5A
Coeur d'Alene(3-2) vs Post Falls(1-4) - CDA comes off a bye week after two straight, brutal, losses. They need this game in a big way to get their feet back under them and back on track to make it three sate titles in a row. Don't forget this is a city-rival conference game too...
Paul's Pick - CDA over Post Falls 45-21
4A
Blackfoot(5-0) vs Hillcrest(3-3) - Blackfoot has been ranked #1 all year long, but their schedule to date has been far from what you would call tough. Hillcrest, now at 5A, started the year with high expectations, but has not lived up to them at the half-way mark at 3-3. The Knights need a big win to spark them through the rest of the season and the Broncos need a solid win against a solid opponent to validate their claim to best in the state.
Paul's Pick - Blackfoot over Hillcrest 38-24
3A
Sugar-Salem(4-2) vs Teton(5-0) - No one envies the Diggers for their last two games of the year - undefeated Teton at home then @ Shelley before a bye week to rest up for the playoffs. Teton is looking unstoppable under Coach Birch. Both teams need this conference win in a bad way.
Paul's Pick - Teton over Sugar-Salem 24-17
2A
Firth(6-0) vs Salmon(4-0) - After eeking in to the playoffs last year, the very young Cougars were rudely stopped in their tracks by Grangeville in the championship game 36-6. This year they are more experienced and will be walking in to the playoffs as the favorite. Despite the smoke and 2-hour bus rides just to play a "home" game in Terreton, the Savages have shut down everyone they have faced, including 3A contender Marsh Valley. Both teams come in undefeated. One team will come out with a loss. Expect fireworks in Firth Friday night.
Paul's Pick - Salmon over Firth 28-21
1AD1
Kamiah(5-0) vs Prairie(3-2) - Kamiah has been ranked in the top 3 all year long in their first year in 8-man football. They are undefeated to date and want to keep it that way. Don't take Prairie's record at face value. After losing their first two games of the season to two very good teams (Salmon River and Genesee) they have moonwalked their way through every game since, outscoring their opponents by an average of 64-29.
Paul's Pick - Kamiah over Prairie 44-32
1AD2
Salmon River(4-1 vs Horseshoe Bend(1-5) - Not a good week for great 1AD2 match-ups, but I am a closet fan of both of these teams. Both towns support their respective teams more than some nearby counties (that will remain anonymous) support their teams. Salmon River is having a great year so far and HSB (1AD1) is looking to turn things around after finding themselves at 1-5 with only a few weeks to go.
Paul's Pick - Salmon River over HSB 55-24
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