Idaho Falls vs Blackfoot (copy)

Idaho Falls’ Spencer Jackson runs the ball as Idaho Falls takes on Blackfoot at Ravsten Stadium on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019.

IDAHO FALLS — After two consecutive losing seasons, Blackfoot is back and heading to the 4A state playoffs as the District 6 champion.

The Broncos (7-1, 4-0) won their sixth straight game Friday night, rallying in the fourth quarter to beat host Idaho Falls 25-14 at Ravsten Stadium.

The playoff picture will be complete next week, but it looks like Blackfoot and Skyline will be the 1 and 2 seeds out of District 6, with next week’s Idaho Falls-Hillcrest winner securing the third spot.

The Tigers (3-5, 2-2) had won three of four heading into Friday’s game and led 14-12 after three quarters thanks to a pair of touchdown runs by Spencer Moore.

Blackfoot looked a little different on the offensive side of the ball with workhorse running back Teegan Thomas out with an injury and fullback Dragen Robinson getting most of the carries along with Brayden Wright.

Wright and Robinson each had rushing touchdowns, but it was defense that was at a premium much of the cold and windy night.

Idaho Falls had a 14-12 lead entering the fourth quarter as both teams tried to be more balanced by throwing the ball.

Idaho Falls quarterback Taggert Miller looked sharp after missing time with a concussion, finishing an efficient 12 for 18 or 148 yards. Broncos quarterback Craig Young finished 12 of 16 for 119 yards, but neither team threatened the end zone until the fourth quarter.

That’s when everything seemingly went right for Blackfoot and everything went wrong for Idaho Falls.

The Broncos capped a 10-play drive when Young found Kameron Lawes for a touchdown to put Blackfoot in the lead. After a punt by Idaho Falls, Blackfoot again put together an impressive drive with Wright scoring his second touchdown of the game. This one with 3:25 left sealed the game.

Idaho Falls’ three possessions in the fourth quarter were punt-interception-interception.

With Thomas out, Young said the offense has had to make adjustments.

“This game was a lot more balanced,” Young said. “That’s probably the most passing we’ve done the whole year.”

The Broncos’ win streak has moved them to No. 2 in the current 4A state media poll. They’ll host Shelley in the regular-season finale next week before taking the district’s top seed into the playoffs.

“Right now we’re playing a little inconsistent,” Young said. “These last couple of weeks, we’ve struggled, but picked it up in the second half.”

Moore had 115 yards on 28 carries but was never was able to break off a big run against the Broncos’ defense. Moore’s longest run was 9 yards.

BLACKFOOT 25, IDAHO FALLS 14

Blackfoot 0 6 6 13 — 25

Idaho Falls 0 7 7 0 — 14

Scoring summary

Second quarter

IF — Spencer Moore 1 run (Cole Chastain kick), 7:39

B — Brayden Wright 5 run (kick fail), 1:42

Third quarter

B — Dragen Robinson 13 run (pass fail), 6:28

IF — Moore 2 run (Chastain kick), 2:12

Fourth quarter

B — Kameron Lawes 13 pass from Young (pass failed), 9:30

B — Wright 7 run (Dominique Sanchez kick), 3:25

Individual stats

Rushing — Blackfoot: Robinson 10-66, Isaiah Thomas 3-13, Young 5-7, Wright 11-56. Idaho Falls: Moore 28-115, Logan Westwood 3-10, T. Miller 6-15.

Passing — Blackfoot: Young 12-16-119-0. Idaho Falls: T. Miller 12-18-148-2.

Receiving — Blackfoot: Wright 4-26, Thomas 2-9, Reece Robinson 3-30, Jayden Wistisen 1-12, Lawes 2-42. Idaho Falls: H. Miller 7-104, Spencer Jackson 1-26, Moore 2-3, Bradley Thompson 2-15.

Allan Steele is Sports Editor of the Post Register. Reach him at 208 542-6772 and follow on Twitter at asteele12000

Recommended for you

Welcome to the discussion!

The Idaho State Journal invites you to take part in the community conversation. But those who don't play nice may be uninvited.

Comments that are:

  • off topic
  • defamatory
  • libelous
  • obscene
  • racist
  • abusive
  • threatening
  • an invasion of privacy (doxxing)
  • profane (including attempts to misspell profanity in order to get around the profanity filter)

will be deleted. Repeat offenders will lose commenting privileges.

Comments are opinions of the author only, and do not reflect the opinions or views of Idaho State Journal.

(0) comments

Welcome to the discussion.

The Idaho State Journal invites you to take part in the community conversation. But those who don't play nice may be uninvited. Don't post comments that are off topic, defamatory, libelous, obscene, racist, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. We may remove any comment for any reason or no reason. We encourage you to report abuse, but the decision to delete is ours. Commenters have no expectation of privacy and may be held accountable for their comments. Comments are opinions of the author only, and do not reflect the opinions or views of Idaho State Journal.