|
The 1A Division I State Semi-Finals will be played on opposite ends of the state - 516 miles in fact! But both games will feature highly-touted offenses and a lot of intense, gridiron goodness. It's also District 2 vs. District 4 this week as Prairie takes on Raft River and Lapwai plays Valley. Whoever emerges from these football games will set up one fantastic state championship game next week at either the Kibbie Dome or Holt Arena.
Raft River Trojans (9-1) vs. Prairie Pirates (10-0)
This is a familiar position for Raft River. One of the last four teams in 1A Division 1 alive in the postseason. Playing for a chance to go to the state championship. This season, however, the Trojans want a different ending. In each of the last three seasons, Raft River's campaign has ended in the state semi-finals (all three times at Holt Arena). This year, maybe a change in venue makes the difference.
The Trojans have played very efficiently this season, with their only loss coming to District 4 champion Valley. Their only other close game came against Oakley, a 30-26 win. Other than that, Raft River has rolled through their schedule, posting four 50-plus point games, a 60-plus point game, and an 80-plus point game, all en route to a 9-1 overall record. The Trojans have only allowed 16 total points in the postseason - certainly a solid number.
It's been 10 years since Raft River brought home a state football championship - playing a solid game this week allows them to take that step and shake the semi-final round demons that have plagued them the last three years.
Head coach Brian Poole and his staff know that they have a tall task ahead of them this week. The defending champion Prairie Pirates come to Malta and they will be not easy to take down.
Prairie seemingly continued from where they left off last year. The Pirates slaughtered EVERYBODY on their way to the 1ADI State Championship last year and, though they did lose a few key contributors from last season's record setting squad, Prairie is ready roll against Raft River's high-octane offense.
The Pirates currently hold a 22-game winning streak dating back to the beginning of last year. In the last three seasons, Prairie is 30-3. They've won two state titles since 2008 and would love to add a third banner in their gym in Cottonwood. Certainly, taking down the Pirates is no small task.
Seeing Prairie put up 60-plus points on the scoreboard should surprise no one anymore - it's something that happens regularly. With the exception of Kamiah and last week's win over Oakley, they've blown out everyone they've played. Another question to ask: how does the long trip down from North Central Idaho affect Prairie? Does it even affect them at all?
This should be a fantastic football game. Whichever team ends up moving on will certainly have earned it.
Lapwai Wildcats (7-2) vs. Valley Vikings (10-0)
Ready for some offense?
Both the Wildcats and the Vikings know how to light up the scoreboard quickly and quite often. The scoring in this game should be fast and furious.
The Lapwai Wildcats come into this game in unchartered territory. They are more known as a basketball school, with great success in past state tournaments in both girls and boys hoops. As one Lapwai fan told me when asking how the "Milk Bowl" site rotations worked, "Thanks for the clarification... it's been a long time since Lapwai has been in the state football tournament. It's new territory so to speak."
That fan was right. The last time Lapwai won a state football title was well before these current Wildcat players were born... and maybe even before some of their parents were born. 1979 was the last year the Wildcats won the football title (as a member of 2A).
But this season has been a good one for Lapwai. After their opening game against Wallace was cancelled due to poor air quality, Lapwai put together a solid 7-2 campaign with their only losses coming to Kamiah and Prairie. It's been pedal-to-the-metal offensively too - Lapwai has rattled off games of 70, 72, 80, and 99 pts (doing so in consecutive weeks). The 99 pts they posted against Clearwater Valley on Oct. 16 was the most I've seen in my time covering Idaho high school football.
The Valley Vikings defense may have a say in how much Lapwai scores however. They have held opponents under 9 pts seven times this season. Their only close game of the season came last week at Holt Arena in their win over Kamiah 48-36 - a team that beat Lapwai 66-44 on Sept. 11.
Valley's offense leans a little more pass-heavy, but their formula has worked throughout the season as most games have seen the starters exit by halftime. Prior to last week's game, Valley had allowed a grand total of 68 points during the season - an average of 7.6 points per game. Their defense is stout and can really force teams out of rhythm. The defensive performance could be the biggest key of this ballgame - can they slow down Lapwai? If not, we could see an absolute high scoring shootout. If Valley's defense can solve Lapwai's offense though, the Wildcats will need their defense to step up in a major way.
It's been 25 years since Valley won their only state championship (then as a member of 2A). After getting crushed last year in the title game against Prairie, they would love a chance to redeem themselves in the 'Milk Bowl' again this season.
Friday night awaits.
|