Emotion Bowl: Break out the orange paint as Idaho Falls snaps losing skid against Skyline

IDAHO FALLS — The celebration was already well underway before the end-of-game handshake line was done as Idaho Falls High fans ran to the goal post at Ravsten Stadium.

The previously one-side Emotion Bowl rivalry game between Skyline and Idaho Falls had a distinctive orange glow Saturday night as the Tigers held off Skyline 28-21.

It was the first win for the Tigers in the rivalry game since 2021.

Did we mention one-sided?

Skyline had won 11 of the past 12 matchups, and most hadn’t been close.

But that changed on Saturday. And if there was any doubt, the orange paint gave it away.

The long-standing tradition of the winner of the Emotion Bowl getting to paint the goal posts at their shared stadium is always one of the highlights of the game.

“I think it’s been a long time coming,” Idaho Falls first-year head coach Dustin Medellin said after players and students celebrated. “We knew we were capable of things like this when we got here because we have players that are really good and do a great job and they’re athletic,” he said. “They needed to have a little structure … and we needed to eliminate mistakes. This whole year hasn’t been like this. We had a lot of mistakes but tonight they did their job.”

The Tigers were 1-17 over the previous two seasons and hadn’t won a conference game since 2023.

The win puts the Tigers at 3-3 overall and right in the middle of the conference standings at 2-2.

Medellin noted that he was happy for the seniors who got their first chance to celebrate an Emotion Bowl victory, even as the postgame turned a little messy with players covered in orange paint.

“It helps us get into the playoffs and it gives us a sense of pride that Tiger football is here,” said linebacker Gabe Leavitt, who came up with two of the Tigers’ four interceptions.

Leavitt said the goal was to stop the Grizzlies’ running game.

Skyline had struggled on the offensive side of the ball over the past two weeks, totaling just six points in losses to Thunder Ridge and Madison.

Skyline (3-3, 3-1) struggled again on Saturday as the Tigers turned an interception into the first score of the game on a six-yard touchdown run by Jonathon Sereno.

Skyline’s special teams tied it up when Jaden Tuioti-Mariner picked up a fumbled punt and returned it for a score.

The Tigers scored late in the half as Will Thompson hit tight end Hudson Palmer for a seven-yard touchdown and a 14-7 lead at the half.

“You could tell there was just a different energy and people wanted to be here and work hard and that brings a lot of excitement,” Thompson said of the team’s turnaround. “We have the work ethic and the talent and everything to be a good playoff team.”

Thompson spearheaded a 70-yard drive in the third quarter and scored on a three-yard run.

The senior added another score midway through the fourth quarter with a spinning, 16-yard run.

Down 28-7, Skyline made a late run with John Giannini connecting with Dax Clinger for a score. Giannini ran for a two-yard touchdown on the Grizzlies’ next possession to set up the late drama.

Skyline then recovered the onside kick, but Idaho Falls forced a turnover on downs. The Grizzlies had a chance in the closing seconds, but a long pass into the end zone was intercepted.

“It’s good for the program,” Thompson said of the win.

Skyline, riding a three-game losing skid, is at Blackfoot on Friday. Idaho Falls hosts conference leader Hillcrest.