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 ORDER GAME PHOTOS
The opening round of the playoffs is here! What more needs to be said?
OK, obviously we have lots to say below. But first, a hearty congratulations to all of the teams that qualified this year!
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!
5A
West #5 Owyhee @ West #4 Boise
7 p.m. Friday
Before the season started, few would have foreseen a playoff game involving Southern Idaho Conference (SIC) foes Owyhee (picked 9th out of 13 SIC teams in the preseason poll) traveling to take on Boise (picked 13th). But here we are, and what a matchup it should be between these River Division rivals.
Despite the low preseason ranking, Owyhee (7-2, 4-2 SIC River) came into 2023 with high expectations in the program's third year. The Storm went 5-5 last season but suffered an early exit in the first round of the 5A playoffs, ultimately leading the school to opt not to renew the contract of former head coach Sherm Blaser (now at Minico), who went 6-13 in two seasons at Owyhee.
In came two-time 5A SIC Coach of the Year Jason Burton, who helped build Borah into a perennial playoff contender before taking the past two seasons off from head coaching duties. Burton's energy and organizational skills paved the way for what has been a successful season for the Storm, whose only loses this season came to Boise and No. 1 Eagle by a combined seven points.
But, as the administration showed after last season, Owyhee coaches will be judged by postseason success. The Storm have already won basketball and baseball state titles, and they believe they have the talent for a deep playoff run this fall.
If Owyhee is the royalty of high expectations in the 5A SIC, Boise (7-2, 4-2) is the commoner who has shocked everyone by raising to the rank of a true contender in 2023.The Brave had not made a playoff appearance in 20 years before now, and at one point this season they got as high as the No. 2 ranking in 5A. How did this happen?
Well, while there is no simple answer to that question, but here are a few guesses: nine returning starters, a stellar sophomore quarterback (Trevor Schoolfield) and an insatiable will to win. Boise has truly shocked the state this season, and a ton of credit has to go to fourth-year head coach Mike Altieri for his leadership in turning the program around, but the Brave are not satisfied with a great regular season. Boise beat Owyhee 10-7 on Sept. 1, and it intends to achieve a similar result Friday night at Dona Larson Park.
Whoever wins this rivalry rematch will head to Pocatello next week for a matchup with the No. 1 seed from the East, Highland.
West #7 Mountain View @ North #2 Post Falls
7 p.m. PT Friday
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Last year, Post Falls won an outright 5A Inland Empire League (IEL) title for the first time since 1995 and earned a first-round playoff bye. In their quarterfinal matchup, the Trojans lost to an under-seeded yet uber-talented team from the Southern Idaho Conference (SIC), Rocky Mountain.
This year, the Trojans (6-3, 2-1 IEL) face a similar fate. Despite pounding Lake City last week to wrap up District I's second auto bid, Post Falls will now host perennial 5A power Mountain View (6-3, 3-3), a team that sits at No. 4 in the 5A MaxPreps rankings despite only receiving the No. 7 seed from the West.
From the opening week of the 2023 season, the Mavericks showed that they have what it takes to compete with the best teams in the 5A ranks. In fact, after consecutive victories over Meridian and Rocky Mountain to open the season, Mountain View found themselves atop the statewide media poll.
Then, as the season moved along and some injuries piled up, the Mavericks looked mortal at times, taking losses to Owyhee, Boise and Eagle en route to a fourth-place finish in the SIC River Division. But do not count Mountain View at, because the Mavericks were in a similar position last year, entering the postseason as a No. 5 seed from the West, and they went on to make a run to the 5A semifinals.
The key to Friday's matchup is going to come down to Post Falls' dominating run game versus Mountain View's stout rush defense. Trojans senior running back Tevin Burns is the leading rusher in the state with 1,468 yards and 20 touchdowns on the year, but he was banged up last week and did not play in the season finale. The Mavericks, meanwhile, have allowed just 114 rushing yards and 20.4 points per game on the year.
Whoever gets the win Friday night will have to hit the road next week to take on defending 5A runner-up Meridian in the quarterfinals.
West #6 Middleton @ East #2 Rigby
7 p.m. Friday
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One of the most intriguing showdowns of the first round will go down Friday at Rigby High School as the two-time defending 5A champions host a deep and talented Middleton squad.
The last time Rigby (5-4, 2-1 District 5-6) lost a state playoff game was on Nov. 21, 2020, when the Trojans fell 17-14 in the state title game. Aside from that loss to the Grizzlies, Rigby has gone 12-1 in the playoffs since 2019, winning three state titles in four seasons.
While they have been money in the postseason, the regular season has been another story for the star-studded Trojans. Despite returning a bevy of talent, Rigby got off to a 0-3 start in 2023, faltered against District 5-6 rival Highland for the second straight year and had to win on the final day of the regular season to ensure a playoff berth. And for that reason, they are all the more dangerous.
Where Rigby has the championship pedigree, Middleton (7-2, 3-2 SIC Foothills) has the moxie to be a potential 5A dark horse itself. The Vikings are battle-tested in the SIC, and their only two losses of the year came in hard-fought, respectable games against Rocky Mountain and Meridian.
In just its second season in the 5A classification, Middleton has already shown it belongs. The Vikings won a road playoff game at Lewiston in 2022 and gave Meridian everything it could handle in the quarterfinals. The Vikings, who have held opponents to merely 54 rushing yards per game, are led by brothers Cole (59 tackles, 3 TFLs) and Drew (55 tackles, 11 TFLs) Holman on defense.
Whichever team can get it done Friday night will punch their ticket to the quarterfinals and a game against the No. 1 team in the state, Eagle, next weekend.
At-Large #12 Borah @ West #3 Rocky Mountain
7 p.m. Friday
For the second straight season, Rocky Mountain found itself missing out on the SIC Championship Game and instead settling for District III's No. 3 auto bid. But, also for the second straight year, the Grizzlies will draw a potentially overmatched SIC foe in the first round.
Borah (4-5, 2-4 SIC River) turned a lot of heads this fall when it opened the season 4-0. Since then, however, seemingly everything has gone wrong with the Lions, as they have dropped five in a row. But sports are funny sometimes, and Borah's MaxPreps ranking was high enough to still allow the Lions to sneak into the playoffs.
The Lions may not be the flashiest teams, but they are second in the state in arguably one of the most important statistics: turnover margin. Borah has turned the ball over a mere six times in nine games, while also forcing 14 takeaways on defense. That stat line, plus the consistently proficient play of senior quarterback Jacob Detwiler — who has thrown for 1,639 yards, 11 touchdowns and only three picks — should give Lions fans some hope that they are not a team to be taken lightly.
Rocky Mountain (6-3, 4-1 SIC Foothills) will enter the 2023 playoffs equally if not more hungry than the Grizzlies were a season ago, when they started in a similar position, went on an impressive run but came up seven points shy of a trip to the 5A title game.
One thing the Grizzlies have going for them this year is that they are as battle-tested as any team in the state. Aside from blowout wins over Capital, Timberline and Kuna, Rocky Mountain has played a ton of close games that have come down to the final possession in many cases. The Grizzlies have often won with defense, allowing less than 215 yards of offense and only 14.4 points per game, but they have struggled to score enough against the best teams on their schedule.
Rocky Mountain certainly has the potential to make another run this year, and a potential rematch with North No. 1 seed Coeur d'Alene will be on tap next week for the Grizzlies if they can take care of business against Borah.
4A
#16 Canyon Ridge @ #1 Hillcrest
7 p.m. Friday
If someone told you before the season that Hillcrest and Canyon Ridge would meet in the opening round of the 4A playoffs, you would probably believe them — these are two solid programs that have shown some recent success. But, I am not sure you would have believed that this would be a 16-versus-1 matchup. At least, I would not have predicted that.
Canyon Ridge (6-3, 2-3 GBC) is an experienced and capable team for a 16-seed. The Riverhawks started the season 5-0, taking care of business against some less-than-stellar competition but they struggled down the stretch in Great Basin Confeence (GBC) play, losing three of four to finish the year.
The Riverhawks, who lost a lopsided game to Bishop Kelly in the first round a season ago, are led by a bevy of senior talent, starting with quarterback Connor Willis, who has thrown for 1,724 yards, 19 touchdowns and only five interceptions on the year. Willis is also a threat with his legs (217 yards, 8 TD), and Canyon Ridge also has a solid stable of running backs with Caleb Somers and Jaden Massie combining for 740 yards and 10 touchdowns on the year.
Hillcrest (9-0, 5-0 HCC) senior quarterback Peyton King has completed an impressive 125 passes this season (67% completion percentage), but none were bigger than the last-second Hail Mary he tossed to BYU basketball commit Isaac Davis to stun three-time defending champion Skyline on Sept. 15. The Knights have not looked back since that fateful September night, winning huge games over Pocatello, Madison and Shelley en route to a 9-0 regular season.
Skyline head coach Scott Berger called it before the season — these Knights are a team to watch. Hillcrest has already won the High Country Conference (HCC) and earned a No. 1 seed, but the Knights ultimate aim is a state title, which they have not won since 2018.
Hillcrest will begin that quest Friday at home against the Riverhawks, with the winner headed for a quarterfinal showdown against the Skyview-Shelley winner next week.
#9 Shelley @ #8 Skyview
7 p.m. Friday
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Shelley and Skyview flew a bit under the radar this season and both squads had a shot to win their respective conference titles in the final weeks of the regular season, ultimately falling short against 4A's top teams. Despite those tough losses to end the year, no one would be shocked to see either the Russets or Hawks make a Darkhorse run this season.
Despite posting a record below .500 on the season, Shelley (4-5, 3-2 HCC) has shown that it can compete with many of Idaho's top teams this fall. The Russets, who allow less than 21 points per game, lost to Star Valley (WY), Sugar-Salem, Pocatello, Hillcrest and Skyline, mostly in close games each time. Those five schools have a combined record of 37-6 on the year.
Also, Shelley has shown a knack for outperforming their seed line in the playoffs recently, as the Russets have made the 4A quarterfinals in each of the past two seasons. It will not be easy, but Josh Wells' teams seem to play their best football in late October and early November.
After a disappointing 2022 campaign that ended with a first-round playoff loss to Sandpoint, Skyview (6-3, 4-1 SIC) showed a lot of poise and improvement this season on both sides of the ball. After allowing nearly 40 points per game last year, the Hawks held opponents to less than 22 per game this fall.
The Hawks, who outperformed preseason predictions by finishing second in the 4A SIC, sliced through their opponents this season with a prolific passing attack. Senior dual-threat QB Cache Beus threw for 2,078 yards, 22 TD and only 4 picks, while also leading the team in rushing with 621 yards and 9 scores on the ground. Junior Mason Krahn led a deep receiver room with 38 catches for 823 yards and 11 TDs. Skyview is going to have to throw to win this postseason, and the Beus-Krahn connection will be huge Friday night against Shelley.
Whoever wins this showdown will advance to play either Canyon Ridge or No. 1 Hillcrest in the quarterfinals next week.
#13 Lakeland @ #4 Twin Falls
7 p.m. MT Friday
The winner for longest distance traveled this weekend will likely go to the Lakeland Hawks, who will make the 500-plus mile trek from Rathdrum to Twin Falls for a tough matchup against the 2023 GBC champion Bruins.
This has been a tough year for second year head coach Mike Schroeder and the Lakeland (5-4, 1-1 IEL) football program, but props to the Hawks for making the most of it and finding their way back to the playoffs once again. The Hawks started 3-0 and looked poised to give Sandpoint a run for its money once again in the 4A IEL, but the wheels started to fall off a bit mid-season when the injures began piling up.
But Lakeland did not give up, and after weather a four-game losing streak the Hawks closed the year on a high note, taking down rivals Timberlake and Moscow in consecutive weeks to close out the regular season. Sophomore Peyton Hillman, once the Hawks' third-stringer, has started the final five games as quarterback and looked solid, posting a respectable 629 yards and 6 TDs through the air to go along with three touchdown scampers as well. This has been a great experience for a player who could become the Hawks' primary signal caller in future seasons.
Twin Falls (8-1, 5-0 GBC) has looked the part of a legitimate 4A contender all season long, and that was never more certain than last Friday when the Bruins went to Minico and pounded the Spartans 43-15 to earn the GBC title. The Bruins' only loss was a tight 20-7 defeat to No. 3 Pocatello, and the only other close game they played came in a fluky 27-20 victory over Burley on Oct. 6.
While Twin Falls has put its fair share of points on the board, the Bruins' biggest improvement this year has been on the defensive side of the ball, where they rank top five in points allowed at less than 15 per game.
The Bruins lost to Skyline in the quarterfinals last fall and they could earn a potential rematch next week with a win Friday against Lakeland.
#12 Idaho Falls vs. #5 Skyline (@ Holt Arena)
5:30 p.m. Friday
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If the 2023 Emotion Bowl — won by Skyline 35-28 — wasn't enough for you, don't worry because crosstown rivals Idaho Falls and Skyline get to run it back Friday evening at Holt Arena in the 4A playoffs opening round.
Despite another sub-.500 record, don't let Idaho Falls (3-6, 1-4 HCC) fool you because they are not a bad team. The Tigers lost three one-score games, including the aforementioned Emotion Bowl, and could easily be 6-3 instead of 3-6.
The 2023 season has been rocky at times, but head coach Marty Duffin must be pleased with the fight his team has shown from the opening kickoff, as the Tigers have never seemed out of it this year. Skyline is a tough draw in the first round, but Idaho Falls is not going to go down without a fight.
Skyline (6-3, 4-1), meanwhile, has had another Skyline season. They lost a few regular season games they probably should have won, but the head coach Scott Berger and his three-time defending champion Grizzlies seem to have things moving in the right direction when it matters most. The last time Skyline lost a playoff game was Nov. 15, 2019.
The Grizzlies don't have as many big play threats as they have in the past, but they will look to rely on sophomore RB Amani Morel (633 yards, 6 TDs) to control the time of possession and grind out victories this postseason.
Either the Tigers or Griz will advance to play the Twin Falls-Lakeland winner next weekend.
#15 Burley @ #2 Bishop Kelly
7 p.m. Friday
This 2-15 matchup should be a fun one as the No. 1 team in the statewide media poll looks to shut down the No. 1 recruit in the state and embark on yet another deep playoff run.
Burley (4-5, 3-2 GBC), led by Boise State commit Gatlin Bair (700 yards, 6 TD), has had a roller coaster of a season in 2023. The Bobcats appeared to be a major 4A contender at the beginning of the season, but an injury held Bair out briefly and the Bobcats faltered in some winnable games to finish 4-5 on the year.
After starting 2-0, Burley lost five straight games, then almost took down GBC champion Twin Falls before winning the final two games of the regular season to snag a playoff bid. The Bobcats hosted Bishop Kelly on Sept. 29 amidst the losing streak, falling 59-7 in a game the Knights completely dominated.
Bishop Kelly (9-0, 5-0 SIC) has some unfinished business this season, and it has looked like an absolute juggernaut so far this year. Much like last season, the Knights have not played a close game all season long, beating opponents by an average margin of nearly 37 points per game.
The only game that BK has looked truly mortal was on Oct. 6 when they beat Emmett 42-35. The Knights have scored 46.4 points per game this year, and the Bobcats have allowed 38.1 on average.
Friday's victor will move on to face the winner of another SIC-GBC showdown between Emmett and Minico.
#10 Emmett @ #7 Minico
7 p.m. Friday
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Emmett and Minico, both 6-3 on the season, are two of the true wildcard teams in the 4A bracket. At times, the Huskies and Spartans have looked like they could beat any team in the classification, while at other times they have looked very vulnerable. So the question is, which Emmett and Minico team will show up Friday night in Rupert?
Emmett's (6-3, 3-2 SIC) strength this season has been its line play. When the Huskies are clicking, their o-line is opening up big holes for senior RB Quentin Smith, who has racked up 1,161 yards and 11 touchdowns on the year.
The Huskies, who got upset by Shelley in the first round last year after earning the No. 6 seed, started their 2023 campaign 3-0 during a stretch that included wins a win over Fruitland in Albertsons Stadium and a 17-13 victory over 5A Lake City at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow. Emmett also gave Bishop Kelly its only scare of the season, losing 42-35 in the closest game the Knights played all season so far.
All things considered; first-year head coach Sherm Blaser deserves a lot of credit for what he has done this season at Minico (6-3, 4-1 HCC). The Spartans lost a pair of tight games against two talented Utah teams early in the season, but a five-game winning streak (all of which were blowouts) helped cement Minico's place as an annual contender in the GBC in this new era of Spartan football.
Minico will need to bounce back quickly after a tough loss to Twin Falls last week in the de-facto conference title game, but the Spartans have shown that they have what it takes to make a playoff run, as they were state semifinalists last fall.
The winner of Friday's game in Rupert will advance to likely play either Burley or 4A stalwart Bishop Kelly next weekend in the quarterfinals.
#14 Preston vs. #3 Pocatello (@ Holt Arena)
8:15 p.m. Friday
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The 4A Southern Idaho Conference's (SEIC) top two teams will get to play a rematch on Friday at Holt Arena as No. 14 Preston takes on No. 3 Pocatello.
After a disappointing 1-7 campaign in year one, second-year Preston (4-5, 1-1 SEIC) head coach Craig Cunningham and his Indians showed a lot of growth this fall. The Indians overcame a 0-3 start to the season to win four of their last six and notch a playoff berth for the first time since 2021.
Senior running back Karson Winder has been a bell cow for the Indians, toting the rock 209 times for 845 yards and 12 touchdowns. Looking down the depth chart, Preston is young at a lot of key positions, and this playoff experience will be a great opportunity for many of those young athletes to continue their growth and maturity.
Pocatello (5-2, 2-0), meanwhile, has had a strange season, as the Thunder have only taken the field seven times to this point. Despite the lack of quantity, the Thunder have played a lot of high quality opponents, beating 2023 playoff teams Mountain Crest (UT), Twin Falls, Shelley and Preston, while only losing to Highland and Hillcrest, both of which in one-score games.
The player to watch for Pocatello once again this year is running back Ryken EchoHawk, who not only has the coolest name in 4A football but is also one of the fastest players on the field each week. Poky went to the quarterfinals last year, and the Thunder have a team to make an even deeper run this fall if they can get all the pieces to fall into place.
The winner of this SEIC rematch will move on to play either Bonneville or Sandpoint next weekend in the 4A quarterfinals.
#11 Bonneville @ #6 Sandpoint
7 p.m. PT Friday
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The Bonneville Bees will make the long trip North Friday for a matchup against the Sandpoint Bulldogs along the shores of Lake Pend Oreille. Both the Bees and Bulldogs were dealt some big blows early in the season with injuries to key players, but both squads have responded by putting together respectable seasons and giving themselves a shot at a playoff run.
Bonneville (4-5, 2-3 HCC) raced out to a 2-0 start to the season, and was riding high heading into a Week 3 matchup with 5A Rigby. Then, early in the first half against the Trojans, senior running back Tim Williams went down with a devastating, season-ending injury. The Bees lost four straight at one point this season, but they never quite and responded with a big win over Blackfoot last week to end the regular season on a high note.
Junior running backs Kanyon Todd (577 yards, 9 TD) and Keaton Trane (446 yards, 5 TD) have stepped up big to fill Williams shoes this season. Sandpoint is a tough place to play this time of year, but Bonneville is going to give the Bulldogs everything they can handle on Friday night.
Sandpoint (6-3, 2-0 IEL), meanwhile, lost senior quarterback Hunter Garcia during the second game of the season. The Bulldogs went on to lose three of their first four games, but it was during that tough stretch where junior Drew Lehman (1,182 yards, 11 TD, 5 INT) began to step up and find his footing as the Sandpoint signal caller.
After losing narrowly to 3A stalwart Homedale on Sept. 16, Sandpoint reeled off five straight wins to end the season, including two decisive victories over 5A squads Lewiston and Lake City. The Bulldogs are looking to make a run toward a fourth straight semifinal appearance and beyond, but it all starts on Friday
at home against Bonneville.
Either the Bees or Bulldogs will advance to play the Pocatello-Preston winner next weekend.
3A
#14 Gooding @ #3 Kimberly
7 p.m. Thursday
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These teams met less than a week ago, with Kimberly picking up a 45-0 shutout win to conclude the regular season. Now comes the rematch.
The Bulldogs displayed a dazzling offense on their way to a perfect 9-0 record during regular season competition. The Bulldogs averaged 42.9 points per game while allowing only 7.0. Kade Larson threw for 1,400 yards and 26 touchdowns this year, and only tossed six interceptions. Six different receivers (Kasen Hammond, Mason Jensen, Ryker Larson, AJ Walker, Michael Goff and Parker Stringham) finished the year with over 100 yards, while Damon Taylor led the ground game with 702 yards and 11 scores. Defensively, Goff excelled from his linebacker spot, registering 112 tackles with a sack, a forced fumble and an interception.
Gooding boasts a solid quarterback to wide receiver combo in Braden Martin and Bryce Patterson, but when opposing teams have closed that door this year, the Senators (2-7) have struggled to find other avenues to score. Gooding averaged just 10.3 points per game this year, and need to be extremely efficient on offense to score the first round upset.
#13 Wood River @ #4 Snake River
7 p.m. Friday
Wood River has qualified for the playoffs for the second year in a row since dropping down from Class 4A to Class 3A competition. They’ll travel to District 5 champ Snake River for an opening round matchup.
The Wolverines (4-5) finished in third place this year in District 4, and finished with a negative point differential. Wood River struggled at times to score, averaging only 15.6 points per game. The defense held up for the most part, allowing only 26.4 points a contest. Kyle Ipsen threw for just under 1,000 yards in the regular season, and tossed 13 touchdowns. The ground game was led by committee, and the variety of backs Wood River can use could cause problems. A secret weapon for Wood River could be kicker Conrad Foster, who just helped the Wolverines’ soccer team win the 4A state title. He’s got a leg and could be a difference-maker in a close contest.
Snake River (5-4) lost a tight game to Kimberly back in Week 2, 27-20. That narrow loss set the tone for a team full of potential this season. Veteran coach Jeff Dalley has a balanced offense that churns out 25.4 points per game. Senior quarterback Peyton Williams is a threat to run the ball, as well as throw a deep pass to a bevy of talented receivers, including Johnny Walker and Marcus Coombs.
If Wood River can limit turnovers, this game figures to be a low-possession, grind-it-out type of affair. Whoever can execute the best will emerge with the win.
#12 American Falls @ #5 Timberlake
1 p.m. Saturday (Pacific Time)
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American Falls has to make the longest trip of any team in the first round, hence the Saturday afternoon kickoff. In fact, this is the only game of the opening round set for Saturday.
The Beavers (3-6) are making their first playoff appearance since 2020, and second-year coach Tim Hoppe has done a nice job taking a younger team and getting them to believe in themselves. American Falls prides itself on its physicality, and runs a Wing-T offense and 3-5-3 defense. Junior quarterback Dax Brower is a first-year starter at quarterback and leans on talented backs like Brock Bailey, Zak Grigg and Beau Brower.
Timberlake (5-4) also runs a Wing-T, and claimed the District 1 championship over Bonners Ferry last Friday. The three-headed monster of Vaughn Higgins, Cooper Lenz and Caius Tebbe has caused headaches for defensive coordinators all season. But quarterback Cole Meidinger and wideout Carson Yetter are also a lethal combination.
American Falls has its work cut out for them, as Timberlake coach Kelly Amos has a seasoned team ready to make a deep playoff run. If the Beavers can stop the run, they may have a shot.
#11 Fruitland @ #6 Teton
6 p.m. Thursday
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This Thursday night battle features a steady, experienced squad in Teton against a younger group of Grizzlies from Fruitland.
The Timberwolves (7-1) steamrolled through the regular season, with their lone loss coming to #1 overall seed Sugar-Salem. Teton racked up 45.0 points per game, and allowed only 18.1 points per contest. Senior quarterback Jack Nelson has no shortage of weapons to distribute the ball to, including running back/receiver Thomas Heuseveldt, who is close to a 2,000 yard season of total offense. 6-foot-4 receiver Ty Brown is also a favorite target of Nelson’s.
Fruitland (2-7) featured a young team this year. Freshman Titus Vidlak has quarterbacked the team most of the year, but junior Coye Coffman has also seen time under center. If Fruitland is going to spring a first-round upset, it will be thanks to a sturdy defense, led by junior linebacker Quinn Hood. Hood has totaled 105 tackles this year with three interceptions.
#10 Marsh Valley @ #7 Weiser
7 p.m. Friday
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This battle of second-place finishers is set for Friday night in Weiser.
The Wolverines (8-1) are not your average second-place squad. Their lone setback came to Homedale, the #2 overall seed. Coach Tom Harrison’s “Weiser-T” offense is humming once again, to the tune of 38.1 points per game. Seniors Kaleb Grove and Jayden Walker have split carries in the backfield this year, and quarterback Kolin Cook is an efficient passer. As good as Weiser’s offense has been, the defense has been exceptional, allowing just 10.6 points per contest.
Marsh Valley (2-7) started the year 0-7 before picking up two wins in a row over South Fremont and American Falls. The latter victory gave the Eagles a second place finish in District 5 and a slight bump in their overall seeding. Marsh Valley has struggled to move the ball on offense this year, scoring an average of 13.7 points per game. But the potential is there. Talented, speedy athletes like Cooper Bowman, Tuff Solomon, and Corbridge Bastian have big-play ability. The key will be the linemen up front on both sides of the ball.
#9 Buhl @ #8 McCall-Donnelly
7 p.m. Friday
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This is the most evenly matched contest of the opening round, as both teams have gone somewhat under the radar this year.
McCall-Donnelly (6-2) posted an impressive regular season, with losses to Homedale and Weiser the lone blemishes on the resume. Quarterback Maddux Arnold has a strong arm, and his big-play ability helped the Vandals score 34.3 points per game. First year coach BJ Sorensen also did a great job getting strong numbers out for the program, as 54 players are listed on the varsity roster.
Buhl (6-3) is a younger team this year and finished in second place in District 4. Veteran coach Allyn Reynolds stepped away from the team at the start of the season, and interim coach Josh Creasey has done a great job of pulling a greener team together. Riley Brunson is the Indians’ leading rusher, and Gabe Finley is a strong two-way player, as well.
If Buhl can establish the run and control the clock, the Indians have the makings of a team that could win on the road in round one. McCall-Donnelly, meanwhile, has to hit on its big plays and keep the pressure on Buhl.
2A
#6 Marsing @ #1 Melba
7 p.m. Friday
District 3 rivals Marsing and Melba will meet again for the second time in a month after Melba escaped with a 22-16 win earlier this year.
Marsing (5-3) coach Shea McClellin has led his alma mater to its first winning season in a decade, and his team nearly defeated the Mustangs in their regular season matchup. Marsing led 16-14 entering the fourth quarter of play, but Melba rallied late to win. Xyon Fleary has rushed for 886 yards and seven touchdowns this season, while Cache Hance has added 433 yards and nine scores. Junior quarterback Jace Chadez had distributed the ball well when Marsing elects to pass, as well. For McClellin, a former standout linebacker at Boise State and in the NFL, his defense is a source of pride, as Marsing allows on average only 14.4 points per game.
Melba (6-2) has been on a rollercoaster ride all season. Fourth quarter rallies provided wins over North Fremont and Marsing, but a second half swoon allowed Nampa Christian to win the district title over the Mustangs last week in a 36-22 victory. Coach Cory Dickard has platooned quarterbacks this year, as 6-foot-8 Cutter Beus and Rylan Frank have split reps. Whomever isn’t under center is usually split wide, along with receivers Noah West-Baranco and Brendan Svetich.
It’s hard to beat the same team twice in one season. Expect a rematch just as entertaining as the first battle between these well-coached teams.
#5 Firth @ #2 Aberdeen
7 p.m. Friday
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Firth and Aberdeen met last year in the playoffs also, albeit a little later on. The Cougars defeated the Tigers 34-20 in last year’s 2A semifinals, then both schools watched large senior classes depart via graduation.
Both squads have struggled to replace all of that talent, especially on offense. Firth (3-4) is averaging 16.9 points per game, and are missing the big-play ability that last year’s team boasted in spades. Darrell Vasquez is a great athlete and quarterback, and running back Beau Ringel is tough as nails. But an offensive line that lost a lot to graduation has struggled at times opening holes.
Aberdeen (5-3), meanwhile, has played the entire season with starting quarterback Gage Driscoll, who’s been out with an injury. Sophomore Lupe Ortiz has taken the reins, and is an excellent runner with breakaway speed. Hiatt Beck and Luke Schackelford have also contributed to the run game, and Aberdeen nearly won the District 5 title over West Side this year, dropping a tight, one-possession game by a score of 34-22.
There are too many new faces on both sidelines this year to predict an outcome similar to last year’s semifinal showdown. Both teams want to attack the line of scrimmage and control the tempo of the game. Whichever side can assert their will up front has a great shot of advancing.
#4 Wendell @ #3 Bear Lake
7 p.m. Friday
Bear Lake is attempting to run it back after winning its first football championship in school history last fall. Wendell, meanwhile, snapped a six-year playoff drought by qualifying this year.
The Bears have gone from the penthouse to a lower floor in the building this year. After a 10-1 season complete with district and state championships, the Bears have struggled this year to a 4-4 mark and a third place finish in District 5. Rhett Lloyd made the move from wide receiver to quarterback, and a slew of injuries to his offensive linemen only sharpened the learning curve. Lloyd has settled in recently, though, and has great wide receivers like Bryson Crane and Toby Flake to lean on. Defensively, the Bears have been solid, allowing 23.5 points per game. Senior linebacker Dillon Pugmire leads the way on that side of the ball.
Wendell, meanwhile, has finally gotten an invite to the dance after a few years of being one of the first teams left out. Wendell’s current group of seniors were in seventh grade the last time Trojans qualified for the playoffs in 2017, which makes the turnaround coach Jon Helmandollar has engineered all the more special. Jesse Chavez has rushed for 1,062 yards and 14 touchdowns this season, while Alex Hirai has thrown for 1,592 yards and 13 TDs. Mikey Talbert (38 catches, 634 yards, 9 TDs) is the top target at wide receiver. Defensively, senior linebacker Wyett Oden has racked up 110 tackles and an interception.
This matchup is incredibly even, and the key to the game could be Bear Lake’s ability to stop the run. If Wendell can control the clock and punish the Bears with a heavy dose of Chavez, the Trojans could pick up their first playoff victory in some time.
1AD1
#8 Idaho City @ #1 Kamiah
6 p.m. Friday (Pacific Time)
Kamiah finished second in the Whitepine League this season, and will welcome fellow second-place finisher Idaho City to town on Friday night.
One loss to Logos notwithstanding, the Kubs (7-1) appear just as formidable as they were a year ago, when they advanced all the way to the 1AD1 semifinals. Junior quarterback David Kludt can run and pass with equal aplomb, and also anchors the Kubs’ secondary on defense. When Kludt’s not running the ball, Colton Ocain and Connor Weddle are handling the load, and a stingy defense (9.5 points allowed per game) features wrecking ball Porter Whipple up front on the defensive line.
Idaho City (2-5) finished in second place in District 3, and received the second and final auto bid to the playoffs with a resounding 60-20 win over Rimrock in their season finale last week. Coach Jason Roeber’s team features several speedy athletes that are dangerous in space, like Trey Martiny and Tell Jewell. Senior Dax Olvera leads both lines.
Weather could play a factor in this game, which would seem to favor the brute strength of Kamiah over the speed of Idaho City.
#7 Carey @ #2 Grace
6 p.m. Friday
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The Panthers and Grizzlies will tango for the third time in the past two seasons, except this time, it’s in the playoffs. Grace has defeated Carey in each of the past two season openers for each school, by scores of 7-0 in 2022 and 36-0 this year.
Grace (5-3) used a balanced effort and solid defense to reach the 1AD1 state championship game in 2022, and coach James Newby is following the same formula again this year. Wyatt Cutler and Trevor Mathews lead the rushing attack, while first-year starting quarterback Braden Kimbell was progressed nicely. Kai and Joe Clegg are also effective two-way players, at tight end and defensive end.
Carey is 3-5, and their early season struggles can be chalked up to a new nucleus of players learning a new scheme under first-year coach John Saili, while also navigating a series of injuries to key players. Notably absent in the early part of the year was senior fullback/defensive end Nik Versis, a true two-way menace that is the heartbeat of the Panthers’ attack. Since Versis has returned, Carey has steadied the ship, and is 3-1 in its’ last four contests. Their only loss came to Glenns Ferry, by just two points.
Each of these teams competed in the semifinal round last season, but for one squad, their season will come to an abrupt halt this weekend.
#6 Lighthouse Christian @ #3 Murtaugh
7 p.m. Thursday
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Murtaugh and Lighthouse Christian played less than a week ago, with the Red Devils delivering a 63-30 win. Sound familiar? It should, because the exact same thing happened a year go. In 2022, Murtaugh defeated Lighthouse Christian 28-8 in the regular season finale, then hosted the Lions in the opening round of the playoffs. Lighthouse Christian snuck away with a 34-26 upset in the rematch, and Devils coach Todd Jensen is hoping to avoid a similar outcome this year.
It’s no secret that Murtaugh (6-2) wants to establish the run and dominate both lines of scrimmage. With great two-way linemen Oscar Aburto and Hudson Giles paving the way, fleet backs Jr. Benites, Eli Merrick and Brody Funk are all capable of ripping off a big run. Benites, in particular, rushed for 302 yards and seven touchdowns against the Lions just last week.
The Lions (5-3) are the exact opposite. Senior quarterback Justice Schrader triggers an explosive, pass-heavy attack featuring talented receivers Jack DeJong, Collin VanderHam and Case VanLeeuwen. Running back Johnny Millenkamp has also been amplifying his play over the past several weeks. If Lighthouse Christian can limit turnovers and cash in on their opportunities, they could steal a win on the road in Murtaugh for the second consecutive year.
#5 Potlatch @ #4 Valley
7 p.m. Friday (Mountain Time)
It’s eerie how similar these teams are. Both feature high octane offenses (Potlatch averages 51.7 points per game; Valley checks in at 43.3). Both are piloted by dual-threat quarterbacks (Jack Clark for Potlatch, Josh Hardy for Valley). And both have suffered a couple of bumps in the road along the way this year.
Potlatch (6-2) finished third in District 2 after league losses to Logos and Kamiah. And while the Loggers offense receives plenty of attention (and rightly so), Potlatch’s defense has quietly been solid this year as well. The Loggers allow 26.8 points per game, and are predicated on forcing turnovers. Potlatch has too many pick sixes on defense to count this year, and it’s no wonder. With two-way standouts Clark, Jay Marshall, Wayon Marshall and Ben Johnson leading the way, it’s hard to figure out which guy to stop.
Valley (5-4) has been on the wrong side of a few close contests this year. The Vikings dropped a 62-58 decision to Murtaugh in a high-flying affair, but also lost to Carey by a shockingly low total of 8-6. Josh Hardy has no shortage of weapons to get the ball to, including Aaron Damian, Pedro Robles, Nathan Christensen and Taigen Roseborough, but consistency is the key.
This is a razor-thin first round matchup on paper, and the team that takes care of the ball the best will probably emerge victorious.
1AD2
5-6B Mackay @ 4B Hagerman
7 p.m. Friday
Both of these teams finished in second place in their respective districts, but the Pirates and Miners took significantly different paths to this first round battle.
Hagerman (7-2) has felt secure about their spot in the playoffs for weeks. The Hagerman offense has hummed to a 37.3 points per game average, and their defense has been solid, allowing just over twenty points a game. Quarterback Wyatt Mavencamp, running back Martin Gonzales, fullback Wyatt Hoskovec, and wide receiver Ky Kendall all take turns shouldering the load on offense, and we’ve unofficially dubbed them “The Four Horsemen of Hagerman”.
Mackay (4-3) didn’t secure their playoff spot until last Friday. The Miners found themselves in a three-way tie with North Gem and Watersprings for the second and final playoff spot from District 5-6. The tiebreaker was settled using point differential amongst the three teams, and Mackay needed to defeat the Warriors by seven points or more to emerge on top. One 28-20 victory later, and the Miners were on their way to the playoffs. Mackay is led by senior Paysen Bruley and his younger relative, junior Taysen Bruley. They have combined for 27 passing touchdowns, three rushing scores, and 13 receiving TDs this year.
The winner of this game will face District 1 champion Mullan/St. Regis in the quarterfinals.
4C Dietrich @ 3A Council
6 p.m. Thursday
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Class 1AD2 football, with it’s pre-determined bracket, can be cruel sometimes. Just ask Dietrich and Council.
The Blue Devils (5-3) are the defending 1AD2 runners-up, and played a rigorous schedule this year that included losses to Camas County, Hagerman and Garden Valley. Dietrich isn’t your typical third-place finisher, and provides a stiff test. The luck of the draw, as it were, pits Dietrich against the only district champion that didn’t receive a first-round bye. Connor Perkins, a wideout last year, has moved to quarterback and gives the Blue Devils a dual-threat athlete. A sturdy defense is anchored by Brody Togerson.
Council (6-3) also played a tough schedule this year, with losses to Kendrick, Kamiah and Butte County. There’s no denying that the Lumberjacks drew the short straw when it comes to bracket positioning, but coach Andy Glenn’s team is embracing the challenge. Council features a one-two punch in the running game with Dahlton Bingham and Mason Roberts. That dynamic duo allows sophomore quarterback Owen Hatfield to take shots downfield off of play action, and Decker McLinn has caught several home run balls this season.
Two-time defending state champion Kendrick awaits the winner of this contest.
3C Garden Valley @ 1B Clark Fork
7 p.m. Friday (Pacific Time)
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One team enters the postseason riding a two-game winning streak, complete with the largest comeback in school history. The other enters on a two-game backslide, and a long trip north to begin the playoffs.
Clark Fork (4-3) trailed Lakeside by twenty points and just over eight minutes remaining last Friday in a do-or-die game to decide the second playoff berth from District 1. Four touchdown passes from Ethan Howard later, and the Wampus Cats qualified for the postseason for the second year in a row. Coach Patrick Young’s unit is banged up right now, as do-everything athlete Chase Sanroman missed the Lakeside game with an eye injury. Clark Fork will try to control the clock and impose their will in the running game.
In a lot of ways, Garden Valley (6-3) is in a similar boat. Injuries to Kaden Zimmer and Zade Thompson has forced Wolverines coach Jason Yearsley to dip into a talented group of underclassmen reserves. But as long as quarterback/safety/do-everything athlete Tacoma Kelly is healthy, Garden Valley has a chance. Kelly has thrown nine touchdowns, rushed for 11 scores, and even caught a touchdown pass this year. And on defense, the talented senior has tallied five interceptions and two sacks. If Garden Valley can win the turnover battle and force Clark Fork into quick three-and-outs, the Wolverines have a great shot at earning a road win.
District 4 champion Camas County awaits the winner of this game in the quarterfinals.
2B Lewis County @ 3B Tri-Valley
7 p.m. Friday (Mountain Time)
These teams met just twenty days ago in Cambridge, and now Lewis County (4-4) and Tri-Valley (6-2) will return to the scene of the crime: a 62-56 walk-off win for the Titans.
Tri-Valley sophomore quarterback Jace Waggoner scored on a three-yard touchdown run with no time remaining to give the Titans the non-conference victory. That, coupled with last week’s 32-20 win over Garden Valley, have given the Titans some momentum heading into the postseason. Tri-Valley averages over 49 points per game, and feature speedsters Klaytin Harper and Gage Warren on both sides of the ball.
Lewis County picked themselves up after the loss to Tri-Valley and won the game that counted the most: a 38-36 win over Deary that gave the Eagles the second and final playoff spot from District 2. Gage Crow forced a fumble in the final minutes of that win, and then proceeded to score the game-winning touchdown with thirty seconds remaining. Crow has rushed for over 1,000 yards this season, and if Tri-Valley can stuff the run, it could be a long night for coach Monty Moddrell’s Eagles.
The winner of this game will travel to District 5-6 champion Rockland for the quarterfinals.
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