Week 7 predictions: 5 big games (and 5 big winners) this week in Boise-area football
The stakes keep rising on Treasure Valley football fields this week with potential division title-clinching and elimination games on the schedule.
We sized up all the top Week 7 matchups and tried to predict their winners below.
MIDDLETON AT ROCKY MOUNTAIN
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday
Watch: NFHSNetwork.com
Surprising Middleton (4-2, 3-0 6A SIC Foothills) can clinch a spot in the 6A SIC championship game and a first-round playoff bye with an upset Friday. The Vikings have played Rocky Mountain as tough as anyone the past two years in 31-21 and 21-7 losses. They’ll need big nights again from Jake Perez — the state’s leading rusher (732 yards, 10 TDs) — and Drew Holman — the state’s leading tackler (13.8 per game) — to score another program-defining win.
Meanwhile, Rocky Mountain (6-0, 3-0) continues to show why it’s the No. 1-ranked team in the state. The Grizzlies lead 6A in points scored (49.8 per game) and points allowed (10 per game), blowing out opponents each week. Rocky Mountain faced its first test last week, trailing Meridian 7-3 late in the second quarter. But the Grizzlies responded with 28 unanswered points and a second-half shutout.
Rocky Mountain can clinch the division crown and playoff bye this week, too. It needs to win and also needs winless Centennial to upset Timberline.
Pick: Rocky Mountain 35, Middleton 21
KUNA AT EAGLE
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday
Watch: NFHSNetwork.com
Eagle (5-1, 3-0) eked out a 7-5 victory over Owyhee last week, relying on its defense and a few timely plays. The second-ranked Mustangs will look to get their offense back on track in a key game in the 6A SIC River Division standings. A win keeps Eagle on pace for the division title and, at worst, clinches it a second-place finish.
But the Mustangs host another hard-nosed, defense-first squad in Kuna (3-3, 2-1). The Kavemen have exceeded expectations after finishing last in the division’s preseason coaches’ poll. Kuna has yet to score more than 21 points in a game this season, though, averaging 16.3 per game.
Pick: Eagle 27, Kuna 14
BOISE AT OWYHEE
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday
Watch: NFHSNetwork.com
The playoffs start Friday for Boise (3-3, 0-3 6A SIC River). A loss guarantees the Brave will finish sixth in their division, eliminating them from the postseason. That’s a harsh turn for a program that started the year 3-0 and made the playoffs last year. But Boise continues to struggle early in games, falling into a 20-0 hole in the first quarter last week during a 34-19 loss to Mountain View.
Owyhee (3-3, 0-3) can mathematically survive a loss. But after losing three in a row themselves, the Storm sure could use a win for their confidence. Owyhee hung with No. 2-ranked Eagle in a 7-5 loss last week. The Storm’s defense remains elite (14 ppg). But at some point, Owyhee’s offense (18.7 ppg) must find a way to contribute.
Pick: Owyhee 20, Boise 14
VALLIVUE AT BISHOP KELLY
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday
Watch: NFHSNetwork.com
Bishop Kelly (5-1, 3-0) and Vallivue (4-1, 3-0) battle atop the 5A SIC standings. But the Knights own their longtime rival, winning 16 in a row against the Falcons.
The reigning state champs are still searching for a consistent and explosive element on offense, averaging just 25.3 points per game. That hasn’t slowed the Knights yet as their special teams and defense continue to provide game-changing plays week after week.
Vallivue enters on a four-game winning streak. Under first-year coach Shea McClellin, the Falcons returned to their roots with a physical running game (231 yards per game). Watch for junior running back Onix Carson (820 yards, eight TDs) to punish Bishop Kelly if it overlooks Vallivue.
Pick: Bishop Kelly 28, Vallivue 15
FRUITLAND AT HOMEDALE
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday
Watch: NFHSNetwork.com
The race for the SRV title swung wide open last weekend, when Homedale committed six turnovers to fall to Weiser and see its 33-game winning streak against conference opponents come to an end. Now the No. 3-ranked Trojans (5-1, 0-1) find themselves as an underdog in a must-win game to contend for a seventh straight league crown.
No. 1-ranked Fruitland (6-0, 2-0) has roared back to life after back-to-back losing seasons. Sophomore quarterback Titus Vidlak (1,147 yards, 14 TDs) plays well beyond his years. And junior lineman Kevlin Obot (6-5, 265) has quickly become one of the state’s top college recruits, picking up offers from Boise State, Washington, Cal and Utah.
Pick: Fruitland 28, Homedale 22
This story was originally published October 9, 2024 at 1:00 PM.
