WEEK 1

Coeur d’Alene at Rigby (Friday, Aug. 22, 7 PM)

This is the fourth consecutive season that the Trojans and Vikings will clash in their season opener. The first two iterations of this burgeoning rivalry were played at the University of Montana’s Washington-Grizzly Stadium, but in 2024, the neutral site venue was unavailable due to a Shania Twain concert, which prompted officials to move the game to a true home-and-home series. Coeur d’Alene hosted Rigby last season and won, 24-14. Rigby wouldn’t lose again, snapping off 11 consecutive wins on their way to the 6A title. Now the Trojans get to host the Vikings, and you best believe that the Rigby faithful will make sure it’s a hostile environment.

WEEK 2

Meridian at Eagle (Friday, Aug. 29, 7 PM)

For the fourth consecutive year, the Mustangs and Warriors will do battle to kick off their respective campaigns. The two Southern Idaho Conference rivals have actually played six times over the past four years, as Eagle (River Division) and Meridian (Foothills Division) have played twice in the SIC Championship Game in that span, as well. Eagle is the team with more momentum right now, after finishing 9-3 and finishing runner-up to Rigby in the 6A championship last year. Meridian finished 3-6 and not only said goodbye to four-year starting quarterback Zeke Martinez, but veteran coach John Zamberlin. Where is Meridian at under new head coach Christian McAlvain? We’ll find out soon.

WEEK 3

Madison at Middleton (Friday, Sept. 5, 7 PM)

These two met in Rexburg last season, with Madison earning a narrow 28-21 win. Both teams went their separate ways from there, although both ended up in the 6A quarterfinal round. Madison pushed eventual runner-up Eagle to the brink before falling 22-16. Middleton, meanwhile, knocked off Highland in a kicker’s duel, 6-3, in the opening round of the playoffs. Their reward? A trip north to Coeur d’Alene, where the Vikings fell 35-21.

WEEK 4

Lake City at Highland (Saturday, Sept. 13, 11 AM)

Highland traveled to Lake City last year and earned a gritty 13-7 win. It was part of a 6-4 season overall that ended with another low-scoring affair in the first round of the 6A playoffs, a 6-3 loss to Middleton. Lake City, meanwhile, finished 4-5 and just missed out on the postseason. A win by the Timberwolves in this rematch would go a long way towards solidifying their playoff positioning.

WEEK 5

Owyhee vs. Borah at Dona Larsen Park (Thursday, Sept. 18, 7 PM)

There are several quality teams in the Southern Idaho Conference, but one or two will inevitably be squeezed out of the 6A postseason when the dust settles. This feels like one of those games that will go a long way towards determining playoff positioning.

WEEK 6

Eagle at Mountain View (Friday, Sept. 26, 7 PM)

Most coaches agree that these are the two best teams on paper in the Southern Idaho Conference’s River Division. Each team also returns their starting QB/RB tandem from a year ago (Eagle’s Austin Ramsey and Noah Burnham; Mountain View’s Hank Nelson and Valentin Gomez-Ricks).

WEEK 7

Middleton vs. Timberline at Dona Larsen Park (Thursday, Oct. 2, 7 PM)

The winner of this game will have the inside track on challenging Rocky Mountain for supremacy in the Southern Idaho Conference Foothills Division. The Vikings feature enrollment numbers befitting a Class 5A team, but veteran coach Bill Brock likes a challenge, and has opted to stay up at Idaho’s largest classification. Can Middleton’s stingy defense halt Timberline’s lethal passing game? That could be the key to this one.

WEEK 8

Rigby at Madison (Friday, Oct. 10, 7 PM)

These two rivals are separated by less than 30 miles and, frankly, just don’t care for one another. Adding to the spice is the possibility that this game will serve as a potential High Country Conference championship. Rigby is the reigning 6A state champs, and return several standout members from last year’s team. Madison was also very talented a year ago, and will feature former Lewiston head coach Matt Pancheri in his first season on the Bobcats’ sideline.

WEEK 9

Rocky Mountain vs. Timberline at Dona Larsen Park (Friday, Oct. 17, 7 PM)

These are the top two teams in the Southern Idaho Conference Foothills Division this year. Just look at the number of Division 1 commits. Rocky Mountain features tight end Drew Byrd (Washington State), wide receiver Rasean Jones (Boise State), defensive end Rowan Rup (Boise State) and offensive tackle Jax Tanner (BYU). Timberline features quarterback Jack Brant (UC Davis), defensive end Sam Haener (UC Davis), wide receiver Hudson Lewis (Washington State) and offensive tackle Andrew Price (Hawaii).


WEEK 10

Madison at Highland (Friday, Oct. 23, 7 PM)

We should note that Week 10 of the regular season slate in the Southern Idaho Conference features a series of cross-divisional postseason play-in games, including the SIC Championship Game. Without knowing those matchups, we have to stick with what’s on the actual schedule. But make no mistake, Madison and Highland are both teams that have their sights set on deep playoff runs this year. Along with Rigby, there is no tougher trio of teams in one 6A conference this year.