Idaho (IDHSAA) high school state football championship game previews: Storylines, players to see, score predictions
Here is an inside look at the six Idaho high school state championship games on the final weekend of the fall season:
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CLASS 5A
Photo by Lane Mathews
HIGHLAND RAMS (10-1) vs. COEUR D’ALENE VIKINGS (9-2)
1 p.m. (MST) Saturday at Holt Arena, Pocatello.
Game nugget: Rematch of 2017 finals - and the first time the two storied programs with a combined 16 state championships have met since 2019.
About the Rams: Have the most state titles (11) of any Idaho team and advanced to their 21st final since 1984, thanks to a balanced offense and a bend-but-don’t=break defense.
Player to watch: Jackson Riddle, RB: Senior has an offer from Navy, and might be the classification's (and arguably state's) best dual-threat running back.
About the Vikings: Have the state’s best defense (10.3 points per game that’s held eight of their opponents to fewer than 20 points. Offense has come on late.
Player to watch: Shea Robertson, LB: Senior and Eastern Washington University commit is one of state’s leading tacklers (14.1 tackles per game).
SBLive Idaho pick: Highland 28-17.
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CLASS 4A
Photo by Loren Orr
HILLCREST KNIGHTS (12-0) vs. BISHOP KELLY KNIGHTS (12-0)
7 p.m. (MST) Friday at Albertsons Stadium, Boise.
Game nugget: Rematch of 2018 finals, and the first battle of undefeated squads in a Class 4A state championship in seven years.
About Hillcrest Knights: Didn’t win a single game two years ago, but now are back in title game with both a top-five offense (35.8 ppg) and defense (12.6 ppg).
Player to watch: Trason Keller, RB/LB: Senior is the team’s only two-way starter, and is only 66 yards away from a 1,000-yard rushing season.
About Bishop Kelly Knights: Seven-time champs have lost past two finals, including last year. But wins with punishing offense and defense (33.2-point scoring differential).
Player to watch: Peter Minnaert, RB: Senior leads the classification with 1,517 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns this season.
SBLive Idaho pick: Bishop Kelly, 35-31.
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CLASS 3A
3A State Championship - Sugar Salem vs Weiser. Photo Credit - Loren Orr Photography LLC
Photo by Loren Orr
SUGAR-SALEM DIGGERS (10-0) vs. TETON TIMBERWOLVES (10-1)
4 p.m. (MST) Saturday at Holt Arena, Pocatello.
Game nugget: Sugar-Salem has won 12 consecutive meetings over past 11 seasons.
About the Diggers: Have beaten everyone by double-digit margins and are looking to become first team in 23 years to win five out of the past six state championships.
Player to watch: Carson Harris, RB/LB: Senior is well on his way to becoming a three-time all-state running back with 1,283 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns this season.
About the Timberwolves: Back in state title game for the first time since 1999, thanks to having the classification’s best scoring offense (43.9 ppg).
Player to watch: Thomas Heuseveldt, ATH: No player in Idaho has more all-purpose yards (2,349) and touchdowns (35) than this electrifying senior.
SBLive Idaho pick: Sugar-Salem, 42-34.
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CLASS 2A
Photo courtesy of Tyson Moser
DECLO HORNETS (11-0) vs. WEST SIDE PIRATES (8-2)
8:15 p.m. (MST) Friday at Holt Arena, Pocatello.
Game nugget: Two teams have a combined 12 championships between them. They met Oct. 6 - with Declo rallying from 20 points down for 27-26 victory.
About the Hornets: This is the fourth time they’ve reached the title game unbeaten - and won the previous three. Offense (40.0 ppg) and defense (15.6 ppg) have rolled.
Player to watch: Gavin Rasmussen, WR/DB: Junior does a little bit of everything. Had most rushing touchdowns, was leading receiver and even had a pick in semifinals.
About the Pirates: Thanks to a defense that’s only allowed 16 total points in these playoffs, they’re back in the title game after seeing four-peat bid end last year.
Player to watch: Parker Moser, RB/LB: Heads prolific three-headed monster rushing attack. He just ran for 156 yards and a pair of touchdowns last week.
SBLive Idaho pick: West Side, 32-28.
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CLASS 1A (DI)
Photo courtesy of Bry Severe
OAKLEY HORNETS (9-1) vs. BUTTE COUNTY PIRATES (10-1)
5:30 p.m. (MST) Friday at Holt Arena, Pocatello.
Game nugget: Oakley has won past two meetings by a combined score of 132-34.
About the Hornets: Already the first Class 1A 8-man team to win three state titles in a row, they’ll go for the first four-peat with an offense averaging 59.0 ppg.
Player to watch: Bry Severe, RB/DE: Senior just ran for 237 yards and a pair of touchdowns a week ago. Is only player who’s contributed to all three titles.
About the Pirates: Making first state title game appearance as Butte County since 2012 (did as co-op as Lost Rivers in 2019) behind potent offense (50.2 ppg).
Player to watch: Brody Westegard, WR/DB: Senior just totaled seven touchdowns - five rushing, a receiving and even a passing - a week ago.
SBLive Idaho pick: Oakley, 48-33.
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CLASS 1A (D2)
Photo by Loren Orr
KENDRICK (9-0) vs. CAMAS COUNTY (9-1)
8 p.m. (MST) Thursday at the Kibbie Dome, Moscow.
Game nugget: Kendrick beat Camas County, 46-0, in 1A quarterfinals last year.
About the Tigers: Have state’s longest winning streak (24 games) with average margin of victory of 59.5 points. Starters have only played in two full games.
Player to watch: Ty Koepp, QB: Reigning state player of the year has completed 63% of his passes for 2,039 yards and 36 touchdowns.
About the Mushers: Playing for state title for first time since 1981. Defense has given up just 10.1 points per game over past seven games. Unbeaten against 1A D2 teams.
Player to watch: Troy Smith: RB/LB: Amassed 341 yards of total offense, four touchdowns, 11 tackles and a sack on defense in state semifinals.
SBLive Idaho pick: Kendrick, 66-22.
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