PR Sports

The weekend we’ve all been waiting for is year. A month’s worth of summer practices and 12 weeks of games all lead up to this — the state finals.

Eastern Idaho still has three teams vying for three titles. Looking into my crystal ball, I see all three bringing home the blue trophy.

Blackfoot vs. Sandpoint

For all the X’s and Os’ and storylines entering this 4A title matchup, one made me laugh.

To simulate what Blackfoot quarterback Anthony Clarke can do, Sandpoint had its quarterback coach run the scout team this week. That wouldn’t be newsworthy if its quarterback coach wasn’t Jake Plummer. As in, former NFL quarterback Jake Plummer.

“Their quarterback is not any better than the QB we’ve faced in Jake,” Sandpoint coach Mike Mitchell told the Bonner County Daily Bee this week.

Well, duh.

One thing is for sure, though. Sandpoint is glad to be done with the double wing offenses it’s faced the past two weeks.

“Blackfoot runs a real offense, like us,” Mitchell said. “The last couple of weeks, we’ve been playing the groundhog stuff, and now we get a chance to cover somebody.”

I wasn’t aware that the double wing is imaginary, but let’s move on.
Looking at these two teams, Clarke stands out as the only difference. Both teams can throw the ball. Both have a couple of capable backs. And both feature loads of 6-foot-1, 200-pound athletes on defense. These two teams are mirror images of each other.

“It’s not like it’s a lot of trickery offensively,” Blackfoot coach Stan Buck said. “It’s just line up and play and know your assignment.”

With that being said, Blackfoot has the ace in the hole in Clarke’s running ability. Sandpoint’s ace, Plummer, unfortunately doesn’t have any eligibility left.

Blackfoot 24, Sandpoint 21

Shelley vs. Fruitland

Stop me if this sounds familiar — Shelley will face Fruitland for a state title.

Whether it’s football or basketball, these two teams have been head and shoulders above the rest of the 3A classification for the past decade, building a rivalry despite being separated by more than 300 miles of sage brush.

And with Shelley in its last year in 3A, what better to go out than a battle to determine the team of the decade?

As always, be ready for physical running attacks from both teams. Shelley’s two-headed attack of Aaron Adams and Gabe Nii has piled up 2,294 yards on the ground while Fruitland’s two-headed attack of Jordan Martin and Daulton Blackwell has rushed for 2,166 yards.

But Shelley coach Dwight Richins makes an excellent point. Because the strength of both teams is running and stopping the run, the passing game might make the difference.

“The break (today) may come from the passing game,” Richins said. “Whoever can exploit the other throwing the football may have an advantage.”

And I trust Chase Richins more than I trust Fruitland quarterback Ryan Wright, who didn’t attempt a pass last week, because he didn’t need to.

But in the end, do you really think Shelley will exit 3A without a football title? I don’t.

Shelley 20, Fruitland 14

Mackay vs. Salmon River

Salmon River has made a magical run, winning five in a row, with three shutouts, after starting the year 2-3 thanks to a couple of key injuries.
But Mackay coach Lance Rosenkrance said he won’t make the mistake the rest of the state has.

“I think we’re all a little guilty of looking at records, and they were overlooked,” Rosenkrance said. “They’re a really good football team or they wouldn’t be here. They beat (previously undefeated and No. 1-ranked) Kootenai to make it here.”

But for all the magic on Salmon River’s side, it pales in comparison to the year Mackay is having. From having football cut five months ago to playing in the title game, their season is a story that’s too good to be true.

Except it is.

Mackay 34, Salmon River 27

Capital vs. Eagle

Capital has obliterated opponents, outscoring them 43.5 to 10.7 on average, on its way to a perfect season. But I’m going with the underdog, Eagle, because the best player on the field will stand in its huddle.

Senior quarterback Taylor Kelly, who’s committed to the University of Nevada, has completed 163-of-249 passes (65 percent) for 2,345 yards and 21 TDs with four interceptions this season. And he’s added 893 yards and eight TDs on the ground.

He missed last year’s title game against Highland with a broken leg. Now that he’s on the big stage, look for him to make up for lost time and carry Eagle to the title.

Eagle 28, Capital 21

Declo vs. Parma

In the first of two rematches from last year’s title games — Parma won 29-28 in overtime — I’m going with the repeat. Declo shook my confidence when it needed double overtime to escape Malad in the quarterfinals.

Parma, on the other hand, has been an iron curtain on defense. In two playoff games, it has allowed a total of six points.

Parma 22, Declo 21

Prairie vs. Oakley

Oakley has been the gold standard of 1A football the past three years, posting a 34-1 record. That one loss? To Prairie in last year’s title game.

Considering Prairie has yet to allow more than eight points in any of its 11 games this year, it’ll repeat.

Prairie 30, Oakley 27