Playoff picks: These 5 Boise-area football teams will make the state semifinals
One week of the Idaho high school football playoffs is in the books. That leaves just three weeks separating a host of teams from the ultimate dream — a state championship.
This week’s quarterfinal schedule features a rematch, a long-awaited battle and arguably the hottest team in the state. And that’s just in the 6A playoffs.
Nine Treasure Valley teams remain in the hunt in the state’s top three divisions. We broke down all their matchups, and highlighted their key to moving on, below.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN (9-1) AT EAGLE (8-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday
Watch: NFHSNetwork.com
Rocky Mountain key to victory: Contain Noah Burnham. The two-time, first-team all-state running back remains the key to Eagle’s offense. He averages 9 yards per carry this fall, racking up 1,618 total yards and 21 touchdowns while adding a pass-catching threat to his and the Mustangs’ arsenal. Any chance of marching to the semifinals starts with getting him on the ground on first or second contact.
Eagle key to victory: Force Rocky to throw. The Grizzlies field 6A’s top scoring offense (41.4 ppg) and rushing attack (301 yards per game). The Mustangs shouldn’t expect to fully stop a team that runs the ball on 75% of its offensive snaps. But Eagle must get a few stops on early downs, putting the Grizzlies behind the chains and forcing them into obvious passing situations.
Pick: Eagle 30, Rocky Mountain 27
MIDDLETON (7-3) VS. TIMBERLINE (8-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday at Dona Larsen Park
Watch: NFHSNetwork.com
Middleton key to victory: Convert on play action. Opponents regularly pack the box to slow 6A-leading rusher Jake Perez (1,609 yards, 21 TDs). But quarterback Briar Baughman showed what he could do against an overcommitted defense last week, throwing for 151 yards and two TDs in a 64-34 rout of Capital. A few more back-breaking throws will keep Timberline honest.
Timberline key to victory: Slow Jake Perez. The No. 1-ranked Wolves drew their worst possible matchup in Perez and the Vikings. The Middleton senior torched Timberline for 215 rushing yards and three TDs in a 26-12 victory on Oct. 2, overwhelming the Wolves’ defensive front all night. Expect him to get another 30 carries Friday as the Vikings dare Timberline to come up with an answer.
Pick: Timberline 28, Middleton 26
MOUNTAIN VIEW (7-3) AT RIGBY (8-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday
Watch: IdahoSports.com
Mountain View key to victory: Make Rigby one-dimensional. The Mavericks enter the playoffs as one of the state’s hottest teams, winning five in a row behind 6A’s top defense (12.3 ppg). Defense always travels in the playoffs. But Riggins Stoor (14 sacks) and the rest of that unit face their toughest test yet against a balanced Rigby attack (37.3 ppg).
Pick: Rigby 27, Mountain View 15
BLACKFOOT (7-3) AT BISHOP KELLY (10-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday
Watch: NFHSNetwork.com, IdahoSports.com
Bishop Kelly key to victory: Keep creating turnovers. The Knights’ offense often draws most of the headlines. But Bishop Kelly leads 5A with 22 forced turnovers and a +15 turnover margin. Nab a few more takeaways to feed that lethal offense led by quarterback Ben Avella (2,110 passing yards, 30 TDs), and the Knights should roll back into the semifinals.
Pick: Bishop Kelly 35, Blackfoot 20
WEISER (6-4) AT HOMEDALE (8-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday
Watch: IdahoSports.com
Weiser key to victory: Control the clock. The Wolverines did an admirable job of this in a 24-14 loss to Homedale on Oct. 3, limiting the Trojans to six offensive possessions while forcing a pair of interceptions. A repeat performance and a couple of key fourth-down conversions could earn Weiser the upset.
Homedale key to victory: Take control early. The Trojans’ offense (41.6 ppg) can light up the scoreboard as quickly as anyone behind quarterback Xavier Uranga (1,678 pass yards, 20 TDs) and running back Kade Hall (707 rush yards, 19 TDs). If the duo mount a couple of early touchdown drives, they’ll put Weiser behind the 8-ball and lead the Trojans to their ninth straight trip to the semifinals.
Pick: Homedale 28, Weiser 20
BUHL (7-2) AT FRUITLAND (9-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday
Watch: NFHSNetwork.com, IdahoSports.com
Fruitland key to victory: Protect Titus Vidlak. The junior quarterback has carved up defenses all season, throwing for 2,247 yards and 30 TDs. Buhl thrives on a pressure defense (19 sacks) that forces turnovers in bunches (25 takeaways). Keep Vidlak’s jersey clean, and 4A’s top offense (44.9 ppg) should keep rolling.
Pick: Fruitland 30, Buhl 15
This story was originally published November 5, 2025 at 4:29 PM.
