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Written by: Will Hoenike
Follow Will Hoenike on Twitter: @WillHoenike
1A Division II
Salmon River at Kootenai, Saturday:
Maybe no team has more of a Jekyll-and-Hyde resume than the Warriors. Yep, they won six games by an average score of 49.7 – 3. But they lost three games by an average score of 68.7 – 32.7, including having a 92-spot hung on ‘em 1A Division 1 Wallace on October 25. I’ve seen Salmon River with my own eyes (against Prairie on September 6). Unbeaten and relatively untested, the Savages have only allowed more than eight points in game twice all season, once in that game at Prairie.
I think Kootenai scores more than eight.
I think Salmon River scores fewer than 92. And I think Salmon River advances.
Deary vs. Council at Lapwai HS, Friday:
Deary has had a really nice run this season as the Mustangs come into the game with a record of 8-1, most of ‘em one-sided affairs in the White Pine Conference. While Council (7-2) maybe isn’t the powerhouse Council that a lot of 8-man fans may remember from years gone by, the Lumberjacks played in a tougher conference than Deary did. At the end of the day, though, does that matter? It’s not like Deary struggled in conference. They put up 60, 60, 58, 58, 48 and 48 points against their conference rivals, never allowing more than 12.
I like Deary’s scoring symmetry – those point totals were in order of games played, I didn’t bunch ‘em together out of convenience – so I’ll take the Mustangs in a close game, but I really think it could go either way.
1A Division I
Prairie at Wallace, Saturday:
Here’s the good news in D-1 – someone from District I or II is guaranteed – guaranteed – to get to the Division 1 state championship game. Wallace put up points at a stupid pace this season (I mean “stupid” in the complimentary fashion) with 92, 74, 64, 62, 60 … you get the point. The Miners are used to finding paydirt. Mentioned earlier I saw Prairie for myself and I like this team. Solid sophomore quarterback, solid array of receivers and backs, only beaten by Troy and Salmon River. What’s scary is that a lot of people think the Pirates are still a year away … and yet here they are.
A common opponent! Both played Kamiah. Prairie won (46-0), Wallace won (62-12). Margin of victory difference – four points. About what I expect out of this one. It won’t be 4-0, but I think Wallace wins a tight one. And watch out for Prairie next season.
Troy vs. Genesee at Lapwai HS, Friday:
The two teams met back in September at Genesee … and Troy won by 46 points. Troy is the top-ranked team according to the state’s media and it’s hard to truly argue that spot. The Trojans allowed 12 points – total – over the first seven games of the season. Genesee put up some lopsided scores after its loss to Troy in September and the Trojans did give up some points the last two weeks, so all is not lost for Genesee. You play the game for a reason – to show me up.
I do expect Genesee to hang around a little better than last time (they are a solid football team) but, in the end, Troy advances to set up a Troy – Wallace 1A Division 1 semifinal.
2A
Declo at Grangeville, Friday:
Maybe Grangeville’s biggest ally here is travel. There’s no easy way to get from Declo to that town just past the Johnson Road cut-off, so it’s a tough draw for the Hornets in that respect. Grangeville’s only two losses are to 4A schools and the Bulldogs do have impressive wins over Gooding and Nampa Christian already on the resume. Declo is the defending 2A state champ, ranked fifth in the state and have been on a roll since a one-point loss to Wendell.
Grangeville’s win over Gooding (though unranked) impresses me. However, Declo has impressed me year after year for, like, 12 years now. If not more. Hornets shake off the bus legs and get a hard-fought win over a good Bulldog team.
Orofino vs. West Side at Holt Arena, Thursday:
If Declo is driving north a day early, maybe they can wave at Orofino as they drive south. As tricky as it is to get from Declo to Grangeville, it might be harder to get from Orofino to Pocatello. And Holt Arena ain’t an easy place for visiting teams to play. Second-ranked West Side’s only loss is to top-ranked Firth in the first game of the season. Tough draw for the Maniacs.
I’ve read some suggest West Side vs. Firth would make for a heckuva 2A state championship game. Can’t happen – both on the same side of the bracket – so hopefully it lives up to the billing next week in the semifinals.
3A
Fruitland at Timberlake, Saturday:
Funny story – I actually asked Roy Albertson, the Timberlake head coach, about how his team’s season has ended at the hands of a District III opponent for the past decade in the IdahoSports.com online digital preview (don’t believe me? Go give it a listen). So here we are … Timberlake (6-3) and Fruitland (8-1). Again. Two of Timberlake’s losses are to 4A teams, so they’re no slouch. But neither is Fruitland. Outside a loss to Lakeland, the Tigers offense has been in high gear for the past month.
The pendulum has to swing at some point, right? The string of playoff losses to Fruitland, Weiser, Homedale or Payette has to stop someday, right? The answer is yes, just not today. Fruitland advances, though not easily.
Bonners Ferry at Homedale, Saturday:
Look, I’ll admit it. I whiffed on Homedale. I didn’t think the Trojans were “back” after a few down years. But here they are, 8-1, with a road win at Fruitland under their belts. It’s just hard to see Bonners Ferry traversing basically the length of the state of Idaho into Homedale and winning the game. The Badger offense has been hot-and-cold this season. It’s going to need to be hot – real hot – if they want to spring the upset.
Homedale hasn’t given up more than 21 points in a game this season and I’m not sure Bonners Ferry can go into Homedale and do something that Fruitland, Weiser, Gooding and Nampa Christian couldn’t do. Homedale advances.
4A
Skyview at Lakeland, Friday:
For people who don’t regularly watch the 4A Inland Empire League, it’s really tough to have a feel for those teams. With just three teams in the district, the schedules are a mess and it simply isn’t easy to know how good (or not good) a team may be. Lakeland did win each of its two IEL games and finished the regular season on a three-game winning streak, but Skyview is ranked second in the state in 4A, losing only to top-ranked Bishop Kelly.
Many a good District III 4A team has traveled north and lost to a perceived inferior team in the playoffs. I think Lakeland gives Skyview much more of a game than most expect, but the Hawks prevail late.
5A
Timberline at Coeur d’Alene, Friday:
The good news for the Timberline squad out of Boise is that it reached the 5A playoffs. The bad news is they have to bus up to the panhandle to take on a team that many still think is the best in Idaho despite its 5-3 record. After three consecutive early losses (including a three-point road loss at top-ranked Highland), the Vikings have pounded people for the past five weeks, averaging nearly 48 points per game.
Timberline, on average, allows 30 points per game (including 52 last week to Rocky Mountain). I think the Wolves will move the ball and score a bit, but I think Coeur d’Alene’s offense will be too much as a date in the semifinals awaits the Vikes.
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