Published: 10/4/2016 5:45:43 PM

October is here and by month's end, it'll be playoff time - which is quite ridiculous if you ask me. Not that I hate the playoffs (because the playoffs are a blast), but it just means I have to get the basketball schedules on here within the next few weeks. Fortunately, I've got a couple of district's basketball schedules loaded online already.

Back to football: we are in the meat and potatoes of the schedule with each and every game becoming ever-more important. Conference play is underway and some teams have already clinched a playoff berth - it's just a matter of where on the bracket they will end up.

Before we move on to this week's action, let's take a look at the week that was in eastern Idaho high school football.

The number in this one is 98. That's the number of combined passes thrown by these two teams for a total of 656 yards. Bonneville fought to the bitter end, but Highland had already put the game away mid-fourth quarter. It was a looooong game. Bonneville needs to win-out in order to have a shot at a playoff spot. Highland can pretty much clinch one if they beat Madison at home this week.

The Knights need any sort of momentum they can get heading into this week's matchup. A solid three touchdown win ought to help their cause heading into their game at Rigby on Friday night. I wrote last week in my 'Postseason Predictions' that I thought Hillcrest would finish fourth in the conference and miss the state playoffs. But, if they would like to throw that right back in my face, they can take a massive step towards that goal by beating Rigby on Friday... it's a game that is pivotal for both teams.

No comeback was needed this week by the Bobcats, although they almost were the victims of a comeback by Rigby, who fought from three touchdowns down late in the fourth quarter to make this one interesting. I just can't gauge the Bobcats this year - I know they're good (their 6-0 record speaks to it) but just how good? These back-and-forth performances where they smash their opponent one week and then barely hang on the next is just mesmerizing to see. The Bobcats have a huge game this week at Highland - win and they're pretty much into the playoffs. Same with Rigby, except if they lose, it's going to be tougher to make the playoffs.

Most people picked Skyline heading into this game and for good reason - there hasn't been a close game between Skyline and any of their opponents so far. In fact, this was the most lopsided game of any that they've played so far. Skyline's biggest game of the year is coming up at Blackfoot on Thursday. As for Century, being 0-3 in conference play almost seals the fate of their season - a young squad, decimated by injuries before it really ever got underway. If they can somehow win their last two conference games and get help via major upsets in their league, they might make the playoffs... although those chances right now are very, very slim.

These two teams were briefly tied at one point in the first quarter before Blackfoot blew the door open on the Tigers, running off 43 unanswered points en route to a big win. The Broncos' Jager Leavitt had himself a game, rushing for 190 yards and FIVE touchdowns. QB Pacen Hayes had a great outing too, completing 11-of-13 passes for 218 yards and two touchdowns. Idaho Falls played their third string QB, Cooper Peterson, after Cannon Thompson and Chase Baker both went down with injury. Peterson, who is one of the Tigers' top receiving threats, was tasked with leading the offense from under center... not exactly easy to do mid-way through the season. The Tigers are still in contention for a playoff spot and are battling Pocatello and Preston for it. 

I wrote in my 'Postseason Predictions' that Pocatello HAD to win their game against Preston, or their season would effectively be over. I don't know if they read it or not, but they got the job done. The Indians still have a long ways to go, with games against Skyline and Blackfoot looming in the final two weeks. The offense came to life for the first time since early September. As for Preston, they aren't out of it yet - a big game awaits them against Idaho Falls this week. If Preston wins, we could potentially see a 3-way tie for third when all is said and done. If Idaho Falls wins, they gain the inside track to the third playoff berth.

Declo just blew out American Falls - no other way to put it. I thought this game might be closer. The Beavers were missing RB/LB Luis Cervantes to a shoulder injury, according to the Idaho State Journal. His presence was missed in the loss, but he not the reason why American Falls lost... Declo is just that good. Fortunately for Cervantes and the Beavers, he'll have two weeks to heal up before their game against Snake River... one which may determine the conference champion.

The Panthers finally hit the win column and figured out what worked for them. QB Branson Walker had four touchdowns in the game for the Panthers. Both teams thought they might be in better positions heading into conference play, with both teams facing league opponents this week. If either team can pick up wins this week, it will bode well for their playoff chances.

For a brief moment in the second quarter, the Eagles led the Cougars 8-6. But South Fremont then blew the doors off of Marsh Valley, scoring 34 unanswered points. South Fremont is now 6-0 this season, easily their best start in several years. The Cougars enter the toughest portion of the schedule now - their own conference. As for Marsh Valley, all is not lost yet despite posting a 1-5 record. A win this week at Snake River would REALLY make things interesting in the South East Idaho Conference.

The Diggers brand new scoreboard sure got a workout on Friday night. 100 combined points and yards for DAYS. Sugar's Jaron Rose had a HUGE night, rushing for 331 yards and four touchdowns. His teammate Colby Ingram ran for 136 yards and two touchdowns while Dylan Pope had 85 rushing yards with one touchdown. A potential area of concern for Sugar? They were torched for 396 yards through the air courtesy of Jerome quarterback Brien Ploss. Does it matter? It might - both Shelley and South Fremont have no problem passing the football.

This was a FANTASTIC game. It was intense, hard-hitting, and full of drama. North Fremont stormed out to a 20-7 halftime lead before West Jefferson clawed all the way back to take a 21-20 lead in the fourth quarter. Then with 1:25 left, the Huskies' Sawyer Dye took the handoff and went 71 yards for the game-winning score. The mantra of game was West Jefferson's size vs. North Fremont's speed. Speed won out in this one. Dye rushed for 228 yards against the bigger Panthers defenders, despite standing only 5'7" and weighing 160 pounds. North Fremont will definitely be in the conversation come November.

Ririe came away with the homecoming victory against conference-foe Salmon, but they also achieved something else they haven't done since 2008: win at least four games. That's a big stepping-stone for the Ririe football program. They have two tough games remaining as they host Firth this week and play at North Fremont to end the regular season. The struggles continue for Salmon, who are staring at a potential winless season unless they can drum up some magic in the final two weeks of the season.

Soda Springs picked up their first win of the season after outscoring Malad 14-0 in the first quarter. Execution was the key for Cardinals, who did that better in this game than at any other point in the season. Malad was breaking in a new quarterback in Hayden Degn, who completed 8-of-24 passes for 121 yards plus a touchdown and four interceptions. Malad's remaining schedule isn't easy: they host Bear Lake and play at West Side in the final two weeks of the season. Can they pull a huge upset and pick up a win before the end of the year?

This game was even pretty much all across the board... except in one department: 2-pt conversions. Bear Lake was able to stuff West Side's 2-pt conversion attempt in the final minute of play to pick up the win. That's BIG for Bear Lake. Should they be able to win their remaining regular season games, Bear Lake would be in position for the second seed from the conference to the state tournament (and the top seed is still within reach). West Side is probably in line for the third seed to state unless they flop in the final few games. They get a big test this week with the No. 2 ranked team in the state visiting Dayton.

You don't expect backup quarterbacks to throw for seven touchdowns... ever. But Challis' Ross Sheppeard did exactly that - seven TD passes with 293 passing yards and only one interception. Not bad for a backup. However, Challis' defense all-of-a-sudden seems porous after limiting teams to an average of 18.5 points per game in their first four contests. In the last two (against Raft River and Glenns Ferry), the Vikings have given up an average of 58 points per game. That may be because of the quality of opponent, but that's still a lot of points to give up. Challis has lost three conference games and, theoretically, will have to win out and hope there are some upsets in the conference along the way in order to make the postseason. A lot can happen between now and the end of the regular season, but the Vikings pretty much have to run the table to have a shot at one of the three state playoffs berths given to the conference.

What a difference a half makes. Whatever it was that Brandon Sanchez told his team it halftime, it certainly worked as the Grizzlies outscored Shoshone 52-8 in the second half en route to a huge victory after trailed 14-12 at the break. Running back Lincoln Skinner had a big game, rushing for 260 yards and four touchdowns. Grace has a big slate of games to finish the season and they'll probably need to win them all the make the playoffs. Of course, upsets are possible in the conference - so never say never.

It was Homecoming for Butte County and they took home the victory in a big way, leading 42-0 at halftime. There were good efforts all around by the Pirates, including Brett Waymire and Keyan Cummins on the ground. The Pirates will definitely need to work on their 2-pt conversions however: they struck out on their first seven attempts before converting on their eight try. Two more conference games remain for Butte County and both will certainly have an impact on the seeding for the play-in round.

The Bobcats nearly had North Gem in this one. They lead 20-18 with about two minutes left, but the Cowboys mounted a comeback and were able to run in the game winning score with just moments left in the game. The Bobcats put up a good fight against the team with the inside track to the top seed in the conference. If they can bring that effort again in their final conference game against Butte County, they may be able to snag a higher seed at state. As for North Gem, a win is a win but I'm not sure they are very happy with how they played. 

The Warriors just couldn't keep up with Rockland - on the scoreboard and in the 'players available' departments. According to the Post Register, Watersprings was playing with only seven players by the time the third quarter came around and Rockland had put in their JV in the second quarter. Rockland is doing a great job of turning around their program after suffering through a winless season last year. They should be absolutely proud of achieving four wins to this point in the season. The Bulldogs are also still in contention for the top seed from the conference to the state tournament. Pretty impressive.