PR Sports

One week of playoffs is down, but eastern Idaho still has nine teams fighting for state titles and only one team guaranteed elimination.

The weekend starts with the marquee matchup, when the last two 3A champions, Shelley and Salmon, clash for the fourth time in the past 12 months. It doesn’t end there. On Friday night, No. 2 Blackfoot and No. 3 Bishop Kelly meet in Boise while Hillcrest and Highland continue their title defense at Holt Arena.

Here’s a quick run down of the week to come:

Salmon vs. Shelley, 7 p.m. Thu. at Holt Arena
Shelley enters the game undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the state. That won’t faze Salmon though, which just beat undefeated and second-ranked Marsh Valley in overtime in Arimo last week.

Idaho Falls at Highland, 6 p.m. Fri.
If this sounds familiar, that’s because it is. Highland beat Idaho Falls 20-7 on Oct. 23 to claim the conference title.

Blackfoot at Bishop Kelly, 7 p.m. Fri.
With the defense these two teams play – Blackfoot is allowing 16.3 points per game, Bishop Kelley is allowing 11.4 and has posted four shutouts – expect a bruising battle.

Pocatello at Hillcrest, 7 p.m. Fri.
Hillcrest will seek to defend its title in a rematch of last year’s quarterfinals, which Hillcrest won 42-21, against what has the be the best three-win team in the state.

Dietrich at Mackay, 4 p.m. Fri.
Undefeated Mackay hosts Dietrich, a team that proved a tough test in a 38-26 win the second week of the season.

South Fremont at Weiser, 1 p.m. Sat.
Weiser enters the game hot, having knocked off undefeated Buhl in Buhl last week and it holds with wins over Orofino and Payette, two other 3A teams still in the playoffs.

Glenns Ferry at North Fremont, 1 p.m. Sat.
Both teams hung on for close wins over District 5 opponents in the opening round. North Fremont topped Aberdeen 14-6 and Glenns Ferry clung to a 26-22 win against West Side.

Clark County at Hysham, Mont., 1 p.m. Sat.
Clark County advances to the quarterfinals of the Montana 6-man football playoffs to take on undefeated Hysham.