‘We really proved that we’re No. 1.’ Eagle triggers mercy rule to blow out No. 2 Boise
The matchup of Idaho’s top-two ranked high school football teams didn’t live up to the billing Friday. But that’s only because Eagle so thoroughly dominated.
The unanimously No. 1-ranked Mustangs proved they belong in a category all by themselves, triggering the running-clock mercy rule in a 40-21 homecoming victory over Boise.
The Mustangs (6-0, 4-0 5A SIC River) led 40-0 midway through the third quarter. The 40-point lead allowed Eagle to send in its backups and invoked a state rule that requires the clock to run throughout the fourth quarter except after scoring plays and timeouts.
“It was a fun game. I’m glad we got to play them and get our players out there,” Eagle junior Jack Giannini said. “We really proved that we’re No. 1.”
Eagle asserted its will on both sides of the ball to become the only undefeated 5A team left in Idaho. The Mustangs’ defense forced six turnovers, including five interceptions. And sophomore running back Noah Burnham ran over, through and around the Boise (5-1, 3-1) defense for 199 yards and four touchdowns on just 15 carries.
He broke free for an 80-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage, then added a 66-yard touchdown in the second quarter. He needed to touch the ball only once after halftime as Eagle picked off Boise sophomore quarterback Trevor Schoolfield three straight times to start the second half, including a 50-yard pick-six from Giannini.
“We’ve easily got the two best corners in the league -- Tristan Walker and Aaron Zrno,” Burnham said. “Aaron is a clamp, and Tristan is physical. They will knock your receivers out of the game.”
Eagle relied on a simple, but effective, formula to ground an offense that has led Boise to its best start since 1988. The Mustangs pressed the Brave receivers at the line of scrimmage, taking away any quick timing routes. Then its defensive line collapsed the pocket and robbed Schoolfield of the time needed to take shots down the field.
Giannini, Eli Mikita, Makeo Sneddon, Chance Jones and Oliver Stephens all finished the night with an interception. And Eagle’s offense showcased a ruthless efficiency, scoring on drives of three plays, three plays and one play after an interception.
Eagle coach James Cluphf credited his defensive coordinator, Jeremy Ferguson, for installing a new-look defense to ground Boise.
“They threw some wrinkles in, coverage wise, that we haven’t shown all year,” Cluphf said. “It’s something that they’ve been wanting to go to, and they felt like this is the perfect week to kind of unveil it.”
BOISE LEADERS
Schoolfield threw five interceptions, but he also finished 22-for-35 for 275 yards and three touchdowns.
Jordan McDonald served as his top receiver, turning seven catches into 121 yards and two TDs. And Cooper Smith had eight catches for 88 yards and a score.
Boise finished with 350 total yards, with 155 coming in the fourth quarter as the clock ran.
UP NEXT
Eagle travels to No. 5 Mountain View (4-2, 2-2) on Friday in a battle of the 5A SIC River Division preseason favorites. A win clinches Eagle the division title and a second straight trip to the conference championship game.
Boise takes on its oldest rival, Borah (4-2, 2-2), on Thursday night at Dona Larsen Park. A win would guarantee the Brave their first season above .500 since 2008.
This story was originally published September 29, 2023 at 11:09 PM.
