PR Sports

It’s here. Football playoffs kick off in the 4A, 3A and 2A classifications, and 5A and the two 1As are just a week away from the second season.

Throw out all the what ifs of the regular season and the controversy over playoff draws. Only one goal remains — to be the one team that ends its season with a win.

Minico at Hillcrest

It’s tough to get a read on Minico these days. The past two years, it’s been a powerhouse, reaching the semifinals last season and ending the regular season ranked No. 1 two years ago before losing to Blackfoot in the quarterfinals.

But this looks like a rebuilding year. At 4-5, its four wins have come against teams that are a combined 12-20 — Columbia, Burley, Wood River and Twin Falls, which somehow won the District 4 title.

Meanwhile, Hillcrest is back in championship form after beating the state’s unanimous No. 1 team, Blackfoot, last week. Running back Devin Droghei is back after a high ankle sprain, and that double wing is frightening again now that the offensive line has had eight weeks to come together.

Hillcrest 42, Minico 19

Blackfoot at Century

We’re all rooting for a Hillcrest-Blackfoot rematch in the 4A finals, but we’re a ways off of that.

First up for Blackfoot is a rematch against Century. If you couldn’t tell from my column in Thursday’s paper, I’m a bit upset Blackfoot has to travel to Century. You know, considering it beat Century 20-15 earlier this year.

I will say this, though — Blackfoot struggled against Century. Quarterback Anthony Clarke wasn’t his usual big-play machine, running back Chris Percy was out with an injury, and a couple of mistakes kept Blackfoot from ever putting Century away.

But despite the travesty of traveling to Century, playing on the turf of Holt Arena will benefit Blackfoot’s speed.

And considering the first time I’ve ever seen a Hillcrest running back caught from behind was against Blackfoot — that’s scary.

Blackfoot 35, Century 20

Salmon at Marsh Valley

If there’s one thing we can count on in this game, it’s that it will be low-scoring and close.

Last year, Marsh Valley won in Salmon 6-0, and this year it won at home 13-12.

Salmon is still the defending champion and has the area’s best big-play combination in quarterback Riley Sessions and receiver Trey Infanger. But it’s been up and down all year, taking Shelley to the last second before losing by two, and then losing to South Fremont 26-7 the next week.

“We’re just happy to be (in the playoffs) with the way we played earlier on,” Salmon coach Ken Miner said. “We’re there and 0-0 now. I wouldn’t want to play us right now.”

Neither would I. I can’t imagine a team I’d rather avoid. Even Miner said he doesn’t know what team is going to show up tonight.

But in situations like that, it’s normally not the good one.

Marsh Valley 15, Salmon 14

Highland at Skyline

Skyline rose as high as No. 2 in the state media poll before the Emotion Bowl, with myself voting it No. 1. Since then, it’s lost three straight and finds itself eliminated from the playoffs.

If you’re looking for an explanation in this spot, you won’t find it. All I know is with quarterback Michael Berger back in the lineup, this offense can still rack up points when it’s not playing in a rainstorm. But don’t look to the guy from the Olympic Rainforest for any sympathy there.

Skyline will give it a game with nothing left to play for. Heck, it did last year as a 1-8 team in Holt Arena. But Highland’s conference crown won’t be diminished with a loss.

Highland 35, Skyline 28

Borah at Madison

After starting the season 0-5 with a murder’s row of a schedule, Madison has won two of its past three and gave Idaho Falls everything it could handle. While it’s too late for Madison, it’s a dangerous team I want nothing to do with.

Madison 28, Borah 14

Raft River at Challis

Raft River pushed No. 2 Oakley to the last second before losing 16-14. Since then, it’s won its past three by a combined score of 170-8.

Raft River 57, Challis 14

Murtaugh at Mackay

With a conference title already wrapped up, Mackay won’t fall asleep and let Murtaugh come between it and a perfect regular season.

Mackay 41, Murtaugh 19

North Fremont vs. Aberdeen

Aberdeen looks to be coming on with back-to-back wins, including an upset of 5-2 Kamiah. But running back Will Bollinger will eclipse 1,000 yards and the North Fremont defense will slow down Aberdeen’s triple option enough to be the only Nuclear Conference team I see winning this week.

North Fremont 27, Aberdeen 20

Butte County vs. Declo

Butte County has cobbled together a nice season and poses matchup problems with its single win. But undefeated Declo has obliterated everyone in its path this season. The closest game it has had this season was a 29-7 win over Glenns Ferry.

Declo 41, Butte County 21

Ririe vs. Malad

Ririe has improved as the season has gone along, sticking with North Fremont last week. But Malad will roll off its sixth consecutive win.

Malad 35, Ririe 20

Reedpoint/Rapelje, Mont., at Clark County

Reedpoint/Rapelje topped Bridger, one of the two teams to beat Clark County, last week.

Reedpoint/Rapelje 41, Clark County 35