FRIDAY

5A state playoffs

Highland at Rocky Mountain, 7 p.m.

Highland is one win away from playing for its 11th state championship, but must get through Treasure Valley powerhouse Rocky Mountain on Friday in a 5A state playoff semifinal matchup in Meridian.

Highland (8-1) is allowing 12.3 points per game and surrendered seven to Capital last Friday in the Rams' 35-point win at Holt Arena in the state quarterfinals. Highland held the Eagles to their fewest points of 2017 and allowed the visiting team to tally 163 yards of offense. Highland's star defensive tackle Tommy Togiai had 9 tackles, 2 sacks and two batted balls. The win marked the fourth time this season the Rams allowed seven points or fewer. Highland is allowing 223.2 yards per game and 4.1 yards per play, to go along with surrendering 16 touchdowns. In 10 games last year, the Rams allowed 323 yards per game, 5.6 yards per play and 29 touchdowns.

While Highland's defense has stepped into the spotlight, the team's offense has worked quietly from the shadows. Highland has scored at least 33 points in eight of nine games, including back-to-back 42-point outings. Landon Demuzio has 15 touchdowns in the Rams' last five games, including three total touchdowns and 144 yards of offense against Capital.

Rocky Mountain (9-2) beat Eagle 13-7 on the road last Friday in the quarterfinals after blowing out Post Falls 63-34 in the first round Oct. 27. The Grizzlies are the most dynamic offense the Rams have faced this season. Rocky Mountain is scoring 36.2 ppg, including five games of at least 40 points. The Grizzlies beat Highland 24-7 in the 2015 state semifinals, and Friday is the teams' first matchup since.

2A state playoffs

Firth vs. New Plymouth, 5:45 p.m., Holt Arena

Firth enters its 2A state semifinal game Friday at Holt Arena playing its best football of the season. The Cougars have won four games in a row, outscoring their opponents by an average score of 38.5-10.3. The Cougars' running game has found its way, allowing the Cougars to control the clock and dictate the flow of the game. Firth has averaged 253.3 yards rushing and 4.7 rushing touchdowns per game over its last three games by leaning on Victor Burkhart and Remington Chapman, the team's talented running backs.

Firth (7-3) is not one dimensional, as quarterback Gunner Vasquez is a threat to beat defenses with his arm. The quarterback completed 4 of 10 passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns in the Cougars' 34-12 win last Friday at Holt Arena against Orofino. The team's balanced offense has fed off the Cougars' defense, which is allowing 13.6 points per game this season. Four opponents have not scored more than one touchdown against Firth, which last faced New Plymouth in 2011, when the Cougars beat the Pilgrims 26-7 to advance to the state title game.

New Plymouth (7-2) entered the playoffs as an unknown team, but made a statement by beating previously unbeaten Aberdeen 30-13 on the road last Friday. It was a strong showing from the Pilgrims, who held the Tigers to 221 yards rushing. Aberdeen came into the game averaging 290 yards rushing per game. The Pilgrims, who finished second in District 3, also held the Tigers to a season-low point total. The Pilgrims have won four games in a row headed into Friday's game.

West Side vs. Declo, 8 p.m., Holt Arena

West Side has a second chance this season to beat undefeated Declo in Friday's 2A state semifinal matchup at Holt Arena. The two teams met Oct. 13 at West Side, with the Pirates losing 41-7. West Side trailed 21-0 at halftime and could not stop running back Keegan Duncan, who scored three touchdowns. It was the Pirates' worst loss since losing 52-14 to Firth on Aug. 26, 2016.

West Side (8-2) hopes the game was an aberration. The Pirates lost 14-7 to Aberdeen one week before the loss to Declo. The Pirates scored at least three touchdowns in seven of the team's other eight games. West Side is averaging 25.4 points per game this season, behind Jake Moser's and Enoch Ward's tough running. The running backs have combined for 450 yards rushing and four rushing scores in the team's first two playoff games. They will be key in Friday's game if the Pirates want to keep Declo's dominant offense off the field. In last Friday's 21-7 win against St. Maries, Ryan Beckstead started at quarterback in place of Stockton Brown. It is unknown who will start against Declo.

The Hornets (11-0) have been on a tear this season after losing in the 2016 state title game. Declo is averaging 47 points per game, scoring 40 points or more nine times.

SATURDAY

3A state playoffs

Shelley at Fruitland, 1 p.m.

Shelley continues its path to the 3A state title game Saturday with a trip to Fruitland in a rematch of the 2016 state title game, which Fruitland won 35-28. 

Saturday's game is between two of 3A's titans. Since 2003, Shelley has won six 3A championships, with its latest coming in 2013, a 17-14 win against Fruitland, which has played for a 3A state title 10 of the last 11 years. The Grizzlies have won three championships during that span. But the teams usually face off later in the month, as Shelley and Fruitland have met in the title game five times since 2007, with the Russets winning four times.

The Russets (8-1) have won eight games in a row, including last Friday's 35-21 home win against Homedale in the state quarterfinals. The Trojans were the first Idaho team this season to score more than 12 points against Shelley. The Russets are allowing 9.4 points per game, and three teams have reached double-digit points. The team's defense is putting on a clinic this season, improving on last season's 17.7 ppg average. The Russets' defense is led by  linebackers Braxton Balmforth and Mason Price, who both battled back to full strength after early-season injuries.

Shelley's Brandon McBride continued his breakout season against Homedale. The wide receiver and cornerback tallied 88 yards of offense, with a rushing touchdown and a second-quarter pick-six. He has scored a touchdown in all but one game this season, while connecting on 31 of 35 extra-point attempts. Price has also found his rhythm, catching a touchdown pass in each of the last three games.

Fruitland (10-0) has won 17 games in a row dating back to last season. The Grizzlies have outscored their opponents by an average score of 47.5-14 during that span. Fruitland beat Sugar-Salem 14-8 last Saturday to advance to the state semifinals.

Snake River vs. Gooding, 2:45 p.m., Holt Arena

Snake River puts its six-game winning streak on the line Saturday against Gooding at Holt Arena, with the winner clinching a spot in the state title game.

The Panthers (6-3) handled Kimberly last Friday 41-29 in the state quarterfinals. It was the Panthers' first playoff win under second-year coach Jeb Harrison. Snake River leaned on its rushing attack in the win, totaling 345 yards rushing and five rushing scores. Treyton Young led the charge with 25 carries for 174 yards and four rushing touchdowns. He also caught a 41-yard touchdown pass. It was a career day for Young, who came into the game with four rushing touchdowns. The breakout performance allowed Snake River to only pass the ball five times. It was the perfect balance for the hard-nosed Panthers, who have not been to the state title game since 2014. Snake River's offense continues its upward trajectory, scoring 41 points for the second time in three games after not scoring more than 27 points in the first six games.

Kimbery scored the second-most points allowed by the Panthers this season. The outing snapped Snake River's three-game streak of not allowing double-digit points. The Panthers' defense is strong, and will be tested against a fast-moving Gooding offense.

Gooding (9-1) beat Kellogg 21-20 last Saturday to advance to the state semifinals. The Senators are averaging 39.7 points per game this season. Against opponents with a winning record, the Senators are averaging 19 ppg. Against opponents with a losing record, the Senators are scoring 49.3 ppg.