The state football playoffs are just 1 month away. These 5 games will have a big impact.
It’s never too early to start eyeing the high school football playoffs. And this week’s schedule should give plenty of insight into who’s moving on, who’s staying home, and who has to sweat out the tiebreakers and computer rankings.
We turn our attention to the 4A ranks this week. Late-season chaos has ruled the 4A SIC race for years. But the league hasn’t provided many shockers this season (aside from Emmett’s shutout of Bishop Kelly).
Is this the week when chaos returns?
Here’s what to watch for in the 4A SIC and around the Treasure Valley.
MIDDLETON AT BISHOP KELLY
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday
Broadcast: NFHSNetwork.com
The old 3A SRV rivals have waged plenty of classic battles as members of the 4A SIC. Bishop Kelly owns a 13-4 record against the Vikings since both joined the 4A classification. But a four-point win last year and a one-point win two years ago show how heated this rivalry has become.
Alas, this could be their last matchup for a while, as Middleton moves up to the 5A classification next fall.
Strap in for an offensive showcase. Middleton leads the 4A ranks with 41.6 points per game. Bishop Kelly ranks second at 33 points per game. But they use different styles.
No. 4 Middleton (4-1, 3-0 4A SIC) chucks the ball all around the field, relying on the arm and decision-making of senior quarterback Ky McClure. He led 4A in passing yards last year, and he currently ranks second (1,146 yards, 11 TDs, five INTs).
Meanwhile, Bishop Kelly (3-2, 2-1 4A SIC) fields one of the state’s most dangerous running backs at any level. Senior Seth Knothe leads the 4A ranks in carries (113), yards (801) and rushing touchdowns (16).
Prediction: Bishop Kelly 37, Middleton 35
NAMPA AT VALLIVUE
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday
Broadcast: NFHSNetwork.com
This 4A SIC battle also comes with loads of playoff implications. Vallivue (3-2, 2-1 4A SIC) can stay in contention for the conference title with a win. And Nampa (1-4, 1-2 4A SIC) needs a victory to stay in control of its postseason fate.
Vallivue quarterback and four-year starter Casey Cope has missed the past three games, but the Falcons’ defense has picked up the torch. They lead 4A with 14 forced turnovers, good for the state’s best turnover margin (+8).
Nampa continues to push some of the Treasure Valley’s best teams, including Emmett and Capital, into the fourth quarter. But sooner or later, the Bulldogs need a win to back up all their efforts.
Prediction: Nampa 31, Vallivue 29
SKYVIEW AT MERIDIAN
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday
Broadcast: NFHSNetwork.com
Two points separate Meridian (3-2, 1-1 5A SIC Foothills) from an undefeated season. The Warriors fell 14-13 in Week 1 at Mountain View. Then their normally stout defense blew a 20-point, fourth-quarter lead last week to fall 24-23 at Eagle.
Meridian can erase many of those painful memories and keep itself in the hunt for a division championship with a bounce-back win. But who leads the team at quarterback — Malakai or Zeke Martinez — remains a question.
Meanwhile, Skyview (4-1, 0-1 5A SIC Foothills) came crashing back down to earth after an undefeated start. The Hawks opened their division schedule with a 49-21 loss to defending state champ Rocky Mountain. And the slate doesn’t get any easier with Eagle and Timberline in the next two weeks.
Prediction: Meridian 34, Skyview 14
TIMBERLINE AT EAGLE
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday
Broadcast: NFHSNetwork.com, IdahoSports.com (audio)
Timberline (4-1, 0-1 5A SIC Foothills) enters with a sparkling record. But the Wolves have won those four games against teams with a combined record of 4-15. The tone changes this week as they enter the meat of their schedule.
Timberline upset Eagle two years ago on its home field, blocking a 25-yard field goal as time expired for a 23-22 win. It was just the second win over the Mustangs in program history.
Eagle (3-2, 1-1 5A SIC Foothills) continues to show a flair for the dramatic, with three of its five games coming down to the final minute. That includes a 24-23 win over Meridian last week thanks to Roy Hull’s touchdown run with 23 seconds left. The Mustangs held on to beat Bishop Kelly 35-33 on a missed field goal in Week 1 in the waning seconds. And they lost 28-21 to Mountain View on a touchdown pass with 14 seconds left.
Prediction: Eagle 35, Timberline 20
MCCALL-DONNELLY AT FRUITLAND
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday
Broadcast: NFHSNetwork.com
This year marks McCall-Donnelly’s (2-2, 0-1 3A SRV) second season back at the 3A level. But the Vandals haven’t faced Fruitland (2-2, 0-1 3A SRV) since 2009. Last year’s meeting was canceled due to the coronavirus.
Both teams enter on a two-game losing streak. And after opening conference play last week with a loss, both need a win to stay in control of their own postseason destiny. The winner of this game likely takes the third and final playoff spot from the 3A SRV.
Prediction: McCall-Donnelly 22, Fruitland 15
This story was originally published September 29, 2021 at 5:59 PM.
