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 ORDER GAME PHOTOS
It's officially the first weekend of October, and we all know what that means.
Brandon "Brackets" Baney is back, and he is breaking down the playoff picture in all six classifications!
Well, that and this is when we really find out who has been pretending and who is truly contending for their conference championships.
Our slate this weekend is full of big games with huge playoff implications, and you are not going to want to miss it.
Check out this week's previews and be sure to give Brandon's article a read too — it is worth your time!
And as always, if I missed a big game I should have covered, botched a spelling or maybe even wrote something you appreciated, please let me know. My email is crweaner@liberty.edu and my X (Twitter) handle is @christianweaner. I always appreciate your feedback!
FOOTBALL
5A
Post Falls @ Lewiston
7 p.m. Friday
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It's finally here. League play has begun in the 5A Inland Empire League (IEL) and the action gets started with what should be a doozy as defending league champion Post Falls heads down to Lewiston for a clash against the Bengals.
A year removed from its first outright league title since 1995, Post Falls (4-2) is entering the most important stretch of its season with a lot of expectations. The Trojans have dropped two games this year to talented Washington schools Sunnyside and Mt. Spokane, but they have more than handled their business in their other four games.
Lewiston (3-3) has had an up-and-down year in 2023 after notching a 5A playoff bid a season ago. The Bengals have wins over Clarkston (WA), Pendleton (OR) and 4A Moscow, but they have yet to notch a true signature win, dropping games to Woods Cross (UT), Capital and Sandpoint.
In what figures to be a three-team race between Lewiston, Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls, Friday's winner will take a huge first step toward the 2023 IEL crown.
Eagle @ Mountain View
7 p.m. Friday
Eagle made a statement last week, going up 40-0 on the No. 2-ranked Boise Brave and coasting to a 40-21 win. They solidified their No. 1 ranking and showed the state that they are the team to beat.
And the crazy thing is, Mountain View — who has shown they can hang with the best in the SIC — could completely rewrite that narrative with one strong performance Friday night in this Southern Idaho Conference (SIC) River Division showdown.
The Mustangs (6-0, 3-0 SIC River) have looked strong all year, coming out spotless despite a killer schedule, and they will get another test Friday as they tune up for what they hope will be a state title run this fall. Eagle has stymied opposing offenses with its punishing defensive unit and scored at will in most of its games. They look like a true complete team.
Mountain View (4-2, 2-2) opened the year 2-0 with two of the most impressive wins of any team this season, downing Meridian and Rocky Mountain by a combined 15-point margin. But, the Mavericks have also had a couple of head-scratching losses to Owyhee and Boise that have left some wondering which is the real Mountain View.
Despite the gap in records, Eagle and Mountain View are arguably two of the top-five teams in 5A, and Friday night's slugfest should be a good indication of why that is.
Highland @ Rigby
7 p.m. Friday
I think it is safe to assume that wo-time defending 5A champion Rigby has had this game circled on its schedule since before the season began.
Granted, the Trojans (3-3) have not had the year anyone has expected so far, but there is no bigger rival than Highland, the team that beat them 43-42 last fall in one of the wildest games of the 2022 season and stole the District 5-6 crown out from underneath them.
In a shocking turn of events, Rigby opened the year 0-3 this season, but the Trojans are hot as of late after winning three straight including a 42-21 beatdown of three-time defending 4A champion Skyline last week.
Despite a home loss to Meridian two weeks ago — the only defeat so far in 2023 for the Rams — Highland (5-1) clocks in at No. 2 in the Week 7 statewide media poll, and it is not hard to understand why. The Rams own wins over Skyline (UT), Skyline and Pocatello and they have the second-highest scoring offense in 5A at just over 37 points per game.
This rivalry matchup will likely decide who wins District 5-6 and earns a first-round bye in the state playoffs.
4A
Blackfoot @ Skyline
7 p.m. Friday
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Skyline has been scuffling a bit this season, and they have an opportunity at home Friday for a get-right game as the Grizzlies host the winless Blackfoot Broncos in a key High Country Conference (HCC) matchup.
Even with their .500 record, the Grizzlies (3-3, 1-1) still sit at No. 4 in the 4A rankings, as pundits around the state give them the respect they deserve. Skyline's three losses this year have come against Highland (No. 2 in 5A), Hillcrest (No. 2 in 4A) and Rigby, the two-time defending 5A champion.
Despite their abysmal overall record, Blackfoot (0-6, 0-2) is just one MaxPreps spot out of the playoffs. The Broncos, who have been a legitimate 4A contender over the last several years, are certainly having a down year, but they have also played a gauntlet of a schedule.
The bottom line is Skyline cannot sleepwalk through this one, and Blackfoot still has something to play for this year.
Bishop Kelly @ Emmett
7 p.m. Friday
Bishop Kelly is doing Bishop Kelly things once again in 2023. The Knights (6-0, 2-0 SIC) have slaughtered opponents to the tune of 298-44 so far this year.
Emmett (4-2, 1-1) was picked No. 2 in the 4A SIC preseason poll, but the Huskies have some ground to make up after dropping a shocker to Skyview two weeks back.
The Huskies, who opened the year 3-0, are going to need to play their best football Friday at home if they want to stay competitive against the 4A No. 1 team.
Lakeland @ Sandpoint
7 p.m. Friday
Both Lakeland and Sandpoint have been super banged up this season, but the Bulldogs have fought through the injuries while the Hawks have been grounded in recent weeks.
Sandpoint (3-3) started the year 1-3, but back-to-back wins over 5A squads Lewiston and Lake City have the Bulldogs looking up as they get ready for the stretch run.
Lakeland (3-3) is the exact opposite. The Hawks soared out to a 3-0 start before the injury bug bit them hard, leading to three straight defeats, including a couple of lopsided losses to Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls.
With Lakeland coming off a bye, the Hawks will look to get healthy and get things back on track in what is effectively the de-facto 4A IEL Championship Game on Friday night in Sandpoint.
3A
Weiser @ Homedale
7 p.m. Friday
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You are not going to want to miss this one.
Few rivalries across the state have reached the level of Weiser-Homedale over the last few years. Yet, despite the Trojans' dominance of the Snake River Valley Conference (SRVC), it’s the Wolverines who have a recent state title under their belts from 2021.
Fresh off a fifth consecutive SRVC title and yet another trip to the 3A State Championship Game in 2022, Homedale (6-0, 2-0 SRVC) looks legit once again this year. The No. 2-ranked Trojans have played one close game all season, and that was a 44-35 win over 4A power Sandpoint in a neutral site game. Homedale is scoring 50 points per game and holding opponents to 11.5 per contest.
If you think those stats are impressive, Weiser (6-0, 2-0) has been just as good, if not better. The Wolverines, who have recorded wins over 3A playoff teams Buhl and McCall-Donnelly already this year, score more than 44 per game while giving up less than 10 on average.
This battle between 3A's No. 2 and 3 squads will almost certainly decide who wins the 2023 SRVC title and first-round playoff bye.
2A
Aberdeen @ North Fremont
7 p.m. Friday
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The biggest game in 2A football will go down Friday evening in North Fremont as the No. 3-ranked Huskies face the No. 5 Aberdeen Tigers.
Both North Fremont (4-1) and Aberdeen (4-1) have one loss on the season and both squads look like legit 2A contenders in what is shaping up to be a pretty wide-open playoff field.
The Huskies have quality wins over Bear Lake, Kellogg and Malad, while their lone loss was a 34-28 defeat against Melba. The Tigers' only loss was a 55-28 drubbing at 2A's No. 1 team, Declo, back on Sept. 1, but they have since rattled off three straight wins including a big 42-30 victory over Malad last Friday.
Friday's game will provide one last nonconference test for both of these teams as they prepare for some big conference games in the coming weeks.
Melba @ Marsing
7 p.m. Friday
Seemingly all five of the 2A Western Idaho Conference (WIC) teams could make the 2A playoffs this season if they could get hot down the stretch. But, according to the playoff rules this season, the most that can make it from one conference is three, meaning a good team is going to be left at home in a couple of weeks.
Melba (4-1, 1-0 WIC) and Marsing (4-2, 1-1) are both hoping that will not be them.
The Mustangs enter Friday ranked No. 4 in 2A, thanks in large part to their win over North Fremont earlier in the year. Melba won its WIC opener last Friday in a 21-0 shutout at Cole Valley Christian.
The Huskies, meanwhile, started the year 4-1 and got a big WIC win over New Plymouth two weeks ago before falling 24-8 at Nampa Christian last week. Marsing could get itself right back in the conference race Friday with a home win over preseason favorite Melba, however.
Grangeville @ St. Maries
7 p.m. Friday
Most likely, only one Central Idaho League team is going to make the 2A playoffs this year, and who that is (barring a Kellogg upset over Grangeville next week) will be settled Friday night in St Maries.
The Lumberjack (2-4, 1-0 CIL) opened the year 0-3, but they have rallied to win two of their last three, including a huge 30-18 victory over Kellogg and have put themselves in a good position to return to the 2A playoffs with a win Friday night.
The Bulldogs (2-3, 1-0) also started 1-3, but they have played better than their record shows. Grangeville lost close to Rogers (WA) and fell 52-49 in a thriller against New Plymouth back on Sept. 15.
Friday's showdown has huge implications for both of these scrappy squads as they vie for the 2023 CIL crown.
Declo @ West Side
7 p.m. Friday
Okay, North Fremont-Aberdeen is going to be really good (plus you can watch that one on IdahoSports.com), but No. 1 Declo at No. 2 West Side is the game that people are going to want to keep their eyes on.
The Hornets (6-0) have put on a clinic this season, scoring just shy of 40 points per game and holding opponents to 12 per contest. Except for Gooding, everyone on Declo's schedule was a 2022 playoff team, and the Hornets have passed every test with flying colors. Now they will get arguably their toughest one yet.
West Side (4-1), which lost two games by a total of two points (both to 2022 2A champion Bear Lake) last year, has come out with a vengeance so far this season and has shown why it is an annual 2A title contender.
The Pirates' lone loss this season came in a 54-44 defeat to Utah powerhouse Layton Christian. Aside from that, West Side has blown out every other opponent it has faced, including a 42-7 beatdown of Bear Lake two weeks ago.
Friday night will be a great test for 2A's top teams as the Hornets and Pirates do battle in Dayton.
1AD1
Lapwai @ Prairie
7 p.m. Friday
With only three automatic bids coming from the 1AD1 Whitepine League (WPL) this season, Lapwai and Prairie will play Friday night in what is essentially a loser-out game.
The Wildcats (3-2, 2-2 WPL) have been the definition of up-and-down this year, alternating wins and losses to arrive at a 3-2 record thus far. However, despite falling to both Kamiah and Logos already this year, Lapwai could sneak into the No. 3 spot out of the North if they win Friday at Prairie and win again next week at home against Potlatch, the current third-place team in the league.
After dominating the WPL for multiple years, Prairie has had a couple quiet seasons in recent years, and the Pirates are in danger of missing the postseason once again if they do not take care of business the next few weeks. Prairie needs a win Friday, as well as victories over Clearwater Valley and Logos in the coming weeks to put itself in position to reach the 1AD1 playoffs.
1AD2
Horseshoe Bend @ Garden Valley
3:30 p.m. Friday
Watch Live
There is a four-way race for the Long Pin Conference (LPC) title and things are going to get sorted out a bit more this week as Horseshoe Bend (4-2, 1-1 LPC) travels to Garden Valley (5-1, 2-0) for a huge showdown with playoff implications.
With only three LPC teams earning automatic bids to the playoffs this year, the Mustangs have their work cut out for them. Horseshoe Bend has taken care of business against the teams it should beat, but a 46-34 loss to Hagerman and, more importantly, a 44-0 defeat at home against Council have the Mustangs nearing must-win territory on Friday night.
Garden Valley was a 1AD2 semifinalist last season and the Wolverines have shown their prowess so far in 2023 as well. The Wolverines' lone loss came on Sept. 1 at Camas County, but Garden Valley has won four straight since then and looks like the team to beat in the LPC.
VOLLEYBALL
Cache Valley Challenger Tournament
Four fearsome 4A squads from East Idaho will head down to North Logan, Utah, this weekend for the Cache Valley Challenger Tournament.
High Country Conference rivals Skyline (tied for third in the 4A coaches poll) and Shelley will make the trek, along with Pocatello from the South East Idaho Conference and Burley from the Great Basin League.
5A/6A Volleyball Challenge
The top two teams in 5A will take the court in Orem, Utah, Friday and Saturday as part of the 5A/6A Volleyball Challenge.
Defending 5A champion and No. 1-ranked Madison (22-2) and No. 2 Eagle (20-2) appear to be the two favorites in the classification this season. The Bobcats and Mustangs will get one last tune-up tournament before district playoffs get underway in the next couple of weeks.
Pea & Lentil Spike-Off
Fans will get some great small school volleyball action this weekend as Genesee hosts 1AD2 Whitepine League frontrunners Kendrick and Deary as part of the annual Pea & Lentil Spike-Off.
I Pink I Can Tournament
The No. 4 ranked team in the 1AD1 MaxPrep rankings, Butte County, will host the I Pink I Can Tournament this weekend in Arco.
Joining the Pirates' prestigious field of challengers is fellow 1AD1 squads Carey, Greenleaf Friends and Challis as well as 1AD2 teams Mackay, Dietrich, Horseshoe Bend, Taylor's Crossing.
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