WEEK 1

Sandpoint at Twin Falls (Friday, Aug. 22, 7 PM)

After hosting Twin Falls in 2024, Sandpoint makes the long trip south to open up their 2025 campaign. The Bruins are preseason favorites in the Great Basin Conference, while Sandpoint will try to find its footing in the Inland Empire League after a small step backwards last season.

WEEK 2

Post Falls at Lewiston (Friday, Aug. 29, 7 PM)

It’s a new era of Lewiston football, as longtime coach Matt Pancheri took the job at Madison this past spring. Zane Hobart, who coached Kendrick to four consecutive 8-man championships, now serves as an 11-man head coach for the first time in his storied career. Lewiston will also be a 5A program for the second consecutive year due to lower enrollment figures, which means this battle with 6A Post Falls is a non-conference affair. The Trojans went 7-4 a year ago, and will be a tough test in Lewiston’s home opener.

WEEK 3

Bishop Kelly at Minico (Friday, Sept. 5, 7 PM)

The Knights and Spartans battled twice last season. The regular season showdown belonged to BK. The Knights defended their home field and delivered a 20-8 victory. When the two sides met again in the 5A quarterfinals, however, Minico stunned Bishop Kelly in triple overtime, 41-35. Minico’s journey ended in the semifinals the following week, and now head coach Sherm Blaser has to figure out how to replace 16 of 22 starters. Bishop Kelly also lost several talented athletes to graduation, but three-year starting quarterback Ben Avella returns for his senior season.

WEEK 4

Pocatello at Blackfoot (Friday, Sept. 12, 7 PM)

Despite sitting less than 30 minutes away from one another, Pocatello High and Blackfoot High are in different conferences. So whenever these traditionally proud programs get together, it’s a nice treat for 5A football fans. Both teams came down a little in 2024 after several consecutive deep playoff runs. Pocatello went 5-4 last year, while Blackfoot finished 6-5. Which team made the most gains in the off-season? We’ll find out.

WEEK 5

Skyline at Hillcrest (Friday, Sept. 19, 7 PM)

These are not just the premier 5A programs in east Idaho, but throughout the entire state. The Grizzlies and Knights have combined to win six of the past eight championships at this level, including Hillcrest’s 31-8 romp over Skyline in last year’s state championship game. Skyline won the regular season matchup last year at Ravsten Stadium, but now the Grizzlies will have to travel to Hillcrest’s new home field for the first time.

WEEK 6

Vallivue at Emmett (Friday, Sept. 26, 7 PM)

Bishop Kelly has reigned supreme for a long time in the Southern Idaho Conference, although Vallivue and Emmett have given the Knights their best shot several times over the past couple of seasons. Vallivue squeezed past Emmett last year, 18-14, in a game that wasn’t decided until the final moments. The win gave the Falcons second place in the SIC standings, while Emmett finished third. If either of these teams want to challenge BK at the top, they have to win this game.

WEEK 7

Pocatello at Twin Falls (Friday, Oct. 3, 7 PM)

We mentioned Pocatello earlier, and their goal of returning to top status in the South East Idaho Conference. On a statewide level, though, we’ll know where the Thunder stand after their travel to Great Basin Conference preseason favorite Twin Falls. The Bruins return standouts like quarterback Ty Hess and defensive back Dalton Carter, while Pocatello will lean on experienced returnees like wide receiver Hunter Cordell.

WEEK 8

Twin Falls at Hillcrest (Friday, Oct. 10, 7 PM)

Everything I’ve said so far about Twin Falls and Hillcrest applies here. Two teams that should go deep into the 5A playoffs this year, outstanding returning quarterbacks (Hess for Twin Falls; Tyson Sweetwood for Hillcrest), great coaching staffs, proud program pedigree, etc. Possible state championship preview? We’ll see.

WEEK 9

Lakeland at Sandpoint (Friday, Oct. 17, 7 PM)

Sandpoint is still smarting from last year’s 41-7 loss at the hands of Lakeland. The Hawks’ win snapped a seven-game winning streak for Sandpoint in the annual rivalry series. Although Lewiston promises to field a feisty team in 2025, the winner of this game may wrap up the Inland Empire League title.

WEEK 10

Twin Falls at Minico (Friday, Oct. 24, 7 PM)

This battle between the Bruins and Spartans will most likely decide the Great Basin Conference championship. That’s not just preseason hyperbole, though. History backs it up. The two sides have alternated wins, and conference titles, over the past several years.