The 2019 Idaho high school football season starts Thursday, and some of the most intriguing games of the week are being played right here in east Idaho.

Below are previews of Week 1's top local games, plus some stars to watch for in the 12th annual Rocky Mountain Rumble at Holt Arena.

Preston at Logan (UT)

Thursday, 6 p.m., Maverik Stadium

Preston is one of three area teams opening its season on Thursday, and the Indians kick off in style at Utah State University's Maverik Stadium.

It's a good measuring stick game for the Indians, who return nearly every key player from last season's team that went 4-6 and qualified for the 4A state playoffs. Preston hadn't won more than three games in a season since 2010 and didn't make the playoffs from 2012 to 2017, so optimism abounds under second-year head coach Eric Thorson.

The Indians face a Logan squad that is adjusting to a first-year head coach after going 9-2 in 2018. The Grizzlies (0-2) lost a pair of first-team all-state offensive weapons in quarterback Jonny Parkinson and wide receiver Timm Van Leeuwen, but bring back senior cornerback Isaac Larsen, who holds an offer from Utah State.

Prediction:

First-year Logan quarterback Ethan Wilson has thrown seven interceptions through two games, opening the door for Preston's defense to snare a few turnovers. But Logan's enrollment is more than double Preston's, giving the Grizzlies a depth advantage.

Logan 35, Preston 21

Kimberly at Snake River

Friday, 7 p.m.

This matchup is a de facto tiebreaker, as the teams share the No. 5 spot in the preseason 3A media poll.

Snake River is heavy on upperclassmen after fielding a young roster in 2018. Senior running back Treyton Young returns for his third varsity go-round after combining to rush for 1,940 yards and 17 touchdowns over the last two seasons. Sophomore Cole Gilbert earned the starting nod at quarterback while the incumbent starter, junior Mitch Lindsay, nurses an injury.

Kimberly is led by senior running back McKade Huft, a three-time all-state honoree who scored 30 touchdowns during the Bulldogs' run to last year's state semifinals. Kimberly averaged 45.6 points per game last season, scoring over 30 points in all but one contest.

Prediction:

Snake River likely won't repeat last year's 2-6 season, but the Panthers typically start slow under fourth-year head coach Jeb Harrison. Wins will come, but not against Kimberly's high-powered attack.

Kimberly 42, Snake River 28

Highland vs. East (UT)

Saturday, 7 p.m., Holt Arena

The headlining game of the year's Rocky Mountain Rumble is also the finale, as perennial Idaho power Highland takes on Salt Lake City's East High, which won back-to-back state titles in 2015 and 2016.

Third-ranked Highland starts over on offense after graduating nine starters, including first-team all-state quarterback Kobe Tracy. Junior Easton Durham takes the reins behind center. He showed off his versatility during the playoffs last season, scoring four rushing touchdowns out of select packages.

Highland may lean on its defense early this season. The unit returns first-team all-state picks Kamiah Olsen at defensive and and Jayden Bell at safety. Bell holds offers from Idaho and Idaho State and is ranked as Idaho's 12th-best class-of-2020 recruit, according to 247Sports.

East is a storied program that has won 17 state championships. The Leopards (1-1) are ranked fifth in the Deseret News' all-classification rankings and are coming off a 24-14 loss at California's JSerra Catholic, which is 20th in MaxPreps' latest nationwide rankings.

East operates a triple-option offense and returns four starting offensive linemen from last year's team that ranked second in Utah's 6A classification with 36.2 ppg.

The team's top 2020 recruit is wide receiver/safety Nick Session. The three-star safety is this year's 11th-best Utah prospect, per 247Sports, and has committed to Utah State. He's joined by junior guard/defensive tackle Voi Tunuufi, a three-star recruit who is ranked second in Utah's class of 2021 by 247Sports and has offers from Utah, Utah State and BYU, among others.

Prediction:

Both teams have strong defenses and clock-eating offenses in a true strength-versus-strength showdown. Highland's willingness to throw the ball and ability to stuff East's option attack are vital in a bruising Week 1 finale.

Highland 21, East 14

DIVISION I RECRUITS DOT OPENING-WEEK SHOWCASE

Several big-time recruits will grace Holt Arena this weekend in the 12th annual Rocky Mountain Rumble.

All recruiting info via 247Sports.com.

Minico vs. Tooele (UT)

Two-star center Greyson Harwood (6 foot 3, 280 pounds) leads Minico as Idaho's No. 17 recruit in the class of 2020. ... Tooele three-star athlete Nukuluve Helu (6-1, 195) has committed to BYU.

Skyline vs. Orem (UT)

Orem linebacker Noah Sewell (6-2, 266) is a five-star prospect and the top-rated recruit in Utah's class of 2020. He holds offers from dozens of Division I programs and recently announced his top eight as Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State, Oregon, Tennessee and Texas A&M. Sewell reportedly suffered an injury before Orem's season opener and was seen in a walking boot.

Noah sewell is in a walking boot @bangulo pic.twitter.com/6vdStlE6Rr

— Anthonyb (@ANTT702) August 24, 2019

Orem also has three-star safety Buju Tuisavura (5-11, 170), and three-star cornerback Jakob Robinson (5-10, 155), who has been offered by BYU.

Century vs. Lehi (UT)

Century two-star defensive lineman De'Qua Lang (6-2, 240) is Idaho's No. 8 class-of-2020 recruit and holds offers from Idaho State and Montana State. ... Century's Titan Fleischmann (6-5, 220) is a three-star tight end prospect with an offer from Idaho State. ... Senior wide receiver Drew Gunter (6-4, 195) also holds an offer from Idaho State.