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 ORDER GAME PHOTOS
With spooky season in full effect across the Gem State, it seems fitting for some Friday the 13th football action this week.
And don't you worry, the schedule of games is sure to be more entertaining than any Halloween horror film you'll be watching the rest of the weekend.
With girls' and boys' soccer and volleyball district tournaments underway, I will invite you to check out our other coverage of those sports, as we turn our attention solely to the upcoming football games on tap this weekend.
Several squads' playoff fate will be sealed this weekend while others will play for a right to be crowned conference champion this weekend. Catch all that and more in this week's edition of the Weekend Preview.
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
Madison @ Highland (Poc.)
7 p.m. Friday
Watch Live
After taking down Rigby for the second straight season, Highland has a chance to effectively wrap up the District 5-6 crown for the second straight season this week as it hosts Madison, who is currently tied atop the standings with the Rams.
Highland (6-1, 1-0 District 5-6) used a trick play late in the game to win 22-19 at Rigby last Friday. Currently sitting at No. 2 in the statewide media poll, and barring a miracle run from Thunder Ridge, the Rams can lock up the top overall seed in the 5A bracket with a win this week against the scrappy Bobcats.
Madison (4-3, 1-0) has taken a few lumps against quality opponents — losing to Owyhee, Wasatch (UT) and Hillcrest — but the Bobcats also have several solid wins, including a 52-20 pounding of conference rival Thunder Ridge on Sept. 15. While Highland has more talent than Madison, the Bobcats have a lot of heart, and they will not go down without a fight on Friday night as they fight for their playoff lives.
Post Falls @ Coeur d'Alene
7 p.m. Friday
Considering the trajectory of these two programs, the Post Falls-Coeur d'Alene rivalry is shaping up to be something of The Game in North Idaho every year. Once again this year, the winner of the Trojan-Viking slugfest will be in the driver's seat for the 5A Inland Empire League (IEL) crown.
Last season, the Trojans (5-2, 1-0 IEL) came into the Coeur d'Alene game with an identical 5-2 record, and they stifled the Vikings for a 21-6, locking up their first outright league championship since 1995. After annihilating Lewiston last week, Post Falls remains unbeaten against Idaho opponents this season, and the Trojans will look for a second straight rivalry win as they head to Coeur d'Alene to clash with the Vikings on Friday night.
Coeur d'Alene (5-2, 1-0) has put things together in the last couple of weeks, utilizing Jamison Kizziar at slot receiver and moving sophomore Caden Symons to quarterback, where he has thrived. The Vikings throttled Lake City 31-7 last week, and they have shown they have what it takes to hang with the best in the 5A classification this year.
Friday's showdown should be one to remember as North Idaho's premiere powers go head-to-head with the league title and a first-round playoff bye on the line.
4A
Preston @ Pocatello
7 p.m. Friday
Watch Live
While Pocatello ranks third in 4A according to the statewide media poll, it is the Preston Indians who currently hold the top spot in the 4A South East Idaho Conference (SEIC) at least for now.
Preston (3-4, 1-0 SEIC) opened the season 0-3, but the Indians never gave up. They beat the teams they needed to (Jerome and Century) and also picked up a signature win against Burley on Sept. 15 in a 53-51 shootout. Even in their four losses, Preston has hung tough against some quality opponents, and they will not go down easy Friday night in a huge conference matchup against Pocatello.
Pocatello (3-2), meanwhile, has had a really strange 2023 campaign thus far. While many teams have played seven and even eight games in some cases, the Thunder only have five under their belts so far. They had a game get canceled earlier this year and they had a bye last Friday, so Pocatello should be plenty rested as they begin conference play Friday evening at Lookout Credit Union Field.
Shelley @ Hillcrest
7 p.m. Friday
One under-the-radar matchup that should be a great game will take place Friday night at Hillcrest as the No. 2 Knights host High Country Conference (HCC) rival Shelley.
The Russets (4-3, 3-0 HCC) are currently tied with Hillcrest in the standings after taking care of business against Idaho Falls last week. Shelley is still in the hunt for the conference title, but they have a couple of "prove-it" games to end the season as they travel to Hillcrest Friday and host Skyline next week in the regular season finale.
The Knights (7-0, 3-0) just keep winning. Hillcrest has a stranglehold on the No. 1 MaxPreps ranking at the 4A level, but it still has some work to do if it wants to become conference champion and continue its special season. The Knights pounded Bonneville 42-6 last week in the Civil War, marking the latest achievement in what has been a remarkable season.
Shelley is a fearless team that will not be shaken, so Hillcrest is going to have to come ready in this battle of HCC frontrunners.
Canyon Ridge @ Twin Falls
7 p.m. Friday
The latest edition of the annual Service Bowl should be a good one as crosstown rivals Canyon Ridge and Twin Falls duke it out Friday night on the Bruins' home field.
Canyon Ridge (6-1, 2-1) has won all the games it should win this season, but the Riverhawks are still in search of their first true quality win. The Riverhawks got punked two weeks ago 51-13 by Minico, but they can get right back in the Great Basin League (GBL) race this Friday with a win at Twin Falls.
The Bruins (6-1, 3-0) have looked formidable in recent weeks and are yet to lose a league game this season. A win on Friday would set up a huge showdown at Minico next week that would decide the GBL crown. But Twin Falls cannot get ahead of itself and overlook this rivalry game.
Timberlake @ Lakeland
7 p.m. Friday
The two Lakeland Joint School District teams will both likely be playoff teams in their respective classifications, but right now both the Timberlake Tigers and Lakeland Hawks need a bounce-back win, and they will compete for it Friday night in Rathdrum.
Timberlake (4-3) is coming off a bye week, and the last time the Tigers took the field was on Sept. 29 when they were throttled 55-8 at home against 3A power Sugar-Salem. The loss snapped a two-game winning streak, and with the long layoff, the Tigers will need to get right quickly as they face two of the biggest games of the season coming up. Timberlake plays its rival Lakeland Friday before traveling to Bonners Ferry next week for the de-facto Intermountain League (IML) championship.
Lakeland (3-4), meanwhile, just needs to get healthy. The Hawks, who have been banged up this season, have continued to struggle in recent weeks, dropping their fourth straight game to IEL rival Sandpoint last Friday after a promising 3-0 start to the year. But Head Coach Mike Schroeder's group is tough, and they are going to put up a fight Friday against a talented Timberlake team.
3A
Buhl @ Kimberly
7 p.m. Friday
Watch Live
The Sawtooth Central Idaho Conference (SCIC) champion will be decided Friday night in Kimberly as the undefeated and No. 3-ranked Bulldogs host defending conference champion Buhl Friday night.
With the best defense in 3A this year — allowing less than seven points per game — and the fourth-highest-scoring offense in the classification, Kimberly (7-0, 2-0 SCIC) appears to be a legitimate state title contender. The Bulldogs closest game came in a 27-20 victory over Snake River on Aug. 25 in their season opener. Everything else has not been close.
Buhl (5-2, 2-0), meanwhile, challenged itself with one of the toughest nonconference schedules of anyone in 3A, and the Indians are battle-tested. With respectable losses to Weiser and Declo as the lone blemishes, Buhl has shown that it has what it takes to make another playoff run this season. The Indians will have a tall task Friday as they prepare for their toughest test yet against Kimberly.
Sugar-Salem @ Teton
7 p.m. Friday
This is the one we have been waiting for — No. 1 and defending 3A champion Sugar-Salem versus No. 5 Teton with the Mountain Rivers Conference title on the line.
The Diggers (6-0) have continued to do what they always do this season, winning their first six games by an average margin of victory of more than 36 points. Most recently, Sugar-Salem went on the road at Timberlake and took down the Tigers 55-8, but the Diggers also boast wins over Templeton (CA), Shelley and Star Valley (WY) so far this year.
The Timberwolves (6-0) have similarly breezed through their schedule so far this season behind the most prolific offense in 3A football. Teton averages north of 50 points per contest and the Timberwolves have yet to play anything closer than a three-score game.
So, will this finally be the year Teton unseats Sugar-Salem, or are the Diggers still just too good? We will find out Friday night in Driggs as these two heavyweights go head-to-head.
American Falls @ Snake River
7 p.m. Friday
In recent years, the 3A SEIC has been essentially a two-horse race between Snake River (last season's champion) and Marsh Valley (a 2022 playoff team). But, with Marsh Valley sputtering at 0-7 on the year, a new challenger has seemingly emerged in American Falls.
The Beavers (3-4) have three wins this season sandwiched by a pair of two-game losing skids against four playoff-caliber teams. American Falls gave Malad and Aberdeen both a run for their money to open the season before reeling off wins against West Jefferson, Filer and Ririe in consecutive weeks. The Beavers have lost two straight, but the only noncompetitive game they have played this year came in a 40-0 shutout loss to fifth-ranked Teton.
The Panthers (4-3, 1-0 SEIC), meanwhile, have looked solid but not overwhelmingly great so far this year. Snake River has won the games that they were expected to, but against top competition — Richfield (UT), Kimberly and Teton — they have come up short every time. Snake River can clinch a second straight SEIC title with a win at home Friday, but the Beavers could make things interesting with an upset.
2A
Firth @ North Fremont
7 p.m. Friday
Watch Live
The Nuclear Conference champion will be decided Friday evening in Ashton as defending 2A runner-up Firth travels to take on No. 3-ranked North Fremont.
A year removed from a special 8-3 season, the Cougars (2-3, 1-0 Nuclear) have scuffled a bit against top competition this fall. Two of Firth's three losses were lopsided defeats against the likes of West Side and Declo, two of 2A's top teams, and the third defeat came in a heartbreaking 14-13 thriller against Bear Lake.
The Huskies (5-1, 1-0), meanwhile, are in the midst of yet another special season. North Fremont bolsters wins over Bear Lake, Kellogg and Aberdeen (all 2022 2A playoff teams), and the Huskies' lone loss came in a close 34-28 game against Melba.
While both Firth and North Fremont figure to be playoff teams regardless of Friday's outcome, this game will decide who earns the district title and a first-round bye.
West Side @ Aberdeen
7 p.m. Friday
Just like Firth-North Fremont, there will be another de-facto conference championship game Friday night as 2A SEIC frontrunners West Side and Aberdeen do battle Friday night.
West Side (4-2, 2-0 SEIC) lost narrowly 27-26 to No. 1 Declo last week in one of the best games of the season in 2A football. The Pirates, who remained at No. 2 in the media poll, have now lost only three games to Idaho opponents over the past two seasons by a combined three points. I'm not sure if that's bad luck or what, but West Side can flush those negative memories with a win Friday, which would all but seal the conference title and No. 2 seed at state.
Aberdeen (4-2, 2-0) had its momentum halted last week as well, falling 48-12 in a lopsided affair at North Fremont. Despite the loss, the Tigers remain confident in their ability to compete against the highest level of 2A competition, and they have the track record to prove it. Aberdeen made a semifinal run in last season's playoffs, and they should be a challenger to do the same again this season. A win Friday at home would go a long way in proving that point.
1AD1
Kendrick vs. Grace
3 p.m. Friday
Watch Live
Two of the top five 8-man teams in the state will meet Friday night in Homedale for a huge nonconference showdown as 2022 1AD1 runner-up Grace matches up with two-time defending 1AD2 champion Kendrick.
The Tigers (5-0) just keep rolling, and we are running out of words to describe how good they are. Kendrick already has wins over 1AD1 opponents Oakley (No. 1) and Butte County (No. 4), and they will look for a third signature win Friday afternoon against Grace (No. 3).
With a huge conference game looming against Butte County next week, the Grizzlies (5-1) have an opportunity to play an important measuring stick game Friday against the best team in Idaho 8-man football. Grace made a Cinderella run through the 1AD1 playoffs a season ago, and these next two weeks will be huge opportunities to set themselves up to do that again this year.
Make sure to tune in here on IdahoSports.com and enjoy this Friday matinee before heading out to whatever game you plan to catch this week.
Valley @ Oakley
7 p.m. Friday
There is a new challenger in the Snake River Conference (SRC) this season, and it's the Valley Vikings, who will play their biggest game yet at 1AD1 powerhouse Oakley on Friday night.
Valley (4-3, 3-2 SRC) got a huge win over Lighthouse Christian last week, downing the Knights 66-34 to thrust themselves squarely into the playoff bubble in 1AD1 football. The Vikings have a tough road ahead, however, as they play away games at Oakley this week and at Notus (the top team in the 1AD1 Western Idaho Conference) next week in the regular season finale. A win this week for the Vikings and they are in, but that will be easier said than done.
Oakley (5-1, 4-0) has won the last three straight 1AD1 titles and the Hornets have not shown signs of slowing down this season. The Hornets' lone loss came in a 44-22 neutral site game against Kendrick, but aside from that Oakley has won by at least 22 points in the rest of its games. The Hornets can secure a second straight SRC championship with a win Friday at home against the resilient Valley Vikings.
1AD2
Council @ Garden Valley
3:30 p.m. Friday
Watch Live
Both Council and No. 3 Garden Valley have identical 3-0 records in the Long Pin Conference (LPC), meaning Friday's game will likely decide the district champion.
The Lumberjack (4-3, 3-0 LPC) have played one of the toughest schedules of any 1AD2 team, which is why their record sits at 4-3 overall. Council has yet to lose to a team from its classification this season. The Lumberjacks are currently on a two-game winning streak after defeating Tri-Valley and Cascade in consecutive weeks and they can secure a second straight LPC title with a win Friday over the Wolverines.
Garden Valley (6-1, 3-0) has looked like a legit 1AD2 contender all season, and it will look to continue that hot play Friday afternoon on its home field. The Wolverines' only loss this season came back on Sept. 1 at Camas County, but Garden Valley has won five straight games since then. With two final games against Council and Tri-Valley, the Wolverines will have a chance to prove themselves and gain some confidence heading into the postseason in a couple of weeks.
Tri-Valley @ Horseshoe Bend
7 p.m. Friday
Tri-Valley and Horseshoe Bend will meet on Friday for what is essentially a loser-out game in the LPC. With only three teams earning playoff bids from District IV, one of these teams is going to be left at home.
The Titans (4-2, 2-1 LPC) played a thriller last week in Cambridge, upending Lewis County 62-56 on the final play of the game to earn a huge nonconference win. Tri-Valley, which last made the 1AD2 playoffs in 2017, has a chance to wrap up one of the LPC's auto bids with a win Friday on the road. Additionally, with a big game against Garden Valley looming next week, the Titans are still mathematically alive in the conference title race as well.
The Chargers (4-3, 1-2), meanwhile are in do-or-die time Friday night after falling 57-42 to Garden Valley last week. Horseshoe Bend was a playoff team a season ago and the Chargers won the LPC crown in 2021, so they know what it takes to win big games like these. The Chargers will need a win in each of their last two games of the season to give themselves a chance to play postseason football later this month.
Deary vs. Lewis County
7 p.m. Friday
@ Highland
Despite holding inverse overall records, 1AD2 Whitepine League rivals Deary (4-2, 1-0 Whitepine) and Lewis County (2-4, 0-1) will play a must-win game Friday night in Craigmont.
Deary has looked the part of a playoff contender all season long. The Mustangs opened the year with a pair of wins over Tory and Salmon River that set the tone for what they could accomplish this season. After hard-fought losses to Lakeside and 1AD1 Potlatch, Deary bounced back for consecutive wins over Timberline and Genesee to put itself in the driver's seat for the second auto bid in District II. But all that would change with a loss Friday to Lewis County.
The Eagles have been very hit-and-miss this season. Lewis County lost a couple of winnable games against Cascade and Tri-Valley, but the Eagles also beat Salmon River handily and picked up a huge 48-0 shutout win over Lakeside that turned a lot of heads. Lewis County will need that type of performance Friday if it hopes to topple Deary and steal the bid to state.
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