What’s a 4A state championship game without the Blackfoot Broncos?

    The last time the Broncos did not reach the postseason was in 2002.

    In that decade-long streak, Blackfoot has won or played in five state championship games — including this year — and reached the semifinals three times and been knocked out in the first round twice.

    “We thought we could be here,” said Blackfoot head coach Stan Buck, now in his 21st year.

    The definition of a football dynasty might be up for debate, but the Broncos could claim the team’s fourth title in six years if they beat the Middleton Vikings Friday night at Dona Larsen Park.

    It’s a rematch from last year’s championship game and it kicks off at 7 p.m.

    And it seems like a game many across the state have expected since the season began in the dry heat of August.

    Blackfoot has been the state’s top-ranked 4A team in every poll, even after losing 35-14 to the Madison Bobcats Oct. 12.

    Middleton began the year at No. 2, dropped to No. 5 after losing its the opening game 30-15 to Fruitland and worked its way back to No. 2 by Oct. 17.

    Since that opening loss, the Vikings have won 10-straight and took the top spot to come out of the Third District.

    Middleton has reached this point of the season three yards at a time. The Vikings grind out wins with a double-wing offense that does not hide what it wants to accomplish.

    In the semifinal game against Bonneville last Friday — a 32-30 victory — Middleton quarterback Jake Skinner threw the ball once. And it was incomplete.

    But it does not mean the Vikings are unable to move the ball. Through 11 games, Middleton has rushed for 3,551 yards (323 per game).

    Against Blackfoot last year, a 42-24 Bronco’s victory, Middleton was held to 148 yards on the ground.

    “It’s tough defensively. You really have to be consistent tacklers, and you have to be mentally prepared,” Buck said. “It’s a physical, mental toughness we have to have defensively.

    “Our linebackers have to play outstanding.”    

    Of particular concern for the Blackfoot defense is slowing down senior tailback Victor Dias. After last week’s four scores, Dias has 23 touchdowns on the season and 1,468 rushing yards.

    And he is the one player who shook loose from the Blackfoot defense last year, running for 102 yards and two scores.

    “They’ve been doing well in their conference over there and they ended up being the No. 1 seed,” Buck said. “They’re well-deserving of being in (this) position.”

    Finding a way to slow down the Vikings is one challenge for the Broncos. The other is on the offensive side of the ball where senior quarterback Alonzo Ramos has excelled all season.

    Last week, against Skyview, Ramos threw 325 yards and four touchdowns. That performance came a week after he missed the second half against Bishop Kelly with a hurt knee.

    “He’s a lot healthier than he was last week and he’s ready to go,” Buck said. “We’re expecting big things out of him and we need him to be big in this game.”

    Blackfoot travels 253 miles to Dona Larsen Park, located in Boise, while Middleton takes a 26 mile drive. But playing away from home might not be a disadvantage for the Broncos.

    “School kind of wears on you a bit,” Buck said. “You have to focus on class. There we can focus on the game, and we can travel and rest.”