Salmon River High football rides potent ground attack to title game
In a matchup between two eight-man programs with run-oriented offenses, Salmon River High coach Charlie Shepherd is banking on fresh legs to get his team past undefeated Deary.
Kickoff is 8 p.m. MT Saturday at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow.
Devin Buys, Rylie Travis and Canyon Harper share time at running back for the Savages (9-1), combining for 2,221 yards and 33 touchdowns.
“A lot of our scoring has taken place in the third and fourth quarters,” Shepherd said. “We’ve worn teams down, and then those fresh legs really start to make their presence known.”
After winning titles in 2012 and 2013, Salmon River missed the playoffs last season for the first time since 2004. That didn’t sit well with the Savages, who returned this season with better focus.
“They thought that just showing up was good enough, and we kind of lost a little bit of our work ethic,” Shepherd said. “And then we lost some of our desire. We just weren’t hungry, because we’d been there two times in a row.
“I think when these boys had to sit home last year and watch other people and other teams go through the state playoffs, and they weren’t a part of it, they got hungry again.”
Deary’s attack is led by senior Tyler Anderson, who has rushed for 1,431 yards and 22 TDs. The Mustangs (11-0) are trying for their fourth state title, but first since 1997.
“Both teams control the tempo of the game, and both are known for sustaining long drives,” Shepherd said. “If you get behind, it’s going to be very tough playing catch-up.”
State Football Playoffs
CLASS 5A
SEMIFINALS
Rocky Mountain 24, Highland 7
Mountain View 23, Madison 21
CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday
At Albertsons Stadium, Boise
Rocky Mountain (10-1) vs. Mountain View (11-0), 12:30 p.m.
CLASS 4A
SEMIFINALS
Bishop Kelly 56, Century 20
Sandpoint 31, Rigby 22
CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday
At Kibbie Dome, Moscow
Bishop Kelly (9-2) vs. Sandpoint (8-3), 2 p.m. MT
CLASS 3A
SEMIFINALS
Emmett 42, Sugar-Salem 14
Gooding 43, Homedale 34
CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday
At Holt Arena, Pocatello
Gooding (9-2) vs. Emmett (10-0), 4 p.m.
CLASS 2A
SEMIFINALS
Grangeville 48, Nampa Christian 34
Aberdeen 28, Declo 7
CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday
At Kibbie Dome, Moscow
Grangeville (8-3) vs. Aberdeen (11-0), 5 p.m. MT
CLASS 1A DIVISION I
SEMIFINALS
Prairie 44, Raft River 30
Valley 104, Lapwai 48
CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday
At Holt Arena, Pocatello
Valley (11-0) vs. Prairie (11-0), 1 p.m.
CLASS 1A DIVISION II
SEMIFINALS
Deary 20, Carey 16
Salmon River 44, Lighthouse Christian 32
CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday
At Kibbie Dome, Moscow
Deary (11-0) vs. Salmon River (9-1), 8 p.m. MT
This story was originally published November 19, 2015 at 8:02 PM with the headline "Salmon River High football rides potent ground attack to title game."