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Here are the top performers from the quarterfinal round of the postseason (in no particular order).
1. Houston Bingham, Oakley
The Hornets' senior had a big all-around game on Friday, rushing for over 100 yards and two scores on offense (while adding six two-point conversion runs) and chipping in with multiple tackles for loss and sacks as Oakley (8-1) stymied Lighthouse Christian 48-0. Up next for Bingham and the Hornets - a semifinal matchup with conference rival Carey as the team shoots for a third straight 1A Division 1 state title.
2. Conner Simpson, Carey
Speaking of Carey, the Panthers followed the powerful lead of their senior standout to pick up a road win at Notus to reach the semifinals. Engaged in a tight battle, Simpson ran three yards for a score, took a swing pass 48 yards for a score, and scampered 61 yards to set up another score to help Carey (8-2) pull away. He finished with 161 yards rushing and 51 yards receiving in the 46-16 win.
3. Jagger Hewett, Kendrick
The offense gets a lot of the accolades, so how about a little defense? The Kendrick Tigers have not allowed a point - not a single point - since September 9. In Saturday's quarterfinal win over Camas County, Hewett intercepted three passes for Kendrick (10-0), two of which came in the first half when the game was very much up in the air and the Mushers were threatening to score. The explosive senior added a touchdown run on offense, as well.
Honorable Mention
Treyton Allen, Butte County
Troy Smith, Camas County
Ethan Roland, Castleford
Dahlton Bingham, Council
Hayden Astle, Dietrich
Gavin Kelly, Garden Valley
Dallon Draper, Grace
Conner Weddle, Kamiah
Carter Munsee, Lighthouse Christian
Alex Trogden, Mullan/St. Regis
Grayson Benitez, Notus
Kole Spencer, Raft River
Gavin Permann, Rockland
MOTHER NATURE RULES THE WEEKEND
Weather conditions were a big factor all weekend.
Council and Castleford slugged it out in a game that started with snow and ended in a driving rain.
Garden Valley went to Mullan and topped the Mullan/St. Regis Tigers in wet and muddy conditions.
The moisture subsided before Notus hosted Carey, but the wind made deep throws and kicks an adventure in Carey's victory.
Kamiah edged Butte County in the mud as rain poured from the sky all game. After the win, Kamiah coach Nels Kludt welcomed the conditions, telling the Lewiston Tribune, "We don't want to play in a dome."
However, the Kubs will be inside Holt Arena for their semifinal matchup against Grace on Saturday.
EXTENDING THE CO-OP
The night before Mullan/St. Regis hosted Garden Valley, the players from St. Regis made the 40-mile drive from Montana down Interstate 90 to practice with their Mullan teammates - and wound up having to stay overnight. Bad weather shut down the interstate for several hours so the families in Mullan scrambled to accommodate the suddenly-stranded kids from St. Regis so they could get a good, comfortable night's sleep before Saturday's game against the Wolverines.
BRING IT ON
Earlier this fall on IdahoSports.com's weekly 8-Man podcast, it was offered that perhaps the strongest threat to Kendrick's 1A Division 2 thrown would come from District 4. Kendrick senior Jagger Hewett good-naturedly joked, "Bring it on, District 4."
The Tigers just defeated the third-place team from District 4 (Camas County) and will now face the second-place team from District 4 (Castleford) in the semifinals. A win over the Wolves could set up a matchup against the first-place team from District 4 (Dietrich) in the 1A Division 2 state championship.
While both Garden Valley - Dietrich's semifinal opponent - and Castleford will have a say in the outcome, it's possible Kendrick will have to defeat the top three teams from District 4 to defend its state championship.
Agree? Disagree? Let me know in the comments!
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