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To read Part II of "Week Six Observations", click HERE.
As week move into mid-October, we know for the most part which teams are contenders and which ones are pretenders.
What we don't know, however, is in which order they will end up. Some teams have already clinched playoff berths, a few have clinched conference titles, and the rest are sorting out their fates on the field.
Get ready folks: playoff time is near.
Here are your Week Six Observations:
Blackfoot 24, Hillcrest 6: The Broncos pick up a much needed win against the Knights after starting out 0-5 on the year. Blackfoot's Kyler Haddon gained 137 yards and scored 3 touchdowns in the victory. Gabriel Botello played well in his first start under center. The playoffs may be out of reach for the Broncos, but they plan on competing until the end. As for the Knights, they need to regroup before this Friday's game against the undefeated Idaho Falls Tigers. Believe it or not, even though Hillcrest is 1-6, the red and black could STILL make the playoffs. Of course, they would have to go through Idaho Falls and beat Skyline to do it, but anything is possible. If they get their ground game going, they will give themselves a shot at the upset.
Highland 61, Skyline 14: This one was tough to watch if you are a Skyline fan. In eight plays in the first quarter, Highland scored THREE touchdowns. During a 14 second stretch late in the second quarter, the Rams scored a touchdown, forced a safety on the next Skyline offensive play, then completed a 76-yard pass to Thad Hansen for another touchdown. 16 points in 14 seconds. Skyline was no match for Highland. The Rams just had too many weapons. Turnovers and miscommunications hurt the Grizz. Things don't get any easier for Skyline this week: they travel north to play Coeur d'Alene.
Shelley 27, Sugar-Salem 8: The Diggers felt that their chances at defeating the Russets this year were good. They had the weapons, they worked hard, they felt it was their time. Shelley stepped in and delayed those plans for at least another year. A couple of penalties that resulted in touchdowns being called back doomed the Diggers and made what could have been a close game a secure lead for the Russets. Sugar-Salem's Jordan Godby had another good night, rushing for 199 yards. But Shelley stopped Digger QB Teancum Gibson, who rushed for only 23 yards. In his only passing attempt, Gibson threw an interception. This puts the blue and white in a predicament: lose to Teton this week and face the prospect of taking the last playoff berth from the 3A Mountain Rivers Conference... Of course, they would need to beat South Fremont to attain that.
Teton 42, South Fremont 22: Having one guy who can rush for 150+ yards a game is a luxury. What does that make a team that has TWO of those guys? The Redskins have just that, as Taylor Peterson rushed for 196 yards and a TD, while Tristan Hansen rumbled for 190 yards and 2 TD's. Granted, Teton's Wing-T offense calls for a lot of running and the passing game was really a non-factor this week. One of these days, that South Fremont spread passing attack is just gonna go off for 50 points on a team that no one thinks they can beat. Will it happen this year? I don't know, but they know how to toss the pigskin around.
Bear Lake 40, Marsh Valley 14: The rough season continues for the Eagles, who gave up over 200 yards rushing to Bear Lake's Brennan Williams, who also ran in two touchdowns. With the way the 3A bracket is set-up, however, all that Marsh Valley needs is a win over either Snake River or American Falls to snag a playoff berth. Bear Lake meanwhile is looking to dethrone the Snake River Panthers, but will have to do so on the road in two weeks. Their defense concerns me just a little bit.
To read Part II of "Week Six Observations", click HERE.
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