Take it to the bank: These six teams will win an Idaho state football title this week
And then there was one.
The Idaho high school football season started all the way back in August. Fourteen weeks later, only one Treasure Valley team remains standing.
Bishop Kelly (12-0) carries the region’s banner when it hosts another squad of undefeated Knights for the 4A state championship Friday on the blue turf at Boise State’s Albertsons Stadium.
The aberration has become a concerning trend. This marks the second time in three years — and second time in Idaho history — only one team from the state’s most populated region has made the finals. And it follows a 2022 season that didn’t see a single Southwest Idaho team bring home a state championship trophy.
But the region’s struggles on the football field remain a topic for another day. Twelve battle-tested teams square off for state titles this weekend, and several have a chance to etch their names in the record books.
We sized up all the matchups and made our predictions below.
5A: COEUR D’ALENE (9-2) VS. HIGHLAND (10-1)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Where: Holt Arena, Pocatello
Broadcast: NFHSNetwork.com, IdahoSports.com (audio)
Key stat: 41 — Turnovers forced by Coeur d’Alene’s defense, more than twice as many as the next closest 5A team
The Vikings’ ball-hawking, 5A-leading defense put them in the state finals. But Coeur d’Alene will face its toughest challenge yet against Highland.
Highland puts up points in a hurry. Jackson Riddle (1,830 total yards, 19 TDs) remains a threat to score on every play, and Drew Hymas is one of the state’s top two-way quarterbacks.
Coeur d’Alene doesn’t give up big plays and forces opponents to earn their way down the field. But as long as Highland can hang on to the ball, the Rams will celebrate another title in Holt Arena, their home away from home.
Prediction: Highland 21, Coeur d’Alene 14
4A: BISHOP KELLY (12-0) VS. HILLCREST (12-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Albertsons Stadium, Boise
Broadcast: NFHSNetwork.com, IdahoSports.com (audio)
Key stat: 6 — Perfect seasons in Bishop Kelly football history (none for Hillcrest)
Senior quarterback Peyton King has carried Hillcrest all season, serving as its leading passer, rusher and go-to option whenever it needs a big play. But he left last week’s semifinal win with an injury, and his status for this week remains up in the air.
Sophomore Tyson Sweetwood proved himself more than capable in relief, guiding the Knights from Idaho Falls to a 35-31 win over three-time defending state champ Skyline. But a quarterback change or a limited King spells trouble against the Knights from Boise.
Bishop Kelly owns 4A’s toughest defense (9.5 ppg) and most prolific offense (45.5 ppg). No one has found a way to slow running back Peter Minnaert (1,349 rushing yards, 24 TDs). And sophomore quarterback Ben Avella has played well beyond his years, completing 68% of his passes for 1,530 yards and 24 TDs without a single interception.
Prediction: Bishop Kelly 28, Hillcrest 21
3A: SUGAR-SALEM (10-0) VS. TETON (10-1)
When: 4 p.m. Saturday
Where: Holt Arena, Pocatello
Broadcast: NFHSNetwork.com, IdahoSports.com (audio)
Key stat: 12-0 — Sugar-Salem’s record against Teton in the past 11 years
The state championship round features plenty of David vs. Goliath matchups, but none larger than this one.
Sugar-Salem has won four of the past five state titles. The Diggers spent the entire season as the state’s unanimous No. 1-ranked team. And they’ve won 21 straight games, including a 41-14 victory over Teton in October, when they forced six turnovers to cruise to the win.
Teton’s explosive offense (45.2 ppg) gives it a chance for its first title since 1999, but the Timberwolves cannot afford any turnovers if they want to upset their conference rival.
Prediction: Sugar-Salem 30, Teton 21
2A: DECLO (11-0) VS. WEST SIDE (8-2)
When: 8:15 p.m. Friday
Where: Holt Arena, Pocatello
Broadcast: NFHSNetwork.com, IdahoSports.com (audio)
Key stat: 16-5 — Record for Idaho teams in this year’s playoffs when facing an opponent they’ve already beaten this season
Declo pulled out a 27-26 win at West Side earlier this year, rallying from a 20-point deficit and making a fourth-and-goal stop on the game’s final play. Now the two meet again for the state championship.
Declo forced five turnovers last week to top Melba, but the Hornets shouldn’t rely on another slew of giveaways from West Side, which is one year removed from winning three straight state titles.
Prediction: West Side 22, Declo 20
1ADI: OAKLEY (9-1) VS. BUTTE COUNTY (10-1)
When: 5:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Holt Arena, Pocatello
Broadcast: NFHSNetwork.com, IdahoSports.com (audio)
Key stat: 1 — Each team’s lone loss was to Kendrick, a 1A Division II finalist
Oakley has already etched its name into the record books as the first three-time state champ in 8-man history. Another title would put the Hornets in rarefied air, as only two teams have won four or more titles in a row.
Mackay won six consecutive championships from 1996 to 2001, and Snake River won five straight from 1998 to 2002.
The Hornets enter as the heavy favorite after spending the entire season atop the state media poll. But they’ll have to slow down Butte County’s Brody Westergard, who racked up eight total TDs in a 60-26 win over Logos in the semifinals.
Prediction: Oakley 36, Butte County 26
1ADII: KENDRICK (9-0) VS. CAMAS COUNTY (9-1)
When: 7 p.m. Pacific time Thursday
Where: Kibbie Dome, Moscow
Broadcast: NFHSNetwork.com, IdahoSports.com (audio)
Key stat: 70.2 — Points per game scored by Kendrick, the most for any Idaho team since at least 2009
Kendrick coach Zane Hobart has built one of the state’s all-time dynasties in Latah County. The Tigers are the two-time defending state champs and have won 24 straight games — including a 44-22 beatdown earlier this year of Oakley, the three-time defending 1A Division I state champ.
But Kendrick’s largest sign of respect? It can’t fill its schedule. Opponents are too afraid of the Tigers, leaving them with two bye weeks during the regular season.
Prediction: Kendrick 52, Camas County 22
This story was originally published November 15, 2023 at 1:51 PM.
