High school football kicks off Friday. The top 5 games to watch on opening night
So much for easing into it.
The Treasure Valley high school football season starts with a bang Friday. Opening night features a rematch of the 5A Southern Idaho Conference championship game, Boise’s most storied rivalry and a key Foothills Division battle for playoff positioning, to name just a few.
We broke down the top five matchups for a weekend that is light on games played (11) but not on intrigue.
MERIDIAN AT EAGLE
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday
Broadcast: NFHSNetwork.com
Meridian and Eagle finished first and second, respectively, in the 5A SIC preseason coaches’ poll. But opening night will establish the season-long pecking order.
Meridian snapped a 15-game losing streak to the Mustangs last year, routing them 36-14 on opening night and then crushing them 35-0 in the conference championship game.
The Warriors remain loaded after falling one quarter shy of a perfect season last year. Six starters return on offense, including a three-headed backfield of quarterback Zeke Martinez and running backs Rylie Byington and Marco Del Rio. The defense will need to rebuild. But an explosive offense led by those three can paper over many cracks.
Eagle actually received more first-place votes in the SIC coaches’ poll, pointing to its potential. Davis Harsin takes over at quarterback after leading Auburn High to the state championship game in Alabama’s largest classification. And the Mustangs’ defense returns loads of weapons in Seth Brock (17 sacks), Makeo Sneddon and Eli Mikita.
Prediction: Meridian 20, Eagle 15
BORAH VS. CAPITAL
Kickoff: 5:30 p.m. Friday at Dona Larsen Park
Broadcast: NFHSNetwork.com
“This rivalry goes through us now,” Borah coach JQ Kenyon declared after last year’s 21-0 win over Capital.
It’s hard to disagree.
Five years ago, Capital had won 14 in a row over the Lions. But Borah has turned the tables, taking four of the past five meetings, including that statement-making shutout last fall.
Both start the season as middle-of-the-pack picks in the 5A SIC. Borah missed out on the playoffs via a tiebreaker last fall. The Lions return Trevor McKenna, a two-way lineman committed to Boise State, and explosive running back Jevon Nelson to lead a young squad trying to avoid any tiebreakers with a 5A victory on opening night.
Meanwhile, Capital will try to bounce back from the worst season in program history (2-7). New coach Kevin Hastin comes to the program with a pair of league coach of the year honors from Oregon’s largest classification. He installed a new offense and defense looking to restore the Eagles to glory.
Prediction: Borah 26, Capital 20
MIDDLETON AT ROCKY MOUNTAIN
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday
Broadcast: NFHSNetwork.com
The previous two games come with plenty of sizzle. But this is the only game on the schedule that counts in the 5A SIC standings because both play in the Foothills Division.
Middleton starts the season overlooked again, finishing eighth in the 5A SIC preseason coaches’ poll despite returning an impressive group of running backs and linebackers. But Rocky Mountain knows better than to overlook the Vikings, who foreshadowed their playoff run by pushing the Grizzlies in a 21-7 loss in last year’s season opener.
Rocky Mountain may not feature the intimidating offensive and defensive lines of years past, but the Grizzlies still return 13 starters (seven offense, six defense) from a team that reached the semifinals.
Prediction: Rocky Mountain 22, Middleton 13
OWYHEE AT MADISON
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday
Broadcast: IdahoSports.com, NFHSNetwork.com
Offseason coaching changes at both schools make them trendy sleeper picks at the 5A level. And they get to start the season with a measuring stick game.
Jason Burton takes over Owyhee after winning two 5A SIC coach of the year awards at Borah. Meanwhile, former Highland coach Gino Mariani is now the offensive coordinator at Madison. He led the Rams to a 195-56 record and four state titles before heading north to Rexburg.
The Storm needed to make a late red-zone stand to seal a 13-7 win last year in Meridian. Expect a reversal of fortunes in Rexburg.
Prediction: Madison 27, Owyhee 20
TIMBERLINE VS. BOISE
Kickoff: 8 p.m. Friday at Dona Larsen Park
Broadcast: NFHSNetwork.com
Neither team enters the season with many expectations. Timberline was picked 12th out of 13 teams in the 5A SIC preseason coaches’ poll, ahead of only Boise. But that provides an opportunity to get an early win and build momentum.
The nightcap of the season-opening doubleheader at Dona Larsen Park should feature plenty of offense. Timberline returns seven offensive starters looking to snap a 10-game losing streak. Boise brings back nine offensive starters to aid sophomore quarterback Trevor Schoolfield’s transition to the varsity level and try to snap a seven-game losing streak.
Prediction: Boise 34, Timberline 28
This story was originally published August 16, 2023 at 3:00 PM.
