Week 4 recap and notes: Berger Bowl history, 5A competition, Mackay takes rivalry game

EASTERN IDAHO – The fifth Berger Bowl has a new winner this year as Thunder Ridge beat Skyline 30-6, snapping the Grizzlies’ run of winning all four of the previous matchups.

Michael Berger’s Titans pulled away with 16 points in the second quarter and the defense held father Scott Berger’s offense to its lowest point total since a 28-0 loss at Rigby in 2022.

Thunder Ridge QB Ryder Portmann tossed three touchdown passes, two to Titan Hebeker and one to McKay Scoresby. Tayt Nelson added 78 rushing yards and a score.

Thunder Ridge improved to 3-1 on the season and continues with the toughest part of its schedule, beginning with this week’s game against Hillcrest.

The Titans host Blackfoot on Oct. 2 before beginning conference play at Rigby on Oct. 9.

Madison falls in OT

The Bobcats’ defense has been stellar all season with two shutouts in the first two games and surrendering just 16 combined points in the last two wins.

But that wasn’t enough to save them last week in a defensive battle at Owyhee.

The Storm led 7-0, but Madison’s Hawke Cordero scored on a 1-yard TD run with 29 seconds left to send the game into overtime.

Owyhee won the game with a field goal in OT, handing Madison (4-1) its first loss of the season.

Mackay is the Custer Cup champ

The Miners beat rival Challis 38-6 and have won two of their past three games to improve to 2-3.

Challis (0-4), which won the last two rivalry games against Mackay, is still looking for its first win of the season.

After a bye this week, the Vikings face 2A High Desert Conference foe Butte County, which also has a bye, and looks to rebound from a loss to Hagerman.

Mackay hosts North Gem.

Rigby gets a close call in Utah

The Trojans remained unbeaten, but had to hold off a rally from previously unbeaten Box Elder (UT) 34-32.

The Trojans (5-0) led 21-7 at the half, but the Bees scored 15 points in the third to keep it close.

It was the fourth win over a Utah team this season for Rigby, which has a bye week before traveling to northern rival Coeur d’Alene on Oct. 1.

Pick your poison

That’s how Hillcrest coach Brennon Mossholder likes to describe his offense, which can run the ball or throw deep, depending on how the opponent chooses to set up its defense.

The Knight’s 36.50 points per game is second in 5A, only behind Columbia’s 38.75 scoring average.

In Friday’s 46-26 win over Century, Logan Taylor passed for 225 yards and three TDs. Eight different players ran the ball, led by Elam Miner, who finished with 16 carries for 100 yards.

Jake Stephens ran for two scores and J’vion King added a rushing touchdown for the Knights.

Gavin Lamph, Elam Miner, and Ethan Saunders all caught touchdown passes.

5A scramble

Skyline suffered a nonconference loss to Thunder Ridge, but, along with Hillcrest, tops the conference at 3-0.

Bonneville (2-2, 1-1) downed the coaches’ preseason favorite Blackfoot (2-2, 2-1) 21-13 and has won two games in a row.

Idaho Falls picked up its first conference win of the season, beating Pocatello 35-18.

Conference newcomers Century and Pocatello are both 0-3 in conference play.

Make that four wins in a row for Sugar-Salem

Frank Fillmore tossed two touchdown passes, including the eventual game-winner to Boston Nead with 11:29 left, as the Diggers held off Kimberly 14-7.

The Diggers (4-1) were held to 147 yards and no touchdowns on the ground.