Meridian High football bucks history, earns first victory over Capital since 2007

Meridian High running back Kross Antonnacchi doesn’t have a single offer to play college football, yet he leads the 5A Southern Idaho Conference in rushing yards through four games.

Much like their senior running back, the Warriors are still searching for respect despite owning the stingiest defense in the state this season.

That respect should be forthcoming.

Antonnacchi and the Warriors put the rest of the state on notice Thursday night with a 35-0 shutout of Capital at Dona Larsen Park. It was Meridian’s first win over Capital since 2007.

“This is just huge for Meridian,” Antonnacchi said. “We’re trying to take the next step, get to the next level for future years. We’re trying to make sure that people know our name, and our defense is doing phenomenal. I want to put that (win) on them, because the last three games they’ve only allowed seven points.”

While Antonnacchi totaled 103 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries, freshman quarterback Zeke Martinez threw for 236 yards and three TDs, and senior receiver Quentin Riley collected 164 yards and two scores on nine receptions, it was the Meridian defense that deserved the game ball.

The Warriors forced three fumbles, grabbed an interception and blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown. Junior linebacker Nathan Reynolds accounted for two of those takeaways, scoring on a 49-yard blocked punt return to give Meridian a 21-0 lead before halftime. Reynolds also recovered a Capital fumble on the Eagles’ opening drive of the second half that led to another Meridian touchdown and a 28-0 advantage.

“In practice, we’re just working 100% every day,” Reynolds said. “Everyone’s doing their job in games, and we’re all growing as a team. It’s just a bunch of teamwork. Everyone’s doing their job.”

Meridian ends losing streak to Capital

The Warriors defeated Capital 34-7 on their way to a 5A state championship in 2007.

The two teams had met 10 times since then, with the Eagles winning each one. But the tide turned in a big way Thursday.

Capital had not been shut out since a 3-0 loss to Mountain View in the 2008 state quarterfinals.

“Coach (Todd) Simis and his staff do a great job,” Meridian coach John Zamberlin said. “… I respect the heck out of them. He runs a great program, and he’s a great coach. So I was really pleased with our kids, how we came out and performed and were able to come away with the victory.”

Brother backs up brother

Meridian senior quarterback Malakai Martinez suffered an undisclosed injury late in the Warriors’ season-opening, 14-13 loss to Mountain View on Aug. 27.

While Malakai has been sidelined, younger brother Zeke has taken over under center. Although Zeke is only a freshman, he’s made his older brother proud, guiding the Warriors to three straight wins by a combined score of 128-7.

“Zeke has done an outstanding job for us,” Zamberlin said. “He’s a freshman, but he doesn’t play like one. He’s very poised.”

Malakai isn’t yet 100% healthy, but Zamberlin put him on the field against Capital to “get his feet wet.”

The senior went 2-for-2 passing for 28 yards, and had one carry for 6 yards in his limited return.

“We want him (healthy) for the playoffs, so all the players were coming up to him, telling him to get out and just rest,” Antonnacchi said. “But it was huge having him come in there, though, and bring that energy and leadership.”

Meridian ‘D’ neutralizes state’s leading passer

Capital senior quarterback Max Clark entered Thursday’s game with a state-best 76 completions for 1,041 yards and 14 touchdowns with just one interception.

The Warriors didn’t let Clark get going, limiting him to 11-for-19 passing for 43 yards, no touchdowns and one interception.

“They’re a good football team,” Zamberlin said. “They’ve got some very outstanding players, and they’d put up a lot of points. They were undefeated coming in this game.”

What’s next?

Thursday’s game didn’t count in the division standings as Meridian (3-1) plays in the 5A SIC’s Foothills Division while Capital (3-1) plays in the River Division.

Meridian has four regular-season games remaining, three of which are against Foothills Division opponents. The Warriors play at Eagle at 7 p.m. next Friday.

Capital, which is 2-0 against River Division opponents, hosts Kuna at 7 p.m. next Friday at Dona Larsen Park.

Thursday’s top performers

• Jaylene Womack, Kuna (girls soccer): The sophomore netted two goals in Kuna’s 5-2 victory over Skyview.
• Chloe Bowes, Timberline (girls soccer): The Wolves stayed perfect in conference play with a 1-0 win over Eagle. Bowes, a senior forward, scored the game-winner on an assist from fellow senior Hayden Wilsey.
• Lizbeth Soto, Vallivue (girls soccer): The Falcons stayed in first place in the 4A SIC with the help of their senior forward/midfielder, who scored two goals in a 3-0 shutout of Caldwell.

• Abbi Roubidoux, Fruitland (girls soccer): The junior scored a double hat trick (6 goals!) and added an assist as the Grizzlies dominated Payette 11-2.

• Bonee Siwatwa, Columbia (boys soccer): The senior forward scored two goals to lead the Wildcats to a 3-1 victory over Ridgevue in 4A SIC action.
• Rykelle Sandidge, Nampa (volleyball): The junior setter guided the Bulldogs to a 17-25, 20-25, 25-17, 25-19, 15-7 comeback victory against Emmett with 42 assists, six digs and three kills.

This story was originally published September 17, 2021 at 12:38 AM.