Preview: It’s Rigby vs. Madison in a playoff matchup where one rival sees its season end and the other moves on in the postseason

District 6 Game of the Week

Madison at Rigby, 7 p.m., Friday

EASTERN IDAHO – This rivalry is always a good matchup no matter when the Bobcats and Trojans face off.

But a state playoff game adds to the intrigue.

Defending state champion Rigby (8-1) beat Madison 35-3 just two weeks ago to clinch the 6A District 5-6 title and No. 1 seed in the East.

The Bobcats may have a bit of a different look in this one if they stay with the same game plan they used last week to grind out a win over Capital in the opening round of the playoffs.

Madison was effective running the ball last week, eating up the clock and letting its defense do its job when Capital had the ball.

The end result was a late game-winning touchdown by the Bobcats and a stifling defensive effort in the second half to pull out the win.

Does that work against Rigby?

Rigby comes off a bye week after ending the regular season with wins over Highland and Madison. Add in a close 27-26 victory over Thunder Ridge and the Trojans have won three straight games since their lone loss of the season at No. 1 Coeur d’Alene.

Rigby is among 6A leaders with a scoring average of 31.33 points. The Trojans’ defense has given up 17.44 points, but Madison, even after surrendering 35 points in the regular-season loss, is still better at 10.20 points.

Rigby, which led 13-0 at the half in the regular-season matchup and eventually pulled away with 15 points in the third quarter, might look to get out to a quick start.

If Madison tries to grind it out on the ground, the Bobcats can’t afford to get behind.

The player to watch may be Madison running back Brennen Dredge, who ran for 176 yards in the win over Capital, but was hampered with a deep thigh bruise and knee injury in the second half. Hawke Cordero did carry the load in the second half, finishing with 134 yards rushing.