With another state football title, Fruitland captures an elusive goal
Fruitland has established itself as one of Idaho’s premier high school football programs the past decade, reaching the 3A state championship game 11 times in the past 12 years.
But the Grizzlies set a new high water mark Saturday, beating Snake River 28-12 at Pocatello’s Holt Arena to repeat as state champions for the first time in program history.
“We’ve tried it a couple times, and it never seems to work out,” Fruitland (12-0) coach Ryan Tracy. “These kids, they took that with a lot of pride and wanted to make it happen and finish the deal. It means a ton to this town and the community and everyone involved.”
The win extends Fruitland’s winning streak to 19 games, earns the Grizzlies their fifth state title and caps their second perfect season in program history. Fruitland also beat Snake River in the 2010 final to finish undefeated.
The Grizzlies lost four undefeated seasons with defeats in the 2012, ‘11, ‘08 and ‘07 championships.
Fruitland’s defense dominated Snake River (7-4) in all four quarters Saturday, holding the Panthers to 62 yards on the ground and 153 overall. The Grizzlies defense even recorded a score of their own when Snake River’s punter bobbled a second-quarter snap, Canaan Bourcy knocked it free and Tyler Gulick scooped it up for a 35-yard touchdown return.
“Our kids have bought into the system, and they are playing fast,” Tracy said. “When you got big guys up front and linebackers like Ethan Villalobos that can run around and make plays, good things happen.”
Fruitland’s vaunted Wing-T ground game racked up 212 yards, led by Jordan Eggers’ 129 yards. Eggers put the game away with a 2-yard TD run in the fourth quarter after Snake River cut the lead to 21-12 entering the final frame.
Junior quarterback Cole Eiguren added a pair of touchdown runs, one on first-quarter sneak and another when he faked a pitch in the third quarter.
FRUITLAND 28, SNAKE RIVER 12
Fruitland | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | — | 28 |
Snake River | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | — | 12 |
First quarter
SR — Carson Dance 20 pass from Treyton Young (run failed), 4:15
FRU — Cole Eiguren 3 run (Joe Henggeler kick), 0:04
Second quarter
FRU — Tyler Gulick 35 fumble return (Henggeler kick), 9:56
Third quarter
FRU — Eiguren 2 run (Henggeler kick), 4:50
SR — Dance 44 pass from Coby Young (run failed), 3:27
Fourth quarter
FRU — Jordan Eggers 2 run (Henggeler kick), 6:29
Individual statistics
RUSHING — Fruitland: Jordan Eggers 19-121, Cole Eiguren 9-(-4), Noah Hattrup 7-31, Alex Becerril 7-22, Ethan Villalobos 9-29. Snake River: Treyton Young 13-62, Coby Young 3-(-5), Kade Mortensen 4-0, Carson Dance 1-2, Gunner Ramsdell 1-3.
PASSING — Fruitland: Eiguren 6-9-0 85. Snake River: C. Young 4-10-1 71; T. Young 1-1-0 20.
RECEIVING — Fruitland: Eggers 2-30, Canaan Bourcy 2-11, Becerril 1-44. Snake River: Clancy Thomas 1-19, Dance 3-65.
Title towns
The most state football titles in the Idaho High School Activities Association era.
Rank | School | Titles |
1 | Highland | 11 |
2 | Snake River | 10 |
t-3 | Homedale | 8 |
t-3 | Mackay | 8 |
t-5 | Madison | 7 |
t-5 | Bishop Kelly | 7 |
t-5 | Salmon River | 7 |
t-8 | Shelley | 6 |
t-8 | Carey | 6 |
t-8 | Skyline | 6 |
t-11 | Coeur d’Alene | 5 |
t-11 | Pocatello | 5 |
t-11 | West Side | 5 |
t-11 | Raft River | 5 |
t-11 | Fruitland | 5 |
This story was originally published November 18, 2017 at 7:31 PM with the headline "With another state football title, Fruitland captures an elusive goal."