5A
Madison(7-0) vs Highland(6-1) - Does it get any bigger than this? In their first year back at 5A since the 2009-2010 school year, Madison is ranked #1 in the Media Polls and the Power Rankings. After getting smacked down by a very tough Orem, Ut team back on September 1, Highland has dominated every game since. The #1 team out of the 5A District 5-6 plays the #3 team out of the 5A SIC. The #2 5A District 5-6 plays the #1 team out of the 5A SIC (see full bracket here)
Paul's Pick - Madison over Highland 24-18
4A
Middleton(6-1) vs Skyview(6-2) - In this week's Media Poll, Middleton sits at #2 and Skyview at #4. District 3 gets three teams on the bracket and right now those teams are Middleton, BK and Skyview. The 4A State Tournament Bracket tells the story of why this game is important. No one wants to be second and play Blackfoot in the first round of the state tournament.
Paul's Pick - Skyview over Middleton 28-21
3A
Priest River(5-2) vs Timberlake(3-4) - This matchup has very similar bracket implications as the 4A, except here, no one wants to be in third place. District 1-2 gets three teams in the opening round. #3 plays Fruitland. The number #1 1-2 team plays the #4 team out of D3 (probably Homedale) and the #3 team plays #3 out of the SRV (probably Parma). Priest River and Timberlake are both 2-0 on conference play and NEED this win.
Paul's Pick - Priest River over Timberlake 46-35
2A
West Side(5-2) vs Soda Springs(6-1) - Even though the Cardinals have the better overall record, the Pirates are #1 in their conference. A Soda Springs loss and a Malad win this weekend would do much to change thier conference, as well as state bracket placement, fortunes. Soda has to do their part and win, and I am sure they will have someone at the Malad vs Aberdeen game feeding them scores.
Paul's Pick - West Side over Soda Springs 35-28
1AD1
Lighthouse Christian(7-1) vs Butte County(5-2) - Last week's loss to #1 Hagerman, as well as Grace's win over Hansen, put the Pirates of Butte County in 3rd place in the conference standings. Lighthouse continued their domination of every team they play (after losing to Grace in week two 52-40) by crushing the #2 team in their conference, Castleford, 34-0.
Paul's Pick - Lighthouse over Butte 48-24
1AD2
Garden Valley(7-0) vs Salmon River(5-2) - I'll admit it - I'm a fan of both teams. Always have been. Garden Valley is on top of their conference and beat #2 Council head-to-head two weeks ago, so it looks like GV will be the #1 seed on the bracket and play the #1 team out of D2.
Paul's Pick - Garden Valley over Salmon River 46-40
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