Football

Skyline Wide Receiver Kenyon Sadiq announced his commitment to the Oregon Ducks earlier this season, and Idaho’s top recruit surprised many with his decision.

2022 is a year of change for the Idaho Falls Tigers, as Idaho Falls drops to 4A and the Tigers lost nearly two dozen seniors from last year’s team.

A pair of local repeat champions pace their respective fields going into the 2022 season, as the back-to-back champion Skyline Grizzlies top 4A and the three-time defending champion West Side Pirates lead 2A.

In an overall up-and-down campaign, the Blackfoot Broncos nearly made it to the state championship game last season, but a Sandpoint two-point conversion eliminated Blackfoot in the semifinals.

The 2022 season couldn’t have come fast enough for the Pocatello Thunder. For Head Coach Dave Spillett and his squad, they have been ready to get after it since their semifinal loss to Skyline last season.

Idaho’s top recruit has made his decision, and Skyline’s Kenyon Sadiq surprised many by announcing his commitment to the Oregon Ducks on his Twitter page Monday.

With a new and familiar face at the helm of the program in Michael Berger, the Thunder Ridge Titans look to make some noise in the 5A High Country Conference in 2022.

A new era in Highland Football begins in 2022, with Nick Sorrell taking over as Head Coach after Gino Mariani, the winningest coach in school history, resigned in the offseason.

Much like tug of war, football is a game of inches, and for the Rigby Trojans, every inch counts when it comes to winning state championships.

Less than a yard separated the Sugar-Salem Diggers from a fourth straight state championship last season, and the final play still looms large in Sugar City, according to Head Coach Tyler Richens

The Madison Bobcats returned to the state playoffs in 2021, but after a first round exit against Meridian, Madison looks to take the next step and make a playoff run.

A long time coach and former player will take over for a legend, as defensive coordinator Nick Sorrell has been promoted to head coach of the Highland Rams football team, replacing Gino Mariani, per Highland Athletic Director Travis Bell.

Local football players can learn from the best this summer in Idaho Falls and Ammon, with the Idaho D1 Development Camp coming to town, featuring former Division I football players.

The winningest coach in Highland High School history is no longer the leader of the Rams football program, as Gino Mariani resigned his position Thursday.

Snake River Head Football Coach Jeb Harrison has resigned his position after six seasons at the helm of the Panthers program. Harrison announced the news on his Facebook page Wednesday.

The Skyline football team, players, coaches and members of the community celebrated the second consecutive state championship for the Grizz in the 2021 season Wednesday night.

Marsh Valley Eagles star Payton Howe will compete collegiately, as Howe signed his national letter of intent Monday to play football at Carroll College.

Will Karpstein has officially taken his next step, as the Blackfoot Bronco signed his letter of intent Thursday to play football at Morningside University in Iowa.

Another local athlete will play college football, as Hillcrest’s Ian Ferguson signed his national letter of intent Tuesday to compete at Montana Western.

The next head coach of the Thunder Ridge Titans football team is ready to make a name for himself.

A familiar name is now the leader of the Thunder Ridge football program, as Michael Berger was officially named the next head coach of the Titans Thursday afternoon.

It was a great day Wednesday at Thunder Ridge High School for Tao Johnson, Paul Fitzgerald and their family and friends as Johnson and Fitzgerald signed their letters of intent to play college football.

Wednesday afternoon, star Rigby Trojans Tiger Adolpho, Talin Togiai and Logan Fredericksen each signed their letters of intent to play college football.

Jackson Hole Bronc Colter Dawson is heading to the Air Force Academy after he signed his National Letter of Intent Wednesday to play for the Falcons.

Rigby reigns supreme in win over Highland to capture 5A state title

A rematch of last year’s 2A State Championship game yielded the same results, with West Side defeating Firth 33-13 to win its third straight state title.

The Skyline Grizzlies are back-to-back 4A state champions, and they won the title with one of its best games of the season, a 20-6 victory over top-seeded Sandpoint.

The Sugar-Salem Diggers fell half of a yard and a two-point conversion short of a four-peat, losing a double overtime thriller to Weiser 34-33 in the 3A Milk Bowl Friday night.

In a battle of East Idaho teams with a chance to go to state, Skyline rallied past Pocatello 36-31 in Holt Arena on Saturday night.

The Firth Cougars are back in the 2A championship game thanks to a 12-8 victory in a defensive battle Saturday afternoon against North Fremont.

The Butte County Pirates were looking for revenge Saturday afternoon against the Oakley Hornets, but the defending 1AD1 champions whizzed past Butte County 52-22 in the semifinals.

The West Side Pirates are looking to capture their third straight state championship after routing Bear Lake in the semifinals 47-8.

For the second time in two weeks, Ian Hershey’s heroics in the kicking game pay off for Highland, as his 41-yard field goal in the final seconds helped the Rams defeat Eagle 29-27 to return to the 5A state championship.

The Rigby Trojans are heading back to the 5A championship, and Rigby made it back by winning a triple-overtime thriller Friday night at Meridian 55-49.

Win or lose, the Blackfoot Broncos left it all on the field Friday night at Sandpoint, but unfortunately, Blackfoot lost to the top-seeded Bulldogs in overtime 29-28.

The North Fremont Huskies’ pursuit for a 2A title and a perfect season took another step forward Saturday thanks to a 44-38 victory in the quarterfinals against Melba.

The Rigby Trojans are back in the playoffs and clearly ready for another playoff run after blowing out Capital in the 5A quarterfinals Friday night.