Prep roundup: Nampa’s run ends in semis; McCall-Donnelly takes unbeaten record to final

Quarterback Donovan Estrada carried Nampa High football to two straight playoff victories this year, but he couldn’t complete the hat trick as Blackfoot continued its recent dominance and beat Nampa 35-14 in a 4A state semifinal game Friday night.

Nampa couldn’t contain Blackfoot’s Teegan Thomas, who ended the night with 224 rushing yards and four touchdowns in a game that was never really in question.

Estrada came into the game with 11 total touchdowns across the first two rounds of the playoffs — including game winners against Bishop Kelly and Century. He didn’t start the night off well, throwing an interception in the end zone on Nampa’s first drive, and things didn’t get better from there.

Nampa allowed a touchdown off of the interception and then, after pinning Blackfoot inside its own 1-yard line on a punt by Estrada, allowed a 99-yard touchdown drive. Nampa’s Zafeir Reyes scored a 4-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter but, after the halftime break, Blackfoot scored 21 unanswered points and the game was sealed.

Estrada finished with 107 rushing yards but had two interceptions and only found the end zone once, on a late touchdown pass to Jace Mann. Yet Nampa coach Dan Holtry had nothing but praise for Estrada in the senior’s last game.

“You can’t say enough about him,” Holtry said. “He’s an exceptional athlete. He’s got a bright future in front of him.”

After the game, Nampa was awarded the third-place trophy for the second year in a row. While the loss hurts, this is a silver lining for the team.

“When the sting goes away, we will look back on this and be very proud of what we’ve accomplished,” Holtry said. “It’s not necessarily what we set out to do, but I’m very proud of these boys, my staff and what we’ve accomplished.”

Blackfoot (11-1) will face undefeated Kuna in the 4A state championship game at 6 p.m. Saturday at Holt Arena in Pocatello next weekend.

McCall-Donnelly 23, North Fremont 12

Quarterback Peter Knudson tossed a touchdown pass, completed a two-point pass and rushed for a 58-yard touchdown in the first 5 minutes Friday night to lead the Vandals to their second state championship game appearance.

McCall-Donnelly (11-0) will play West Side (10-1) in the 2A state championship game next week in the Treasure Valley. A location and kickoff time where not available by Saturday evening. It will be the program’s first appearance in a state final since 2004.

Tuff Bentz added a 15-yard touchdown run for a 20-0 lead before North Fremont mounted a comeback, scoring on a 27-yard touchdown pass with 1 second left in the first half and a 99-yard touchdown drive in the third quarter to creep within 20-12. The Vandals recovered a surprise onside kick that bounced free for a bit and answered with a 24-yard field goal by Carlos Marin later in the third quarter to get some breathing room.

Knudson finished with 160 rushing yards and 93 passing yards. Noah Ormsby made four catches for 77 yards and a TD.

West Side 40, Melba 8

The Pirates (10-1) ran for 233 yards and jumped out to a 28-0 halftime lead to run away with a 2A semifinal Saturday in Dayton. Sophomore Cage Brokens led the way, running for 122 yards and a TD. He also returned the game’s opening kickoff for a score.

Melba (8-3) scored its only touchdown on a 75-yard, Scotty Martinez-to-Cameron Wood pass in the third quarter.

Carey 78, Garden Valley 33

Two-time defending state champion Carey turned a first-half shootout into a second-half romp. Carey led 46-33 at halftime and shut out the Wolverines (7-4) in the second half.

Carson Simpson rushed for 303 yards and seven touchdowns for Carey (10-1), which will Lighthouse Christian (10-0) in the 1A Division II final. Garden Valley scored its 33 first-half points with just nine offensive plays, scoring on four of them and adding a kickoff return for a touchdown by Covy Kelly.

Lost Rivers 36, Wilder 6

The Wildcats (8-3) took the early lead and battled No. 1-ranked Lost Rivers (11-0) to a 6-6 tie at halftime Saturday at Holt Arena. But the Pirates scored 30 unanswered points in the second half to run away with a 1A Division I semifinal.

Wilder quarterback Pablo Martinez completed 21-of-39 passes for 291 yards with one TD and two interceptions. Norman Gonzalez caught 10 passes for 187 yards.

This story was originally published November 16, 2019 at 12:22 AM.