Rivalry week returns to Boise area. Predictions for 7 key prep football games
The stakes increase for Treasure Valley high school football teams this week as a host of rivalry matchups dot the schedule and the 5A Southern Idaho Conference begins its league slate.
Forget working out the early-season kinks. The rubber truly meets the road.
So who’s coming home with a big victory? We broke down the top seven matchups in the Boise area and made our predictions below.
TIMBERLINE VS. BOISE
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Thursday at Dona Larsen Park
Watch: NFHSNetwork.com
Timberline (2-0) answered plenty of questions last week, crushing the No. 7-ranked team in Oregon’s top classification 43-15 behind a monster night from Hudson Lewis (seven catches, 193 yards, four TDs).
That win vaulted the Wolves to No. 4 in the latest state media poll, and another victory would make Timberline 3-0 for the first time since 2015. But the East Boise program has plenty of reasons to stay focused after losing three straight to Boise High, including a 28-19 defeat last year.
Boise (1-1) shook off a season-opening loss to Capital to trigger the running-clock mercy rule last week in a 49-7 win over Laguna Creek, California. Quarterback Trevor Schoolfield continues to put up gaudy numbers. But the most impressive stat came on defense, as the Brave held a California team averaging 42 points per game to a lone touchdown.
Prediction: Timberline 34, Boise 22
MOUNTAIN VIEW AT ROCKY MOUNTAIN
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday
Watch: NFHSNetwork.com
The Treasure Valley’s most competitive rivalry turned ugly last season when Rocky Mountain handed the Mavericks the worst loss in program history (61-7) and scored the most points ever against a Mountain View defense. It all came on the Mavericks’ home field, too.
No. 2-ranked Rocky Mountain (2-0) remains loaded but doesn’t quite have the offensive firepower of last year’s squad. The Grizzlies instead are built around the run, with dual-threat quarterback Kaelan Custer leading a ground game that put up a combined 534 rushing yards to take down two of Utah’s preseason favorites.
Mountain View (1-1) bounced back from a season-opening overtime loss to Farmington, Utah, to crush Meridian 49-0 last week. The connection between three-year starting quarterback Hank Nelson and receiver Kian Foy remains the spark of the Mountain View offense. And with a league-high 17 returning starters, you can bet the Mavericks circled this game on their calendar a long time ago.
Prediction: Rocky Mountain 27, Mountain View 20
BORAH VS. CAPITAL
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday at Dona Larsen Park
Watch: NFHSNetwork.com
Borah (1-1) has owned this rivalry lately, winning four in a row and six of the past seven matchups against Capital (1-1). But look for the Eagles to score some payback.
Capital went 0-3 vs. Boise School District opponents last fall for the first time in program history. It already avenged one of those losses with a season-opening, 42-28 rout of Boise. It gets the chance for another Friday.
Capital has showcased an explosive offense led by receivers Elliot Schrack (14 catches, 231 yards) and Quincey Clay (277 total yards). It drove the field and had a chance to mount a last-second comeback vs. Owyhee last week, only to have a pass intercepted in the end zone.
Prediction: Capital 34, Borah 14
RIGBY AT BISHOP KELLY
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday
Watch: NFHSNetwork.com
No one can accuse Bishop Kelly (2-0) of a soft nonconference schedule. While the rest of the 5A SIC begins conference play, the second-ranked team in 5A hosts the top-ranked team in 6A.
Bishop Kelly suffered a 42-7 loss in Rigby (3-0) last season as the Trojans went on to capture their fourth state title in the past six years. Now Rigby enters on a 14-game winning streak, the longest active streak across all Idaho classifications.
The Knights avenged a playoff loss to Minico last week and have triggered the running-clock mercy rule in their first two victories. But Rigby remains in another class.
Prediction: Rigby 30, Bishop Kelly 15
COLUMBIA AT NAMPA
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday
Watch: Fan.Hudl.com
Nampa owns its crosstown rival, winning six in a row and holding a 14-4 all-time edge in the series. Now the Bulldogs (0-3) desperately need a win after dropping two of their first three games by a touchdown.
Columbia (2-0) looks like a true playoff contender after knocking off Lewiston 24-13 in Week 0. Jackson Cheslak drives the train, running for 239 yards and six TDs through two games. But Columbia needs to start knocking off league opponents to earn respect in the 5A SIC.
Prediction: Columbia 22, Nampa 15
EMMETT AT RIDGEVUE
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday
Watch: NFHSNetwork.com
Ridgevue (2-0) stands as one of the state’s top surprises this season as the Warhawks have turned a corner under first-year coach Gary Thorson. One more win would tie a record for this nine-year-old program still searching for its first playoff berth.
The Warhawks remain 1-8 all-time vs. Emmett, and the Huskies (2-1) present Ridgevue’s first true test. Emmett has run for 354 yards per game through three contests, with Nessen Korell (494 yards, three TDs) leading the way.
A win in this conference opener would send a message that the 5A SIC can no longer overlook the Warhawks.
Prediction: Emmett 27, Ridgevue 22
SKYVIEW AT VALLIVUE
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday
Watch: NFHSNetwork.com
It’s hard to call any conference opener a must-win game. But it’s close for Vallivue (0-2).
The Falcons finished second in the 5A SIC’s preseason coaches’ poll and fourth in the preseason state media poll. But a blowout loss at Twin Falls and a stuffed two-point conversion in overtime last week leave Vallivue searching for its first win.
Meanwhile, Skyview (1-1) has exceeded expectations with a multipronged ground game and an opportunistic defense (six turnovers) after starting the season last in the 5A SIC preseason poll. Another victory would really turn the league on its head.
Prediction: Vallivue 22, Skyview 20
This story was originally published September 10, 2025 at 1:45 PM.
