It’s just me talkin’: Watch out Idaho, there is some football being played out West
By Larry Hurrle
Friday, November 13, 2009 11:15 AM PST
People in southeastern Idaho are scratching their heads. Those in south-central Idaho and northern Idaho are believers. Those in the Western Treasure Valley are just smiling.
Three high schools within 20 miles of each other are among the four teams remaining in the Idaho 3A state football playoffs. All of those schools are from the Snake River Valley Conference.
And let’s not forget Payette County, with all three of its schools in the semifinals of their respective divisions — Payette, Fruitland and New Plymouth.
Payette, by virtue of its 28-13 victory over Timberlake at Spirit Lake Saturday, advanced to more uncharted waters as the Pirates power to the semifinals this Friday against SRV rival Fruitland.
Fruitland, via a 67-6 thumping of Orofino Friday night, enters the semifinals Friday against Payette and is hoping to make its fourth consecutive trip to the state finals.
Weiser, meanwhile, rolled over South Fremont Saturday, 21-12, and earned the right to play Shelley Friday night at Holt Arena in Pocatello.
In the 2A State football playoffs, New Plymouth thumped Kamiah, 33-16, Saturday and will host Declo in 2A semifinals Saturday.
I know that, early in the season, there were a lot of football fans (none from this area, I’m sure) that said the SRV was a weak league. Many of those fans were unhappy that the SRV received three berths into the state tournament but consoled themselves by saying the league would be erased within the first two rounds.
Well, I’m happy to say that we’re through the first two rounds of state play, and, with only the semifinals and finals remaining, the SRV has three-quarters of the teams remaining alive in state and will have a presence in the state title game.
Suddenly, those people who are scratching their heads are asking how it is possible that the SRV still has all three teams in the playoffs. After all, the No. 2 and No. 3 teams are supposed to be the weaker teams in the state playoffs, right?
Wrong!
You must remember that Payette, Weiser and Fruitland tied for the SRV title, each with one conference loss.
Now, to give credit where credit is due, Weiser has had the toughest schedule going against an undefeated Buhl team to start the playoffs and coming away with a 28-7 victory. Weiser then hosted District VI runner-up South Fremont and came away with a convincing 21-12 win.
Payette has not had the option of a home game in the playoffs because of its position in the bracket. Nonetheless, the Pirates traveled to Kimberly and walked out with a 36-3 triumph, then traveled to Spirit Lake in northern Idaho and quashed the Timberlake Tigers, 28-13.
This week’s semifinal matchup with Fruitland is as close to a home game as Payette will get. And watch out, Fruitland, the Pirate fans will be out en masse on the east side of Fruitland’s field. It will be a loud and competitive game, I’m sure. Best of luck to both teams.
New Plymouth hosts the top-ranked and undefeated Hornets of Declo. The Hornets come in averaging 49.2 points per game and have been held under 40 points only twice during the season.
New Plymouth, meanwhile, has given up 40 points only once in a game, that coming in a 40-0 loss to SRV semifinalist Payette.
This will be a tough contest, but I have to say I like the Pilgrims by a slim 32-30 margin.
Looking at the 3A semifinals, Shelley is the top-ranked team in the state and has not been defeated this year. In common opponents, both Shelley and Weiser defeated South Fremont by the same point margin (11 points). Shelley won 36-25 on Oct. 2, and Weiser won 21-12 last Saturday. Shelley is tough, big up front and fast. Weiser will have to be on top of its game Friday to come away with a win. My feeling is Shelley will win the contest 28-20.
As far as Payette and Fruitland, well, I’m not going to call this game. That would be a lose-lose for me.
I will say that Payette has improved tremendously throughout the year and has become stronger up front and in its running game since the 26-21 win over Fruitland Oct. 16.
Fruitland, too, has improved but still has trouble holding on to the football at key times. As well, Fruitland has a tendency to become very conservative in big games and, as history has shown, calls poor plays at key points of the game, which has cost the Grizzlies dearly in the last three years.
One final note: I expect Shelley to be playing for its final 3A state championship this year at its “home field” of Holt Arena.
Which of the SRV teams do I believe has the best chance of defeating the Russets and sending them up a division with a final 3A loss?
Well, my gut instinct says Payette. The Pirates have a balanced attack on the ground and in the air, which is about the only way I see of beating Shelley. The Russets keep the ball predominantly on the ground, but they are big enough and fast enough to do so. Payette’s ability to run the ball can set up key pass plays, but it won’t come easy. The Russets are well-coached and very solid.
Because the game will be at Holt, it gives Shelley a strong advantage, despite what the Idaho High Schools Activities Association says. Shelley plays a large number of games a year in the dome (three, so far, this year). They become accustomed to the higher temperatures on the field and the turf.
Still, either Payette or Fruitland will make the trip to face Shelley or Weiser.
Make sure and take extra garments to wear under your pads and change at halftime.
Ultimately, I wish all four local schools the best of luck. In the 3A, I can only hope for an all-SRV showing.
