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Week One

1. Mark Lungu, Notus

The burly running back put on a show in the Pirates’ season-opening win at Glenns Ferry. He carried the ball 29 times for 332 yards – averaging more than 10 yards per carry – and scored four touchdowns.

2. Ty Russell, Shoshone

The sophomore QB/DB was a two-way force in the Indians’ win over Challis. He had a hand in seven touchdowns (six rushing, one passing) and also had five tackles on defense and a sack.

3. Chase Brown, Lapwai

Brown, a senior RB/LB, shone on offense and defense in Lapwai’s first win since October 2024. He rushed for 94 yards and three scores in a win over Genesee, while adding eight tackles on defense, three of them for a loss.

Honorable Mention
 
Cooper Williams (Butte County)
Owen Howlett (Cascade)
Madden Perkes (Carey)
Kale Walle (Clearwater Valley)
Jon Denke (Couer du Christ)
Jarrett Keen (Deary)
Gavyn Hoskisson (Dietrich)
Carter Goff (Garden Valley)
Brayden Spriggs (Glenns Ferry)
Tate Stoddard (Grace)
Adam Nelson (Hagerman)
Zane Call (Hansen)
Bentley Elliott (Idaho City)
Gatlin Griffith (Kamiah)
Orion Stewart (Kendrick)
Slater Kuther (Lewis County)
Grayden Bruley (Mackay)
Jackson Stanger (Murtaugh)
Clay Johnson (North Gem)
Bridger Conant (Oakley)
Trey Magallon (Potlatch)
Kade Quintal (Prairie)
James Dalton (Raft River)
Jace Oliver (Richfield)
Xavier Parrish (Rockland)
Blake Shepherd (Salmon River)

Wagon Wheel Winner

On August 31, 2012, the Hansen Huskies topped the neighboring Murtaugh Red Devils, 46-0, to secure the old Wagon Wheel. The two teams did not play again until September 22, 2017 – the two schools actually played together as a football co-op from the 2013 season through 2016 – so, technically, Hansen controlled the annual rivalry trophy that entire time. Murtaugh won that game in 2017 … and each matchup since until Friday night, when Hansen nudged past Murtaugh, 28-20, to reclaim the Wagon Wheel trophy in a postgame hand-off ceremony. It was Hansen’s first win over its rival in 14 years.

The Value of Blowouts

Let’s be honest – it can be hard to look at a game that ends with a 50-point spread and find value as a fan. But here’s one, especially for coaches. Even in a loss, it allows for precious repetitions for players who don’t get significant playing time. For the winners, it represents valuable development for the next wave of front-line players. Following Rockland’s 66-8 win over Lighthouse Christian on Friday, Bulldog head coach Gerry Hunter quickly singled out the program’s three freshmen – Cooper Black, Dallin Permann, and Luke Permann – for their performance in their first high school game. For smaller schools that don’t have big enough rosters to play full JV games, these final minutes of a one-sided game serve that purpose: an opportunity to grow as players and teammates.