Krobinett@journalnet.com

POCATELLO - At the end of blowout victories, Pocatello starters normally spend more time watching the game than they do playing in it.

But Pocatello's 49-13 demolition of Burley on Friday at Holt Arena in the first round of the 4A state playoffs was so lopsided that the Indians' best players spent more time joking around on the sideline than they did watching the game in the second half.

Senior wide receiver Colter Morton said that without the constant wise-cracks of kicker Brendon Johnson, it would have been hard for him to avoid boredom.

That's what happens when a 1-8 team, Burley, meets an 8-1 team, Poky, in the playoffs.

Poky scored early and often against overmatched Burley and led 21-0 after the first quarter. By halftime the score was 28-0, and it grew to 42-0 before the Bobcats finally got on the board with a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

By then, the Indians usual starters were long out of the game, already planning the rest of their Halloween night.

"The game, overall," Morton said, "was really easy."

Morton was a big reason why. He caught three passes for 56 and a touchdown, and he helped the Indians move up the field with ease early on.

But Poky's passing game was sharp the entire game. Quarterback Hayden Green completed 7-of-15 passes for 151 yards and an eye-popping four touchdowns. He spread them out to four receivers. Wes Howard caught the first, Morton grabbed the second, Michael Decker took off on a 52-yard score for the third and Jace Smellie hauled in the fourth.

"Hayden was throwing the ball really well," said assistant coach Willie Walker, who spoke in place of head coach Tom Harrison, who currently isn't allowed to speak with the media. "He made some great touch passes out there."

In their regular season meeting, Poky crushed Burley with its running game. On Friday, the Indians clearly wanted to send a message that they were two-dimensional.

Still, Walker said the toughest part of winning this game was keeping Poky focused.

"We had to make sure that they didn't overlook anybody," he said. "When you beat a team easily the way we did earlier this year, it can be tough to stay motivated in practice. But the kids realized Burley is now a playoff team and played really well."

There's no doubting that. But the competition becomes exponentially more difficult from here. In the second round of the playoffs, the Indians will face 8-1 Hillcrest, which has won eight straight games and runs the ball as well as anyone in the state.

Morton, though, believes the Indians will be ready.

"I think a win like this will be good, and give us confidence heading into Hillcrest," he said. "They're a very talented team, and it will take a good game to beat them."