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ORDER GAME PHOTOS
FOOTBALL
Preston @ Century
7 p.m. Friday
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Head Coaches Craig Cunningham and Ryan Fleischmann message to their teams this week is simple: Forget what the records show and . Despite possessing only one victory between the two teams, the winner of Friday’s game between Preston (1-5) and Century (0-6) will have sole possession of first place in the three-team 4A South East Idaho Conference (SEIC). Aside from the Indians and Diamondbacks, the third member of the SEIC, Pocatello, has a record of 2-4 and the Thunder struggled at times this season. In other words, the SEIC is still very much up for grabs and Friday night’s winner will have an outside shot at sneaking into the 4A state playoffs.
Rigby @ Highland (Pocatello)
7 p.m. Friday
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Quietly sitting at No. 3 in both the Coaches Poll and Media Poll, the defending 5A champion Rigby Trojans (5-1) reminded fans across the state that they are still the team to beat last week, dominating 2021 4A champion Skyline 28-0. This week, Rigby will hit the road to begin district competition, traveling to Pocatello to take on Highland (3-3) in a rematch of last season’s state championship game. The Rams have battled injuries throughout the first six weeks of the season. Despite a .500 record on the year, Highland still looks to be a state title contender in 2022. The Rams three losses are to a pair of 2021 state champions, Lehi (Utah) and Skyline and a road defeat against the No. 2 team in 5A, Meridian. Iron Horse Stadium will be rocking Friday night for this huge rivalry matchup.
Shelley @ Idaho Falls
7 p.m. Friday
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The Shelley Russets started the season 0-3 but have since rallied to win their last three straight games, and they now sit atop the 4A High Country Conference (HCC) standings with a huge matchup against Skyline looming in several weeks that could be the de-facto conference title game. Before Shelley (3-3, 2-0 HCC) can start thinking about that game, however, they need to take care of business this week on the road against a pesky Idaho Falls (2-4, 1-1) team is currently sitting in the middle of the pack in the HCC. Just like the Russets, the Tigers also began the year 0-3 but have rebounded nicely, winning two of their last three games. A home win Friday would be a huge confidence boost for Idaho Falls as the team looks to finish the season strong and earn a 4A state playoff berth.
Bonners Ferry @ Kellogg
7 p.m. Friday
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The online record books only go back so far, but from what information can be found in online archives, Bonners Ferry (6-0) is off to the best start in school history. In fact, the last time the Badgers won six games in an entire season was more than 20 years ago. This season, Bonners Ferry has outscored opponents 171-36, never allowing more than two touchdowns in a single game. Naysayers might argue that the early success is just an enigma. After all, the Badgers have only played two Idaho schools so far this year and the combined record of their six opponents is 11-22. Well, this week, fans will get a real sense of just how good the 2022 Bonners Ferry football team really is. The Badgers travel down to Kellogg Friday to face off against the dynamic duo of Riply and Kolby Luna and the prolific Wildcats offense that has put up more than 40 points per game. Kellogg (4-2, 1-0 Central Idaho League) and Bonners Ferry were longtime Intermountain League (IML) rivals, before the Wildcats bumped down to 2A this season. Last year, Kellogg edged Bonners Ferry 18-13 on the road en route to a 3A state playoff appearance. The Badgers would love nothing more than to return the favor this year as they look to get back to postseason play for the first time since 2015.
Sandpoint @ Lakeland
7 p.m. Friday
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If you don’t get to watch any other Idaho high school football this week, please tune in to this mammoth 4A Inland Empire League (IEL) showdown between Sandpoint (2-3) and Lakeland (6-1). You won’t regret it. Regardless of their misleading record, the Bulldogs remain the top dog in the IEL. They have won the league title two years running and last season Sandpoint made a run to the 4A state title game before being upended by Skyline. The Hawks quietly snuck into the 4A playoffs last year as an at-large selection and nearly went on the road and upset Skyline in the first round. Lakeland carried that momentum into 2022, sprinting out to one of the best starts in school history. The Hawks lone defeat was a one-point 14-13 heartbreaker against Coeur d’Alene. For reference, the Vikings beat Sandpoint 27-15 at home in Week 1. With Moscow having a down season, Friday night’s victor will not only win the IEL crown this season but will also lock up homefield advantage at least through the quarterfinals of the 4A state playoffs. As former Lakeland football coach and co-host of the weekly North Idaho Prepcast Ryan Scaggs would say, this one is shaping up to be a dandy of a game.
Capital @ Middleton
7 p.m. Friday
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If the playoffs were to start today, 5A Southern Idaho Conference (SIC) Foothills member Capital (2-4, 2-1 SIC Foothills) would be in the playoffs and, oddly enough, Middleton (4-2, 1-2) would be on the outside looking in. However, the with the Vikings hosting the Eagles Friday night, Middleton can set that record straight and firmly secure their 2022 playoff berth with a win. The Vikings will look to ride the momentum from their two-game winning streak, while the Eagles dust themselves off after a 63-0 loss to Rocky Mountain last week.
Lewiston @ Post Falls
7 p.m. Friday
Sandpoint-Lakeland is not the only high stakes battle going down in North Idaho Friday night. The red-hot Lewiston Tigers (5-1) will be on the road against Post Falls (4-2) with the 5A IEL title and playoff qualification are on the line for both squads. Last season, the Tigers, Trojans and Coeur d’Alene Vikings ended up in a three-way tie for first place in the IEL standings. The teams played a rare Kansas tiebreaker and Coeur d’Alene and Lewiston both advanced, ending Post Falls season early. This year, the IEL is shaping up to be another battle between the same three teams, meaning Friday’s contest will be huge for both squads. The Tigers opened the season with a loss but have since steamrolled their way through the past five games. Post Falls also opened the season with a loss before rebounding nicely. The Trojans will enter the game after notching a big 23-17 overtime win on the road against Washington’s Mt. Spokane High School last week.
Homedale @ Weiser
7 p.m. Friday
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Speaking of huge matchups with conference titles and playoff seeding on the line, the de-facto 3A Snake River Valley Conference championship game will be played Friday night when Homedale (5-1, 2-0 SRVC) travels to Weiser (6-0, 2-0). The Trojans were state semifinalists last season, and they appear to be just as good if not better this season. Homedale’s lone loss came on the road against 4A Sandpoint 28-21. Aside from that game, the Trojans have won their other five contests by a combined score of 238-21. The defending state champion Wolverines, meanwhile, have gone unscathed so far this year are coming off 47-13 blowout win over McCall Donnelly. Last year, Homedale knocked off Weiser 14-6 en route to a perfect regular season. Weiser has a chance to get some payback this year as the Wolverines prepare for another deep playoff run.
Castleford @ Dietrich
7 p.m. Friday
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Fans can expect an exciting matchup Friday evening as a pair of undefeated 1AD2 Sawtooth Conference foes Castleford (5-0, 2-0 Sawtooth) and Dietrick (5-0, 2-0) do battle. The Wolves have relied on their strong defense all season to remain unbeaten. Castleford looked solid in a 26-8 win over Camas County last week. Dietrich, on the other hand, has been winning games with huge offensive firepower. The Blue Devils are averaging 64 points per game. Something has to give Friday night in the de-facto conference championship game that will have major ramifications on playoff seeding.
Garden Valley @ Horseshoe Bend
7 p.m. Friday
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The Wolverines (5-0, 2-0 Long Pin) will try to keep their unbeaten streak alive with by far their toughest challenge thus far. Horseshoe Bend (4-2, 2-1 Long Pin) rebounded from a 44-26 loss to league leader Council with a bounce-back win over Salmon River last Friday, and is still expected to contend for a playoff spot. If Garden Valley can earn the road win, next week’s matchup with Council will be for the Long Pin regular season title.
North Fremont @ Aberdeen
7 p.m. Friday
The North Fremont Huskies (5-0, 2-0 Nuclear Conference) do not lose regular season games. Well, at least, they have not lost a regular season game since 2017. Head Coach Ben Lenz’ Huskies have won an incredible 36 straight regular season games dating back to October 20, 2017. This week, North Fremont will put that streak to the test as they go on the road to take on the 2A SEIC-leading Aberdeen (4-1, 2-0 SEIC). With a lone loss on the road at South Fremont, the Tigers have looked like a playoff contender all season, but the real test is about to begin. After taking on North Fremont, Aberdeen will play on the road at West Side and Bear Lake over the next weeks to finish out the regular season.
Emmett @ Bishop Kelly
7 p.m. Friday
The top teams in the 4A SIC square off Friday when Emmett (5-1, 2-0 SIC) battles Bishop Kelly (6-0, 2-0) on the road. The Huskies rebounded from a season opening loss to Blackfoot by earning wins in five straight games. Emmett will hope to keep that momentum going as they prepare to take on the No. 1-ranked Knights. Bishop Kelly continued its dominance last week, shutting down Burley’s potent passing game in a 63-14 win. The Knights are now averaging 45 points per game while giving up less than seven per contest.
Mullan-St. Regis @ Clark Fork
7 p.m. Friday
The 1AD2 North Star League (NSL) title will be up for grabs Friday night when defending league champion Mullan-St. Regis (4-2, 3-0 NSL) travels up to Clark Fork (4-2, 3-1) to take on the Wampus Cats. The Tigers got the best of Clark Fork at home back in Week 1, fending off the feisty Wampus Cats 60-42. Whoever wins Friday and takes the North Star crown will earn a coveted first round bye in the 1AD2 playoffs
Rocky Mountain @ Meridian
7 p.m. Friday
If fans want a preview of the 2022 5A state championship game, Friday’s matchup between No. 1 Rocky Mountain (6-0, 3-0 SIC Foothills) and No. 2 Meridian (6-0, 3-0) could be just that. Last season, the Grizzlies snuck by the Warriors at home but this year the game is in Meridian. In addition to the SIC Foothills title and pride, playoff seeding is also on the line Friday night. Whoever wins will receive a first-round bye. Rocky Mountain and Meridian were state semifinalists last year, and both teams came up just short of a state title appearance, adding extra motivation for each squad to get over the hump in 2022.
BOYS SOCCER
Mountain Home @ Wood River
6:30 p.m. Saturday
Mountain Home (7-5-1, 6-5-1 Great Basin) travels to Wood River (12-2-2, 10-1-1) Saturday evening for a big District 4 Boys Soccer Tournament semifinal match. The Wolverines clawed past Canyon Ridge Tuesday 2-0 but still finished in second place in the conference. Wood River beat the Mountain Home in both of the teams’ two regular season matches, however the Tigers came within one goal each time.
Buhl @ Bliss
4 p.m. Friday
The 3A District 4 Boys Soccer Tournament gets underway Friday afternoon as the No. 5 seed Buhl (6-8-1, 5-7-1 High Country) plays at the No. 4-seeded Bliss Bears (6-6-2, 6-6-2). The 3A High Country Conference (HCC) was highly competitive this season, and both of these teams played close matches with some of the top HCC squads. In the regular season, Buhl defeated Bliss 1-0 in the teams’ first meeting and the Indians and Bears played to a draw in their second matchup. With the District 4 tournament being single elimination, the loser of this game will head home while the winner will advance to likely play No. 1 seed Wendell on Monday in the semifinals.
VOLLEYBALL
Geico Girls Volleyball Invitational
Skyview, Idaho’s three-time defending 5A state champions, will represent the Gem State on national television this weekend when they travel to Papillion, Nebraska, to compete against some of the nation’s top competition at the Geico Girls Volleyball Invitational. The Hawks play in the opening match of the four-team tournament against host Papillion-LaVista Friday night at 3 p.m. Mountain time. The game will air on ESPNU. The championship and third place matches will be played Saturday evening and will air on ESPN+.
Cache Valley Challenger Tournament
Some of East Idaho’s top volleyball squads will travel down to North Logan, Utah, this weekend for the Cache Valley Challenger Tournament hosted by Green Canyon High School. Skyline, Rigby, Madison, Thunder Ridge and Preston will be among the teams competing.
Butte County Tournament
The “small school” volleyball tournament of the week will be hosted by Butte County this weekend. The Pirates will host Sun Valley Community School, Carey, Horseshoe Bend, Mackay, Taylor’s Crossing, North Fremont, Greenleaf Fields, Challis and Salmon in a tournament full of playoff contenders in the 1AD2, 1AD1 and 2A ranks.
Rockland @ Watersprings
11 a.m. Saturday
Rockland vs. Leadore
12:30 p.m. Saturday
Leadore @ Watersprings
2 p.m. Saturday
Three of the 1AD2 Rocky Mountain Conference’s top teams will close out their regular seasons with an intriguing tri-match hosted by Watersprings on Saturday. Rockland, last season’s 1AD2 runner-up, has asserted itself as a state title contender once again this year. The Bulldogs have lost only one match all season and look to close out the regular season strong. For the Warriors and Mustangs, district playoff seeding is on the line, as both squads hope to qualify for the state playoffs this year. In the teams’ first meeting, Leadore cruised to a 3-0 home win over Watersprings.
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