High School Football

Meridian High football kicks off playoffs Thursday at Madison

By Michael Lycklama

mlycklama@idahostatesman.com

Meridian’s Isaac Hatvani winds up for a pass Oct. 7 vs. Mountain View. The Warriors’ starting quarterback, Nate Weddle, has returned from injury and allowed Hatvani to line up at his natural receiver position.
Meridian’s Isaac Hatvani winds up for a pass Oct. 7 vs. Mountain View. The Warriors’ starting quarterback, Nate Weddle, has returned from injury and allowed Hatvani to line up at his natural receiver position. Otto Kitsinger For the Idaho Statesman

The high school football playoffs start Thursday with eight first-round games, including Meridian’s 7 p.m. kickoff at Rexburg’s Madison High.

The Warriors (4-5) qualified for the 5A state playoffs the third year in a row, but they are seeking their first playoff win since winning the state title in 2007. Meridian went one-and-done the past two years with a 55-33 loss to Lewiston in 2015 and a 55-33 loss to Coeur d’Alene in 2014.

Madison (7-2) is anchored by 6-5, 260-pound defensive lineman Zeke Birch, a Boise State commit.

NAMPA CHRISTIAN HITS THE ROAD

The Trojans (4-5) begin their 10th straight trip to the 2A playoffs at 6 p.m. Thursday at perennial power Declo (7-2).

Nampa Christian won two in a row to claim the fourth and final playoff spot in the 2A WIC, while third-ranked Declo has won six straight to win its conference title. The Hornets reached the playoffs for the ninth year in a row.

Michael Lycklama: 208-377-6424, @MichaelLycklama

This story was originally published October 26, 2016 at 11:41 PM with the headline "Meridian High football kicks off playoffs Thursday at Madison."

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