Preseason poll: Some interesting choices as state voters pick the top teams entering the new season

EASTERN IDAHO — Welcome to the 2026 football season. The state media preseason poll was released Tuesday afternoon, with the usual suspects making appearances in their respective classifications.

6A state champion Rigby was selected second in the poll, one point behind Rocky Mountain, which returns a core group of players off its 10-2 team. Rocky Mountain had six first-place votes, while Rigby had five. Highland was was No. 4, with Madison receiving votes.

Defending champion Bishop Kelly was the unanimous No. 1 pick in 5A, with last season’s runner-up Hillcrest was tabbed second. The High Country Conference was well represented with Skyline and Blackfoot selected third and fourth, respectively. Newcomer Century received votes.

The 4A poll was interesting, with powerhouse Sugar-Salem voted fourth behind Fruitland, Homedale and Kimberly.

West Side and Ririe were 1-2 in the 3A poll, respectively. Thirteen teams received votes in 3A, likely foreshadowing another wildly competitive season in 3A.

In the 8-man polls, Grace and Butte County received votes in 2A and Rockland received votes in 1A.

Idaho State Media Poll

Preseason

CLASS 6A

Team W-L Pts
1. Rocky Mountain (6) 10-2 44
2. Rigby (5) 11-1 43
3. Eagle 8-2 25
4. Highland 6-4 24
5. Coeur d’Alene 7-4 19
Others receiving votes: Madison 5, Boise 4, Mountain View 1.

CLASS 5A

1. Bishop Kelly (11) 13-0 55
2. Hillcrest 11-2 41
3. Skyline 9-3 28
4. Blackfoot 7-4 13
5. Columbia 6-4 8
Others receiving votes: Lewiston 5, Minico 5, Lakeland 4, Twin Falls 3, Century 2, Sandpoint 1.

CLASS 4A

1. Fruitland (6) 10-1 45
2. Homedale (4) 11-1 38
3. Kimberly 8-4 36
4. Sugar-Salem (1) 8-2 33
5. Weiser 6-5 8
Others receiving votes: Bonners Ferry 4, American Falls 1.

CLASS 3A

1. West Side (5) 8-2 40
2. Ririe (4) 11-1 34
3. Buhl 7-3 18
t-4. Grangeville 5-4 14
t-4. Nampa Christian (2) 9-2 14
Others receiving votes: Declo 12, Aberdeen 9, New Plymouth 7, North Fremont 6, Logos 3, Melba 3, West Jefferson 3, Priest River 2.

CLASS 2A

1. Kamiah (6) 9-2 46
2. Hagerman (2) 7-4 27
3. Wallace (1) 9-3 23
4. Raft River (1) 6-3 22
5. Prairie 7-4 18
Others receiving votes: Idaho City (1) 9, Grace 8, Butte County 6, Lakeside 2, Oakley 2, Tri-Valley 2.

CLASS 1A

1. Kendrick (10) 12-0 54
2. Carey (1) 11-1 41
3. Coeur du Christ 7-2 21
4. Salmon River 6-4 16
5. Council 8-2 9
Others receiving votes: Genesee 8, Cascade 4, Hansen 4, Rockland 4, Timberline (Weippe) 3, Deary 1.

Voters: Sven Alskog, IdahoSports.com; Mark Nelke, Coeur d’Alene Press; Sam Taylor, Lewiston Tribune; Debanny Cerda, KMVT; Allan Steele, East Idaho News; Kyle Fansler, Times-News; Michael Lycklama, Idaho Statesman; Race Archibald, Idaho Press; Sam Bernardi, Post Register; Brandon Walton, Idaho State Journal; Jack Freeman, Bonner County Daily Bee.