5A CHAMPIONSHIP

Eagle (11-0) vs. Highland (9-2)

When: 6 p.m. Friday

Where: Holt Arena, Pocatello

Eagle's road to state: Beat Meridian 26-20 (OT) in District Three playoffs; beat Vallivue 37-16 in quarterfinals; beat Lewiston 49-26 in semifinals.

Highland's road to state: Beat Lake City 42-28 in quarterfinals; beat Mountain View 35-7 in semifinals.

What to watch for: The Mustangs enter the championship game on a roll offensively and defensively. The 49 points scored against Lewiston was a season high and the 26 points allowed was the second-fewest scored by the Bengals this season. Lewiston scored its final touchdown with no time left. Eagle lost starting quarterback Taylor Kelly to a season-ending injury against Meridian in the District Three playoffs, and coach Paul Peterson thinks that may have galvanized his team. "In a very bizarre way, the injury to Taylor Kelly has caused everybody to elevate their commitment, concentration and energy," Peterson said. Eagle running back Drew McConnell is coming off a 205-yard, four TD game and will play a vital roll for the Mustangs if they hope to maintain possession and keep the ball out of Highland quarterback Taysom Hill's hands. The senior has accounted for nearly 3,500 yards of total offense this season.

4A CHAMPIONSHIP

Hillcrest (10-1) vs. Jerome (9-2)

When: 8:45 p.m. Friday

Where: Holt Arena, Pocatello

Hillcrest's road to state: Beat Century 42-7 in first round; beat Hillcrest 42-21 in quarterfinals; beat Mountain Home 49-43 in semifinals.

Jerome's road to state: Beat Blackfoot 24-14 in first round; beat Nampa 28-21 in quarterfinals; beat Minico 41-38 in semifinals.

What to watch for: Winless in 2005, the Jerome turnaround under coach Gary Krumm is approaching its final step. In his first two seasons, the Tigers went 5-4 and 6-4 before posting a 9-2 record heading into this season's championship game. Quarterback Jake Lammers leads the Jerome spread no-huddle offense. Jerome last won a state championship in 1986. Hillcrest is aiming for its first state championship. The Knights have won 10 straight games and haven't scored fewer than 40 points since Oct. 10.

3A CHAMPIONSHIP

Fruitland (11-0) vs. Salmon (9-2)

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: Bronco Stadium, Boise

Fruitland's road to state: Beat Wendell 66-0 first round; beat Timberlake 44-22 in quarterfinals; beat Buhl 21-7 in semifinals.

Salmon's road to state: Beat Snake River 19-14 in first round; beat American Falls 49-14 in quarterfinals; beat Shelley 25-15 in semifinals.

What to watch for: The Grizzlies are hungry to finish off the 2008 season with a victory after falling short of a second straight state championship last year against Shelley. Fruitland has been dominant on both sides of the ball, outscoring opponents by an average of 37.8 to 6.1. Senior running backs Nick Varriale, Zack Fabricius, Caleb Crim and Tommy Macfarlane tend to steal the show, but senior quarterback Dillon Stringfield can be a weapon when called upon. Salmon's attack is relatively balanced, as the Savages have 2,347 passing yards to 1,734 rushing yards. Junior quarterback Riley Sessions leads Salmon, having completed 138-of-230 passes for 2,262 yards and 23 touchdowns to nine different receivers. Levi Aldous has 143 carries for 1,008 yards and 10 TDs.

2A CHAMPIONSHIP

Parma (10-1) vs. Declo (8-3)

When: 4 p.m. Friday

Where: Bronco Stadium, Boise

Parma's road to state: Beat Cole Valley Christian 68-0 first round; beat New Plymouth 40-20 in quarterfinals; beat Aberdeen 14-7 in semifinals.

Declo's road to state: Beat Malad 29-16 in first round; beat West Jefferson 34-6 in quarterfinals; beat Nampa Christian 29-16 in semifinals.

What to watch for: It's evident the Panthers have been on a mission this season after losing in the quarterfinals of last year's playoffs. Parma's defense has been the driving force behind a 10-win season that includes six games in which opponents have been held to a touchdown or less. The Panthers have only given up two rushing touchdowns all season and are limiting opponents to an average of 32.0 yards on the ground. "If you can force a high school football team to throw the football to survive, you have a great chance of winning," Parma coach Greg Asbury said. Declo runs a Wing T, which bases its success on a strong ground game. The Hornets share one common opponent with Parma - Nampa Christian. Both teams beat the Trojans by a combined score of 44-19.

1A DIVISION I CHAMPIONSHIP

Prairie (11-0) vs. Oakley (11-0)

When: 7 p.m. MST Friday

Where: Kibbie Dome, Moscow

Prairie's road to state: Beat Troy 48-0 in quarterfinals; beat Deary 22-0 in semifinals.

Oakley's road to state: Beat Tri-Valley 55-0 in quarterfinals; beat Raft River 46-12 in semifinals.

What to watch for: Oakley, the defending state champion, has outscored opponents by an average of 51.0 to 5.8, which includes four shutouts. Last week, Brian Babbitt had 18 carries for 304 yards and three touchdowns for the Hornets. Prairie, which did not make the state playoffs last season, has also dominated opponents on both sides of the ball. The Pirates average 48.7 points while limiting opponents to 5.5 points.

1A DIVISION I CHAMPIONSHIP

Kootenai (11-0) vs. Carey (11-0)

When: 4 p.m. MST Friday

Where: Kibbie Dome, Moscow

Kootenai's road to state: Beat Mullan 58-2 in quarterfinals; beat Garden Valley 54-26 in semifinals.

Carey's road to state: Beat North Gem 38-0 in quarterfinals; beat Richfield 66-20 in semifinals.

What to watch for: Carey lost the 2007 state championship to Salmon River 46-42, but didn't suffer a letdown this season. Kootenai lost in last year's semifinals to Salmon River 20-18. Carey last won a state title in 1998, while Kootenai is without a state title.

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