SEE GAME PHOTOS
Photo Credit: Shawn McFarland
PREVIOUS REWINDS:
Week One
Week Two
Week Three
Week Four
Week Five
Week Six
Week Seven
Week Eight
6A CLASSIFICATION
- Coeur d’Alene (8-0 overall, 1-0 Inland Empire League) raced past rival Lake City (5-3, 1-1) in a 42-14 romp. Tannar Stern threw for 200 yards and four touchdowns and ran in a fifth score on the ground. Stern’s four touchdowns went to four different receivers (Jackson Hackett, Logan Melville, Davis Whittaker and Oliver Strait). Coeur d’Alene can win the Inland Empire League crown with a win over Post Falls on Friday. If Post Falls upsets the Vikings, that would create a three-way tie for first place. Only two auto bids are available to District 1-2 this season, and only Coeur d’Alene has a strong enough MaxPreps ranking to be considered for an at-large berth. If Coeur d’Alene defeats Post Falls, Lake City would take the second auto bid from the IEL to the playoffs.
- Highland (3-5 overall, 0-2 High Country Conference) led Rigby (7-1, 2-0) 10-0 in the second quarter, but the Trojans stemmed the tide with a touchdown run from Kue Kofe and a touchdown pass with just four seconds to play before halftime. Rigby extended the lead to 21-10 in the third quarter when Evan Freeman scored on a touchdown run, and despite another Highland score late, the Trojans held on for the 21-18 win. Rigby can claim the outright High Country Conference title with a win over Madison this Friday. Highland is still in strong position to claim an at-large bid to the 6A playoffs.
- Thunder Ridge (5-3 overall, 1-1 HCC) just made things interesting in the High Country Conference race by knocking off Madison (6-2, 1-1), 21-20. The Titans led 14-10 after three quarters of play, but Madison quickly stormed back on a 55-yard touchdown run from Mace Mortensen and a 40-yard field goal from Brenner Stoddard, pushing the Bobcats’ lead out to 20-14. But the Titans scored a rushing touchdown with under a minute to play, and the extra point sent Thunder Ridge home with the one-point win. We now look ahead to the final matchups in Week Ten. If Madison defeats Rigby this Friday and Thunder Ridge knocks off Highland, there would be a three-way tie for first place between the Bobcats, Trojans and Titans. Two auto bids are available from District 5-6 this season, so whoever finishes third will have to hope for one of the three at-large bids available.
- Boise (8-1) stunned Rocky Mountain (6-2), 21-19, in a Southern Idaho Conference cross-divisional matchup. Wayne Bower threw for 341 yards and three touchdowns in the victory (two to William Saunders, one to Dante Marcum). The difference came down to extra points. Rocky Mountain finished 1-of-2 on PATs, forcing the Grizzlies to go for two to try and tie the game in the fourth quarter. That two-point try, failed, leaving the Brave with the two-point victory. With this loss, the Grizzlies dropped to #3 in the MaxPreps rankings behind Rigby, which means that right now, Rocky Mountain would have to travel to east Idaho for a potential semifinal game. Of more importance is Rocky’s season finale with Mountain View. The winner of that game will finish first in the SIC Foothills Division, receive a first round bye and enjoy a home quarterfinal contest. Boise, despite its 8-1 record, was very much on the MaxPreps playoff bubble, but this win should elevate the Brave into a safe position.
- Bowen Blackburn rushed for 120 yards and three scores as Eagle (6-2) claimed a 45-21 win over Meridian (5-3) in an SIC cross-divisional matchup. Eagle has already clinched the SIC River Division crown and will receive a first round bye and a home playoff game for its efforts. Meridian is also safely in the field at this point, although the Warriors may have to travel for the first round of the playoffs.
- Mountain View improved to 6-2 with a 24-0 shutout of Owyhee (3-5). Mountain View plays Rocky Mountain this week with the SIC Foothills title on the line. Regardless of what happens there, the Mavericks are safely in the playoff field. Owyhee, meanwhile, is firmly on the bubble.
5A CLASSIFICATION
- Bishop Kelly (8-0 overall, 5-0 Southern Idaho Conference) continued to put the finishing touches on another dominant season with a 65-0 shutout of Skyview (2-6, 1-4). The Knights rushed for 394 yards as a team, led by Eli Lynes’ 111 yards. Lynes scored a touchdown while quarterback Jaxson Brady added 95 yards and three scores. Bishop Kelly has clinched the SIC title, and remains a strong favorite to carry the #1 overall seed into the 5A playoffs.
- Columbia (6-2 overall, 4-1 SIC) sprinted past Vallivue (3-5, 2-4), 35-10. Easton Zickgraf threw for 162 yards and three touchdowns (two to Tyson Winkelman, one to Gavin Woolstenhulme). Adrion Alexander added 103 yards and a touchdown rushing for the Cats. Columbia, #3 in this week’s MaxPreps rankings, could slip to #4 or lower due to a weaker strength of schedule down the stretch. The Wildcats face Skyview this week in their season finale.
- Hillcrest (8-0 overall, 6-0 High Country Conference) rolled past Skyline (3-5, 3-3), 48-6. Logan Taylor completed 9-of-12 passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns (one to Ethan Saunders, one to Gavin Lamph) and the running game saw seven different rushers churn out 174 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, the Knights forced six turnovers and scored twice on that side of the ball. Hillcrest has clinched the HCC regular season title and the Knights are in position to finish as a top-two team in the final MaxPreps rankings, which means a home semifinal game. Skyline, meanwhile, is fairly close to the cut line and will need to have a strong showing this week against Shelley to secure its playoff spot.
- Blackfoot (4-4 overall, 4-2 HCC) led Pocatello (2-6, 1-5) with just under a minute to play, 34-33. The Thunder mounted a frantic comeback drive, capped off by quarterback Rhev Stucki’s eight-yard touchdown run. Stucki also hit Caden Butterfield with the two-point conversion, and the Thunder led, 41-34. On Blackfoot’s ensuing possession, Pocatello linebacker Bear Spillett came away with an interception, preserving the win. Friday night was Spillett’s birthday as well. Stucki completed 26-of-29 passes for 356 yards and five touchdowns. Butterfield caught six passes for 94 yards and four scores while Zen Griggs added four grabs for 91 yards and a touchdown. Pocatello is still on the fringes of the playoff picture, but it will be interesting to see how much this win moves the needle for the team’s MaxPreps ranking. Blackfoot, meanwhile, is still solidly in the playoff field, but will now most likely have to travel for a first-round playoff game.
- Lewiston (4-4 overall, 1-1 Inland Empire League) rallied past Sandpoint (5-3, 0-1), 42-35, as Dallas Richardson hit DJ Wilkerson on a 59-yard scoring strike with just 30 seconds to play. Wilkerson caught six passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns in the win and Richardson threw for 247 yards and three scores. Junior Moody added 170 yards and two touchdowns rushing for the Bengals. After losing to Lakeland last week, the Bengals are still alive for a share of the IEL crown. Lewiston needs Sandpoint to defeat Lakeland this week to force a three-way tie. The Bengals wrap up with 6A Lake City this week.
- Lakeland (4-4) blanked 4A Moscow (1-7) in a non-conference matchup, 35-0. Griffin Tamagni found the end zone three times for the Hawks in the win. Lakeland can win the IEL title outright with a win over Sandpoint this week. A loss to the Bulldogs would force a three-way tie amongst all three teams. Regardless of how everything finishes, all three teams should host a first-round playoff game this year.
- Ethan Hubsmith threw for 287 yards and six touchdowns as Twin Falls (5-3 overall, 4-0 Great Basin Conference) moved one step closer to a regular season conference crown with a 75-8 win over Jerome (2-6, 1-3). Jackson Sattelberg led the ground game with 132 yards and a score and Draikyn Ferreira caught five passes for 142 yards and four scores. The Bruins face Minico this week. A win gives Twin Falls the GBC title and an assured spot in the playoffs. If Minico were to win, a three-way tie would occur between Twin Falls, Minico and Burley. Bobcat fans will be rooting hard for Minico, as their MaxPreps ranking is not currently high enough to earn an at-large playoff berth. Minico and Twin Falls are both safely in at this moment.
4A CLASSIFICATION
- Homedale (8-0 overall, 4-0 Snake River Valley Conference) leaned on its ground game in a 40-14 win over Cole Valley Christian (5-3, 1-3). Easton Dines carried the ball 16 times for 86 yards and three touchdowns while Zander Gonzalez added 21 rushes for 85 yards and two scores. Homedale has clinched the regular season SRV title and remains the #1 overall seed according to the MaxPreps rankings. Cole Valley Christian is also firmly in the playoff field at this time.
- Weiser (7-2 overall, 4-1 SRV) dispatched Emmett (6-2, 2-2), 48-27. The Wolverines ran for 403 yards as a team and three rushers nearly eclipsed the 100-yard mark. Zayn Crossley ran for 142 yards and two touchdowns, Garrett Walker added 102 yards and Ty Cobb ran for 96 yards and two scores. Both Weiser and Emmett are safely in the playoffs thanks to strong MaxPreps numbers, although the Wolverines are trying to earn a top four seed and first round bye. A 21-0 win over McCall-Donnelly this week via forfeit will only help their cause.
- Sugar-Salem (7-1 overall, 2-0 Mountain Rivers Conference) won its regular season finale over South Fremont (5-3, 0-1), 28-7. Frank Fillmore completed 10-of-13 passes for 160 yards and two touchdowns in the win and rushed for 32 yards and a third score. Boston Nead caught both touchdown passes and finished with six grabs for 70 yards. The Diggers have won the MRC title and should remain a top four seed in the 4A playoffs, which brings a first round bye and a home quarterfinal game. Sugar-Salem is on bye for the final week of the regular season. South Fremont, meanwhile, is still in a strong position to earn an at-large bid to the playoffs. The Cougars end their season against Teton.
- Kimberly (4-4 overall, 2-0 Sawtooth Central Idaho Conference) motored past Filer (0-7, 0-2), 41-6. Kimberly needs to defeat Gooding this week to win the SCIC title. A loss to the Senators would force a three-way tie between Kimberly, Gooding and Wood River for the conference title. Regardless, Kimberly is securely in the playoff field at this time.
- Wood River (6-2 overall, 1-1 SCIC) continues to enjoy one of its best seasons in school history. The Wolverines knocked off Gooding (4-3, 1-1) by a 28-21 score. Axel Oelerich scored a rushing touchdown, receiving touchdown and came away with two interceptions on defense in the win. Despite the loss, Gooding is still in a better spot than Wood River in the MaxPreps rankings due to a stronger strength of schedule. Right now, Gooding is safely in while Wood River is on the outside looking in, but perhaps this win over a higher-ranked team will help allow the Wolverines to move up the rankings.
- American Falls (5-3 overall, 2-0 South East Idaho Conference) snuck past Snake River (0-8, 0-2) by a 13-12 margin. Austin Teichert threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Onyx Kunsaitis to lead the offense. Defensively, Zach Resendiz blocked a punt and recovered a fumble. Thorne Rose also blocked a Snake River field goal attempt to help preserve the win. American Falls will now face Preston for the SEIC title. Both teams are 2-0 in conference play, and both teams are close enough to the cut line that the only way to assure a playoff berth is via the auto bid for winning the conference.
- Bonners Ferry (5-3 overall, 2-0 Intermountain League) moved past Timberlake (3-5, 0-1), 26-15. Quarterback Alex Stolley ran for 151 yards and threw a touchdown pass to Tyson Dickson. Colson Baisden also returned a kickoff 80 yards for a score. Bonners Ferry has won the IML title and has earned an auto bid to the 4A playoffs, but the Badgers will most certainly have to travel for their first-round playoff game.
3A CLASSIFICATION
- Aberdeen played its typical style of ball control and low possessions, and for a quarter, the plan worked, as the Tigers (4-4 overall, 1-2 South East Idaho Conference) led West Side (8-0, 3-0) by a 6-0 margin. That’s where Aberdeen’s success ended, though, as West Side steadily pulled away for a 29-6 win. Drake Sage rushed for 138 yards and two touchdowns for West Side in the win and the Pirates ran for 279 yards as a team. The Pirates can win yet another SEIC title with a triumph over Malad this week. Malad, for its part, would win the SEIC with a win over West Side, so Friday’s game is a true conference championship matchup. West Side is still holding on to the #1 overall seed as well, but a loss to the Dragons could allow someone else to bypass them. Aberdeen, meanwhile, should feel good about its playoff chances via an at-large bid.
- Declo (7-1) and Malad (5-3) were engaged in a 0-0 deadlock through three quarters of play. But in the fourth quarter, Hornets quarterback Traecyn Thaxton threw a touchdown and ran for a score, propelling Declo to the 14-0 win. Declo will face Buhl this week for the Canyon Conference title. The winner of that game will enjoy a first round bye during the postseason. As for Malad, no matter what happens with West Side this week, the Dragons are firmly in the playoffs as well.
- Buhl (5-2 overall, 1-0 Canyon Conference) won its conference opener over Wendell (0-8, 0-2) via shutout, 68-0. Raidyn Pugsley ran for 96 yards and two scores on just four carries and also caught a 33-yard touchdown pass in the win. Defensively, Kannon Gambrel registered eight tackles and two sacks while Ryker Oparnico added five stops and two interceptions (one of which was returned for a touchdown). Buhl faces Declo this week. A win would give the Indians the Canyon Conference title and a first round bye in the playoffs. Even with a loss, Buhl remains a strong candidate to host a first-round playoff game.
- West Jefferson (8-1 overall, 4-0 Nuclear Conference) blanked North Fremont (3-5, 1-2), 40-0, in the Panthers’ regular season finale. Canon Calder ran for 158 yards and three touchdowns while Bruer Burtenshaw added 85 yards and a score. Shad Williams completed 6-of-10 passes for 116 yards and two touchdowns (one to Burtenshaw, one to Justin Perkins). West Jefferson has won the Nuclear Conference title and will have a bye in the final week of the regular season. The Panthers are holding on to the #4 overall seed right now and will need to hold off the champion from District 3 to ensure a first round bye and home game for the quarterfinals.
- Melba (6-1 overall, 3-1 Western Idaho Conference) raced past Payette (2-6, 1-3), 70-0. Rhett Franklin ran for 270 yards and six touchdowns for the Mustangs. Ty Aggen added 77 yards and two scores. Melba remains in a logjam for first place in the Western Idaho Conference with Nampa Christian and New Plymouth. All three are 3-1 with wins over each other; Melba defeated Nampa Christian, Nampa Christian took out New Plymouth and New Plymouth toppled Melba. If all three win their week 10 matchups (all three are favored to do so), the three-way tie will continue. All three teams should feel secure about their playoff spot regardless.
- Priest River (6-1 overall, 4-0 Central Idaho League) shut out St. Maries (1-6, 1-3), 52-0. Jacob Best completed 11-of-20 passes for 150 yards and three touchdowns. Layton Goins snagged two touchdown passes while Colton Kuprienko caught the third. Kuprienko also led the ground game with 69 yards and two scores. Priest River can win a second consecutive CIL title with a win over Grangeville this week. The Spartans, currently ranked third in the MaxPreps rankings, are also in position to host a quarterfinal playoff game.
- Grangeville (7-1 overall, 4-0 CIL) stuffed Logos (6-2, 2-2) on a potential game-winning two-point conversion with no time left on the clock to preserve a 28-27 win. Logos had scored as time expired on a seven-yard touchdown pass from Baxter Covington to Henry Driskill. That’s when coach Nick Holloway elected to go for the two-point conversion and the win rather than try a point-after kick to send the game to overtime. Tate Schumacher rushed for a trio of touchdowns for Grangeville and also came up with an interception on defense. Grangeville can win the outright CIL title over Priest River with a win against the Spartans on Friday. Even with a loss, Grangeville is still ranked sixth in the MaxPreps rankings and would host a first-round playoff game. Logos is also firmly in the playoff field as well, and the Knights still have an outside shot of hosting a first round game, too.
2A CLASSIFICATION
- Hagerman (7-1 overall, 5-0 Snake River Conference) shut out Shoshone (3-4, 1-4), 60-0. Five different Pirates (Zander Cenarrusa, Jonah Knapp, Casen Knight, Cameron Clausse and Adam Nelson) scored a rushing touchdown and Will Mavencamp threw two touchdown passes (one to Jace Leavitt, one to Cash Denton). Leavitt also returned an interception 40 yards for a defensive score. Hagerman will face Raft River for the SRC title this Friday. The Pirates and Trojans are also ranked #1 and #2 in the MaxPreps rankings, so even though the loser of that game will have to play in the first round, both teams would remain strong candidates to host a quarterfinal game.
- Raft River (8-0 overall, 5-0 SRV) remained unbeaten with a 58-12 win over Valley (3-5, 3-3). Guide Tracy ran for two scores for the Trojans while Bo Udy threw a touchdown pass. Raft River can wrap up a first round bye and conference title with a win over Hagerman. Valley remains a longshot to qualify for the postseason.
- Oakley (5-2 overall, 3-2 SRV) exploded past Glenns Ferry (1-7, 1-4), 74-18. Although Oakley cannot win the regular season SRC title, the Hornets are ranked fifth by MaxPreps and can still host a first-round playoff game.
- Butte County (5-3) ran for 635 yards as a team in its 64-34 win over Murtaugh (0-8). Cooper Williams ran for 269 yards and three touchdowns while Teagan Babcock added 204 yards and three scores. Williams also completed both of his passes for 36 yards and a touchdown. Butte County faces Grace for the High Desert Conference title on Friday. Grace needs the win more than Butte County does, as the Grizzlies are currently on the cut line for the 2A playoffs. Butte County is firmly in the playoffs regardless of what happens.
- Idaho City’s Mitchell Davis was stopped six inches short of the goal line as time expired, lifting Garden Valley (5-2 overall, 4-0 Western Idaho Conference) to a 38-34 win over the Wildcats (3-3, 3-1). Payson Kelly completed 8-of-13 passes for 155 yards and three touchdowns in the win. He added 29 yards and two scores on the ground. Even if Garden Valley were to lose to Tri-Valley on Friday, the Wolverines have still wrapped up the regular season WIC title. Idaho City, meanwhile, plays Notus on Friday. Both teams are 3-1 in WIC action, so the winner would move to 4-1 to conclude the year. However, even if Garden Valley were to lose to Tri-Valley and also finish 4-1, the Wolverines have head-to-head wins over both Idaho City and Notus. All three teams are securely in the playoff field at this moment.
- Kamiah (4-3 overall, 2-1 Whitepine League) survived Lapwai (3-6, 1-3), 32-26. Todd Roberts threw for 146 yards and three touchdowns in the win while rushing for 103 yards and a touchdown. Lawson Landmark caught all three touchdowns and finished with 140 yards on seven receptions. The Kubs play Potlatch in their regular season finale. The winner will finish in second place in the WPL. Both teams are firmly in the playoffs right now. Lapwai, meanwhile, doesn’t appear to have enough to climb into the postseason picture, though the Wildcats may be the first or second team to miss out.
1A CLASSIFICATION
- Kendrick (8-0 overall, 3-0 Whitepine League) had no troubles in a 74-16 win over Troy (1-6, 0-3). Maddox Kirkland was a perfect 7-of-7 passing for 168 yards and five touchdowns. Amazingly, the seven completions went to five different receivers and all five (Nathan Kimberling, Blake Morgan, Hudson Kirkland, Hank Heimgartner and Orion Stewart) caught a touchdown. Kendrick has won the WPL title, and even with a loss to Lewis County in their season finale, the Tigers have such a large lead in the MaxPreps rankings that they will almost assuredly carry the #1 overall seed into the 1A playoffs.
- Coeur du Christ (8-0) picked up a non-conference win over 2A Wallace (7-1), handing the Miners their first loss of the season. Grant Clemens threw for 298 yards and five touchdowns. Beckett Beyer caught three of those scores and finished with 125 yards on five receptions. Running back Jon Denke also returned to the Saints’ lineup from an injury and ran for 117 yards and two touchdowns. Both of these teams will play for their league title this Friday, as both compete in two-team leagues. Coeur du Christ will battle Clark Fork for the North Star League championship. Both teams are firmly in the playoffs at this juncture. Wallace travels to Lakeside for the Scenic Idaho Conference title, and although the Miners are squarely in the playoffs right now, Lakeside can only advance to the playoffs via the auto bid for winning the conference.
- Rockland (8-0 overall, 3-0 Rocky Mountain Conference) moved one step closer to wrapping up a playoff berth with a 78-12 win over Watersprings (3-4, 0-3). Xavier Parrish completed 18-of-26 passes for 428 yards and eight touchdowns. He also ran for 111 yards on just seven carries. Zach Permann ran for 139 yards and three touchdowns and caught six passes for 178 yards and three additional scores. Donny Garner grabbed six passes for 199 yards and three touchdowns also. Rockland takes on North Gem in its regular season finale. A win for the Bulldogs clinches an outright RMC title, a first round bye and possibly a home game for the semifinals. A loss, however, would force a three-way tie for first between Rockland, North Gem and Mackay. All three would be 3-1 with wins over each other. North Gem and Mackay are both on the playoff bubble, so a conference title is the only guarantee they have of qualifying for the postseason.
- Carey (7-1) outlasted Salmon River (6-2) in a late season non-conference game, 30-22. Madden Perkes rushed for 211 yards and two touchdowns for the Panthers and Jonah Saili added 46 yards and a score. Saili also completed 7-of-16 passes for 131 yards. Carey has already clinched the Sawtooth Conference title and finishes the year with Lighthouse Christian. Although the Panthers will receive a first round bye, Carey is trying to climb into a top two ranking at MaxPreps, which would allow Carey to host a semifinal game.
- Council (5-2 overall, 1-0 Long Pin Conference) moved past Cascade (2-6, 0-2), 54-6. Council now faces Salmon River (6-2, 1-0) for the Long Pin title on Friday. The winner will receive a first round bye, while the loser will most likely host a first-round playoff game.