District 6: First look at matchups for the state quarterfinals

EASTERN IDAHO – Nine District 6 teams are set for this week’s football state quarterfinals, with conference champions coming off first-round byes, and the others having to battle their way into the next round.

Here’s a first look at this week’s quarterfinal action.

6A

Madison at Rigby, 7 p.m., Friday
If you’re going to challenge for the blue trophy, you’re probably going to have to knock off the champ along the way.

Add in the rivalry aspect, and this game is big.

Madison (7-3) won a grind-it-out game against Capital on Friday to advance. The Bobcats’ defense stepped up in the second half and the offense found success running the ball.

Coach Matt Pancheri said the physical nature of the game was absent when the Bobcats lost 35-3 to Rigby just two weeks ago.

The three points scored in that game was a season-low for Madison, and the 35 points allowed was a season-high.

Rigby (8-1) comes off a bye and has won three straight after suffering its lone loss of the season at No. 1 Coeur d’Alene.

The Trojans are among the highest scoring teams in 6A and their defense has typically been up to the challenge in big games.

5A

Blackfoot at Bishop Kelly, 7p.m., Friday
The Broncos (6-4) snapped Hillcrest’s eight-game win streak to end the regular season, and then knocked off conference foe Shelley 43-14 to win their playoff opener.

Parker Wright averages 142.6 rushing yards per game and has scored 15 TDs. He’s also passed for five touchdowns. Briggs Esplin leads the team with seven receiving touchdowns.

Defending 5A champion and No. 1 Bishop Kelly continues to be a powerhouse. At 9-0, the Knights average 42 points and give up just 10.78, leading 5A in both categories.

Twin Falls at Hillcrest, 7 p.m., Friday
The Knights look for their fourth trip to the state championship game after falling to Bishop Kelly last year.

Hillcrest (8-1) comes off a bye week and looks to rebound from a regular-season ending loss to Blackfoot while giving up a season-high 34 points.

Twin Falls (7-3) won the 5A Great Basin Conference title and has won seven straight games, beating Bonneville 6-0 in last week’s playoff opener.

Hillcrest held off Twin Falls 28-27 back on Sept. 4 as Logan Taylor passed for two TDs and led the team with 44 rushing yards in the win.

4A

South Fremont at Homedale, 7 p.m., Friday
The Cougars come off a tight 35-34 win over Preston in which QB Cy Hill passed for 155 yards and a touchdown, and also ran for 253 yards and four scores.

Things won’t get any easier this week when South Fremont (7-3) takes on No. 1 seed Homedale (9-0) for a shot at the semifinals.

The defending state champion Trojans have averaged more than 41 points over their past three games (excluding a forfeit by McCall-Donnelly). Homedale also handed 4A power Sugar-Salem its lone loss of the season.

Cole Valley Christian at Sugar-Salem, 7 p.m., Friday
Due to a forfeit and byes, the Diggers have played just one game in the past month.

The good news is that the team will be well-rested. The bad news is that the down time could cause some rust.

Either way, Sugar-Salem is used to the postseason spotlight and has enough depth to make adjustments if needed.

Senior QB Frank Fillmore has thrown eight touchdown passes and also ran for eight scores.

While the Sugar-Salem offense continues to be balanced, its defense might be underrated. The Diggers lead 4A in scoring defense at just 12 points per game.

3A

Ririe at West Side, 7 p.m., Friday
After a run to the state championship game last season, the Bulldogs (5-5) have been resilient this year, finishing the regular-season with three wins, and then holding off Buhl 22-20 in last week’s playoff opener.

Over the course of the season, Ririe has averaged just one point more than its opponents.

Kyler Lewis averages 113.8 rushing yards and leads the team with 10 rushing TDs, while Bryce Barber has a team-high four TD catches.

District 5’s West Side (9-0) is the No. 1 seed in the bracket and has beaten opponents by an average of nearly 22 points.

Grangeville at West Jefferson, 1 p.m., Saturday
The Panthers have put together one of their best seasons and enter the playoffs on a seven-game win streak.

West Jefferson have given up just 27 points over its past four games, but it’s the running game that has been dynamic.

The Panthers average 311 yards per game on the ground, led by Canon Calder (1,397 yards, 17 TDs), and Bruer Burtenshaw (1,017 yards, 15 TDs).

The teams played in a season-opening matchup on Aug. 22 with Grangeville coming away with a 32-14 win.

2A

Raft River at Butte County, 6 p.m., Friday
The Pirates (6-3) are back in the postseason after beating Grace 58-12 in the regular-season finale.

Butte County comes off a bye week after scoring 122 points in its last two games.

Raft River (9-1) is the No. 3 seed and beat Butte County 34-28 during the regular season.

Offensive and defensive scoring stats are similar between both teams.

Teagan Babcock averages 123.9 yards rushing and Cooper Williams averages 145.1 yards and has scored 17 touchdowns for the Pirates.

Raft River might have the edge in offensive balance, with Bo Udy passing for 12 TDs, and Treyce Ward running for 1,011 yards and 18 touchdowns.