads from around the country, as schools from 12 states (plus Canada) will be represented at the tournament. Last season, Skyview — he eventual 5A champions — finished ninth out of 55 teams at the Durango Fall Classic.
SunDome Volleyball Festival
Three of North Idaho’s finest volleyball squads — Lake City, Lakeland and Lewiston — will make the drive over to Yakima, Washington, Friday and Saturday to compete in the SunDome Volleyball Festival. The Timberwolves and Hawks have both been on their own respective hot streaks recently and hope to make some noise this weekend. Lake City is yet to lose a match in the ultra-competitive 4A/5A IEL and Lakeland is coming off a big tournament win last weekend at Freeman High School’s (Washington) annual Rip-A-Shot Tournament.
Parma Volleyball Classic
The final tournament on tap this weekend will be hosted by Parma Saturday morning and feature the Panthers, as well as Emmett, Payette, Sun Valley Community School and New Plymouth.
Mackay @ Leadore
2 p.m. Saturday
One of the few head-to-head matches of the weekend will be a goodie, as 1AD2 Rocky Mountain Conference foes Mackay and Leadore will face off. The Miners — 2021 regular season and conference tournament champions — bested the Mustangs 3-1 last Thursday at home, but this time they will make the trip up to Leadore.
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