THURSDAY

Wood River at Pocatello, 5:30 p.m., Holt Arena

Pocatello lost 35-34 in overtime last season at Wood River. The Wolverines scored to open overtime, and the Indians responded with a touchdown, but failed a game-winning, two-point conversion

Wood River returns three starters and Pocatello brings back six. Expect a similar game to last year’s, when the teams were nearly identical in total yards (357-356 in favor of Wood River).

Burley at Century, 8:30 p.m., Holt Arena

Century and Burley open the 2017 season with optimism, despite last season’s identical 1-8 records. The Diamondbacks beat Burley 7-0 on opening night a year ago. The D-backs’ Travis White sent his team to victory with a fourth-quarter interception that went for the game’s only score.

Burley plays its first game under Tony Cade’s leadership. The Bobcats’ coach was at American Falls the last two seasons and guided the Beavers to a pair of 4-5 records.

FRIDAY

Blackfoot at Snake River, 7 p.m.

Snake River’s Jeb Harrison got his first taste of the cross-town rivalry as a head coach last season, when his team lost 35-12.

It was the first time the two schools, separated by eight miles, played in four seasons.

Blackfoot is full of fresh faces, while the Panthers head into 2017’s meeting with experience.

Ogden (UT) at Preston, 7 p.m.

Preston opened its 2016’s season with a bang, topping Ogden, Utah, 36-0. Preston returns Britten Atkinson (QB), Brayden Parker (OL/DL) and Kyler Burbank (WR/CB). All three started last season.

Ogden (0-1) has lost 34 consecutive games dating back to the start of the 2014 season. The Tigers’ senior quarterback Carson White returns after totaling 1,099 yards passing last season. His top weapon, Aden Cleverly, also returns after catching 17 passes for 439 yards a year ago.

American Falls at Aberdeen, 7 p.m.

American Falls first-year coach Jim Giulio is back coaching high school varsity football after a six-year hiatus. His first test is against Aberdeen, which returns 19 starters from last season’s 2A state semifinal squad.

The Tigers have won four consecutive games against American Falls, outscoring the Beavers 124-26.

Malad at Marsh Valley, 7 p.m.

Marsh Valley’s lone win last season came in a 30-0 blowout victory over Malad.

In 2015, Marsh Valley snapped a 23-game losing streak with a 36-18 win over Malad. The Dragon enters 2017’s matchup on a 14-game losing streak. This season is a chance for the Dragons to flip the script.

Rich (UT) at Bear Lake, 7 p.m.

Bear Lake started the 2016 campaign 0-2, including a season-opening 2-0 loss to Rich, Utah. The Bears shook off the two losses and rolled to the 2A state semifinals.

The Rebels are coming off back-to-back 5-6 seasons and have 14 returning starters. The team brings back quarterback Nick Jaram and skill players Aaron Smith, Jordan Cook and Kamren Calder. Rich allowed 11.8 points per game a year ago.

West Jefferson at Soda Springs, 7 p.m.

West Jefferson beat Soda Springs 56-6 last season, its third consecutive win over the Cardinals, who last beat West Jefferson in 2013.

The Panthers return 2A All-Idaho second-team running back Braxton Ramirez. But the team is without All-Idaho offensive linemen Gabe Pancheri and Tristan Wright, along with first-team defensive back Kendon Barzee.

Firth at West Side, 7 p.m.

Firth topped West Side 52-14 last season, snapping a two-game losing streak against the Pirates. The teams have opened the season against each other every year since 2010, with the Pirates winning four of the seven meetings.

Firth — the defending 2A District 6 champion — brings back 11 starters, while West Side returns 12.

Grace at Oakley, 7 p.m.

Oakley, the 2016 1A DI state-runner up, beat Grace 36-14 last season in the teams’ first meeting since 2011.

Grace brings back quarterback Paycen Jensen, wide receiver Tanner Christensen and fullback Daxx Jorgensen.

North Gem at Carey, 6 p.m.

North Gem gets an early test against Carey, a 2016 1A DII state semifinalist. The Panthers beat North Gem 14-12 last season.

The Cowboys took home the 1A DII District 5-6 crown in 2016, but coach Dana Strong tempered expectations and said Rockland is the conference favorite.

Rockland at Dietrich, 7 p.m.

Rockland opens the season against a reloading Dietrich squad. The Bulldogs don’t have to plan for 1A All-Idaho first-team running back Garrett Astle, who had 1,566 all-purpose yards and 24 touchdowns last season as a senior.

Rockland coach Andy Nelson expects a 1A DII District 5-6 title this season. Spencer Permann, Rodney Parrish and Cooper Bradshaw are back, boosting the Bulldogs’ confidence in 2017.

Pyramid Lake (NV) at Sho-Ban, 6 p.m.

Sho-Ban and Pyramid Lake, Nevada, are on the rebound after one-win seasons a year ago. Both teams notched victories against Owyhee, Nevada, in 2016.

Last season, the Chiefs allowed 48.8 points per game, while Pyramid Lake surrendered 52.8 points. Expect a high-scoring affair.

Shelley vs. Green Canyon (UT), 8:15 p.m., Holt Arena

Shelley is back in the Rocky Mountain Rumble with a game against Green Canyon, Utah. The Wolves (0-1) are a first-year school led by Craig Anhder, the former coach of Sky View High School in Utah. He went 90-46 in 12 seasons at Sky View.

The Russets are in a transition of their own, as the squad must replace 3A All-Idaho Player of the Year Bryon Leckington. Star wide receiver Mason Price is back, and Shelley coach Jake Monahan expects a big year from his skill player.

SATURDAY

Highland vs. Galena (NV), 7 p.m., Holt Arena

Highland returns to the Rocky Mountain Rumble for the 10th consecutive season. The Rams are 6-3 in the rumble and lost 45-38 to Lewiston last season. Highland junior quarterback Kobe Tracy makes his starting varsity debut.

It was reported in January that three former Galena players are suing coach Steve Struzyk, principal Tom Brown and the Washoe County School District, alleging they were kicked off the team for standing up to Struzyk’s bullying, according to the Reno Gazette-Journal.