State football roundup: Fruitland and Salmon River make finals

Published: November 11, 2012 

Fruitland's 25-point second half turned a close game into a blowout in snowy North Idaho, as the Grizzlies beat Timberlake 33-0 on Saturday.

Having already made a road trip to California during the regular season and playing in Moscow’s Kibbie Dome during the quarterfinals, Fruitland eliminated another northern team from the state playoffs.

“The kids are resilient, and they do whatever it takes to get the job done,” coach Bruce Schlaich said.

Fruitland’s Hagen Graves caught six passes from Joe Martarano for 116 yards, including two touchdowns, and Martarano completed 9-of-13 passes for 170 yards while running for 69 more.

Kris Olinger led the Grizzlies with 96 rushing yards and scored the game’s final touchdown. Fruitland will make its seventh straight appearance in the 3A state championship.

BLACKFOOT 34, SKYVIEW 27

POCATELLO — Three years in a row, Skyview has run into Blackfoot in the 4A state playoffs. And four years in a row, Blackfoot has sent the Hawks home.

Blackfoot held on to top Skyview at Holt Arena, securing Blackfoot (10-1) its fifth state title berth in the past six years. The Broncos will face Middleton (10-1) at 7 p.m. Friday at Dona Larsen Park in Boise.

“Three years, three times, and we had our opportunities,” Skyview coach David Young said. “That’s the thing I’m most proud of. We’ve been at these guys three times now, and they believed, they fought.”

Skyview had a pair of chances to rally late and at least force overtime. But Blackfoot’s James Korth picked off Skyview’s Anthony Marin at his own 12-yard line with 1:47 left in the fourth quarter.

Marin led Skyview’s pass-heavy attack, completing 31-of-48 passes for 361 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. Senior Lane Robbins hauled in 11 passes for 150 yards and turned a screen into a 72-yard, third-quarter touchdown.

DECLO 36, MARSING 0

Declo’s strong defense was too much for Marsing as the Huskies’ playoff run ended. The shutout was Declo’s fifth of the season.

SALMON RIVER 35, DIETRICH 12

Dietrich took a 6-0 lead in the second quarter, but Salmon River took the lead with 4 seconds remaining in the first half on Charlie Shepherd's 14-yard touchdown reception from Leighton Vander Esch.

Salmon River built on the momentum they gained just before the break when Shepherd scored on the first possession of the third quarter, then picked off a Dietrich pass to set up another Salmon River score.

Shepherd finished the day with 10 catches for 186 yards and two touchdowns, and Vander Esch completed 18-of-31 passes for 261 yards, two passing TDs and two rushing TDs.

Salmon River will face Lighthouse Christian in the state finals. Lighthouse Christian knocked Salmon River out of last year’s playoffs in the first round on its way to winning the state title.

LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN 58, GARDEN VALLEY 14

After the third quarter ended with Lighthouse Christian ahead 28-14, the Lions exploded for 30 points in the fourth to win big on the road.

Lighthouse Christian’s defense made four interceptions and sparked the scoring outburst at the beginning of the fourth when it stopped Garden Valley on fourth-and-goal on the 1-yard line.

Garden Valley’s Michael Yearsley caught two touchdown passes from Kavik Fairburn, and Jono Lawler led the Wolverines with 74 rushing yards.

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