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Written by: Matt Harris
Follow Matt on Twitter: @IdahoSportsMatt
The mid-point of the 2014 season is upon us. Can you believe it? Time just seems to be flying.
We are really seeing which teams are rising to the top or falling by the wayside now. There is a lot on the line in the next few weeks with playoff positioning at the forefront.
On this week's edition of 'The Hurricane Harris Hour' (which can be heard on 97.7 FM/690 AM in East Idaho and online at eastidahonews.com at 9 a.m. Saturday morning), we'll be churning out our 'East Idaho Football First Half Report', reviewing what's gone on so far this season and predicting the end result for schools on the eastern side of the state. Make sure you join Lance Taylor, Lorin Jensen, Kip Blanchard, myself, and others as we break down what we've seen so far.
Now... to the five games involving East Idaho teams that I believe are the games to watch this week. Here's the Week Four 'Hurricane Harris Hot 5'.
1. Highland Rams (4-0) at Coeur d'Alene Vikings (4-0), Friday at 7:00 p.m., Coeur d'Alene HS
For the fifth time in three years, Highland and Coeur d'Alene will matchup on the football field... and they matchup well indeed. Outside of the Rams' 45-26 victory over Coeur d'Alene during the 2012 regular season, the average margin of victory in the subsequent three games has been a whopping 4.7 points. After last year's 31-28 5A State Championship victory for the Vikings (marking the second straight year Coeur d'Alene has beaten Highland in the playoffs), you know that there will be a good amount of motivation for the Rams' players heading into this game, even if they say there isn't any. It was a painstaking loss for Highland last season, as they came THIS CLOSE to another title and undefeated season. QB Dakota Tillotson has shown his ability as a dual-threat quarterback... man, he is FAST. Tamalii Campbell is one to watch out for too. He is a game changer, especially on special teams. Of course, the line play has been excellent too, anchored by Notre Dame commit Tristen Hoge. Vikings QB Austin Lee tore the Rams' heart out last year, leading his team on a game-winning drive down the Kibbie Dome field to beat Highland... which he did as a sophomore in only his second start. A lot of weapons return for Coeur d'Alene this year, including Gibson Green, Myles Flanagan, Ryan Walde, Jonny Plum, and Boise State commit Drew Berger. Both teams are ranked in the Top 2 in the state via the 5A media polls. This should be a classic.
2. Madison Bobcats (2-2) at Blackfoot Broncos (4-0), Friday at 7:00 p.m., Blackfoot HS
It's Buck Bowl time! I have yet to find anyone that knows the official number of matchups between brothers Mitch and Stan Buck, but one this is for certain: The Buck Bowl is usually a pretty good game. Remember two years ago when Madison was ranked #1 in 5A with Blackfoot being #1 in 4A before squaring off head-to-head? While Madison may not be ranked as of right now, they've shown that they have the talent to compete with any program in Idaho. Bobcats WR Josh Crane and QB Konner Stoneberg have found excellent chemistry: Crane had two touchdown receptions in last week's loss at Highland, plus a 90-yd kickoff return for a TD to boot. Their defense isn't too bad either. Madison will run in to the newly crowned #1 team in 4A media polls, the Blackfoot Broncos. Dating back to last year, the Broncos have not lost when Pacen Hayes has started at quarterback. In fact, Hayes nearly led Blackfoot to a come-from-behind victory in last year's Buck Bowl after entering the game at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Remember: this kid is a SOPHOMORE. But the Broncos are more than just Hayes: he has the personnel around him to succeed too, including receivers Matt Peterson and Taylor Pearson and a solid running game behind Damon Bodkin and Logan Averett. Fireworks will fly in Blackfoot on Friday night. This should be a great game: it's one of the reasons the Buck Bowl was chosen as the destination for East Idaho Game Night presented by Local News 8's SportsLine, IdahoSports.com, and Z103. Oh, it's Homecoming weekend too.
3. Malad Dragons (3-1) at Aberdeen Tigers (4-0), Friday at 7:00 p.m., Aberdeen HS
The 2A South East Idaho Conference is going to be a dogfight this year. Aberdeen has given up a total of 22 points so far this SEASON, an average of 5.5 points per game. Their offense isn't bad either, averaging 41.0 points per game. Malad, meanwhile, has vastly improved their defense from last season. Head coach Coda Tchida told me in the IdahoSports.com Fall Football Previews that improving the defense was his #1 priority in the offseason and that if the Dragons couldn't do that, they would have no shot at the playoffs. Well, the defense is holding opponents to an average of 13.8 points per game, which in my mind is a GREAT improvement for team that gave up 34.0 points per game last year with a lot of the same players. One player to watch out for has to be Malad's Derek Checketts. He is equally as explosive on offense and he is on defense. He may be smaller in stature, but he packs a punch. I do wonder a bit if these teams' records are deceiving. Aberdeen's opponents are a combined 2-13 on the season. Malad's are 2-12. Despite that, this game should be a slugfest. It was a 31-28 win for the Tigers. Could it be that close again?
4. Butte County Pirates (3-0) at Challis Vikings (2-1), Friday at 7:00 p.m., Challis HS
After last week's 78-64 barnburner of a win for Challis over Grace, the Vikings are set to host the power-run oriented Butte County Pirates. Challis head coach Josh Franks told us in the IdahoSports.com Fall Football Preview that if his squad could average 250-300 passing yards per game, his team would be very successful. Well, Challis' offensive showcase at Grace has to be on the minds of Pirates fans in and around Arco. But, to their credit, Butte County's defense has been stout so far this year, giving up an average of 12.7 points per game. If I'm Challis, I'm focusing on one thing on defense: forcing the Pirates to pass the ball. Not that Butte County is a horrible passing team, it's just not their bread and butter. Shutting down the run has to be objective #1 on the list for Challis, as is stopping running backs Jeremie Hjelm and Zac Harrell. As for Butte County, their key is slowing down QB Brandon Hamilton. He is the initiator of the offense is most all facets. If the Pirates can get to him early and often, it could spell trouble for the Vikings. This game is huge for both sides: this is only the first of two conference games between the two teams this season in the newly shrunk 1AD1 District 5-6 Conference.
5. Valley Vikings (3-0) at Raft River Trojans (3-0), Friday at 7:00 p.m., Raft River HS
I know. I know. Raft River HS isn't quite located in East Idaho. But it's close... and the Trojans game vs. Valley in Malta is one that I've had my eye on. In fact, a lot of eyes can be on this game now that IdahoSports.com is broadcasting the game live! Here's the lowdown: Raft River is REALLY good. They've outscored their opponents 206-8. I'm not 100% sure, however, that they have been battle-tested early on, like their opponent Valley has. The Vikings have played a much tougher schedule this far, including last week's 36-34 squeaker of a win over Oakley. That being said, Raft River boasts several players who have played large roles on the squad for the past couple of years, including TE/LB Wil Holtman, QB Dalton Peterson, and RB/LB Max Boden. Those three seem to carry a majority of the scoring load, although the Trojans have more weapons outside of those three. As for Valley, their main go-to-guy is QB Ben Taylor. According to Nick Ruland of the Times-News, Taylor has scored 13 touchdowns in the last two weeks (all of the touchdowns his team has scored in those two games). He had five total TD's vs. Oakley last week, including completing 28-of-39 passes for 394 yards. Oh, and he converted six Valley fourth downs vs. Oakley. Can either team stop each other? Will we see another high scoring affair in the 8-man ranks? This game will be HUGE when determining playoff positioning in 1A Division 1.
Is there a game I didn't pick that you think should be in the Week Four 'Hot 5'? Do you agree with my selections? Comment below!
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