‘We showed we’re back.’ Former football power Capital explodes, takes down Boise
Efficiency remains a popular buzzword in engineering, manufacturing and corporate lingo. But Capital High proved it applies to the football field, too.
The Eagles scored three touchdowns on their first seven offensive plays Thursday, lighting up the scoreboard for a 43-28 win over Boise and racking up 501 yards of offense in the season opener for both teams at Dona Larsen Park.
“We showed we’re back,” Capital junior receiver Elliot Schrack said.
“Before, with our old coach (Todd) Simis, we were one of the best teams in the state. We kind of struggled the past couple years. Last year, we made it to state. But it wasn’t a fun record. So we knew we had something to prove.”
Capital sophomore Quincey Clay wasted little time proving the Eagles can fly offensively, taking an end-around handoff, breaking a couple of tackles and springing free for an 82-yard touchdown run on the Eagles’ first play from scrimmage.
Schrack then returned a kickoff 76 yards to the Boise 20-yard line before finding the end zone five plays later on a 5-yard out route. He didn’t need that much time on Capital’s next drive, sneaking behind the defense on the first play for a 90-yard TD catch from Brayden Dudely on a play-action call.
“We’re really dangerous. We’ve got one of the two best receivers in the state,” Clay said, pointing to Schrack. “I would consider myself one of the best athletes in the state.
“Just coming in with the one-two punch combo — knowing that we’ve got a good running back in Zander Grow and a great quarterback in Brayden Dudley — whoever we face up against, we can put up a fight as long as we’re locked in.”
Boise mounted an efficient 2-minute drill of its own, and Eli Rich cut the deficit to seven points with a 26-yard touchdown catch with 36 seconds left before halftime, providing the Brave a lifeline. But those 36 seconds proved more than enough for Capital to answer.
Schrack’s quick footwork turned a quick screen into a 46-yard catch down to the 1-yard line. And Grow punched in a 1-yard TD run to cap a five-play, 65-yard scoring drive that took just 32 seconds off the clock and restored Capital’s two-touchdown lead.
Boise never got any closer the rest of the night.
Capital lost seven games each of the past three years, unheard-of numbers for the former perennial state power. But Thursday’s offensive explosion showed the Eagles plan to contend again in the 6A Southern Idaho Conference this fall.
Schrack finished the night with 232 all-purpose yards and a pair of touchdowns on seven total touches. Clay turned eight offensive touches into 172 yards and two scores.
Meanwhile, Grow ran for 107 yards and two TDs on nine carries. And Dudley finished 12-for-18 for 232 yards and two TDs through the air.
“We’ve got some big-play threats on offense,” Capital coach Kevin Hastin said. “As a play caller, it makes it fun. Those dudes made plays. They saw a crease, and they hit it and didn’t hesitate.
“So, yeah, they made me look good.”
BOISE LEADERS
Senior quarterback Trevor Schoolfield carried the Brave with his arms and his legs. He finished 19-for-27 for 234 yards and two TDs through the air, and he led Boise with 15 carries for 77 yards and another score.
Cale Heikkinen stood as his top receiver, hauling in five passes for 103 yards. Rich added five catches for 53 yards and a score, and Ben Divietro also had a 3-yard TD catch.
Boise finished the night with 395 yards of offense, but it committed 12 penalties for 107 yards and never found a way to slow Capital’s explosive offense.
BUHL 19, WEISER 14
The Wolverines outgained Buhl in yardage 352-218, but they committed three turnovers, including a pick-six interception, to drop their season opener on the road.
Weiser’s Cole Ingle turned 10 carries into 119 yards and a touchdown, and quarterback Klete Cook finished 11-for-15 for 116 yards and a touchdown. Cook also ran for 49 yards.
Stats for Buhl were not reported.
This story was originally published August 28, 2025 at 11:15 PM.
