Week 6 predictions: 5 big games (and 5 big winners) this week in Boise-area football
Idaho’s high school football playoffs don’t start for another month. But key matchups this weekend will go a long way to determining potential berths, seeding and even home-field advantage.
We broke down the top matchups on tap, and attempted to predict their winners, below.
BORAH AT KUNA
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Thursday
Broadcast: NFHSNetwork.com
No matchup better represents a wild 6A SIC season better than this battle atop the River Division.
Kuna (3-2, 2-0) started the year picked to finish last in the division. Yet the Kavemen have won three in a row behind a dominant defense, proving they are no longer a pushover. Kuna has held opponents to 11 points per game during its win streak, edging Mountain View by a single point on Jason Mills’ blocked PAT and limiting Owyhee to a field goal last week.
Borah (4-1, 2-0) remains only a walk-off field goal shy of a perfect record. A turnover-happy defense (6A-leading 16 takeaways) remains the Lions’ key. But former Kuna quarterback Dylan Luekenga (1,205 passing yards, 13 TDs) and a host of receivers make Borah dangerous even without a short field.
Pick: Borah 21, Kuna 14
TIMBERLINE AT MIDDLETON
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday
Broadcast: NFHSNetwork.com
Two unexpected teams battle atop the 6A SIC Foothills Division standings Friday.
Timberline (4-1, 2-0) has far exceeded expectations after going 1-17 the past two seasons. The hot start includes a 21-0 victory over Capital last week, snapping a 21-game losing streak to its crosstown rival and marking the Wolves’ first shutout since 2014. The duo of Jack Brant (1,222 total yards, 12 TDs) and Hudson Lewis draw most of the attention. But Timberline keeps showing it’s more than a one-trick pony.
Meanwhile, Middleton (3-2, 2-0) keeps proving its gamble to stay in the state’s top classification was a smart one. The Vikings edged Meridian 31-30 in overtime last week thanks to Weston Millls’ diving pass breakup on the do-or-die two-point conversion. But Middleton showcased a physical running game led by Jake Perez (457 yards, eight TDs), and an efficient passing attack headed by Brockton Smith (747 yards, 72% completion rate).
Pick: Timberline 27, Middleton 24
OWYHEE AT EAGLE
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday
Broadcast: NFHSNetwork.com
The Kuna-Borah battle on Thursday marks a matchup between two of three teams tied atop the 6A SIC River Division. But the heavy favorite in that division doesn’t kick off until Friday.
No. 3-ranked Eagle (4-1, 2-0) continues to impress since a loss to West Linn, the No. 1-ranked team in Oregon’s top classification. The Mustangs triggered the running-clock mercy rule for the second time in three weeks in a rout of Mountain View last Friday. Quarterback Austin Ramsey (15 TDs, one interception) continues to shake off the option-QB label. And all-state running back Noah Burnham keeps working his way back to full form.
Meanwhile, Owyhee (3-2, 0-2) remains mired in a dry spell after a 3-0 start. The Storm mustered just 13 combined points in back-to-back losses to Borah and Kuna. Owyhee’s defense remains one of the state’s best at 13.6 points allowed per game, and Eagle needed a last-minute score to beat the Storm last year. But knocking off the Mustangs will take a complete effort in all three phases.
Pick: Eagle 24, Owyhee 10
MOUNTAIN VIEW VS. BOISE
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday at Dona Larsen Park
Broadcast: NFHSNetwork.com
Boise announced itself as a legitimate contender last season by knocking off Mountain View when both teams were ranked in the state media poll. Now both enter a surprising 0-2 in the 6A SIC River Division, desperate for a win to help secure a home game for the winner-to-state Week 9 schedule.
Defense remains the weak link for Mountain View (1-4). The Mavericks are giving up 40.2 points per game, second most in the 6A classification. Any chance at avoiding the first five-game losing streak in program history starts there.
Boise (3-2) quarterback Trevor Schoolfield (1,182 yards, 13 TDs) ought to be licking his chops at that secondary. But the Brave must show up in the first half this week. Boise fell into a 28-0 hole vs. Borah and a 21-0 hole vs. Eagle at halftime of its last two games, both losses.
Pick: Boise 35, Mountain View 24
HOMEDALE AT WEISER
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday
Broadcast: IdahoSports.com
Everyone circled this game as the de facto SRV championship game in August when Homedale and Weiser finished tied atop the league’s preseason coaches’ poll. Then Fruitland rose up and threw a wrench into those predictions.
But winning the league still requires winning this game. Homedale (5-0, 1-0) has won 33 straight against SRV opponents and six straight league titles. The Trojans have yet to show any signs of slowing down, sitting as the state’s unanimous No. 1-ranked team behind quarterback Xavier Uranga (873 passing yards, 13 TDs, no interceptions).
Weiser (3-2, 1-0) started the year with two straight losses before roaring back with three straight wins. Kash Cobbs (751 rushing yards, 10 TDs) headlines a ground game averaging 272 yards a night. And few have challenged Homedale as much as Weiser in recent years.
Pick: Homedale 29, Weiser 22
This story was originally published October 2, 2024 at 1:51 PM.
